CleanUp Day is Sunday, 10/14

Cleanup day is October 14th, 11:00 AM - if you have a seasonal plot all structures and woody plants must be out of your plot by this date. Plants that need to be pulled up can be put in the weed pile for hauling away. This is in preparation for tilling in the spring. Also, please show up to help with cleanup if you can. We will be picking up stakes, clearing out any abandoned plots, etc. Not cleaning up your plot can affect whether or not you get a plot next year - we have to pay for any damage to the machinery that happens when the garden is tilled.

CONGRATULATIONS AWARD WINNERS!

The following SAP Gardeners received awards at the 9/13 Annual Harvest Dinner. Congratulations to all!

Outstanding Newcomer: Rachel Pullman

1st Newcomer: Jane Rauenhorst

2nd Newcomer: Terry Straub

Outstanding Traditional: Lois Braun

1st Traditional: Lori Lippert

2nd Traditional: Myrna Radel

Outstanding Unique: Karen Flink/Julia Buffalohead

1st Unique: Louann Keleher

2nd Unique: Harlan Cavert

Outstanding flowerplot: Harlan Cavert

1st flowerplot: Wayne Sisel

2nd flowerplot: Harlan Cavert (didn't look at the names when Ann, Matt and Meghan did the judging)

Harvest Dinner -- Thursday, September 13

Come celebrate the harvest at our last big event of the season - the Harvest Dinner! This exciting event will be held Thursday, September 13, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Langford Park Rec Center, 30 Langford Park, St. Paul, MN 55108 (Please note -- this is a location change from last year; click here to view their web site: http://www.stpaul.gov/depts/parks/recprograms/langford.htm.)

Please bring a potluck item made from your garden! The Annual Garden Awards will be presented and we'll share great gardening stories from the year. Hope to see YOU there!

Garden Party August 25th

The summer garden party will be at the garden August 25th between
9:00am-11:00am, yep, it's a breakfast thing. :) There will be
homemade muffins and good company.

Tomato Bee September 1

Announcing a Tomato Bee at the SAP Community Garden


What says "Minnesota" more than the Fair? How about ripe and juicy August tomatoes? However, the abundance of tomatoes presents an annual problem - what to do with them. We think we've come up with solution. We're organizing a Tomato Bee at the Garden (weather permitting) on Sat., Sept. 1 from 11 – 5 pm.

In the spirit of the apple bees of a bygone era, when farmers and their families gathered to peel and core apples for apple butter, neighbors are invited to come together to make old-fashioned tomato catsup. Gardeners, "love-apple" enthusiasts, slow foodies, and devotees of Minn. history: all are welcome and everyone will get a jug of catsup to take home. If you have tomatoes to spare, come early and bring a peck to clean and throw in the pot.

The bee is hosted by Mark Sherman, tomato grower and community garden member, and daughter Nora, a former SAP-per and current Brooklyn resident. Nora is currently cooking and blogging her way through a year of testing and revising traditional American recipes. She's calling it the Great American Cooking Project. Visit greatamericancookingproject.blogspot.com/ to learn more.

The Garden is located on Robbins near Raymond Ave. Write mark [at] shermanhome.com if you're coming. Or just show up on September 1st. If the weather isn't cooperating, the alternate site will be at our house on the corner of Raymond and Doswell.

Grab a Friend & Check out the 2nd Annual Parade of Community Gardens!

Celebrate the wealth and diversity of community gardens in the Twin Cities during the second annual Parade of Community Gardens! On Saturday, August 18 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Free event, all welcome! Visit one garden in your neighborhood or many around the Twin Cities. Gardens will feature a variety of attractions including tasty veggies, massage, ice cream, music, art, and more! This event is coordinated by GardenWorks, a program of The Green Institute. Information, map, and garden descriptions are at www.gardenworksMN.org or (612) 278-7123.

Dry Weather

July is here and according to the National Drought Mitigation Center our area is in a "moderate drought." While our SAP Community Garden has a wonderful and convenient water supply, and many folks are mulching, our gardens can get stressed out with the lack of moisture and excessive heat. There's some great information on dry weather, heat wave and drought at the University of Minnesota Extension's website: http://www.extension.umn.edu/administrative/disasterresponse/wi_drought.htm

Check it out and help you and your plot survive the hot and dry times!

Posted by Terry