MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Carlene Stewart

Gardener Name: Carlene Stewart

I've always loved to garden but for some reason before this garden I had only attempted to grow flowers.

I got a flier on my door announcing a meeting to discuss the garden. It sparked my interest to see what it might be about.

I just got caught up in the whole project and wanted to be part of it, initially I was intimidated and was not going to get a plot, I'm so glad I changed my mind.

I had experience in flower gardening, I had never grown vegetables so in this regard I am a real novice. Going into this I just tried to listen to those that had more experience and I followed whatever suggestions were offered, and my garden has been doing great. I try to visit the gardens every day and that seems to help a lot.

Cantaloupe, yellow squash, 3 different kinds of tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, yellow bell pepper and marigolds. Oh, and now I think we can all be sure, two HUGE sunflowers. My daughter suggested a hummingbird feeder and I put one up last week. While I was there a couple of nights ago one came to feed so they have found it!

Learning to grow vegetables has been a great accomplishment already. I've met wonderful people that give freely of their time and knowledge to help others and that has been a great bonus.

Stop by and meet Carlene at Plot A5!

Education Opportunities

Mark Your Calendar for JUNE Education Opportunities!

Offered by North Haven Gardens...

Saturday June 2nd 1:30pm
"Agaves, Yuccas, & Succulents in the Garden" by Peter Schaar, Native Plant Society of Dallas.

Sunday, 6/3 1:30pm
"Conservation: The WaterWise Garden" Fern Hardin, Dallas County Master Gardener. Learn to keep a lush garden through summer without draining your water bill!

Salsa Sunday! June 10
Prizes given for the best salsa recipes! Put those tomatoes herbs you so tenderly cared for all season to good use! Use fresh veggies, herbs and even fruit to create your very best salsa! Rules and entry form online.

1pm: "Salsa Demo" by Whole Foods Market

2pm: "Vegetable Gardens" by Gregory Clopton, First Men's Garden Club of Dallas, Clopton's Garden of Dalas

3pm: "Prepare Cool Summer Dishes with Tomatoes & Herbs" by Susan Gregory, Dallas Organic Garden Club. Leave your oven off this summer by serving wonderful summer dishes that will keep you cool!

Sunday, 6/23 1:30pm
"Conservation: Herbs in the WaterWise Garden" Barbara Gollman, Dallas County Master Gardener.

CLICK HERE to learn more!

North Haven Gardens
7700 Northaven Road
Dallas 75230
P: 214/363.5316

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Alma & Harry

Gardener Name(s): Harry Maynard with my assistant, Alma Maynard

I fish, hunt and read. I grew up in Fort Worth but have lived in Lewisville since the mid 70s. I work at Texas New Mexico Power and have for the last 28 years.

I learned of the garden through my assistant Alma who works at CCA.

Our yard is not very sunny. I haven't had good luck with my home garden so when I heard of the opportunity to garden with the advice of master gardeners, I couldn't pass up the chance.

How experienced are you in Gardening? Inexperienced.

What is growing in your garden? Tomatoes and squash at OTCG (peppers and tomatoes at home).

What do you hope to accomplish this year in the Garden? More knowledge of gardening. Fresh vegetables for the CCA food pantry as well as my table.

Everyone is so friendly. I have met many new people that I enjoy.

Stop by and visit us at plots A3 & B3!

Gardener Tip Share...

Laura Preston found these two great resources for gardening and wanted to share with everyone!

CLICK HERE TO SEE Texas Gardener Magazine - "Make Room for Melons"

CLICK HERE TO SEE Early Blight in Tomatoes from TAMU

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Garden Grand Opening...May 19

Our new arbor.


Al, Beverly, Amanda, and Dave prepare for the festivities.


Carlene, Jessica, Crystal, Gary, Lin, and Dana enjoy the fellowship of the morning.


Amanda has nicknamed Gary (shown above) and Al (shown below) The Bug Guys --in honor of their helpful knowledge of identifying good and bad bugs-- and made them these great looking buttons.



Eileen adds last minute prep to some of the gardens.


Amanda organizes the T-shirts and Door Prizes.


Scott welcomes gardeners and guests and shares the vision of the garden.


Diane and Michael, our newest gardeners.






Lori, OTCG Chairman, introduces the garden executive committee.


Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!


Lisa, Kelly, and the invaluable/hard-working/fun-spirited Maureen-our CCA garden liaison.




Kelly enjoys the morning fun.


Carlene's first year at gardening is off to a great start! She is applying all the tips she's learning from the experienced gardeners; and her garden is proof that even a beginner can have an awesome garden!


Julie and Laura survey their garden.


Dave and Alva...known for the 'come back' garden and the one week miracle that happened after they applied the garden tips Al gave them in a training session.


Al, Amanda, Dave, and Gary model the new garden t-shirts.


Jeff announcing the winners of the raffle prizes.


The compost pile is cooking at 160 degrees!


Connie Smith and Jessica...working on the Girl Scout's plot -- 15 hours to go for that Bronze patch!


CCA Chaplain Paul, Dennis and Beverly Michelson.


Amanda and Lisa tour the garden; Lisa has been an invaluable asset for us in working with and understanding city ordinances!


The CCA refrigerated truck that makes runs between the food bank and CCA food pantry spreads the word about the garden, as seen in the photos shown here (above and below).



Jessica and Crystal organic gardening friends sharing two plots.


Going green....the Maynards don their new garden Ts.


Madison helps Lori harvest tomatoes.

Final Prep for the Grand Opening!

Crystal, Jessica, and Laura planting in prep for the Grand Opening.


Gary (not shown) and Al led us in a Composting Class; Connor assisted by applying water to each layer.


Michael, with son Connor, says his uniquely designed garden is inspired by his creative/competitive spirit as a Fireman.


Crystal recruited her employer, Skinner Nurseries, to donate the beautiful trees and other softscapes that now decorate our garden. Seen here hauling a plant almost as big as she is only confirms the rumors that she has super hero powers and has been known to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Okay, maybe not, but we all really appreciate her super contributions to the garden!


Gary and Al...they've collectively and individually provided so much so we can all have a garden. They willingly share their time, talents, knowledge, and perspiration. They also share their wit; as this photo was being snapped, they had a suggested caption. Ask them...


Happy Gardening!

Scenes From the Wednesday Nite Garden Prep

x
Our very first donation to the CCA Food Pantry, one pound of tomatoes from Lori Taylor! (photo submitted by Maureen)

The following photos from Wednesday Nite's Garden Prep were submitted by Al...

Our new arbor has just been completed, by the gracious donation of the Firemen Fence Company.

Maureen (above) and Lori (below) hauling mulch for the trees donated by Skinner Nurseries.


Alva takes advantage of the fertile soil, donated by The Home Depot, to mix into the garden. For healthy plants, the soil needs ongoing nutrients, air, and moisture.


An unwelcome visitor! Al and Gary, affectionately dubbed "The Bug Guys" by Amanda, are helpful at diagnosing "good" bugs from "bad" bugs. This little guy, sadly, is a bad bug, a menace to our healthy harvest.

Scenes From the Garden