At Long Last- Rain! We Need It

Hallelujah. We FINALLY got some rain. Even the local office of National Weather Service is excited — with “Rain!” as the title (for now) on its home page. For people dragging themselves out day after day to water their parched plots in the blazing sun, the rain we’re getting in Dallas is nothing short of a miracle. But we in north Texas are not the only ones suffering. The whole state, as you might know, is in desperate need of rain. Nothing gives you a better sense of how bleak the picture is like an actual picture. This one comes from the US Drought Monitor. It’s pretty shocking.

And, not to be a buzz kill, but apparently, there’s a 50% chance of another “La Nina” weather pattern this Fall, which was blamed as a big contributor to the worst year of drought in Texas history.

One day of rain surely won’t end all the misery, but at least we can get out and enjoy it while it lasts.

Watermelon- Jicama Salad

Got a couple requests for this recipe so thought we’d post on the website for everyone. It’s nice and light– unusual combination of ingredients and a great way to use watermelons and cucumbers from the garden!

Watermelon Jicama Salad (from Cooking Light)
*Combine 4 cups (1/2 inch) cued seedless watermelon, 1 1/2 cups (1/2 inch) cubed peeled jicama, 1 cup chopped English cucumber, and 1/2 cup chopped red onion.
*Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons sugar and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Toss well.

Squashing Squash Bugs

Alas, a bumper crop of squash can also mean a bumper crop of squash bugs. We found a couple good websites with info on squash bugs and what you can do to get rid of them, although our favorite method is squishing them like the evil bugs that they are. Good info can be found on the University of Minnesota website and also on Utah State’s website.

Beautiful Work Day in the Garden

You not ask for a better day to get your hands dirty. The garden’s looking great with everyone’s individual plots coming along. Today we tilled up some plots we used for the restaurant gardens last year. They’re over near the entrance to the bees. We also raked them out a little to even them out. We will plant clover till we figure out what we want to do with them. We have other restaurant plots already going with herbs and tomatoes. We grow those plots, sell the produce to local restaurants and then donate the proceeds to North Texas Food Bank.

Individual plots are coming along as well. We spotted a raspberry bush in one plot, sugar cane in another and radishes that looked more like huge red potatoes!

Good turnout, great work effort– and the best part– potluck brunch afterwards!

Garden Work Day

We have a garden work day tomorrow, Saturday April 9th from 8-10am. Even if you don’t have a plot, feel free to drop by and say hello. The garden is at the back of Southwood Methodist which is on Ravinia, off Kiest.

God Made Dirt and Dirt Don’t Hurt

… especially when it’s for the garden. Check out the big new shipment we received at the Kiestwood Garden today.

 

Work Day in the Kiestwood Garden this Saturday!

Come one, come all! We’re digging in the dirt this Saturday, March 12th, 8am to 10am. We’ll do community work on the garden, like making sure all the plots are ready for planting. Bring a shovel!

We still have a few plots open if any budding gardeners are interested:  8 x 10 plots are $40 for the year and 10 x 12 plots are $60.

Feel free to come and help out even if you’re not a member. We always appreciate the help and the company. Kiestwood Community Garden is located behind Southwood Methodist Church on Ravinia. That’s south of Kiestwood, between Westmoreland and Hampton (75211).

 

 

 

 

Schemes and Dreams

If the warm weather wasn’t enough to have us dreaming of Spring, the seed swap today tipped us over the edge. We had an abundance of interesting seeds to exchange… and then we all filed out to stake the plots. We talked about having some pretty plants at the entrance of the garden this year, maybe cotton and/or Jerusalem artichokes. We also discussed the need for a shed– and maybe even building one?!?! Finally- bring your soaker hoses! We’ll figure out a way to attach them to an extension hose which will run to one of the two water sources.

Oak Cliff Seed Swap: All Welcome

 Got seeds to swap?  Interested in getting a garden plot? Volunteering for the Restaurant -Food Bank Program. Just want to meet fellow Oak Cliff gardeners? Make a mean covered dish or snack? Well you are in luck…

Kiestwood Commuity Garden in Oak Cliff  is having a seed swap/ meet and greet/ potluck on Sat, 19 Feb, from 10-noon.  Open to anyone who wants to stop by. 

3601 S Ravinia.   (South of Kiest between Hampton & Westmoreland) Bring seeds, bring a snack.

Work Day Report

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the work day- 60 degrees, sunny, beautiful. We ripped up the dead and dying plants from the plots and put the garden to bed till Spring. Although it was sort of sad, we have to make way for new things and new gardens in the New Year.

To that end, after the work was done, we headed inside for a delicious potluck and to discuss what went well last year and what we’d like to change. We were all pretty proud of how much our restaurant plots had raised for North Texas Food Bank. We all agreed some soaker hoses would make it easier for everyone to help water the restaurant plots. We also talked about getting a greenhouse!

This year will be the third for Kiestwood garden and it’s looking good. If you know of someone who wants to join, we have plenty of space to expand! Plots cost $40 and $60 per year depending on the size. We’re having a seed swap third Saturday in February. Join us!