This time of year we are seeing buds and tender little leaves appear and it is inspiring for those of us bitten by the gardening bug. Our temperatures are warming up and we have had more than our share of rain so far this year. Both of these conditions signal its time for plants and flowers to start waking up.
Within Stillwaters we have two designated Community Gardens – best for fruits and vegies since they are nicely fenced and kept away from the deer and (most) rabbits. These garden spots are available upon request by residents and are very popular. More than just the gardening, the social aspect of community gardens is a bonus.
The definition of a Community Garden is:
“a piece of land gardened by a cooperative group of people living in the area” and in other areas is described as providing “opportunities for social gatherings, beautification,education, and recreation.” For the this neighborhood this is certainly true. Residents grow everything from potatoes, carrots, greens, beets, tomatoes and peppers to berries, grapes and flowers. When July and August come around it is quite beautiful to wander through the gardens to see all the bounty.
Though you don’t have to go any further than your yard to garden here, it is not recommended you grow anything you intend to eat because the deer will beat you to it. The deer in the neighborhood seem to have a regular route of (dare I say destruction) eating and they always seem to find those tender young bulb sprouts or new leaves on certain trees.
The local Master Gardener Program presented a program here today on back yard gardening and here are a couple future classes to be held at the Borst Park Demo Garden that might be interesting to check out.
April 30th @ 10 a.m. Deer Resistant Gardening
August 27th @ 10 a.m. Seed Saving
Contact Art Fuller at art.fuller@lewiscountywa.gov or phone 360.740.1216 for more information and to register.
Also, on May 21st and 22nd the Lewis County Master Gardener Annual Plant sale and Plant Pot recycle at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds (Expo Hall). Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 10-3.
September 10th from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Centralia College is their “Gardening For Everyone” Fall Class extravaganza. At this event you can attend a number of classes and get a mix of knew knowledge all in one day. The Master Gardener Program is a great local resource for gardeners at any level. Click HERE for more information. Check it out!
Quote of the Week:
What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Happenings this Week:
Tonight: Movie Night at Stillwaters. This month’s movie is “The Intern” with Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway. The movie focuses on a 70 year-old intern and the business savvy he brings to the fashion industry. Join the laughs and if you are here by 5:45 you can join us for ice cream before the movie. The movie starts promptly at 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 12th: The Miss Lewis County Scholarship Pageant will be held this Saturday at 7pm, in the auditorium at R.E. Bennett School in Chehalis. The Miss Lewis County Scholarship program is an official preliminary to the Miss Washington and Miss America Scholarship pageants. This year, the program celebrates its 53rd year with the Miss America Organization.
Saturday, March 12th: The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Auction and Banquet will be held on Saturday at the Blue Pavilion at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. The doors open at 4pm. The event includes a live auction, silent auction, raffles and games for both children and adults. Proceeds will go towards habitat conservation, elk research, and conservation education. For tickets, call 360-262-0096.
Weather:
Should be an interesting weather week. A little bit of something for everyone next week. See below:
