Monthly Archives: September 2011

Many thanks to Alexis, Fatima, Ivy, Marta, Michelle, Roy, Steve, Tena and all the gardeners in attendance at this month’s regular second Saturday meeting!

Steve reported on final preparations for the composting workshop on Sunday (big success, report coming soon).

Roy collected dozens of figs for all, they are sweet and delicious, many gardeners are enjoying them as they ripen to a dark purple.

Steve reported on attempts to coordinate participation in the 125th Street farmers market. He introduced WHINGS and summarized some recent collaborations between gardens. He also reviewed partnerships with Harlem4, Housing, schools and other groups. He presented a history of community garden organizing in Harlem over many years and his plans for the future, a stirring presentation that these brief notes cannot capture.

Gardeners discussed recent concerns about theft of crops in the garden. Contradictory accounts of incidents in the garden led to the conclusion that we do not know who is responsible. All in attendance agreed that theft will not be tolerated and will be reported promptly to our garden contacts and/or the police. Please do not hesitate to call the local precinct if you witness forced entry, aggressive behavior or any alarming misconduct in our garden. We remind you to lock the gate behind you when working alone. Bring friends and meet us for open hours on the weekends! We encourage you to call a garden contact or write to info [at]harlemgarden.org if you have any reports or questions.

Eren is working on a harvest celebration for October and welcomes your ideas and participation. Arts and crafts are on the agenda!

Michelle is developing a video project on the garden and hopes to share it with us soon.

Thanks to Ivy for weeding and tidying the flowers!

Join us October 14-16 at Hostos for the second annual Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference: http://www.blackfarmersconf.org/conference-info

Join us Saturday, October 30th at Riverside Church for the Food Faith and Health Disparities Conference: http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/events/index.php?event=10681&filter=9

It’s been a very successful season overall and we have much to be proud of. Our official growing season winds to at the end of next month. Time to start cleaning up and dreaming big for the year to come!