Upcoming Tomato Growing Workshop

Mark your calendars! Thursday, June 16^th at 4:30 P.M. is the next Community Garden Workshop.

This workshop, the fourth of the season, will be held to learn how to grow tomatoes and enjoy a plentiful harvest. Tomatoes are many people’s favorite garden vegetable, but there is plenty to learn about how to grow them. Experienced and beginning tomato growers are welcome. Experienced growers will have the chance to offer advice and swap information. The Community Garden is currently growing 9 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes as a demonstration. Topics will include different varieties and types of tomato, seed starting and transplanting, different growing methods, plant care, disease control, and season extension.

Welcome GALFA Apprentices!

Grinnell Area Local Foods Apprentices, James Yox and Jackie Blair, have been hard at work in the Community Garden this week. They hosted Galaxy Youth on Monday morning who got a tour of the garden, picked radishes and onion greens, went on a walk around the lake and planted beans. Later that afternoon, James and Jackie harvested the rest of the radishes and approximately 15-20 heads of lettuce to donate to the MICA food pantry.

On Tuesday morning, the Ahrens Park summer campers came to the garden and painted the cinder blocks around the three demonstration plots. While the kids were busy getting paint all over themselves, they also managed to get some on the blocks and really brighten up the garden. The Apprentices were busy Wednesday morning weeding the demonstration beds, mulching the paths and planting more beans.

James and Jackie are extremely excited to be involved with the Community Garden in every way possible. They recognize the Community Garden’s vital role in the local foods culture of Grinnell and hope to help it flourish throughout the summer.