Thursday, August 25, 2011

Meeting on August 27 and UPDATE!

Peggy, Timothy, and Ann wrestle the fast-growing pumpkin vines

We at the Pine Valley Community Gardens are reluctantly bidding our dear friend Miss Peggy adieu as she moves across the country in early September. Peggy has been the get-up-and-go-girl of this organization, keeping everyone on task and organized. She will be greatly missed.

We'll be saying our goodbyes and celebrating her achievements at our monthly meeting this Saturday, August 27 at 9:30 (please note time change!) in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library. So come bid our Peggy a fond farewell and give her the hugs she so richly deserves!!

Many thanks also go to Peggy's generous landlady, Kathy, who allowed the Community Garden on her property in the first place. Although Peggy and Kathy are both moving to warm Southern climes, the new owner is thrilled about our little garden and pledges to allow us to soldier ever onward, growing community spirit as well as delectable organic veggies!

The co-directors of the PVCG are now Judith Dupree and Ann Larkin, the latter of whom has kindly stepped in to assist with finances and organization; plus, she has a strong back and much gardening know-how. Although we'll greatly miss Peggy, we're happy that we have such a capable gardener and organizer in Ann to step into some pretty hard-to-fill shoes (muddy though they may be from much gardening!).

We also extend our love and gratitude to the lovely Karen Butchko, who because of family matters, is stepping aside as Treasurer; Ann Larkin will take over the finances of this little organization, with our thanks.

As Judith writes about our upcoming meeting:

This will be an unusual and nostalgic gathering, and we hope those of you who have been in any way involved, if only at the very first, will join us to send our dear Peggy off to FLORIDA! Yes! Kathy has, hopefully, sold the property (it's in escrow), and they (or P. at least) will leave the first of October. Peggy has turned over all PVCG files and duties to Ann Larkin and me, and we will carry on with great hope. Among other tasks, Ann will handle finances, thank God! She is skilled at this, and you may be sure of our standing with Chase et al. I will address other essential duties. Prepare to hear from me whenever a new 'mater ripens. (Nah, just kidding!) BTW, our young Timothy has been irreplaceable, and will fill in gaps in various ways. What an enormous work it was, the first year +. Now it is at a stage when we are thrilled to see the "fruit" of our labor, enjoying beautiful ripe veggies almost daily.

All this to assure you of the continuity -- and now I want to encourage you again: Join us Saturday for a little tribute and fellowship in honor of Peggy and Kathy and their invaluable, ongoing, and considerable efforts to make this project viable!

Come and find out where our gals are going. Toast them with a cuppa fine java or home-squeezed lemonade . . . and munch a hunkin' cookie. We want every one of you to join in simply to rejoice together over two special people who made this special garden come alive. See you Saturday!

Think dirt!
Judith

So please do come and join us in saying farewell to Peggy and Kathy this Saturday, August 27 at 9:30 (not 9:00 as usual!)

And keep gathering in the harvest with us!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A Successful Sale at Pine Valley Days

Peggy chats with a Pine Valley resident about the PVCG

Despite the hot, muggy weather this year at Pine Valley Days 2011, the friends of Pine Valley Community Gardens gathered an impressive selection of edible and growable items for sale. All proceeds go to benefit the garden and continuing education programs for local school children.

Freshly picked organic greens and various plants grown in organic soil were also available, in addition to a bevy of delectable baked goods!

With edibles ranging from chocolate chip and cranberry oatmeal cookies to morning glory muffins and fruited oatmeal cookies to carrot cake "ice cream cones" and pecan pralines, plus freshly picked organic greens, Peggy, Karen and her grandkids, Judith and her family, another Karen and her grandkids, and Susanne and her four kids, did brisk business all day long.

Also for sale were heirloom bean seeds, dried Italian herbs, and various gallon and three-gallon plants: butternut squash, green pumpkins, various heirloom tomatoes, sage, basil, and rosemary all sold very well.

By selling baked goods and organic plants, the PVCG brought in $225!

Over the course of the day, which was cut short by a violent thundershower with driving, drenching rain, PVCG brought in $225!! We thank all who baked goods to sell and provided greens and plants. These funds will help continue our gardening efforts and allow us to continue to educate our community about the benefits of gardening together!

And the PVCG offers many thanks to Renee's Garden who donated many of the seeds that made this year's Community Garden and sale at Pine Valley Days possible!!

Also take a peek at our new photo album above, with photos from this past month: Garden Photo Album 2011.

Come grow community spirit as well as fresh organic vegetables by joining Pine Valley Community Gardens! Come to our next meeting (August 27--see post below this one) or contact one of the e-mail addresses in the sidebar of this site.

Happy Growing, Everyone!!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Next Meeting: August 27

Benjamin, Timothy, and Ann working in the PV Community Garden

The next meeting of the friends of Pine Valley Community Gardens will be Saturday, August 27 at 9:00 AM at the Pine Valley Library.

All who are interested in discovering what we do in growing not only organic vegetables but growing community spirit as well are very welcome to attend!

We will discuss work days, to-do lists, the new owners of the lot on which the garden area stands (who are very excited about the garden!!), and some shifting in job assignments.

Come grow a community as well as organic vegetables with us!!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Next Meeting: Saturday, July 23



The next meeting of the Pine Valley Community Gardens group will be on Saturday, July 23 at 9:00 AM, in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library.


We'll be discussing our booth for Pine Valley Days (July 30-31) and progress in the garden itself.


All interested Pine Valley residents (or those living near PV) are invited to attend; we love growing community spirit just as much as growing a beautiful and productive garden!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Next Meeting on Saturday, June 18!

The intrepid gardeners of the Pine Valley Community Gardens will be meeting this Saturday, June 18 at 9:00 AM in the Community Room of the Pine Valley Library.

Bring a friend!! All are welcome to attend!! We have much to discuss on many fronts, so bring your thinking caps!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Renee's Garden Saves the Day...and the Season!


PVCG is thrilled to share our latest good news: Renee’s Garden, of Felton, CA, has made a generous donation of vegetable seeds for our spring garden! Renee Shepherd, proprietor of this fairly awesome web-based biz, is a busy lady—hosting garden events, working with various groups, doing special projects with non-profits and schools, and connecting with other gardeners through Facebook. And more!

We are so blessed to have been on the receiving end of the firm’s generosity! Much, much thanks to Renee herself, and to Heidi Harris, who walked us through the process. We promise to send photos of our bountiful (hopefully!) harvest next fall.

Here are the ways to reach Renee’s Garden for your own pleasure and gardening needs:
Web site: http://www.reneesgarden.com/about/reneebio.htm
Email: customerservice@reneesgarden.com
Ph. 1-888-880-7228, Mon.-Fri., 9 AM-5PM, PST
Contact: Heidi Harris, Customer Service Representative

Renee’s Statement: Our seeds are available online and at fine garden centers and nurseries.  We do not have a print catalog.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Meeting on January 22

Guatay Mountain Nursery

The Pine Valley Community Gardens
will be meeting at
9:00 AM on Saturday, Jan. 22
at the Pine Valley Library.

All interested parties are cordially
invited to attend. Hope to see you there!