April 27, 2021
The vegetable crops in the north garden are thriving again. All of the raised beds are going strong. We had such nice yields from our Bloomsdale and Regimen spinach that we were able to donate 12-gallon bags to a food bank. Yesterday onions were harvested and donated and we picked a bountiful crop of purple potatoes.
Team leader, Lennard Nadalo, did his homework on tasty varieties. We especially enjoyed the Flamboyant French Breakfast radishes, Runaway and Wasabi arugula.
Hoping to delight our frequent preschool visitors, we constructed a teepee and planted Sunset runner beans to climb the poles.
This week the vegetable team was pleased to see peppers developing well on the varieties we are growing for the jam and jelly team fund raising efforts. We have started an heirloom variety of cucumber especially for the team to try branching out into bread and butter pickles this year.
Looking ahead to fall, we are considering small varieties of brassicas that have a better chance of success in our climate.
Volunteers have started vegetables from seed at home. Gardeners are tending okra and roselle hibiscus in the greenhouse to be ready in time to plant in May. The converted turf bed has been tilled and looks perfect for planting. Other volunteers took time and care creating the central brick lined bed that will have heat loving plants such as cucumbers and okra. The compost team provides the nutrient dense material that makes our plants thrive. We appreciate the many donated packets of seeds.
The spirit of cooperation among all gardeners at Raincatchers has contributed a great deal to the successful revival of this area. Thank you!
Beverly Allen, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2018
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 