Dripping Success!

Success in the garden is a drip system that is working and even on a timer. Rick has accomplished the impossible! We have a working drip system, which is watering the garden, the north sloping bed (flowers and tomatoes), the raised bed, and the pumpkin patch (including the sunflowers)!! It is even on a timer - set to drip for 2 morning hours (7-9 am) and 2 evening hours (7-9 pm) . Thank you, Rick, for

your perseverance through digging up, repairing, replacing old with new where needed, mapping and laying out a new workable design, reconnecting the lines, and then adding in and setting the timer. Thank you for your dedication and tenacity!

Watering volunteers: please continue to go to the garden this week to monitor the drip system and make sure that it is indeed watering at the approximate times indicated and report any problems to Rick or Joan. By next week, we ought to be assured that the drip system is working properly. And VERY IMPORTANT - DO NOT turn off the main water valve and DO NOT turn off the valve that goes to the drip system - BOTH must remain ON in order for the drip system to work on the timer.

Hand watering of the herb bed may still be needed. The sprinklers on the grass side may be reaching them - but I am not certain how well. Waterers and weeders - please take a look at the herb bed each time you visit the garden. Water the herb bed if it looks dry. Report any problems to Joan.

Weeds continue to surface everywhere, but great progress has been made in covering areas with straw to reduce the amount of weeding required. One of our Julies (there are 2 Julies working in the garden, and a 3rd following its progress) has been weeding, planting, and spreading straw in the herb garden. Our herb bed now includes chiv

es, sage, lavender, parsley, thyme, mint, basil and a number of flowering plants. It is truly (Julie) beautiful. Another Julie has been working on weeding the spaces between the flagstones - quite a job! [Have you noticed: our Utah flagstone yet?] Come by and admire Julie's work.

Allison planted the ashtray - this picture was taken at night - a work of art - for sure!

Stephanie planted sunflowers along the west fence behind the pumpkins. This should be fun as the season progresses. Our vegetables are growing - I have seen signs of edible items - have a look at the pictures below.