One of the Garden's Best Days

It was a great day at the CACG on May 3rd, as we head towards a season of planting and new growth.

We had numerous visitors and volunteers through out the day, and it was so fun to see new faces and 'regulars' working together, sharing ideas, and enjoying all that the garden has to offer.

We're planning some new projects and events at the garden as we head towards the summer, and I'll try to keep the blog up to date!

Here are some pics from Saturday, where  we cleaned up the lower beds, planted beans, radish, tomatoes, eggplant, chard, beets, and sunflowers.

David and Garden Mike worked on the irrigation system as we continue to monitor the water usage.

This is Sophia, who came to the garden with Jenn, mike, and her two little brothers.

She was a great help planting new seeds in the bed above, and spreading hay around the planted areas.

She stood there, passing in and out of the green sunflowers that are growing tall, and said, "it is so fun, being here with all this stuff...."

I agree, Sophia!!

The Sequoia Elementary Daisy Girl Scout Troop helps at the Garden

Brenna's Girl Scout troop spent Saturday morning at the Center Avenue Community garden, and had a great time exploring, planting some vegetables, reading gardening books, and working on some water color painting.

Here are some pics of the day!

Hugelkultur Bed Update at the Garden

About a year ago, a group of folks at the Center Avenue Garden wanted to create a Hugelkultur Bed, which you can read about on here: http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/, and want the rich soil calls, "the ultimate raised garden bed".

After a lot of man power (and some timely help from Terry's tractor), a year later, we have some tasty veggies growing on top of the raised bed.

Here are some pictures of the progress:

It started with mud.  Well, a few weeks prior to that, it started with a lot of digging by many volunteers.  But I remember this day when Brenna and Colin decided to go hog wild in the big, muddy hole that would eventually become the Hugelkultur Bed.

It was fun for 20 minutes, but the cold, wet, muddy run home was interesting....

Splat.

Volunteers began setting aside various branches and shrubs that would be ideal for filling in the bed.

When the sun came out, Terry, Bob and others began prepping the bed. They used the tractor to place the large logs that would become the base and walls.

The first side of the bed in place.

The second side.

Terry, Bob, and Doug working out a plan.

Over time, a raised bed 'Lasagna' was created, spreading layers of branches and compost, branches and compost. After that, David and others began spreading seeds on top, until....

Kale, sunflowers and other goodies appeared!

Feel free to climb up the bed, and harvest some kale!

New friends at the CACG

We spent Saturday morning at the CACG, pulling weeds around the perimeter, and amongst the garden beds, along with "Garden" Mike and David.

Brenna and Colin played in the kid's area, and enjoyed the company of the other friends that have taken up residence at the garden.

Colin seen here observing a caterpillar.

The caterpillar made friends with a local ladybug.

Brenna examining the ladybug.

Fruit trees starting to bloom

Climbing trees

DVC Permaculture Class comes to CACG

Bethallyn and her DVC permaculture class came to the garden last Saturday to help and share ideas about Permaculture.  It was wonderful to have everyone walking around the garden discussing ideas and learning from each other.  It was great to see so many people helping and working together.  It's amazing what can be accomplished when you have so many helping hands.

David sharing the history of the garden.

Tackling the compost area.

Cleaning up the beds.

Working with the Mulberry branches.

A big thank you to Bethallyn and her class!   We look forward to the next visit.

Riding the Contra Costa Canal Trail

With the kids becoming experts on their bikes, we've been able to lengthen our run/bike rides on the local trail.

The Contra Costa trail is a great one for easy, rolling runs, riding your bike, or stopping for a snack and the view!

Weekend Trip to Big Trees State Park

We took a trip to Bear Valley for some sledding, and made a pit stop at the Big Trees State Park as well.

Big Trees is just East of Arnold on Highway 4, only a couple of hours from the East Bay.

We had a lot of fun exploring among the trees.