Last weekend didn’t turn out so well. Friday morning Moeen and I started on the big corner bed only to get rained out within an hour. In the afternoon, when the rain did stop, the wind came and although some work got done in the nursery garden the wind was gusting to 65 kph. On Saturday the wind was down to a mere 55kph. It wasn’t so bad so long as one didn’t stand up so Geoff spent two hours squatted down going along the rows of potatoes de-bugging and squishing beetle eggs. When Donna, Geoff and Maureen showed up on Sunday afternoon some progress was finally made on the corner bed but by quitting time barely half of the area was ready for planting.

Fortunately a lot of unexpected help during the week has mitigated the situation. Geoff and Monique came after work on Tuesday evening and did a great job of cleaning up half the wedding - or is it weeding - garden. Norma and Rocio, slaved away on Wednesday morning and by lunch time had managed to clear the remaining jungle from the back of the corner bed. Lloyd was out in the afternoon picking and squishing potato beetles and we even manage to start a new bed for the peppers and chilies. Yesterday morning (Thursday) Margaret and Moeen got all the pelargoniums planted in the corner bed and Norma and Rocio were back at the weeds again, this time in the nursery garden.

The corner bed is a big display that everyone sees so getting it cleaned up and having the pelargoniums planted is a big relief.. This morning Moeen will tackle planting the hundred or so tall yellow dahlias at the front of the main building.
Early next week, we’ll finish off the corner bed, using the yellow cannas which Phyllis donated, and that will be that for the ‘must do’ annual display plantings.

With the focus on planting the display beds a lot of other work has been left behind - the grass in the nursery garden is knee high and the corn, squash and beans are yet to be planted - so, although we are probably ‘over the hump’, it will be a while before we can sit in the shade, under the umbrella, sipping sodas and admiring our work.

What has already been achieved this year is really quite remarkable. The area under cultivation has doubled since last year and by Sunday evening - deo volente - the total number of volunteer hours put into the gardens will have exceeded FIVE HUNDRED almost double what it was this time last year. From so small a group of people that is something to crow about.

This weekend I’m available Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon. If you can make a couple of hours please email reply or phone.

PS: There are still lots of Dahlias if anyone wants them.