I couldn’t resist sharing this little photo from last year – it always reminds me of Spring in this neighborhood but really was about June when this little tyke was nestled in the front yard of one of our homes. Over several days this fawn was spotted here where it appeared momma deer left her tucked safely away. My other favorite signs of Spring around here are the return of the Red-Winged Black Birds, little lambs showing up on the farm down the road and crocus’s peeking up through the ground cover. What is your favorite sign of Spring?
But really my topic this week is gardening. Each year at this time the gardeners around this neighborhood are getting their seed catalog orders organized and starting to think about what they will grow this year (and talking about what didn’t work last year). Whether flower, vegetable or fruit gardening it is always a choice in this neighborhood. You can do as much or as little as you want. The choices available suit the gardener and non gardener alike!
We have two community garden areas in the neighborhood where all manner of fruits and vegetables are grown by residents. With each little 6 by 10 foot patch of garden it is amazing the quantity and quality of produce that appears. There is weeding, seeding, fertilizing and watering that happens before the picking happens but that is all part of the community garden experience. Chatting with your garden neighbor on what is working or not and watering your neighbors plot when they are out of town all add to the fun of these little gardens.
For anyone interested there is a gardening event going on this Saturday, sponsored by the WSU Lewis County Extension Master Gardener Program. Classes are offered to the public for free on Saturday, February 22nd, from 9 to 2 pm at the Centralia College Washington Hall. Pre-registration is not required but reserving a seat is recommended. The classes range from pruning tree tips, growing heirloom tomatoes, organic gardening, growing herbs, gardening in small spaces and how to spot wild edibles. A really great opportunity for local gardeners hungry for more information. Call 740-1212 to reserve a spot. Find out more at:
http://lewis-mg-mrc.org/gardening_for_everyone_handouts__presentations
Happy planning, planting and reaping the gardens this year!
Quote of the Week:
“Where you have a plot of land, however small, plant a garden. Staying close to the soil is good for the soul.”
– Spencer W. Kimball
Happenings this week:
Friday, February 21st: The Centralia Rotary “Catch the Buzz” Spelling Bee will beat 5:30 p.m. Friday at Centralia College’s Corbet Theatre. Four-person teams from businesses and organizations in the community will be competing for the grand prize. Admission is $10, which includes a potato bar. No-host beer and wine will be available from Heymann Whinery. Participants and attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite actor or movie. The spelling bee is a fundraiser for the restoration of Centralia’s Fox Theatre. Rotary president Debbie Schinnell has chosen the theater’s second-floor lounge for restoration. For more information, call Julie Shaffley, (360) 736-3830, or Lynn Ford, (360) 269-8837.
Weather: RAIN!
Have a great week!
