Volume 62, number1 September 2012
the
COMPOSTER
on the web at tucsonorganicgardeners.org
considerably shorter this month...... undergoing some BIG changes!!
Editor: Bridget Barber
Sept planting tips
For best results follow TOG's best practices by
amending the soil with plenty of well sifted compost,
greensand, rock phosphate, Dis-per-sul, and a
nitrogen source- cottonseed meal, or alfalfa meal.
Veggies: as the daytime temps cool to under 100
degrees it is time to sow winter veggies from seed:
Peas, Endive, Carrots, Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli raab,
Cauliflower, Collards, Kohlrabi, and Radish. There
may still be time in this short season to plant native
sweet corn while soil is still warm and even large
established tomato seedlings for late fall harvest.
Prepare for next month's planting by sowing flats of
cruciferous veggies (cabbage family) to replace any
direct-sown seeds which may have floundered in
unforeseen heat spikes this month.
herbs: transplant oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary,
sage, tarragon
flowers: from seed- delphinium, larkspur, lobelia,
pansy, stock and viola for a long winter show. Divide
iris clumps trimming leaves to a 3-4in fan and replant
with plenty of space between rhizomes.
Your TOG Board 2012
Lauren Sullender - President
True symbiosis- the chicken
and the garden
On Tuesday Sept 18th, at our 2012 kick off
meeting, we will be hearing all about the
astounding benefits of owning a flock of
chickens from Cathy Blough, as she leads a
panel discussion of chicken-owning
gardeners, many of whom you will
recognize. A longtime TOG member, and
past Treasurer, Cathy now cites chickens as a
leading beneficial addition to her gardening:
from tilling and scratching, to grub removal
and manure, the girls are really doing their bit
for the farm. If you are on the fence on
whether to get a few chickens to complete
your urban garden, come on out on the 18th
to hear the scoop. As always, the speaker is
slated to start at 7.30pm with doors opening
at 7. A welcome for all, members and non
members alike. We meet in the Geneva room
on St Mark's midtown campus at 3809 E
Second Street- access from the Second St
parking lot on the east side.
see you there!
New Newsletter format!
Where are the ads? you may ask. Where are
the recipes? Read on......
Jim Lootens - Vice President
Terri Heininger - Treasurer
Kathy Rawls - Volunteer Coordinator
Melissa Mundt - Membership Coordinator
Erik Shapiro - Education/Outreach
MaryJane Schumacher- Secretary
President's Message
Welcome, Tucson Organic Gardeners, to the 41st year
of TOG! This summer brought monsoon rains like we
haven't seen in some time, and I don't know about
you, but it has inspired me to spend much more time
out of doors during the last few months, and I am
raring to get started on another year of desert
gardening.
As you know, we started the year short a few board
members. While we are still not a full board, we have
had some wonderful people step up to take on board
and support positions. A big welcome goes out to
Melissa Mundt, our new Membership Coordinator;
Debra Jacobson, Volunteer Coordinator Support; and
Taryn Contento, who will be supporting us with
Special Events, and Education and Outreach.
We have a very full year to look forward to, with our
Fall and Spring Fairs, Compost Expo, and an
increased number of classes. Remember, we are
always looking for volunteers, but will need to rely on
you more this year as the board is short-handed. Both
experts and beginner gardeners are encouraged to lead
or assist with events, classes, and garden days. Help
us make this year be the best it can be!
We also have planned some exciting new speakers
and topics for the monthly meetings and can't wait to
get started. We look forward to the coming seasons as
we all reunite to teach, learn, and grow together.
Happy gardening!
Lauren Sullender
President
We have elected to use a direct newsletter
through constant contact and really hope that you
like it. This month we are focusing on getting
used to the format and will move into inserting
ads and directing you to articles on the website as
that undergoes some changes also. Please feel
free to give us constructive feedback- any old
favorites that are now missing? Any pertinent
info that you want to see on a monthly basis?
Maybe you could wait a few issues to see how we
develop and then join in on the future vision of
what the newsletter will be. Over the years the
newsletter has waxed and waned in terms of size
and scope but always we bring you a connection
to Tucson's leading organic gardening
community!
Upcoming events
FALL GARDEN FAIR/PLANT SALE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13TH AT ST
MARKS. 10 til 3pm
Come and buy your winter crop seedlings
and share your expertise! There will be
classes and chances to help TOG by staffing
a booth. We hope to see you there!!
NEXT SPEAKER Tues Oct 16th
Come and learn why WWOOFing isn't just
for dogs! Taryn Contento just spent three
months in Ecuador working on an organic
farm. Come and hear about all her trials and
tribulations without lifting a finger. doors
open at 7 for 7.30 start.
St. Marks Garden Hours
On the 2nd Saturday of each month we will be
there to answer questions, sell amendments and
seeds, and sell compost cranks and bins.
On the 4th Saturday of each month, we will
teach a class. The first class (Sep
tember) will be basic gardening; the second
(October) will be compost, and we will continue
to rotate between those two topics from then on
til May.
SheepPooPalooza's back
This is a perfect time to get your annual load of old
manure from Beryl Baker's farm on Mission. At the
time of going to press Beryl is eager to get rid of a load
or two and is contemplating Sept 22nd or 29th. Stay
tuned at the Tuesday meeting and an email before the
event. Manure is a wonderful way to speed up your compost and heat up the
pile. You can also add it directly to your garden if it is well composted.
On the 3rd Saturday of each month, Barbara
Kausen will be coordinating a work day at St.
Mark's garden from 7-9am. This will help keep
the garden space healthy and looking nice. They
would love to have TOG participants.
On the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings of each
month, we will continue to staff the compost site
at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Special Thanks
A big thank you to Victor Gutierrez for all his help
at all hours, and PATIENCE in this new venture.
And for his palette recommendations!!
You're a hard act to follow Victor!! - Bridget
We LOVE all our volunteers! Feel the love! Receive the love! - plenty of volunteer help is needed
to put on the fall sale!
First a big thanks to all our summer potluck hosts- we got to see plenty of sun scorched back yards
and even some successful plants growing all while enjoying TOG camraderie and delicious pot
luck dishes! Next up for anyone with a few hours on their hands is the fall sale- we need set up
people, staff a table and give out gardening information, vendor check-in and finally, the old clean
up crew. Interested? Contact Kathy Rawls through our fantastic link at
[email protected]
Low cost shade tree program !!
Need additional trees for home shade? Obtain low-cost trees once each calendar year, thanks to
Tucson Clean & Beautiful's utility sponsors:
Tucson Electric Power Co. and Trico Electric Cooperative
Trees available for home delivery throughout much of the year, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Simply agree to plant the trees to the west, east or south of your home to qualify:
Tucson Electric Power customers: Low-cost shade trees are available for home delivery (up to 2
trees for homes built in 1980 and later/older homes updated with double-pane windows; and up to
4 trees for homes built in 1979 or earlier, with single-pane windows). Form available at
www.treesfortucson.org or call (520) 791-3109
Trico Electric Cooperative members: Get up to three trees through Operation Cool Shade, with
home delivery in partnership with the Trees for Tucson program! Desert trees available at most
homes in the Trico service area. Learn more: www.trico.coop or call (520) 744-2944
World Vegetarian Day
Those considering going vegan should note that October 1, 2012 is World Vegetarian Day - the
annual kick-off of Vegetarian awareness month. Organized by the North American Vegetarian
Society (NAVS), World Vegetarian Day promotes awareness about the proven benefits of
Vegetarianism. Each year about one million people become vegetarians in the United States.
People choose to become vegetarians for many different reasons. Common motivations are ethical
concerns, health concerns, and environmental concerns. Not eating meat saves animals from
gruesome factory-farm conditions; reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer; and
mitigates the environmental pollution of animal agriculture.
Non Vegetarians are encouraged to :
* Eat meat-free for the day or throughout the month
* Learn how a vegetarian diet can benefit you personally
* Try the meatless options available at local restaurants and eateries
* Discuss vegetarianism with your interested friends, family and co-workers
* Host a meatless meal or potluck for your friends
* Eat meatless meals on a regular basis
For more info visit http://www.worldvegetarianday.org/
Location Title PO Box 27763 Tucson, Arizona 85726 520-670-9158
on the web at www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org
Tucson Organic Gardeners | PO Box 27763 | Tucson | AZ | 85726