Brown cardboard is effective for weed suppresion because it blocks light. Unlike plastic, it allows water and air to penetrate. This helps to maintain healthy soil temperatures and encourages earthworms and other beneficials.
Newspaper is also a good alternative to plastic in warmer climates. However, its use should be limited as the inks often contain heavy metals.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Calling all 'black thumbs'
Have a 'black thumb'? Great! Aveson could use your help weeding their edible garden. Come join us in your spare time, just stop by the office for your visitor's pass. No experience required.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Aveson Gardening January 2011
Gardening is the easiest thing in the world, especially in the sunshine of So-Cal. Add a little water, a few seeds and...Presto!
I encourage you to get out and visit the Aveson garden... no one has given it love for a while, and yet, growing strong amid the weeds, there are remnants of last year's harvest.
If we want a gardening program for our kids and our school, then let's make it happen! Contact Jennifer Carey or myself to express interest. In the meantime, I'm going to keep clearing weeds and planting seeds... won't you join me?
I encourage you to get out and visit the Aveson garden... no one has given it love for a while, and yet, growing strong amid the weeds, there are remnants of last year's harvest.
If we want a gardening program for our kids and our school, then let's make it happen! Contact Jennifer Carey or myself to express interest. In the meantime, I'm going to keep clearing weeds and planting seeds... won't you join me?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Gardening Action Team Unite!
Jill McAurthur, our volunteer Master Gardener, will host a pruning workshop in the garden for all members of the Gardeing Action Team. I know it's short notice but... bring your pruning shears!
Other duties are specified in earlier posts so please check the archives for a detailed list of what needs to be done to make our Gardening Program soar... and add weeding to that list!
Other duties are specified in earlier posts so please check the archives for a detailed list of what needs to be done to make our Gardening Program soar... and add weeding to that list!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
January 23rd, 2010: Come grow with us!
These actions need to be taken. We need muscle and supplies. Contact bridgethanks@aveson.org to coordinate the manpower and supplies!
*cement anchors placed in the rear wall and thickly wired to trellis our 2 grapevines
*repair of 2 sprinkler valves on the upper berm
*smothing primer and chalkboard paint for outdoor classroom on the backside of ACIS classroom (6'x15' or larger)
*moving several large oak rounds for seating (approximately 300 lbs. each!)
This is the wish list of goodies that are still needed:
Materials for the projects listed above! (especially for our outdoor classroom)
10-12 cinder blocks or other materials to create steps for northeast corner near compost
1/2" green plastic ties
tall stakes to keep hoses out of beds
3 more orca-board beds - approximately $200 each
12 large rocks for a sundail
several bales of hay
A shed for the garden tools
several large clay pots for container gardening
lots of mulch (can't use the stinky manure during the school year because it's a school garden and kids will be walking, digging, playing in it... stinky stuff can be spread in the summer)
MARIGOLDS!!!
lavender (to be placed at top rear of berm... it attracts bees)
lemon verbena
California bay
butterfly bush
climbing plants (grapes)
shade netting (4'x8', mobile)
potting soil
white plastic knives
*cement anchors placed in the rear wall and thickly wired to trellis our 2 grapevines
*repair of 2 sprinkler valves on the upper berm
*smothing primer and chalkboard paint for outdoor classroom on the backside of ACIS classroom (6'x15' or larger)
*moving several large oak rounds for seating (approximately 300 lbs. each!)
This is the wish list of goodies that are still needed:
Materials for the projects listed above! (especially for our outdoor classroom)
10-12 cinder blocks or other materials to create steps for northeast corner near compost
1/2" green plastic ties
tall stakes to keep hoses out of beds
3 more orca-board beds - approximately $200 each
12 large rocks for a sundail
several bales of hay
A shed for the garden tools
several large clay pots for container gardening
lots of mulch (can't use the stinky manure during the school year because it's a school garden and kids will be walking, digging, playing in it... stinky stuff can be spread in the summer)
MARIGOLDS!!!
lavender (to be placed at top rear of berm... it attracts bees)
lemon verbena
California bay
butterfly bush
climbing plants (grapes)
shade netting (4'x8', mobile)
potting soil
white plastic knives
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A Wonderful Beginning!
A very, very heartfelt "Thank you" to all the Aveson families, students, staff, and our very own master gardener, Jill MacArthur. Forty-five people turned out bearing seedlings, seeds, shovels, snacks, and smiles to turn the soil, re-connect irrigation, even pathways, clear weeds and debris, and set the gardening program in motion for the 2009/ 2010 school year! Thanks to their gifts of time and effort, Aveson WILL have a fabulous garden this year. Volunteer hours have been logged and pictures from the day are on display!
If you missed the fun, don't fret. Every Wednesday (excluding Community Days and holidays) is an opportunity for YOU to work with students in the garden. Do come out for all or part of the time if you can. Additionally, there will be Saturday gardening days scheduled monthly. Our next community gardening day is set for November 21st. Put it on your calendar now. Join in and be part of something truly rewarding. As you scroll down, you'll find there is still MUCH to do!
Below is the laundry list of above and beyond stuff that still needs doin':
*cement anchors placed in the rear wall and thickly wired to trellis our 2 grapevines
*repair of 2 sprinkler valves on the upper berm
*smothing primer and chalkboard paint for outdoor classroom on the backside of ACIS classroom (6'x15' or larger)
*moving several large oak rounds for seating (approximately 300 lbs. each!)
This is the wish list of goodies that are still needed:
10-12 cinder blocks or other materials to create steps for northeast corner near compost
1/2" green plastic ties
several garden hose diffusers/ gentle sprinkler heads
tall stakes to keep hoses out of beds
3 more orca-board beds - approximately $200 each
12 large rocks for a sundail
several bales of hay
A shed for the garden tools
several large clay pots for container gardening
lots of mulch (can't use the stinky manure during the school year because it's a school garden and kids will be walking, digging, playing in it... stinky stuff can be spread in the summer)
MARIGOLDS!!!
white cabbage
spray bottles for soapy pepper water to control pests
lavender (to be placed at top rear of berm... it attracts bees)
lemon verbena
California bay
butterfly bush
climbing plants (grapes)
shade netting (4'x8', mobile)
potting soil
white plastic knives
We'd love to hear from YOU so please post a comment below.... and we'll see ya in the garden soon!
If you missed the fun, don't fret. Every Wednesday (excluding Community Days and holidays) is an opportunity for YOU to work with students in the garden. Do come out for all or part of the time if you can. Additionally, there will be Saturday gardening days scheduled monthly. Our next community gardening day is set for November 21st. Put it on your calendar now. Join in and be part of something truly rewarding. As you scroll down, you'll find there is still MUCH to do!
Below is the laundry list of above and beyond stuff that still needs doin':
*cement anchors placed in the rear wall and thickly wired to trellis our 2 grapevines
*repair of 2 sprinkler valves on the upper berm
*smothing primer and chalkboard paint for outdoor classroom on the backside of ACIS classroom (6'x15' or larger)
*moving several large oak rounds for seating (approximately 300 lbs. each!)
This is the wish list of goodies that are still needed:
10-12 cinder blocks or other materials to create steps for northeast corner near compost
1/2" green plastic ties
several garden hose diffusers/ gentle sprinkler heads
tall stakes to keep hoses out of beds
3 more orca-board beds - approximately $200 each
12 large rocks for a sundail
several bales of hay
A shed for the garden tools
several large clay pots for container gardening
lots of mulch (can't use the stinky manure during the school year because it's a school garden and kids will be walking, digging, playing in it... stinky stuff can be spread in the summer)
MARIGOLDS!!!
white cabbage
spray bottles for soapy pepper water to control pests
lavender (to be placed at top rear of berm... it attracts bees)
lemon verbena
California bay
butterfly bush
climbing plants (grapes)
shade netting (4'x8', mobile)
potting soil
white plastic knives
We'd love to hear from YOU so please post a comment below.... and we'll see ya in the garden soon!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
2009 Gardening Volunteer Day
Please join us in the garden on October 24th, 2009, from 8AM ~12PM. We will provide coffee and Bagels ( so please DO RSVP with a comment below!), you provide hands, seeds, spades, shovels, and smiles! Bring gloves if you have them, and we need SEEDLINGS!
Seeds and seedlings we need:
* broccoli (seedlings only)
* cauliflower (seedlings only)
* beets
* celery
* purple cabbage
* carrots
* bok choy
* collard greens
* kale
* leaf lettuces
* head lettuces
* herbs (not basil)
* radishes
* rutabagas
* spinach
* chard
POPPIES and CA Wildflowers
Without your support the garden WILL NOT HAPPEN. Students CANNOT do it alone. It's time to back up our words with actions! RSVP with a comment below! We need YOUR support... no one else is going to do it!
Thanks SOOOO mulch!~)
Seeds and seedlings we need:
* broccoli (seedlings only)
* cauliflower (seedlings only)
* beets
* celery
* purple cabbage
* carrots
* bok choy
* collard greens
* kale
* leaf lettuces
* head lettuces
* herbs (not basil)
* radishes
* rutabagas
* spinach
* chard
POPPIES and CA Wildflowers
Without your support the garden WILL NOT HAPPEN. Students CANNOT do it alone. It's time to back up our words with actions! RSVP with a comment below! We need YOUR support... no one else is going to do it!
Thanks SOOOO mulch!~)
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