January 2020 E-Newsletter
I like gardening — it’s a place where I find myself when I need to lose myself.
-Alice Sebold
Featured Instagram Photo of the Month: Poinsettias in Full Bloom in Time for the Winter Holidays
Upcoming Garden Events:
Jan. 7 - Board Meeting - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Jan. 11 - Saturday Workday - 9:00 AM – Noon
Jan. 12 – Fruit Tree Pruning Class - 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Jan. 18 - Frank's Pine Tree Chat - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Jan. 19 - Frank's Pine Tree Chat - 11:00 AM - Noon
Jan. 25 - Fruit Tree Pruning Class - 10:00 AM - Noon
Jan. 26 - Sunday Workday - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Useful info:
- Happy New Year! How lovely of Mother Nature to space out rainstorms with just enough time in between them that we didn’t have to water for an entire month. If only that happened every month our membership dues would be next to nothing. With no rain in the forecast, it’s time to get back to the plots. Plants with deep roots will be able to find water for a while longer – but anything planted recently, un-mulched and with shallow roots could use a little drizzle this week. If you haven’t visited the garden lately, you will most likely be greeted with a healthy new crop of weeds that need taking out as soon as possible.
- Feel free to do some planting as well on your next visit. Beets, carrots, lettuce, radishes and spinach will take a while to sprout but can still be sown for a spring harvest. Larger plants are still growing very slowly in January but longer and warmer day will be here before you know it! If you like, you can also start fava beans and peas indoors for a spring harvest. Summer crops show up frighteningly early in the nurseries. Resist the urge to transition to summer too soon. Summer tends to come late to our coastal climate and summer hardy plants in cool, damp weather are a recipe for pests and diseases. The next greenhouse fundraiser will contain crops for a spring harvest and be held on February 1st at noon.
OVF Announcements:
Membership Dues
2020 OVF renewal notices will be sent on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Both the plot fee and associate fee for 2020 will remain the same as they were last year. Plot fees are $88.00 per plot and the associate fee is $10.00.If you do not see something in your inbox, by 5:00 PM, please check you spam, or junk mail, folder or contact your phase representative.
- For those that must return renewal fees via the US Postal Service, the deadline to postmark 2020 renewal fees will be: Monday, February 3, 2020
- For those that submit their renewals online, the deadline is: Friday, February 7, 2020.
Full details for submitting renewal payments online, or via the USPS, will be included in the renewal notices.
Board and Budget Survey
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Board and Budget survey. There were 106 responses. You can see the results by logging into “My Account” on the OVF homepage and clicking the link for the “Board and Budget Survey.”
2020 OVF Elections
Elections for approximately one-half of the OVF board positions will be held at the annual meeting of members on April 11, 2020. The positions that are up for election this year will be:
- President
- Treasurer
- Recording Secretary
- Education Chair
- Middle Phase 1 Phase Representative
- Lower Phase 1 Phase Representative
- Lower Phase 2 Phase Representative
- Lower Phase 3 Phase Representative
- Lower Phase 4 Phase Representative
2020 Pine Tree Chats
President Frank Harris’ annual Pine Tree chats are scheduled for:
- 10:00 AM – Saturday, January 18th, 2020
- 11:00 AM – Sunday, January 19th, 2020
Frank will be available to answer your questions about any of the positions up for election at the April general Meeting, or to field any other questions you may have about your time at OVF. We hope to see you there.
Fruit Tree Pruning Classes
Gale Jones, Orchard Supervisor and Nina Rumely will be teaching two Fruit Tree Pruning Classes, one on Sunday January 12th at 11:00 and the second on Saturday January 25th at 10:00.
They will be providing tree pruning and general tree care information. During the class there will be hands on experience. They may have time to help with current tree care problems. Please bring pruning shears, gloves and eye protection if you have them. Nina will give general equipment care information and help with cleaning of equipment.
Independent Project owners caring for a tree are highly encouraged to attend one of the sessions. Hope to see you at one of the classes!
Easy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
Garden Member Anthony Lai writes in with this winter recipe:
Brussels sprouts are a winter vegetable packed with Vitamin-C, the plants requires rich soil and full sun. A few years ago, delicious and Brussels sprouts were words that didn’t cross many people’s mind. Now, all the hip restaurants are serving up delicious, roasted Brussels sprouts by the bushel.
Here’s a simple recipe that recreates the now popular restaurant side dish.
Ingredients/Equipement
- 1 lb of Brussels sprouts
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- salt and pepper
- Lemon juice (optional)
* Serves 3-4 as a side dish.
- Wash Brussels sprouts and cut in half.
- Pre-heat your oven to 400F.
- In a large cast iron skillet combine the Brussels sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Place the skillet in the oven and cover with tin foil for 15 minutes.
- Chop up the garlic.
- After 15 minutes, remove the tin foil, pour in the garlic and mix the Brussels sprouts around.
- Cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes and move around the Brussels sprouts at the half-way point.
- Add some lemon juice before serving for brighter taste if preferred.
We hope you enjoy this delicious yet simple dish!
!
Beehive Retrieval
Garden Member Dean Cleverdon has written a terrific article about a beehive retrieval that took place at OVF. Frank has archived the article on the OVF website. What a great story and photos! Please make sure you check out the links at the bottom of the article for more information about helping to protect our pollinating friends.
As always: we want to hear from you! Send us an email, reach out on Facebook, or tag us on Instagram @oceanviewfarms.
That’s all for now. Happy gardening!