CKE Community Garden
After a warm stretch that prompted feelings
of spring, winter returned, and as of early April seemed to still be in full
swing! While we can be grateful of the extra moisture the snow brings, it is
hard on gardeners with itchy green thumbs.
Once temperatures increase and the thaw
begins, it is important not to rush your spring cleanup. It may be tempting to
want to pull leaf litter and protective mulch off vegetable and flower beds,
but don’t rush. You might disturb lady bird beetles that are still hibernating
beneath this cover, and the tender tips of spring perennials may not be ready
for the variable conditions that persist. Instead, start gently peeling back
the material in layers. This allows the ground to warm up gradually and makes it
easier to deal with the biomass being removed. You might be surprised to still
find frost in the ground.
Be cautious when working in the garden at
this time of year. It can take time for the soil to dry out, and walking on wet
soil can be quite damaging. Soil that is holding moisture is easily compacted.
Pore spaces between soil aggregates are collapsed reducing its ability to hold
air and moisture. This results in poor root growth and reduced water
infiltration.
Gardening is a marathon, not a sprint –
even in our short growing season. Take things slow at the start of the season –
it will pay off over time. The CKE Community Garden hopes to be in full swing
by mid-May, and we will have our first workshop on June 6 – a cooking demo
focused on using what is often the most abundant crop in our gardens –
zucchini! Check out our website and social media for more information.
Happy Gardening!
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