February 2017 E-Newsletter

Spotted around the garden:

Featured Instagram Photo of the Month: Learning How to Sharpen Shears During the TreePeople Tree Trimming Workshop

How is your winter garden coming along?  While it sure has been nice not to have to water much (or at all), finding a time when the soil has been dry enough to dig and plant has been more of a chore.  It will be interesting to see if February continues to be cooler and wetter or if we get a return of those warm Santa Ana winds that have haunted us this month over past few years and showed up at the end January.   

Upcoming Garden Events:

Feb. 11 - Saturday Workday - 9:00 AM – Noon
Feb. 11 - Potluck Lunch - Noon
Feb. 11 - General Meeting - 1:00 PM
Feb. 11 - Greenhouse Fundraiser - 1:30 PM
Feb. 26 - Sunday Workday - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Useful info:

• Here are some general tips for gardening in February.  February is a good time to plant fast growing, mild weather crops like carrots and fennel or ornamentals like calendula and cosmos.  You may notice summer plants, like tomatoes, showing up at local nurseries this month.  While it can be tempting to purchase that cute tomato plant now, it’s best to wait a few more months before planting summer vegetables. The soil still needs time to warm and the cool marine layer that often blankets the garden in May and June can leave your whole plot (as well as your neighbors’) covered in diseased plants.  
• Speaking of cute tomato plants, Tomato-bration will be returning to the garden April 1^st and 2^nd.  Mark your calendars!
• Do you grow herbs in your plot?  Here are some fun ideas of things do with them in the kitchen: herb butter, add leafy herbs to salads, make herb breads (variations: dill, fennel and cheese & chives), herb mayo, yogurt dip, salad dressing, and herb infused oils and vinegars.  Yum!  Have a recipe of your own?  Share it with us and we’ll feature it in next month’s e-newsletter.

OVF Announcements: 

Have you paid your 2017 OVF renewal fees?

Time is running out to renew your garden plot(s).  All renewal fees sent via U.S. Mail is must be postmarked by Friday, February 3. Renewal fees will be accepted via OVF online bill pay until Wednesday, February 8. Please consider helping BOTH OVF and the environment by submitting your 2017 renewal fees via OVF Online Bill Pay (all major Credit Cards, e-checks or PayPal account).

Do Not Wash Vegetables in the Sink

Please remember to only use the garden sink to wash hands and dishes or for drinking water.  The drywell that the sink feeds into had to be replaced in January after becoming full of sand and soil and.  If you need to wash down dirty vegetables or tools, please use a hose and let the water run into your plot.

Don’t Forget to Maintain Your Path

Per the rules and regulations:
Paths: All paths contiguous to plots, except paths running east and west from any entrance gate, shall be kept free of weeds, and mulched at all times.
With all the rain, we are asking members to please be extra attentive to their paths this month.

Help Needed

We're still looking for help from a gardern member and their associate for the following positions:

Graphic Designer
Computer Helper
Composters
Tomato-bration Volunteers (this opportunity is not on the website yet so please contact Andy Morris directly) 

Upcoming OVF Elections  

The positions that are up for election during the April general meeting are:
Garden Master
Vice-president
Independent Project Monitor
Membership Secretary
All Upper Phase Representatives

If you are interested in running, please contact the Election Coordinator Nora Dvosin

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!