VISTA MATTERS: Time to Prep

August 30, 2019

Urgent: Prep your bed for Hurricane Dorian

Tomorrow morning please stop by to help with the storm prep and your garden prep.

Garden Prep: why is this urgent tomorrow?

We just received a shipment of really nice soil of which many plots are in dire need. Please stop by to get your plot ready for the growing season.

This is urgent as while we do have the soil covered there's a chance much of it could wash away. There will be strong members and volunteers available to help with the heavy lifting, but everyone else can help with readying empty beds for the soil.

Hurricane Prep

While it looks like the worst of the storm may miss us, it does not take much wind to create problems.

Please, please get take down and secure any structure that could catch the wind and also please help with the other areas we need help- ie taking down the compost area tarp.

Fall Planting Potluck

Saturday, September 7

Noon

Join us at VISTA Gardens to kick off the fall planting season, meet your fellow gardeners and share some yummy food.

We also will have our committee chairs in attendance to share the fun work they lead on behalf of the community - and how you can join them!

Bring your chair and drink, plus a favorite dish to share.

For more info., or to RSVP, contact Laurie K. at 813 758 9457

Generations Gathering

Saturday, Sept 14

9:30 a.m.

Little Villagers, their families and VISTA Garderners gather for fun and learning. Further details are in this newsletter.

RSVP to Lori V.

Reminder: Seedlings Are Ready!

For those who did not pick up your summer seedlings order, you can find them at the "Seed "Bar on the north side of the HRS greenhouse.

Note: Only the tomatoes, eggplants and pepper seedlings are currently ready. The kale and other cooler weather seedlings will be ready in the coming weeks.

Seedlings are only for those who ordered, and made a donation, in June. Your name should appear on the back of the seedling marker.

Getting Your Garden Going

From Bill West, President, VISTA Gardens

Greetings VISTA Gardeners,

We will soon all be starting up our gardens, weather permitting! Actions items needed to get your garden off to a fast start:

Weed your plot and surrounding pathway: We had a really productive day last weekend with members and volunteers, but your help is needed to tend to your plot and its surrounding area
Reset your plots soil level: The soil in your bed should reach the top of the wood frame. Adding soil is a physical task and there are many of us who are willing and able to help with, so please ask. You can return the favor by helping weeding beds and pathways!
Mulch your pathway. Fill your surrounding area with mulch until it reaches the half way mark of your plots wooden frame.
Amend your beds. Once your soil is in your bed and your pathways are mulched, it is time to add amendments to the soil. Ask Roberta, Marty or myself if you are unfamiliar on how to do this. If your plot was covered for summer, you should recover and let it rest for one week after adding the amendments. If you have plants in your plot at this time (like Okra) then you next planting stage should be planned for one week after the Okra is removed. Or you may elect to work around and/or transplant your existing plants.
Plant your beds. Once the soil as rested it is time to add your seedlings,or seeds, along with the final amendments.
Final last step step: Attend our super fun Pot Luck September 7th to kick off the season!

One last note that I have mentioned before, some insurance policies ask if you participate in regular physical activity and list gardening! The up and down movement, outdoor activity is really great for your health! When you add this to the vegetable harvest, the aesthetics of your plot, the technical problem solving challenge, the connection to the environment, and the community interaction and you have the one of the healthiest most rewarding activities. A healthy well maintained VISTA is a reflection of the health, fitness and creativity of it's members. See you at the garden. - Bill

Planted something new?

Fertilize with Compost Plus™ for 4 weeks after planting!

Mix 1 oz Compost Plus™ in 1 gallon of water. Pour mixture around new plantings four days each week for the first 4 weeks.

Alternatively, if you only have time to fertilize once a week, mix 4 oz Compost Plus™ in 1 gallon of water and pour mixture around new plantings.

VISTA Gardens

13572 South Village Drive

Tampa, Florida 33618

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