Summer has officially begun. I've just come from the UMM organic garden and finished picking the first batch of produce for the food pantry: spinach. It's in really nice shape, due in part to the help from the many lady bugs who have made it their home and eaten up most of the other "muncher" insects. The spinach is just one of several crops that were planted in April by the  "Organic Food Production" class. Also coming along nicely are other early season crops the students planted such as peas, onions, beets, and carrots. The warm season plants have now gone in as well and include beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, various other squashes and, of course, cucumbers. The rhubarb that we put in last year did well and has re-emerged. Another perennial crop that we've added this year are some chives, a gift from Ellen Hostert.

The student garden worker for this year is Barrett Craven. He's been busy mulching the rows with grass clippings, planting, and stabilizing our big orange fence. Physical plant has also been busy turning the compost pile which is now running hot again. When you go for your walk, come by to check things out. Feel free to fiddle with the gate and go on in for a closer look.


From the garden,

Alan Lewis
Professor of Ecology

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