The Seedling - April 2021

I’ve been involved with CGT for more than 12 years, but, like most of you, I didn’t really know who was responsible for our 20 gardens. Who kept them open, managed, and financially solvent? When I joined the board two years ago I learned who: It’s the board that “keeps the lights on.” I have been in awe of the dedicated board members who work tirelessly behind the scenes, leading with heart and conviction of the importance of this organization. Fundraising, overseeing the care and operations of the gardens, strengthening outreach to the wider community, building partnerships…The board guides CGT and ensures it thrives.

While I’m now leaving the board I’m certainly not leaving CGT. And I’m so grateful for the experience I’ve had and the inspiring people I’ve worked with. Are you passionate about community gardening? Willing to work hard to keep CGT strong and growing? Please apply to join the board! Contact admin@communitygardensoftucson.org for more information.
 

Summer is a challenging time to be in the garden.  Many gardeners take vacations, travel or just want to minimize time outside during the hottest time of year.  If you want to plant something low maintenance that will feed your soil and pollinators consider planting cover crops!  Join us April 21st 10 am, Brandon Merchant of Community Food Bank Garden Program and Southwest Victory Gardens will share his experience with cover crops. We will also cover general tips for summer time success such as mulching and shading. Register here to receive the Zoom link.  We will record the session, so if you're unable to make it you can catch it later. Please contact Melissa at admin@communitygardensoftucson.org with any questions.

Mansfield Community Garden is in a city park that is very popular. Often people visiting the park will come and admire the garden. And now, thanks to a coordinated effort, we are beautifying the area around the garden and adding shade with native trees and shrubs. This native tree planting was initiated and coordinated by Leona Davis, one of our long term gardeners. The trees were provided by Tucson Clean & Beautiful/Trees for Tucson, and the City of Tucson Ward 3. The design and planting of the trees was done by the Permaculture Certification Course participants taught by Dan Dorsey and co-teacher Leona Davis.  Many thanks to all those involved and to the Mansfield Park who will be installing irrigation on it while it gets established. This is going to add much needed shade and wind protection for our garden and provide habitat and food for birds and pollinators. We’re totally excited to watch this evolve and are so grateful for the supportive community that made it happen.

And while I am talking about community benefits, I would also like to thank Se Collier and the Food Not Bombs and the Tucson Food Share groups for their wonderful work in using some unused space in our garden to grow food that is distributed to the local community for those in need. We make use of all extra produce to donate to them and their volunteers sometimes help our gardeners when they are on vacation. And thanks to Cindy Hauserman and her daughter Samantha for their tireless work and generous spirit in volunteering with FNB and doing planting and harvesting as well as sharing their production on their own plot with everyone. Cindy and Sam this winter had the most phenomenally productive tomato plant I have ever seen in Tucson. It was huge and loaded with tomatoes all winter and still going. They did cover it when it was freezing. They let anyone pick from it and it never ran out. Then they put a sign up for anyone who wanted to take cuttings. I have made 7 new plants from it several of which are already being spread in the garden. 

Mansfield Garden is truly a community oriented garden. The roots grow deep and the interconnections make the web very strong.

The community garden at Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind has been closed to the public during the pandemic for the health and safety of the students and teachers at this residential campus.  Still wanting to use the plots and get outside, Site Coordinator, John Counts, and other teachers did garden activities with the kids and grew food to share in the cafeteria.  They are hoping to open to outside gardeners some time soon but for now they are trying to keep up with the planting season.  Below are pictures of winter lettuce and radishes that were grown and harvested for the school salad bar.

You can still plant tomatoes, basil, squash, peppers and cucumbers through the end of the month.  And here are some other great ideas for heat tolerant crops for your garden.  You can follow Community Gardens of Tucson on Facebook to recieve updates.  Be sure to see our full planting guide for even more planting ideas!