Garden plots available for the 2012 growing season are limited.  If you have an interest in joining the Wrangell Community Garden this season, please submit your garden bed application soon.  Applications can be found under the "Applications" tab and are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Please join the Community Garden group at our Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, March 14th, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall's Council Chambers.  
 
We have two seats on the board up for election this year.  If you have an interest in serving on the board, please submit your letter of interest to one of the board members.  
 
If you have ideas for the garden and the group’s goals, we encourage you to join us and share your ideas about our project.  We’re excited for our third year of community gardening, and we hope you are too!

With our 2011 gardening season coming to a close, it is time for current gardeners to decide if they wish to keep their garden plot for the 2012 gardening season.  

What to do if you Do want to keep your plot next year...
If you wish to garden over the winter and/or maintain your garden plot for the 2012 season, your application should be turned in, with the appropriate fees, by October 31, 2011.  Your 2011 deposit can be rolled-over as your 2012 deposit.  With a current application on file, you may choose to continue gardening through the fall and winter, or begin cultivating your soil in preparation for next year.    

What to do if you Do Not want to keep your plot next year...
If you know you do not want your garden plot for next year, please remove all material from the plot by October 31, 2011.  This includes all plants (living or dead), weeds, pots, wire cages, netting, plastic hoop frames, wood frames, stakes, signs, etc.  Once your plot has been signed-off by the site manager and your key returned, your deposit will be returned to you (unless you wish to donate it to the garden).

Garden plots that do not have a new application attached to them by October 31st will be cleaned of all plant and non-plant material and the gardener’s deposit will be forfeited.  Applications for new gardeners are accepted on an open-enrollment basis, on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Don't risk loosing your plot to someone else... submit your 2012 Garden Application by October 31st!!

The 2012 Garden Application, as well as the Rules and Regulations, can be found under the Applications page.

Please note that the water service will be turned off on October 31st, to avoid the risk of frozen/broken water lines.  If you plan to garden over winter, please make alternate plans for your water supply.   

A big thanks to all of our members for gardening responsibly and for working together to keep this community effort going. We hope everyone enjoyed being a part of the Wrangell Community Garden this year.  All of the garden plots looked vivacious this year, and we look forward to gardening together in Wrangell in 2012.  Have a great winter!

As some of you may have noticed, there has been a security breach in our community garden site perimeter. A young deer has been spotted sneaking around the edges of the ballfield and some of you may have noticed deer tracks in your bed itself. Possible prevention from allowing your bed to become fodder for our four-legged friend include putting up chicken wire or plastic around your bed. Check out the UAF coopperative extension link on our Links page for more information.
Root maggots have also been a problem for at least 3 beds as to date. If you notice root maggots, please remember to remove the infected plants from the site - Please do NOT put these plants in the compost. Also, we may look into a mass beneficial nematode order, so if you are interested, speak up. Again, peruse the Links page for more information on root maggots.
Despite the forces of nature that gardeners must contend with, our gardens are looking great, and I know many of us are looking forward to a big harvest this year.

Have you seen our latest additions? One may be a bit scary, but is really harmless. Thank you to Carrie McCormick's Kids Garden class for constructing a "Scareraven" next to their bed. He will work hard this summer protecting our beds.
Three new beds have been added to the new "G" row, and bed maps will be updated on the website and bulletin board. A big thanks to Bob, Haley and Andy for milling up the boards to build these beds.
Also, a thank goes out to those who initiated the building painting. Check out our beautiful new shed, soon to be completed with a sign. If you would like to help paint, put up the sign or do any site activities, contact Bob. There is a list of chores on the bulletin board as well, if you would need assistance completing your volunteer hours.
Finally, feel free to submit any photos your have of your garden growing to me if you would like to see it on the website. It looks great out there!

Here are a few points of interest for the garden:
-Bob has the water up and running (but not literally-please remember to turn off the spigot when you leave the garden), so you can now water your garden bed
-There is also a "To Do" list on the bulletin board (which has been put back outside) in case you are looking for something to do
-The newest Rules and Regulations have been posted, along with the latest Bylaws.
-There are maps of the garden beds on the bulletin board as well, but if you are unsure of which bed is yours, feel free to ask.
-Talk of a Spring garden tour is in the works. Is anyone interested in assisting with coordinating this event?
-If you would like composted dirt from the compost bins, feel free to shift through bin #1. Screens are in the shed, and the black gold looks great!
-Speaking of compost, if you would like to attend the join the compost committee, contact Corree Seward.

Good luck gardening and Dig In!