200 Tomatoes

First United Methodist, Calhoun

200tomatoes — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:19:00 +0000

The faith community is continuing to respond to the need for affordable, fresh produce for Gordon Countians! There was an article in this week’s Calhoun Times about a project that The First United Methodist Church of Calhoun is undertaking to encourage gardeners to plant extra vegetables and take the harvest to the Church for distribution to people who are in need. Click here to read the article. Way to go First Methodist!! I’m looking forward to receiving news about other local faith groups and civic organizations who have gardening projects.

I will be away from the computer for a few days because I am going to visit Koinonia Farms near Americus this week. Koinonia is the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity, the Cotton Patch Gospel, and many other programs of service. Stay tuned for photos and posts about Koinonia!

Tomatoland

200tomatoes — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:58:58 +0000

The first batch of the 200 tomatoes made the journey to the Voluntary Action Center (“The VAC”) last week for distribution to folks who were stopping by for food assistance. I’m told by VAC staff and volunteers (pictured above) that people were surprised and delighted to receive the tomato plants, and the VAC is ready for another batch of tomatoes that will be delivered today. Each plant, properly cared for, can produce up to $30 in tomatoes in a season.

I am both thankful and in awe that God has given us all that we need to feed ourselves and our community.

Church Garden

200tomatoes — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:41:19 +0000

St. Timothy's Episcopal Church's Raised Bed

This beautiful, new raised bed was on the front lawn of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church this morning. I understand that members of the church’s Outreach Committee constructed it, and some of the church’s children did the planting. It is always encouraging when folks plant a garden or share their gardening knowledge. I met someone today who knows lots more than I do about gardening and has his own greenhouse. I promply invited myself for a visit.

I think that the best thing about gardening “for the common good” is the joy that people feel from being in contact with nature, being in fellowship with others, helping others, and appreciating in a new way God’s good gifts of seeds, plants, soil, and weather.

If you have a photo of a local traditional, raised bed, or container garden that you would like to share, please send it to me via e-mail at 200tomatoes@gmail.com.

Raised Beds

200tomatoes — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:47:36 +0000

Raised Beds

When I was young, my family always had a food garden, and it always looked pretty much the same every year. The garden soil was tilled with a monster roto tiller that was operated by my Dad. There were long, straight rows that were expertly “laid off” with a hoe. Because I seemed to get hives by just looking at vegetation, I mostly watched the process from a distance. There seemed to be a secret knowledge that my parents had that told them how far apart green been seeds should be planted and how to create a hill for cucumbers. Gardening was hard work from start to finish, but the bounty was always impressive and necessary for our family’s survival.

The gardens of my parents and grandparents involved lots of sweat and work, and because I like to avoid hard, physical labor when I can, I was delighted to learn about raised bed gardening. My husband and I built the raised beds pictured above last year. Although building the four, 4 ft. by 4 ft. squares and hauling bag after bag of dirt to fill the beds required some work, once the beds were constructed, the gardening couldn’t have been easier. No tiller is needed for raised beds because the soil is soft and workable (as opposed to hard, Georgia clay). Also, the soil in the beds warms earlier than other soil in the Spring.

I read Square Food Gardening and lots of internet sites to learn how to plant in blocks rather than in rows. One of the best parts of raised bed gardening is that it is easy to prolong the growing season and have something growing all year. Last year we grew tomatoes, okra, broccoli, and onions in the beds, but it is possible to grow almost any vegetable. The raised beds worked especially well for tomatoes. We planted four indeterminate-type tomatoes per bed, and we produced enough tomatoes to can and to share with others.

I appreciate the gardening knowledge that was passed on to me by my parents and grandparents, but I also appreciate the ease of new approaches like raised bed gardening.

Pet-Proofing the Garden

200tomatoes — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:33:44 +0000

Really Raised Bed

Finding a location to plant where dogs can’t destroy our delicious veggies can be a problem. I am obviously not a skilled carpenter, but this really raised bed has allowed me to plant lettuce in the backyard without damage from our furry friends. The really raised bed also gives Moose a cool place to hang out. Really raised beds are also great for people who have difficulty bending and kneeling. The bed was very inexpensive and easy to build. Click here for the plans. Wouldn’t it be great if we could build these really raised beds for senior adults who live in public housing?

Potato Cages

These potato cages protect our potatoes from Max, the potato-eating dog. Click here for more information about how to construct potato cages. These potato cages are anchored to the ground with tent stakes. Just plant the potatoes in some compost placed on top of the ground and keep piling straw on top. I’ll let you know how it works in July.

CROP Hunger Walk in Calhoun

200tomatoes — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:10:13 +0000

CROP Hunger Walks help children and families worldwide — and right here in the U.S. — to have food for today, while building for a better tomorrow. Each year some two million CROP Walkers, volunteers, and sponsors put their hearts and soles in motion, raising over $16 million per year to help end hunger and poverty around the world — and in their own communities. And you can be part of it!

With four paths to choose from, there is a walk for virtually anyone. There are several ways to participate: Join a team, start a team, walk as an individual, or sponsor a walker.

Even if you have plans and cannot attend, there are still opportunities to help raise funds by becoming a Spirit Walker or a Volunteer. 25% of the funds raised will be donated to the Voluntary Action Center Food Bank. This donation will help restock depleted food stores.

First Crop

200tomatoes — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 04:14:54 +0000

Lettuce that survived 2 hail storms ready for donation to the VAC.

It seemed for awhile that this lettuce might not make it. It survived freezing temperatures, hail (twice!), extreme winds, and monsoon rains. The lettuce is planted in cheap roasting pans with holes punched in the bottom. Hopefully, the recipients of this lettuce will plant more lettuce for themselves in the fall. The lettuce will be the first plants to be delivered. Very exciting!