Community CROPS May 2009 Newsletter
Gardening is in full swing in the community gardens and across Lincoln. Flowers are blooming everywhere, vegetables are in the ground growing, and everyone is looking forward to a delicious harvest. Some people are already harvesting abundant crops of spinach, lettuce, radishes and kale.
Many of the farmers' markets in Lincoln have opened, and there's plenty to buy -- asparagus, spring greens, bread, cheese, eggs...the local food season is back in full swing!
The 15 community gardens are filled up for this year--we had an overwhelming response and have matched up all the plots with gardeners for this year. We're quite excited about all the new partners we are working with for gardens this year, including Oak Lake Church, Northeast United Church of Christ, East Lincoln Christian Church, Southminster Church and BryanLGH Medical Center. Go to our Gardens Page for a map of all the locations.
Garden Tips
Now is the time to be planting your garden, although there is still a small chance of a late frost, it is highly unlikely. Soil temperatures are warming up as well, so warm season crops can be planted out now. You definitely want to plant anything in the cabbage family now, including cabbage, kohlrabi, kale, broccoli and bok choi. They'll appreciate the cooler temperatures as they start growing. Now and throughout the month you can be planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and other warm season crops. Be sure to 'harden off' any transplants--most of them have grown indoors, well protected from the wind and sun, and they need time to adjust to outside conditions. Put them out in a shady spot for a few hours the first time, and then work up to full sun, and being outside all the time. They'll recover much faster when you have to disturb their root system by putting them in the ground.
Community CROPS Plant Sale
Saturday, May 9, 1:30-4:00pm, West Gate Bank, 50th and ODon't miss your chance to select from an amazing array of vegetable varieties at the Community CROPS Plant Sale. Pink accordian tomatoes, mini yellow bell peppers, Basinga tomatoes, Italian white eggplants, Gypsy broccoli and much, much more! Perennials galore--including pitcher sage, everbearing strawberries, raspberries, various sedums and devil's paintbrush. Herbs, house plants and some beautiful containers. Enter the raffle to win a beautiful hanging pot from Earl May.
Plant donations still being accepted. Bring them at 1pm to the sale, or contact us to arrange a drop off earlier.
Old Cheney Road Farmers' Market
Sundays, 10am-2pm, 55th and Old Cheney The Old Cheney Market opened a few weeks ago with a great array of produce and local products. Every week there are more producers, and more delicious food to enjoy. Stop down to visit the Community CROPS booth--we've got delicious speckled lettuce, red veined spinach and eggs from one of our farmers!The Community CROPS Farmers' Market will open Thursday evening, June 4. Vendors are still be accepted--click here for applications.
Support Community CROPS by Shopping at Novel Idea Bookstore
This is the last month of Community CROPS benefiting from 'Thank You Tuesdays' at Novel Idea Bookstore. Stop by and pick up some great used books -- they always have a great selection of gardening books! Any Tuesday that you shop, 3% of the gross sales are donated to Community CROPS.Community CROPS CSA -- Last chance!
Maybe you've thought about the CROPS CSA--Community Supported Agriculture. It sounds like such a great idea to get a box of fresh produce every week, and all you have to do is pick it up at a convenient location near you. All the food is grown using organic methods, and is picked hte day you receive it, so you know it is good for you. The food is being grown by CROPS beginning farmers and staff, so you know your money is going to support entrepreneurs and expanding local food in Lincoln. You know you'll be eating better, trying new vegetables, and new recipes. For some reason, though, you just haven't gotten around to signing up.Don't wait!! The CROPS CSA is close to filling up and you don't want to miss out. Sign up now!
