MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Eileen Graziano

My name is Eileen Graziano, and I have lived in Lewisville for 22 1/2 years. I used to garden when I lived in Connecticut, where the soil is beautiful, but was frustrated trying to get anything to grow in Texas clay.

I first heard about the garden through an insert in our water bill a few months ago, and decided if someone else was going to do all the major tilling, I would like to grow something other than houseplants again.

I guess I would consider myself an average gardener. I love working in the dirt, and it is fun getting to know the others in the garden.

I have planted in my garden, at the present time: cantalopes, cucumbers, pole beans, grape, cherry and slicing tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, red and green bell peppers, yellow and red onions, yellow straight neck squash, marigolds, nasturtiums, cilantro, parsley, basil and rosemary.

I'm just hoping I can beat the summer heat on my plants, and for a harvest big enough to share with the pantry.

Stop by and get to know Eileen!

Congratulations Al Kirchoff!

Al recently completed the Denton County Master Gardener program where he logged a total of 70 classroom training hours covering plant anatomy, physiology, pathology, soil characteristics and chemistry, entomology, landscape design, and plant selection. Upon completion of an additional 70 hours of work in volunteer garden projects, Al will obtain the Master Gardener designation.

Al, along with Gary Janke, serve as the OTCG Soil Coordinators, also coordinate the Lamb of God Lutheran Church Garden of Eatin’ which donates 1500-2000 lbs. of produce to the CCA Pantry Annually.

“I love nature and the life sciences, the miracle of birth and life, seed germination and plant development being parallel in the plant world," Al says. "I see the incredible productivity of the soil, the plant response to preparation, planting, caring for, and the harvest of the crop. I love working with my hands outside. There is a lot of hard work involved, but to me it is therapy for the mind and soul. It is so peaceful and rewarding. And I enjoy fresh veggies.”

"I hope the gardeners participating in the OTCG this year enjoy their experience and do not become frustrated and discouraged if the garden doesn't produce as they expect. We have a very undeveloped piece of land that we will see develop into good garden soil, but this first year will be challenging and require a lot of patience and practice. Please ask questions and learn as much as possible from fellow gardeners and any other resource available. Even with my years of experience I still have failures and bug and disease problems that keep me going back to the books."

Al, thanks for the hard work you pour into making our garden a reality, and caring enough to learn, and share your knowledge!

Garden Education: Square-Foot Gardening

Have you ever heard of Square-Foot Gardening?

One definition is: Square foot gardening is a uniquely, simplified method of gardening that produces 100% of the harvest in 20% of the space.

A GREAT idea for small garden plots!

The Denton County Master Gardeners Association is hosting a two-part workshop on square-foot gardening on Sunday April 22 and May 6, 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Bowling Green Park in Denton.

For more info call the Texas A&M Coop Extension Office at 940-349-2883.

Thanks to Jeff and Amanda for submitting this information; if you learn of a great class on gardening, please contact Alva so we can post here on the blog!

Garden Education Meeting April 21

Our soil was carefully prepared for March planting. Al and Gary have advised that in order to assure bountiful crops, we must continue a fertilization process; if you are not familiar with this, please join us for the first education meeting. Gary and Al, along with other experienced gardeners will be on hand Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 - 11:00am to share soil maintenance insights and to answer any questions. Please join us for this informative session. Also, some gardeners have reported seeing the first surge of bugs, so it's a good time to talk more about how to win this war against those little creatures so they do not rob our baby crops.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Jeff and his daughters Amanda and Catie

Gardener Name(s): Jeff, Amanda, and Catherine Jekel

Level of Gardener Experience: Seasoned Pro

Tell us something about you:
– Jeff: has lived in the DFW area for the last 22 years and is a programmer,
Gig'Em Ags! I also serve as the Treasurer on the OTCG Exec Committee.

– Amanda: attends Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch and plays with her 4 1/2 month old beagle

– Catherine (Catie): lives in Colorado with her mom, will graduate from high school in May, and will then go to UCCS in the Fall after spending the summer in Texas with her father and sister. (Not pictured here, but many met Catie at the Garden Blessing.)

Why did you get involved with the Garden?
We thought it would be fun and a good way to get involved with the community and to meet people. And for an added bonus we didn't have to tear up our backyard just as the grass was starting to grow!

What you are enjoying about the OTCG garden experience?
The people involved are by far the best part of the garden. It has been a pleasant surprise as to how well everybody has meshed.

What's growing in our garden?
Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash and Zucchini, Cayenne Pepper, Jalapeno Peppers, and Bell Peppers, Eggplant, Cabbage (not Broccoli) Shallots, and various herbs.

Anything else you wish to add....We would like to see the garden continue to grow (pun intended) with more people and more plots. We hope that it continues to be a wonderful experience.

Stop by OTCG Plots A6 and B6 and say "Hi!" to Jeff, Amanda, and Catie!

OTCG: In the News

The Dallas Morning News included a story on the Garden in the Sunday, April 15 edition.
CLICK HERE TO READ ONLINE.

Also, we made the cover of the DMN Southern Denton County Neighbors, Saturday, April 14. Photos and story appear on pages 20 and 21.

The Dallas Morning News included a story on the Garden in the Sunday, April 15 edition.
CLICK HERE TO FIND PICK-UP LOCATIONS.

Happenstance

Sometimes fun occurs when you least expect it!

Today...several gardeners' paths crossed as we showed up to tend our plots. First to arrive, Nelda and Gary Wallace two of the newest gardeners were busy at work planting their garden. Followed by Alva and Dave Cranford. Followed by Jeff Jekel, and his daughter Amanda. Followed by Eileen. Then, the unexpected.

Dru, who lives nearby and on her way home from buying groceries, stopped off to offer flowers she'd found discarded. With the ground outside the garden perimeter impossibly hardened soil, the group assembled a temporary Garden Entrance planting using bricks and top soil.


Dru prepares the entrance planter.


Eileen and Dru at work on Planter 1...


Nelda and Gary at work on Planter 2...


L to R: Nelda, Dru, Gary, Dave, Amanda, Jeff, and Nelda (with Alva behind the lens).


Discarded flowers given a 2nd chance at providing seasonal beauty.

It was one of those random afternoons of fun, laughter, and teamwork that happens just by chance. And one of the many reasons the Garden has fast become a passion of many people who not long ago were strangers to one another.

Weather Alert

Keep an eye on the weather this weekend!

Neil Sperry sent this Frost Alert:
"For a late frost: Buds, flowers and tender new foliage are vulnerable to frost, which can form on cold, still nights, particularly if it is clear. Lightweight nursery fabrics will protect against frost damage and can easily be removed and stored for the next event. Secure them against winds that may accompany cold fronts. Since precipitation is expected with this cold episode you should provide stakes and other means of support to keep it from sagging onto your plants. The lightweight frost cloths do not readily absorb water, so they are your best option."

Read more from Neil...

Garden Blessing

The Old Town Community Garden Blessing was held on Saturday, March 31. We were greeted with a beautiful sunrise after a rain soaked week.

CCA Chaplain Paul Lucido led us in prayer, as we dedicated the Garden to God, asking His favor for a successful year of abundant crops as well as new friendships. Gardeners, CCA Staffers, and others joined together for a wonderful kick-off and planting began.

We were joined by Shawn and Ricky a reporter and photographer for the Dallas Morning News. A story of our Garden will appear in the Sunday, April 15, edition of the Dallas Morning News, Metro section.

The following photos provide a hint of the fun, enthusiasm, and blossoming friendships that are also growing in the Garden!





























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