Hubby and I had a quick breakfast, packed the car and headed for PTG arriving just after 10am. Sky was cloudy, light breeze and beautiful working weather.
Found the gate unlocked and Linda F. working away removing weeds. She has removed several rows of weeds over the last few weeks but after a quick chat discovered that she really enjoys it. She has learned to recognize many weeds she didn't know anything about before.

We started work on the 5 rows of peonies, clearing weeds that have popped up and cutting back some of the herbs. Sun came out just as hot as the days before and sweat started its way down the forehead. We brought rags to wipe it away and continued on our tasks. Rhubarb was getting unruly and raspberries needed picking. Watering was also on the agenda. By 12:30 we were tired and since we didn't see anyone else the tools were put away, the water was turned off and the gate locked until next time.

Update from Alan
Opened up at 08:30 and collected more vegetable trimmings for composting. Left gate unlocked for Linda, and departed to take dogs for a hike. Looked in briefly at 10:30 to find that Linda had opted to start clearing the waist-high weeds in block F. Surprisingly, a number of the squash vines planted in mid June had survived. Margaret came to tend to her peony collection.

First, a correction to the June time record. Brian pointed out that some of Nassim’s hours had been erroneously applied to someone else. That’s been fixed. Neither Nassim nor the individual who was wrongly credited appear to have noticed. Also, Margaret sent an update of hours tending to her peony collection. I know that many people who come to the garden don’t give a hoot about how many hours they have done. However, for the Agricultural Society board of directors, the total of PTG volunteer hours each year is about the only measure they have of the return they get on their investment of classroom time and land. Do keep your own record of hours at the garden and do make sure that I get them all correctly recorded. That’s why the end-of-month totals are now included in the PTG Updates.

Jessica has joined Linda, Brian, Marilyn and Pat as the only 2011 students to have met or exceeded their 16 hour commitment.

2011 Class (July)
Debbie B 00.0 (00.0)
Chandrika B 02.5 (00.0)
Liz B 10.0 (05.0)
Wally B 06.5 (00.0)
David D 00.0 (00.0)
June D 00.0 (00.0)
Linda F 84.0 (39.0)
Brian H 79.5 (18.0)
Marilyn H 74.0 (18.0)
Niloufer I 00.0 (00.0)
Ingrid L 02.0 (00.0)
Pat M 16.0 (00.0)
Mahendra M 00.0 (00.0)
Ivy N 01.5 (00.0)
Duncan N 01.0 (00.0)
Mary P 03.0 (00.0)
Nassim R 09.0 (00.0)
Jessica R 16.5 (04.0)
Patty W 01.0 (00.0)
Susan W 09.0 (00.0)
2010
Janis C 05.5 (00.0)
Renato C 02.0 (00.0)
Kelly S 29.0 (02.5)
2009
John R 21.5 (10.5)
Dianne M 05.5 (00.0)
2008
Carolyn V 02.5 (00.0)
2005
Moeen K 85.0 (29.5)

Margaret S 23.0 (04.0)
Alan R. 379.5 (93.5)
Total Hours 876.5 (2010 at this time 1002.0 hours)

High Temperature:
Actual: 27°C sun and cloud Wind W14km/h P.O.P.31%
Average: 26°C
Record: 36°C in 1975

Low Temperature:
Actual: 13°C partly cloudy rain .80mm Wind NW9km/h P.O.P.25%
Average: 14°C
Record: 7°C in 1965