Luscher Farm

 

July 2013  

 

Ribbon

Hi Community Gardeners!

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I hope you enjoy receiving these monthly newsletters. If you do not want to continue recieving them, please feel free to click "unsubscribe" at the top of this email or on the bottom where it says "Safe Unsubscribe."

 

There is a joy in planting a seed and watching it grow into something for the family table.  Share this with others-bring along the grandchildren, the neighbor's kids or some of the people you share your garden produce with so they see an example of "do it yourself" gardening.  You may get them interested in discovering how much fun it is.

 

Karen Davis

Luscher Farm Coordinator
503-638-0376


 

JULY GARDEN ACTIVITIES

                                         Tractor Parade 

 

  

WATCH FOR LUSCHER FARM'S TRACTOR IN THE 4th OF JULY  PARADE

 

 

 

THE SCARECROWS ARE ALMOST READY - ARE YOU?

They have patiently been waiting all winter and spring in the barn, and thanks to Nancy Sergeant and the Oswego Garden Club are all ready for their favorite time of the year. On Saturday, July 20 the scarecrows will be back on duty with new clothes, faces and themes entertaining visitors and just possibly scaring a bird or two.  Sneaky Pete will be in hiding once again, so be watching for him so you can get your "I found Sneaky Pete" sticker. 

 

JULY WORK PARTY

We are back to our regular schedule of the second Saturday of each month for the rest of the gardening season (July through October).

Saturday, July 13th                  Rain or shine

10a-12p

Volunteers are welcome to join us in maintaining the Community Garden

  

Good News - Garden Help Is Available For Hire!!

If you need work done in your plot this year you might consider hiring Luscher Farm's Caretaker, Brice Anderson.  Brice is available to do projects you don't want to or aren't able to do yourself. You may contact him directly at 503-313-5478 to discuss details.

 

Interested in having your plot rototilled? 

Working up the soil in a plot that hasn't been active is a back breaking chore!  If you bring in some mulch and till it in, you find gardening much more enjoyable.  Bring in your own tiller or call me at 503-638-0376.  I will make arrangemnts for our caretaker to till your overgrown-weedy plots for $75 or mostly weed-free plots for $50.  

 

 

 

 CLASSES AT LUSCHER FARM

 

Maintaining the Summer Garden

Deadheading and pruning are techniques you can use to restore a languishing summer garden to renewed beauty.  Learn what to do and when.  Dress for the weather and bring hand pruners.
Saturday, July 13       10a-12p
To register, click here
 

Flower Arranging Made Easy 

Master Gardener Kathy Whitman shows you how to make beautiful floral arrangements for your home.  You can use those skills to decorate with flowers from your garden or with purchased flowers.
Saturday, July 13       1-2:30p 
To register , click here 
 

  

Scarecrow Sculpting

Create and decorate a spooky, dazzling, or life-like scarecrow!  Bring your ideas and a few items from home to personalize your scarecrow.  Basic materials provided in the workshop are hay and scarecrow frame. 

Saturday, July 20        11a-1p 

To register, click here

 

Walking  History Tour of Luscher Farm

Join LO's Park Ranger, Ben LaBounty for a rain or shine tour and history chat. Parents may back pack or carry children, but no strollers/wheelchairs.  Children under 12 must be accompied by an adult.

Sunday, July 21          3-5p

To register, click here 


 
Juicing For Better Health

Fresh fruits and vegetables can boost health and vitality.  Join us at Luscher Farm and discover the power of juicing and how to make it part of your life.

Thursday,  July 20       6-7:30p

To register, click here  

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To register for other classes, click here 

 

 

THINGS TO DO IN JULY 
  • Weed and fertilize rhubarb and asparagus beds and water deeply to develop crowns for next year. Don't cut any more asparagus from your established bed.
  • When the foliage on potatoes begin to yellow and dry, stop watering them. This is a sign that the potatoes are as big as they will get. They will be ready to dig up by next month.
  • Take time to give your garden at least weekly inspections. If you find infected leaves, pick them off immediately.  
  • Plant cabbage and kale transplants for winter harvest.
  • Don't worry about squash and cucumber blossoms dropping off early in the spring.  It's natural. 
  • Help prevent blight on tomatoes by staking and pruning for good air circulation. 
  • Be sure to keep all your gardening equipment within the boundries of your plot. Pathways should be open. 
  • Early morning is the best time to water vegetables to reduce evaporation. Water deeply and infrequently.
  • Cover blueberry bushes with netting to keep birds from eating all the crop.

 

 

                                                                                                                                             

WHO DOESN'T LOVE BASIL?

 

We all love the plant for it's flavor and fragrance.  Each summer I look forward to growing it in my garden.  Just walking through the garden and brushing against a plant sends out this wonderful aroma.  My favorite is the old standard Sweet Basil, but there are many other varieties.  Below are some hints on how to make the most of those special plants.

 

Don't be in a hurry during the spring and plant too early.  July is not too late!!  Basil grows quickly and easily from seed, but only when both day and night temperatures rise above 50 degrees. Seedlings thrive in full sun when planted in loose organic compost/soil.

 

Pinching basil promotes lush plants and long harvests. To keep plants productive for a longer period of time, it is important to start harvesting by pinching the stems back to encourage branching growth and discourage plants from flowering. Once basil plants start flowering, it is nearly impossible to stop the process and the leaves of the flowering plant then are smaller and less flavorful. 

 

Basil plants initially grow one central stem.  Once they reach 6-8 inches tall, pinch the central stem back by half.  This will force the plants to branch and grow more leaves (hurray!).  As the plants keep sending out new stems, continue to pinch them back in the same manner.

 

Along with pinching the plant stems, it is important to give the plants a feeding of high nitrogen fertilizer like fish emulsion every few weeks.  Nitrogen promotes growth and the basil will to grow abundant large, flavorful leaves that help inhibit flowering. 

 

I make up my favorite pesto sauce with basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan or Asiago cheese and some olive oil.  I make a big batch and freeze it in ice cube trays.  After it's frozen, I package the cubes up in baggies to use throughout the winter.  I put them in salads, soups, spaghetti, on toasted bread and any other things I can dream up.  Have fun! 

 

 

 
I hope you find these monthly newsletters interesting and informational. They are sent out the fourth Thursday of each month. Please tell me if there are topics you would like me to include in future
newsletters.  If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving these newsletters, please click the link "SafeUnsubscribe" found at the bottom of this email.
If you have any comments  or questions you may reach me at [email protected] or 503-638-0376.  
See you in the garden,
Karen
In This Issue
July Garden Activities
Gardening Tips and Things to do in July
Who Doesn't Love Basil?
Discover Active Living!

To view the Winter/Spring 2013 Catalog, click here. To register for Parks & Recreation programs, please call the registrar 503-675-2549 or visit www.lakeoswegoparks.org
 
 
 
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