May 2020 Newsletter


Greetings volunteers and community members!
Happy May Food Bank Farm and Gardens volunteers!

I want to take a moment to thank you all for the incredible support you have all shown the Food Bank Farm and Gardens through this time of global crisis. I know a lot of people are hurting, and it is wonderful to see so much interest and commitment to the Gardens. 

So much has happened this month! 

First of all, we will be starting up work again on the highly productive Port Townsend High School gardens which experienced a small hiatus over the winter. See below for information regarding the first work party of the season!

Huge progress has been made at RainCoast Farms. A group of seven (or so) volunteers shows up every Thursday to prep that garden beds for planting. 

SunField Farms will be planting soon for winter storage crops. Email the Volunteer Coordinator if you have any interest in volunteering.

If you know of anyone who is food insecure, make sure to tell them about Just Soup. It is located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend every Tuesday from 1130-130. Free curbside soup delivery, including a fruit item, a protein bar, bread and spoon for anyone who shows up. 

Also, the Port Townsend Leader wrote a fantastic article about us that has gotten the word out. Already, numerous people have contacted us interested in volunteering due to this article. If you haven’t had a chance yet to read it, here is a link:

https://www.ptleader.com/stories/fresh-from-the-garden-to-the-food-bank,69027

And lastly, follow us on our new Instagram account @jcfoodbankfarms

Thanks all and be well!Interested in volunteering?? Want to learn how to grow vegetables?? And become a contributing member of your community?? Volunteer with us! We have so many opportunities available to you. Also, if you are interested in a weekly gardening gig, click the button below and let our volunteer coordinator, Rachel, know what your needs are, and she can get you set up with a garden that works with your schedule.

MAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Swan Farms
Every Tuesday from 10-2! Located behind the Thrift Store  at 10632 Rhody Drive in Port Hadlock. Right across the street from Carl’s Building Supply.
RainCoast

A brand new Food Bank Garden generously donated to the organization by RainCoast Farms! Will meet every Thursday from 10-2. Located at 12224 Airport Cutoff Road. Super close to the San Juan Taqueria by the Airport.
Birchyvill
e
Meets every Friday from 10-12. We are currently expanding this garden to increase production for the upcoming season! Located down the street from Mt. Townsend Creamery, gardener parking is at the dead end of Sherman Street.
Volunteer Now!



WORK PARTY AT PORT TOWNSEND HIGH SCHOOL GARDENS

Saturday, May 30th from 10-1. The High School Gardens need your help!! The gardens are usually cared for by high school students, but as school has been cancelled for the rest of the year due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the garden has gotten out of control!! Join us later this month to get the garden back on track! The garden is hugely important and donated almost 500 lbs of produce to the food bank last year! Bring your own tools and a mask. Again, put May 30th on your calendar! Click below to let the Volunteer Coordinator know you are interested!Volunteer NowPlease be aware that the safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance!! During the Covid-19 outbreak, please bring your own tools to volunteer parties, wear a mask if you have one, and comply by social distancing guidelines. The pictures below are various examples of how we have been complying by safety standards while working and harvesting. Thanks all!




Upper left to right: Jo Yount, garden manager for the Quimper Grange, harvesting using a face mask and gloves. Alexa MaCaulay, garden manager of Farm’s Reach. Lower left to right: Mary Hunt planting chard and kale at RainCoast. Kellen Lynch wrestling a cedar root with face mask. 


HARVESTS


Top left to right: Cauliflower from Swan Farms. Rhubarb, kale and herbs from Birchyville. Bottom Left to Right: Spinach from Farm’s Reach. Salad mixes from the Quimper Grange.




Trying to grow Raspberries?
The Quimper Grange just installed a magnificent new raspberry trellis system that will support the plants as well as make it easier to harvest. Built by our own highly regarded and skilled volunteer, Steven Cade, it will last for years! You might want to replicate this at home or better yet … call us to get Steven’s contact information.

Seasonal Recipe & May Gardening

Rhubarb is here!!! Finally!
After a long winter and spring without fresh fruits, rhubarb gets a hero’s welcome.
This recipe is an old family recipe of Jo Yount, the garden manager of the Quimper Grange. 

5 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup drained, crushed pineapple
4 cups sugar OR 2 cups honey
1 package dry strawberry jello

1. Mix the first three ingredients, let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring CONSTANTLY. Cook for 12 minutes.
3. Remove from stove.
4. Add jello, mix until completely dissolved.
5. Put into sterilized jars and seal. 

 Having problems with a mystery pest?
Go out at night with a flashlight and surprise them. That way you’ll be able to discover what is eating your veggies and how to deal with it.

Transplant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and eggplants.
Mulch with hay to retain soil warmth and moisture for the coming dry season.

Set up your slug traps before they take over everything!

If you are hoping to grow corn, a good trick is to pre-sprout the seeds before direct sowing in the garden.

Hot Tip
Do you have any leftover kale from last year’s crop?
Instead of ripping it up and composting it, let it go to seed. The bees love the flowers and will flock to your garden!

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