PVCG Patio Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, November 6!

Pine Valley Community Gardens

will be hosting a Patio Sale

on Saturday, November 6, 2010

from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

at the home of Dick & Judith Dupree

29243 Rocky Pass in Pine Valley

Baked goods will be for sale as well as

gently-used household items
and spring bulbs.

All proceeds will go to fund our

Community Gardens here in Pine Valley.

Donations may be taken to the Duprees'

before Wednesday, November 3.

Please stop by to help fund our
Pine Valley Community Gardens!

A Note from Judith

Dear PVCG supporters ~

I just got back from 6 days in CO, and it was a great trip in multiple ways. All red and gold back there, for one thing. :)

More than that, I had a bit of time to look around and see life outside my cozy little box. What I realized more than ever is this: Life is becoming progressively more difficult for many of us [Americans]. You know where I'm going with this, and I'm not about to preach to the choir. But it gave me an even deeper, somewhat jarring awareness of the truth (which I always consider as larger than "fact") that we are all called to live with an element of sacrifice that is new to us. Something lost over the last century. One day, I fully believe, we will once again be pioneers in this land -- when the full impact of current policies and preferences and pursuits comes upon us. We haven't gotten there yet. The next generation . . . well, they're my deepest concern.

So. PVCG is one step in the right direction. To set a standard of, perhaps, community mind-set, as well as communal action. To say: We're in this hard place together, and we choose to stretch ourselves to include something new and viable in our lives -- to forfeit a bit of comfortableness or privacy or "responsible routine," and make something good happen that will make something better happen. It feels like a necessity, maybe a call to be larger than we even want to be. (Inside, not "outside"!) :)

And therefore I thank you for being someone I just described. It means a lot, not only to me, and to our others who came alongside for this awkward new project. And I fully believe that one day it will also mean a lot to some someones we may never know. It might, if we stay the course, give hope along with the tomatoes. That's why we do what we do.

Back to the dirt! Thanks for being such special people . . . and thanks for listening.

We'll see you at the garden -- when you can get there.

Big hugs to all,

Judith

Meeting This Saturday, October 23!

We'll be meeting this Saturday, October 23, in the Pine Valley Library at 9:00 AM to plan and discuss our BIG PATIO SALE on Saturday, November 6!

Come see all that we've been up to lately and how our garden groweth!!!

Don't miss out on this chance to build community and grow together!!!

Playing in the Garden This Saturday!

We're going to "play in the garden" this Saturday, August 21. Come when you can and stay as long as you can--we'll be starting fairly early in the morning to take advantage of the cool.

So bring along some gardening tools, and if you can, a friend or two to help out, and we'll have some fun tending both the garden and the community!

Here's our To-Do List, courtesy of Peggy:

1. Leveling the dirt in the area for the raised planters
2. Sawing and hammering the wood together for the planters
3. Emptying sandbags into appropriate places
4. Weeding, which is a constant

If you would like to swing by and lend a hand at any other time of the week, give Peggy an e-mail or a call, and she'll work it out. We never turn down willing worker bees in our garden!


Happy Gardening, All!

Next Meeting: Saturday, August 28!

The next meeting of the Pine Valley Community Gardens busy-bees is set for Saturday, August 28 at 9:00 AM at the Pine Valley Library.

Miss Peggy asks all current members to download, print, and sign the agreement she e-mailed us on Saturday August 14 and bring it to the August 28 meeting.

If you are new to the group or would like to become involved, see the contact information in the sidebar and drop one of us a line of introduction! We're always eager to have more neighbors joining us in making green things grow--and many other things as well.


The garden is growing well, and we are so excited to see all that is blossoming beautifully as a result: community spirit, good neighborliness, new friendships, stick-to-it-iveness, and even some pretty nice-looking plants!


So please join us on Saturday, August 28 as we plot and plan our future, both near and far, giving thanks for all that is sprouting with new growth in our little neck o' the woods!

Next Meeting: Saturday, August 14!

Okay, so our garden isn't quite this lush...YET.

But everything is tucked into the earth, ready to start...lushing, greening, and growing and, we hope, producing a small yield before autumn frosts have their sparkling way.

Our next meeting will be this Saturday, August 14 in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library at 9:00 AM. All interested members of the community are invited to attend.

We'll then adjourn to the garden site and see what's growing and what still may need to be done.

Congratulations to all who have made this little gardening dream a big reality! Yes, it's a little late in the season, but we now have a critter-proof structure that will last for many a season to come!

Good things grow when communities work together. And we're not just talkin' about zucchini....

See you bright 'n' early this Saturday!

Pine Valley Days

This year was the 40th anniversary of Pine Valley Days, our annual town festival, the highlight of which is the parade, always beginning with the high school cheerleaders and finishing with our home town heroes, our Pine Valley Fire Department.

And although we didn't have enough people to march in the parade, we made a very good showing of bringing delectable baked goods as well as some beautiful aprons, canvas bags, and shirts to sell via donation. We made some good money for the community gardens, and, even more impressive, we were able to "network" well and encourage others to join our fledgling community gardening group.

So welcome, newcomers, and we're very, very pleased to have you join us!

A Note from Judith....

Greetings, friends ~

I just want to weigh in here and report on the state of the gardening effort, because it is important right now to keep the ultimate purpose in mind.

First, I want to thank people (you know who you are) who have truly "hung in there" when our project seemed at a stand-still. We are moving ahead. If you haven't seen the piping, you've got to stop by. It's awesome!

I gotta say this: We are all beginners who didn't know much about the whole gardening concept (other than a few home efforts). Considering this fact, we have not failed. Quite the opposite. Mistakes and small glitches are inevitable. We have simply learned step-by-step what we need to know and do. By fall we will be fully equipped to start our winter garden, and next spring we'll be old pro's.

Those of you who were able to give your time and grunt labor to this vision are now seeing what a real--a very real--community service this garden can become. Our "pod" is a winner. Constructed out of odds & ends, it has become a structure to be proud of. I'm so proud of it, and of my fellow laborers. Not a glamorous job we're doing, but great fellowship! I look forward to every episode because we have such good times together.

What we are seeing ahead is a community asset that will make our village less vulnerable to the vagaries of life (the economy, mother nature, etc.) and will give us a chance to "grow our own souls" along with the veggies. (This is happening all over our nation, folks. And as near as Potrero!) We're planning on outreach, a food bank, perhaps, and spin-offs that will bring more people alongside. It's an investment in people. Giving up our present comfort and investing in something meaningful for the future. I thank you who have done this. I admire you so much.

Now . . . we have a booth in PV Days. If you haven't had time or the physical ability to join us on site, here is a significant way to help -- to keep the flame alive. We need to use this opportunity to raise funds to continue (and pay back a few of us). What can you offer that might be of interest to the crowd? Cookies/muffins, etc.? Do you sew? Do crafts? Woodworking? Here is your moment to work quietly behind the scenes and help us make this happen. Do send Peggy a note and let her know. OK?

Onward! See you at the garden -- and in the park on July 31st!
Best, Judith

Next Meeting: Saturday, July 10

The next meeting for PVCG will be on Saturday, July 10 at 9:00 AM on the back deck of the Pine Valley Library. We'll discuss our progress and any issues before digging back in at the garden site immediately following the meeting.


We'll be working at the garden site every Saturday morning and occasionally on weekdays, so if you have a hankering to join in the fun, come by on a Saturday and/or contact Peggy to let her know when you can work during the week.


The PVCG also is planning to be in the Pine Valley Days Parade on Saturday, July 31. We'll also be hosting a booth in the Pine Valley Park during Pine Valley Days, selling baked goods and other special items to help finance the community gardens. Please stop by to see us!

Saturday Meeting, Then Work Party

(Benjamin and Fred, taken by Timothy)

The Pine Valley Community Gardens group will be meeting bright 'n' early on Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 AM at the Pine Valley Library (on the back deck) to discuss plans and progress regarding the garden site. All who are interested are invited to attend.


After the meeting, we'll adjourn to the garden site and get some work done! Karen, Fred, Judith, Timothy, and Benjamin made some excellent progress last weekend, but we need more strong backs and big hearts to come alongside and get the earth dug up!
Bring along a friend!

Work Party Friday and Saturday

Okay, so our garden doesn't look like the lovely herb gardens at Summers Past Farms...YET.

So please join us at
10:00 AM on Friday, June 18

and 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 19

to get our garden ready to plant.

So come dig in and join us at the garden

site as much as you can Friday and Saturday!

The more, the merrier--as always!

San Diego Master Gardening Plant Sale--Saturday, June 19

Plant lovers and bargain hunters won't want to miss the Master Gardener Plant Sale on June 19 in Balboa Park.  The annual event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 101 and the patio of Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.

As with past sales, shoppers can expect a wide variety of plants at below retail prices. Many were propagated by Master Gardeners, while others were donated by specialty growers and collectors.

New this year is the sale of birdhouses in a variety of styles and sleeve-protecting gauntlets, all handcrafted by Master Gardeners. Floral note cards also will be available for purchase.

Plants for sale will include a wide variety of annuals, perennials, succulents, ornamental trees, heirloom and unusual vegetables, staghorn ferns, a wide variety of bromeliads and an abundance of other plants for home landscapes.

Master Gardeners will be available to help with plant selections and provide growing information.

Horticultural and pest control advice also will be provided by Master Gardeners on a variety of gardening subjects. Exhibits will include information on the following topics:

Identifying friends and foes in your garden

Safe pest control

Landscaping tips to help defend your home from wildfires

Composting how-to

Tomato, avocado and citrus tree care

Identification of invasive plants

Sustainable gardening

How to make your garden more drought tolerant

Park free of charge in Balboa Park lots and take the free tram to the sale. Purchased plants can be held in a holding area while shoppers enjoy the park or retrieve their cars. A loading zone makes plant pick-up simple and easy.

Watch our Web site, www.mastergardenerssandiego.org, and our facebook page, for more information as the plant sale nears. The Web site also will have details on parking.

The June issue of our e-newsletter will have complete plant sale information, as well as other helpful articles on plants, gardening and pest control. To sign up for the free newsletter and other Master Gardener email-alerts, visit the Master Gardener Web site and click the "Go Green" button.

Questions: Call the Master Gardener hortline - (858) 694-2860

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Work Par-tay!

We'll be working at the garden site from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM this Saturday, May 29.

Grab your gloves and shovels and come join us in moving soil into the pod structure!!

Come one, come all!

Descanso Garden Club Plant Sale and Run to the Hills Car Show

We of the Pine Valley Community Gardens joined the Descanso Garden Club at their annual plant sale today. It was a lovely day to be outside, schmoozing with fellow gardeners and purchasing far too many plants to somehow cram into our too-small cars.

Pine Valley Community Gardens added a goodly amount to our kitty today, selling baked goods, cold drinks, and seeds. Many of the group stopped by over the course of the day, and we enjoyed getting to know one another better and oooh-ing and aaah-ing over each others' plant selections.

So thank you very much, Descanso Garden Club, for hosting such a lovely event and for allowing Pine Valley Community Gardens to take part. We were able to share our community garden vision with some new people, several of whom are interested in helping us in fulfilling the vision.

Pine Valley Community Gardens will also be hosting a booth of baked goods and cold drinks next Saturday at the Run to the Hills Car Show #8, hosted by the Mountain Empire Men's Club. So come by and capture the vision--or at least purchase a cold drink to support Pine Valley Community Gardens. See you there!!!

Work Party This Saturday, May 8!

Come join us for our next WORK PARTY this

SATURDAY, MAY 8!

We'll start at 9:00 AM and work 'til we can't work any longer!!!

We're getting the "pod" all ready for planting,

and although much has been accomplished,

there's still much to do!!!

So come join us and lend a hand!!!

Meeting and Work Party on Saturday, May 1!

Join us at a planning meeting for

Pine Valley Community Gardens

at Pine Valley Library at 9:00 AM

followed immediately by a work party

at the garden site

28723 Deer Creek Trail

Bring your hammers!!

WORK PARTY: SATURDAY, APRIL 24!

COME ONE, COME ALL!!!

A WORK PARTY AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN SITE!!!!

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

9:00 AM - WHENEVER WE ALL POOP OUT

COME WHEN YOU CAN AND STAY AS LONG AS YOU CAN

GARDEN SITE: 28723 Deer Creek Trail

If you haven't signed and returned a release, please see Peggy.

Please bring your enthusiasm & willingness,

and let's have some fun!!!

Next Meeting of Pine Valley Community Gardens: April 17!

Linda Hoody's Agriculture students from Pine Valley Academy hard at work at our garden site on Deer Springs Trail, Pine Valley

The next meeting of the Pine Valley Community Gardens group will be Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 AM

at the Pine Valley Library.

All local gardeners and those willing to learn are welcome to attend and help build a community garden from the ground up!

Community + Gardens = Community Spirit and Fresh, Organic Veggies!

Pine Valley Community Gardens has benefitted greatly from much physical labor by Linda Hoody's wonderful Ag students at the Pine Valley Academy and also from donations of materials by Jerry Smith of Accel Framing. Thank you!!!!

All local partners and sponsors will be listed in our blog's sidebar--and we'd love more help, especially with materials as we pest-proof our garden in preparation for planting next month!

Come to our meeting and see what community gardening is all about!!

Free Community Workshop: Starting to Grow Your Own Food? Learn How to Win the Battle Against Pests!

 

A free community workshop entitled Starting to Grow Your Own Food? Learn How to Win the Battle Against Pests! will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Lakeside Community Center (Moreno Room, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside).

 

Sponsored by the UCCE San Diego County Farm and Home Advisors Office, Carolyn Kinnon, Environmental Horticulturist and Licensed Pest Control Advisor, will present this helpful workshop that will include:

• Healthy and Safe Gardening
• Learn How to Keep Plants Healthy
• Learn to Prevent Pests from the Start
• Good Bugs and Bad Bugs: A Part of Every Garden

A "Free Gift" is also being offered to the first 50 attendees, so get there early!

For additional information:
UCCE San Diego County Farm & Home Advisors Office
Telephone: (858) 694-2184
Web: UCCE San Diego

Next Meeting: Saturday, April 3 at 9 AM

(Summerspast Farms in Flynn Springs)

The next meeting of Pine Valley Community Gardens will be Saturday, April 3 at 9:00 AM (notice time change) at the Pine Valley Library. Spring is springing, and our hands are itching to delve into the soil and plant seedlings, clip away winter detritus, and coax along new green things!

Bring along copies of the by-laws and be ready to talk specifics about how we're going to get this "baby" up and running! We're really excited about the wonderful possibilities in store this spring!

Immediately following the meeting, we will carpool to Flynn Springs to attend a talk by Jack Shoultz on Growing Organic Vegetables at Summerspast Farms. Ten reservations have been made for our group.

Come one, come all--we'd love to have all interested parties attend and see what's growing here in Pine Valley--both in the ground and in the spirit of community! Interested young people are more than welcome to attend with their parents.

Next Meeting: March 20 at 10:00 AM

(Linda Hoody's "Pod" plan for pest prevention)

The next meeting of the Pine Valley Community Gardens group

will be on Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 AM

at the Pine Valley Library's Community Room.  

We'll be discussing planting plans

for a community garden,

going over by-laws (bring your copies, everyone!),

and various details.

All local gardeners are welcome to attend.

The more, the merrier!

Next Meeting of Pine Valley Community Gardens

 The next meeting of Pine Valley Community Gardens will be Saturday, March 6 after the Pancake Breakfast at the Pine Valley Community Clubhouse (around 10:00 AM)

Come join us to foster community spirit and community vegetables!!  We have some tremendous plans to till together, so come join us to plan and eventually plant!

Hope to see you then!!

Community Garden Network Meeting

Interested in community gardens?

Join fellow gardeners and build a network to sustain community gardens,

create new ones and promote community gardening in San Diego County.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Community gardens turn empty lots and open spaces into green areas for growing fresh produce and plants. Community gardens encourage understanding and awareness of the environment around us, while rewarding the gardeners with home grown fruits, vegetables and other crops. Most are comprised of manageable sized garden plots that are joint projects created by members of the community and cared for by individuals. As such they also encourage opportunities for social gatherings, beautification, education and recreation.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at 2:00 PM

at the TLC Community Giving Garden

11240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92124

(Bring a potluck dish to share if you'd like to stay after the meeting)

TO RSVP, click here:  Meeting of Community Gardening Network

Victory Gardens Lecture

Victory Gardens: Join the Garden Revolution! 

Click below for reservations:
Lecture at the San Diego Natural History Museum

Learn about Victory Garden model as part of the overall local food movement. Lecture generously sponsored by the The Heller Foundation of San Diego.

At no point in our lifetimes has the interest in gardening, urban agriculture, and local food systems been so intense. It’s coming from all fronts­economic need, challenges presented by climate change, community-development needs, health and nutrition, food security, reconnecting youth with land, changing understandings of how we use space in urban areas, and a growing desire of Americans for civic engagement and participatory democracy.. The past has the ability to inform the present. Review historical case studies, learn about current national policies and models, and discover the future work needed to sustain the Victory Garden model as part of the overall local food movement. Also, learn about urban agriculture and how the local food-systems movement is addressing a wide range of challenges facing Americans today.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010; 6:30–8 PM

This lecture is part of the Sustainable Planet: Food Lecture Series. Advance registration recommended.

$5 per person

Lecture with Rose Hayden-Smith, Ph.D., Director of University of California’s Cooperative Extension, Ventura County

Composting and with Worms

Information on Composting (and with Worms, too!)
Learn from the experts how to turn your garbage into gold for your garden! You'll discover the different methods of backyard composting, how composting conditions the soil for healthy plants, and how you can save money and water. Visit the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation for workshop locations and to make a reservation, or call the Rotline at (760)436-7986, extension 222.

Master Composter Training Course
Become an expert in composting, meet new people and participate in interesting events, all while serving your community. The Master Composter course provides training in the art and science of composting, soil management and how to teach it to others. Certification requires attendance once a week at the 5 week course and completion of 30 hours of community outreach. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to apply. A $5 materials fee will be collected at the first class session. For information and to register for the course, visit Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, or call (760) 436-7986, extension 217.

Schedule
Classes are held in the Auditorium of the Environmental Services Department's Ridgehaven "Green Building" at 9601 Ridgehaven Ct., San Diego, CA 92123 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., plus two field trips. The next course will be held on Tuesday evenings, March 16 - April 13.

Worm composting sites:

 Earth Recycle Compost

Make Your Own Worm Compost System

Composting with Worms

New York Times Worms

Buy Composting Worms

500 worms per pound

Feeding the worms

Have fun!!!!

Gardening as a "Moral Force" (and Delight)

by Judith Dupree, Preliminary Organizer

Greetings, you who are green of thumb . . . and otherwise. Welcome to the beginning of a new adventure in the hills of East San Diego County: Community Gardening.

In today’s world, a garden full of edibles is nearly an anomaly. We are all the poorer for it, as we know. Our small but growing group is convinced that “local is focal,” and that we can help ourselves and others (we will share the “wealth” in an outreach program) to bypass, to some degree, our dependence upon the not-so-supermarket and its imported, largely chemically-grown produce. We believe that the word “organic” applies not only to a growing method, but to a vision for that which is real, unadulterated, functional, and sustainable. Any force of nature that shoves against the mega-mechanized-pesticized practices of the “food chain” is surely a Moral Force. We believe that small and local is beautiful. And do-able and pleasurable and emotionally and physically profitable. As life should be.

We will share the journey on site(s) with any and all who would like to live on the cutting edge of lettuce and dig into the fertile soil of life. In other words, we invite anybody in Pine Valley, Guatay, and environs to come stake your own small territory in the whole of the plot and learn, along with us, all the ins & outs of gardening from those who really KNOW how to make it happen. It is a challenge we consider well worth the sunburn and caterpillars and ravenous rabbits. Bugs Bunny, watch out! No, we will not exterminate him, merely “relocate.” Bugs, non-bunny, are fair game.

We hope the Pine Valley Community Gardens (we have two sites) will become a place to hang out together or alone (sometimes we need one or the other) and work closely with Ma Nature and others in new ways. We hope to do rather well with it, and we recognize that it means that we “grow” along with the radishes or beets. As we will lean hard upon experts in the process, perhaps we can shorten the learning curve. That’s our intent.

Sound interesting? Get in touch with us through Peggy Sargeant at 473-0277 or psargeant619@att.net. We’ll let you know what we’re doing, where we’re doing it, and when. Wish us well— and a good growing season!