Garden update, March 20th
Hello Gardeners,
You'll soon receive a notice from Pitney Meadows regarding changes in visitor and gardener access to the farm due to Covid-19. Although this is an evolving situation, we hope with the proper safeguards in place, we can continue to support a healthy and safe growing environment. Here are more details on how this will effect you.
Beginning Friday, we will implement the following changes.
All farm buildings and bathrooms will be restricted to farm staff only.
The Community Garden will be open to gardeners only.
Parking is restricted to the area in front of the garden.
Gardeners must bring their own tools and wear gloves (please let me know if you do not have garden tools available).
The gardens are now at full capacity with 90 families. In order to keep access to the gardens open, we are implementing a limit of 10 people present at one time (keeping the recommended social distancing of six feet). A signup schedule for gardeners with begin shortly.
Until further notice, young children will not be allowed in the garden, as it would be quite challenging for them to maintain a 6' distance from each other. The sandbox/toys will no longer be available.
The gardens usually open when there is no longer a threat of a frost and we can turn on the water/hoses, traditionally early May. Since this decision is weather-dependent, and we've had a warm early spring, the gardens will be open as soon as possible - possibly mid-April. However, I understand that there are seasoned gardeners who want to seed early peas. Please let me know if this is the case.
We're having our mandatory meeting online!
On Saturday, March 21, from 2:30 to 3:00, we can join together for a shortened version of our mandatory spring meeting. Please attend and bring your questions!
You can access the meeting on zoom or by calling in:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4125499648
Meeting ID: 412 549 9648
One tap mobile
(646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 412 549 9648
Next Steps:
Gardening Webinars
Beginning next week you'll have an opportunity to view my weekly "How To Garden" classes online. I'll also send out an occasional video tour of the garden as the season unfolds.
Food
We're planting early crops in the area next to the Fairy Garden (future berry patch). These rows of sugar snaps, spinach and lettuce will be available free to gardeners who have been unable to begin their garden.
We're also growing/selling early crops in the high tunnel.
Seeds and Seedlings
Remember, we are growing LOTS of seedlings for our plant sale. This year we'll work on staggering the sale so that you can plant them as they become available.
We have seeds! Please let me know if you don't have access to seeds. We want everyone to have a chance to plant the free seeds donated by High Mowing and Saratoga Organics, so please send me a seed request of your top five vegetables!
Lastly, be well and stay connected. Please reach out to me if you have any questions, requests or concerns. I'm here for you.
Take care.
-Joyce