WIND HILL COMMUNITY GARDEN

SUMMER 2011

OUR ADVENTURE BEGINS!!

HOUSEKEEPING ISSUES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

WIND HILL COMMUNITY FARM & LEARNING CENTER, INC.

The Community Garden is one part of the mission of Wind Hill, a State nonstock organization which is just beginning operations.  Please explore this website which we hope to keep updated with the latest news on the farm.

We are truly a work-in-progress, but will happily give you more information about our goals and upcoming projects, especially once things settle down and our gardens are planted!

We will be farming on the rest of the area which we have under lease from the Town (basically, the area that is now tilled, and up the hill to the tree line, bordered by the fence on the west and the dirt road on the east).  This will be a small commercial enterprise, which we plan to use for educational and demonstration purposes.  MORE INFO TO FOLLOW.

COMMUNICATIONS (#1 priority)

Please call with any suggestions or questions!!

WHO:   Primary Contact Person:  Barbara Wagner, Executive Director

cell 898 1909

email  barbarawagnerlawoffices@gmail.com

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS/GARDEN ADVISORS

Ryan  MacMahon

*Jerry Bosworth

*Pam Hawkins

*John Farnham

*AVAILABLE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FOR QUESTIONS

HOW:  I and the Board Members will make every attempt to be readily available by cell phone or email.  Please feel free to contact us at any time, leave a message if we’re unavailable and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  Any questions, concerns, any time, REALLY.

*Group Emails:  If appropriate, please hit “reply all” to convey information to all of the other community gardeners.

*Farm Website:  windhillfarm.org

WHAT:  PLEASE REPORT IMMEDIATELY IF PLANTS HAVE BEEN EATEN, ANY VANDALISM HAS OCCURRED, OR ANY OTHER MATTER REGARDING SAFETY ISSUES or COMMUNITY CONCERNS.

In general, please contact Barbara, or one of the Board Members with any questions or concerns.  Discoveries, suggestions for improvements, thank you’s for particular kindnesses, and compliments could also be distributed through group emails or posting on our website.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Planting/Rototilling Wednesday, June 1 5:00 pm  Lud Baldwin will be on site if anyone would like to have their soil worked with a rototiller.

#3 Garden Workshop Wednesday, June 8 6:30 Bugs, Slugs & Varmints

OUR FIRST SUNDAY BRUNCH:  Bring your most outrageous brunch dish, Sunday, June 5th  1:00 pm  (RSVP) and let us know if Saturday or earlier in the day is better.

GARDEN RULES:

The rules have been distributed.  If you have not already signed a copy and turned it in, please send or give to Barbara.   Suggestions for rules changes or additions should be made to Barbara and will be submitted to the Board of Directors.

Rules of particular importance when planting:  please do not put in any plants that will exceed 4′ tall or will otherwise shade a neighbor’s garden.  Only organic materials.  (NOTE:  The Town of Glastonbury’s compost is made from donated leaves and grass clippings and may have lawn chemicals, so please do not bring this material to the site.)

UPCOMING SITE IMPROVEMENTS

On-Site Water:  We have designed and priced-out a rainwater collection system which would gather than water hitting the barn roof into one or more barrels at the corner of the barn.  Hoses would then bring the water down the hill for use by gardeners.  We are currently seeking funding.  We need 100″ of gutter for each side and a 40′ downspout.  Labor must be provided by a licenses contractor, per Town of Glastonbury requirements.  Any sources for materials or contractors would be appreciated.  Our goal is to have the project completed by the end of June which is, hopefully, before we hit any significant dry spells.

Alternatives:  We have discussions regarding the possibility of a shallow well with a hand pump.  No decisions have been made.  We could arrange to have water brought in by truck, cost not yet ascertained.

In the meantime, bring gallon jugs or place a bucket or tub near your garden or help yourself to any pond water.

Deer Protection Measures:  We are discussing and developing a number of perimeter measures.  People may also want to put up a last line of defense in their gardens as long as it is organic.  I’ve been told that there are numerous products on the market and that “the hair of the dog” is also quite effective if you bring some from home (some of us have more than we need).  DETAILS OF OUR PLANS TO FOLLOW.