Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The Best Christmas Gift



Christmas elves (gardeners) are steadily working.  Fence and gate building continues, as Harvest of Hope Community Garden (HOH) expands to the East.  So maybe they aren't supplied with toys, sleighs or reindeer... but the gardeners' tools and equipment are trucks, saws, hammers, nails, posts, and fence-wire. The fence work is almost finished, and just in time for Christmas!



New fencing and 'walkthrough' gate being installed (view from new SE corner of property).  Note:  more birdhouses too.



Another new 'drive-through' Gate on East side of garden.  Now gardeners can now drive through garden from either side (West OR East) of the property.



See how much we've grown.  This is indeed the best Christmas gift Harvest of Hope could receive!!




A few recent pictures from the garden...






This worksheet below was submitted from one of our younger gardeners (age 9) who had submitted this to her health class in August; see bottom paragraph "B"



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

HOH Garden Receives Search for Excellence Award (Demonstration Category)


 
    

Breaking News!!


Congratulations to Harvest of Hope Community Garden:
 2013 Tennessee Search for Excellence Award recipient,
 Demonstration Category !

The Garden Expands! ... Hence the Fence

While many of us may consider hibernating in winter, work continues at Harvest of Hope.

The Harvest of Hope Community Garden is expanding... hence the need to enlarge the fence.  Gardeners have been working hard placing posts and wire fencing, fixing the gate, etc.

Below are a few pictures of the current progress.




Stay tuned for more photos when the fencing is complete :)


Happy Gardening!



A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.
Unknown Author



Saturday, October 5, 2013

Upcoming Events !






Some things for you all to mark on your calendars (Times TBA):



  • October 29th, 9am       Master Gardener Class
    • Location
      First Presbytarian Church (poss indoors)
      and/or HOH Gardens (or HOH first, then FPC - final TBA)
  • November 9th              Fall Cleanup Day (& Cookout)


Stay Tuned :)


Recent Views from the Garden (and some "OLDIES" too)

First five pictures below were taken Oct 4th

Eye Candy:




Progress

                                      


Above picture taken in mid-July
Below picture of same area taken this past week; my how those plants are growing!




More raised beds:

 3 above, ready to go
8 below, awaiting placement



"OLDIES"
More views from earlier in the summer
Below pictures taken July 30th








Happy Gardening!



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Fried Okra Salad Recipe


Wondering what to do with those tomatoes & okra from the garden, make some...


Fried Okra Salad

1 1/2 lbs okra
2-3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
Veg oil for deep frying
2  large tomatoes, seeded & chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 bunch green onions, diced
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked & crumbled
1/2 cup veg oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

Toss cleaned okra into beaten egg, then toss into breadcrumbs to coat. Fry breaded okra in vegetable oil; drain on paper towels.  In a medium bowl, combine okra, tomatoes, bell pepper, green onions, and bacon.  In a small saucepan, combine oil, sugar, & vinegar.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves.  Pour over okra mixture, tossing gently to coat.  Serve immediately.  Makes about 6 servings.


Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Picnic Table :)

Harvest of Hope Community Garden now has a PICNIC TABLE, yay!!
Table was donated by Sid Byrd, Thank you :)



Our new T-shirts are cool, too.


Happy Gardening !

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Photos from Fall Planting Class










Below you'll see the stages of planting broccoli in prep for Fall.






Looks like it's ready!





It really does take "a community" to grow a community garden. Thanks for coming today!  It was lovely seeing you :)

Happy Gardening !

Sunday, August 4, 2013

"Fruit of Thy Labor"... and vegetables, too!


Below are some of the "Fruits of Thy Gardener's Labor."   If you are a Harvest of Hope Community Gardener, you might see some of YOUR produce here.  Enjoy!

Okra & Okra Flower (above & below picts) - COOL!


No "sour grapes" on this vine...
Cantelope... SWEET!





 


ACORN SQUASH  -  July 3rd
ACORN SQUASH  -  July 30th
  
The garden and gardeners are doing well!!  Happy Gardening

Friday, August 2, 2013

"Woodworks"

Yes, WOOD WORKS !!

Harvest of Hope gardeners once again make use of recycled materials to make these three new raised beds out of donated wood this past week. 

These three beds, built by Phil, Earl & Doug, took about 45 minutes each, and have now filled spaces (once empty) in the garden area.  The beds will be filled with soil next week, then plants of course.





View from rear of garden



The lumber, used to make the beds, was donated by Archadeck, builders of decks, etc


In the future, more beds will be built in the vacant lot to the right of the current garden (when viewed from road).

Thanks again to Phil, Earl, Doug for their hammer-and-nail-ability, and just good plain, hard work, splinters & sweat!!!!  ... and of course, Archadeck for donating materials!!!

Happy Gardening !