Sunshine Community Gardens

10 October 2019

www.sunshinecommunitygardens.org

Gardener's Picture page

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October Workday Rescheduled to This Sunday

The October organized workday will be Sunday 10/13 from 8:30-10:30. Organized workdays are a great way for Sunshine gardeners to complete service hours and meet fellow Sunshine gardeners. Projects and tasks needing to be done will be identified including tasks qualifying for TSBVI service hours. The workday will be led by Zone 1 coordinator Susan Waller.

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What to Plant or Grow in October

Info from the Travis County Master Gardeners' Website

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Faces of Sunshine

Stephen McAndrews - Zone 1

Stephen says:

"I have been in the garden since March of this year 2019 so it's my first year here. One of my coworkers already had a spot here we both work next door in one of the state building so it's real convenient for us to come out to the gardens and I'm very happy I have decided to come out here. I've had a great time and my plot's next to two of the more experienced gardeners in here, Jimmy and Jim. They are both extremely helpful folks and all of the people at the garden have been really welcoming as a new member. In my garden, I am growing a wide variety of things, some strange and some more normal. I have some really nice arugula growing. I am growing a blue sesame plant and I am hoping to get a few cups of sesame seeds from these plants by the winter. It's my first time growing sesame and it's definitely kinda strange. I am growing some nice read okra next to my sesame that has been real happy. I am growing a ton of herbs: fennel which has produced an incredible amount of seed I've harvested, pipicha, a Mexican herb which is a cilantro variety with a super strong cilantro flavor with thin little leaves that are a very nice blue green color, and some other South American herbs such as a variety of black mint marigold which is used to make a kinds of pesto minty sauce. I am also growing huazontle which is the big plant in the middle of my plot. It's a Mexican herb whose leaves are used as a spinach alternative and as a seed. It's a really nice plant to grown in the summer because it takes heat really well - it's basically a weed variety that's been cultivated for a more edible taste. I am growing a variety of cucumbers called Armenian cucumbers. You won't believe how big they grow. I can keep these cucumbers growing until they are gigantic and they still taste fine - not bitter. I plan on making Achar pickles with these because the flesh is really thick and the skin is thin and not waxy at all. The one thing I've learned this season is that I really love growing dried peppers so I am going to increase the amount of dried peppers I am growing next year to where I have a crazy amount. So far my favorite type of dried pepper I have grown is the chihuacle negro which is a chili from Oaxaca that is used to make a type of mole. They're really nice because they dry on the plant really well and turn this beautiful chocolate color."

Gardening tip from Stephen:

Every garden needs to grow flowers for bees and other pollinators. Zinnias are really easy to grown and I's growing them on the edges of my plot. They just make a ton of flowers. Definitely grow flowers on your plot even if you're just starting.

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SCG Compost Column

Our Fearless Volunteer Leader at the Compost Pile, Randy Thompson, asks the following question:

"How long does it take for hose holders and plastic snakes to decompose?"

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Other Local Community Gardens

This will hopefully become a New Column in the Weeder which will identify other Community Gardens in the Austin area. Here is the first recommendation by Linda Booker, a Sunshine Gardener and Board Member who also gardens at New Day Community Garden.

New Day Community Garden is located at 2215 E.M. Franklin (off Berkman and Manor. about 10 minutes from Sunshine and on a bus line). There are about 20 plots there most of them 10 x 10 (there are small ones 4.5 x 4.5). 4 of the larger plots and 3 of the small ones are available, ready to plant (except for amendments).

Annual cost: Starts at $15 for a 4.5x4.5; $60 for a 10'x10'. There is a one time $20 membership fee. Includes water & access to tools.

For information contact newdaycommunitygarden@gmail.com or go to http://www.newdaygarden.org

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Upcoming Garden Related Events

Seed Swap at Austin Public Library

Saturday 10/12 - website

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Zilker Botanical Gardens Events for October

Violet Crown Garden Club's Fall Flower Show - "Amazing Zilker"

October 19th & 20th, 2019

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Join us for The Violet Crown Garden Club's Fall Show, titled "Amazing Zilker", with both horticulture and design that celebrate all things great about the Garden! In fact, each section of the horticulture division will be named after a garden club that meets in the Garden Center, while the design division will honor the Taniguchi Garden, since this is the 50th anniversary of it's completion. Different elements of the Japanese Garden will be highlighted while our designers compete for first place in a variety of design styles. Judged by nationally accredited judges from around the state, this show is sure to be an exciting, beautiful reflection of our "Amazing Zilker."

Cost: Free, with garden admission.

To learn more about the Violet Crown Garden Club, visit our website.

For more info, check out our Facebook event.

"Pond Herbs & The Culinary Arts" with Bastrop Gardens

-- Austin Pond Society's Monthly Meeting

October 21st, 2019

7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.October 21st, 2019

Please join us for the next Austin Pond Society Monthly Meeting at Zilker Botanical Garden! This month, a speaker from Bastrop Gardens will be teaching us about culinary plants that can be grown as companions to Pond and bog plants! The meeting will also include the voting in of the members that have volunteered to be on the Board for next year.

Cost: Free and open to the public.

To learn more about the Austin Pond Society, visit our website.

For more info, check out our Facebook event.

"Fall into the Season"

-- The Garden Club of Austin's Monthly Meeting

October 24th, 2019

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Fall is the time to prepare garden beds, sow wildflower seeds and spruce up your fall garden décor. The Garden Club of Austin's (TGCOA) October 25th meeting has an exciting, interactive program planned for longtime gardeners as well as newcomers.

Three Breakout sessions will be featured. Each session will last approximately 20 minutes and will be presented three times so that all attendees will have a chance to observe and ask questions of each presentation in smaller group size.

The three sessions will be:

• "Propagating Sago Palms" with Joe Yura
• "Wildflowers and How to Plant Them" with Robert Day
• "Compatible Plant Grouping" with Jane Carlson

To learn more about The Garden Club of Austin, visit our website.

For more info, check out our Facebook event.

The 2019 Roots & Wings Festival

October 26th, 2019

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join Us to Celebrate Trees, Pollinators, and All Creatures!

On Halloween weekend, we invite you to explore the outdoors, enjoy art-making, and celebrate in your best nature-themed costume! Join us for the Roots & Wings Festival, a combined community-wide celebration of Arbor Day and Monarch Appreciation Day.

Family-Friendly Fun:

• Get up close with monarchs at the butterfly tag and release tent.
• Explore new heights with City of Austin arborists at our assisted tree climb.
• Explore and play in nature with crafting and hands on demonstrations.
• Plus face painting, food trucks, giveaways, and more!

Cost: Free with regular garden admission. Food will be available for purchase through local vendors at the Garden.

For more information, visit our website.

RSVP to the Facebook event.

Cost: Free with garden admission.

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