Garden+Captain+Responsibilities

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June 2012
Dear Garden Captains-

Thank you for taking time to help out with the garden this summer. We certainly couldn't keep it up and running without your assistance! Below you will find a short task list for each time you visit the garden this summer. Please plan on visiting the garden each day during the week if possible. We estimate that the tasks will take an hour or so or so to complete. The garage is open during normal business hours and on Saturday mornings. If you arrive after business hours, there is a key hanging on the north gate post inside the garden. This key will allow you to turn on the hose bib located on the wall facing the busses. There is enough hose to reach it and make sure the water is off and the hose is disconnected, and coiled when you are finished.


 * During each visit, garden captains should be sure to do the following:**

1. Water the plants...it will take 30 minutes or so to give the plants a good soaking. See the detailed notes below for watering directions for each crop. The water is located inside of the garage to the right. You'll need to pull Tim's hose out and connect it to the hose that leads into the garden area. Please neatly coil up the hose upon completion. NOTE: Water pressure is enough to water the plants. 2. After you water is the best time to pull the weeds in the garden bed. Pull weeds up by the roots. Use a trowel or fork to assist in the process. 3. Please fix any minor problems with the fence (perhaps something came untied or the fence is hanging). 4. Make sure the plants are supported by the trellises. If necessary, gently tie to a part of the trellis (twine and other tie material is located in the Rubbermaid bin in the garden). 5. Monitor students who show up to help. In a perfect world, the students will carry out most of the above tasks! 6. There is a dandelion digger to help extract thistles and other noxious weeds. Tools are located in the Rubbermaid type bin in the garden. Weed as often as you can/like. The plants are clearly marked with wooden stakes. 7. Fill out the log book that is located at the garden website if you have time.


 * Garden tool location:** We have a pitch fork, a small and large shovel, stored inside the garden fence. We have a small Rubbermaid container with the hand tools, some kneeling pads, gloves, hats and sunscreen. This container is located inside the gate of Karen's Garden.

__8:00am - 2:45 pm__ The hose is located inside of the east side of the transportation barn as well. As you enter through the door you'll see it coiled up to your immediate right. Pull the hose out and connect it to the hose running to the garden. You'll see a watering stick in the garden-the water pressure OK. If the building is locked, call security on their cell phone. I will not post their cell phone number here, so either contact me or someone else who has the number prior to your going out to USM (usually Tim or Gary will be there early in the morning). The hose does have a mixer system with both hot and cold water. Please only use the cold water; the handle closest to the garage door. __Before and After School Hours__: If you are unable to water during the times above, use the hose that is coiled on the rocks and hook it to the spigot on the side of the building. The sillcock key is hanging on the wooden 4x4post in the garden
 * Water location:**

Again, thank you very much for your involvement in the school garden project this summer!

Sincerely,

The USM Garden Initiative For more information see the [|USM Environmental Action Team blog]

__//Notes and tips on taking care of the various vegetable plants in the garden://__

__Tomato Plants__
Here is a great video on tomatoes to help manage them throughout the summer - it is on You Tube. Copy and past the url. http://youtu.be/pZWRfLGqH1M?list=FL3CNuRcgtvl8b7Fqr1lwP4g

__A__
 * __Cucumbers__**

Watering
Tomatoes thrive on even moisture. Water tomatoes deeply during dry spells. Water the base of the tomato plant, not the foliage. Watering the foliage when tomatoes are maturing can cause the fruits to crack. If you can, try to water in the early morning--this prevents too much evaporation and it also allows the leaves to dry off over the course of the day. Gently tie tomato plants to their trellises if they need support. Twist ties are located on the trellises.
 * Care taking**