Benton Park Garden Committee
Meeting Agenda and Notes
March 26, 2008

Notes

meeting notes benton park english cave community garden committee meeting
1960 ArsenaAl storefront wednesdaAy, March 26, 2008 7:30 pm
Ppresent: MamAriaAn Amies; NanAncy GaAlvin; DadAn Guenther; Bill KraAnz; BobB LaRlArouche; Cchris Rrowley

Update on Lisa’s event Spring Fiesta. May 4, 2 to 5 pm.
Marian read an email from Lisa Watson: “Hi garden friends, Daven and I will not be able to make tonight’s board meeting. Family things have come up. Update: Lisa will be going to Gateway Greening to get garden seeds. I will get seeds for all of the needs of the garden. We can always get more. All updates of party are to come. Daven will be working at the Garden Saturday 29. If you have the chance to come by and want seeds he will have them there.”

The committee discussed having a donation sign at the Spring event for donations to the garden. Attendees at the Garden Glow Event in October 2007 had asked how they might help support the garden. Nancy said she would review BPNA meeting minutes to find mention of funds allocated for the garden by the board.

Shed update. The group discussed various simple options for a shed to keep tools safe pending drawings and designs, discussed earlier. Since several committee members with valuable shed input and effort made were not present at the meeting it was determined that Bob LaRouche would get more details of a shed kit he had seen for $65 and estimate the cost of lumber for this route. Dan Guenther proposed that all shed options be brought to the table to be reviewed and a decision made at the April 30 meeting when all the information has been gathered. Most committee members felt this was a good idea. Marian said she would call Daven to ask him to discuss his shed ideas with Bob.

Garden working plan decisions. Creating new plot areas and determining wait list policies. New gardeners. Chris Rowley said he had had good luck with placing clear plastic on a hot sunny day over the Bermuda grass and this had been effective in killing the grass quickly. The group decided to get donations of clear plastic to do this over some weed areas as early as possible before plantings.

New Plots - Bill reported several requests and enquiries about new plots, Bill said he had told Dee and Jeff Allison where new plot space was available and also told Deanna Sanvi that we would be discussing the allocation of new plots at the meeting and get back with her. Marian said she would call Tobin Lichter, Karen Finley and other gardeners from last year to determine their needs. The committee also discussed available space in new areas of the garden and the creation of a gourd garden just north of the gazebo but leaving space for new plots further north. A current plan is attached to these minutes.
Gardeners on a wait listed for a plot can be asked to participate in gardening the community garden areas.

Dan said the source for good mulch (Baisch and Skinner was no longer available but that Marion and Steve Duffe may have a tree felling service contact for free good mulch. Marian said she would call Marion Smith and ask. She would also follow up with Lisa about the weed barrier cloth source and give measurements to Lisa, she would also follow up with Lisa on garden signage from the Boy Scouts.
Gateway Greening Volunteer help appreciated. Other Greenway events coming up.
The group recommended that members volunteer as they can in activities for Gateway Greening Great Perennial Divide and for the Great Plant Sale, This way the group can log volunteer hours recorded as English Cave Community Garden, Benton Park Neighborhood to favorably support grant applications to Gateway Greening in November 2008.

April 5 GPD Collection Site Orientation and pot & soil pick up 9 am GPD Volunteer Orientation, 10 am at Carriage House, 3815 Bell.

April 17 Plant Sale Transport and Set up.
April 18 Great Plant Sale at STLCC, Meramec, Big Bend and Geyer, 9 am to 7 pm.
April 19 Great Plant Sale at STLCC, Meramec, Big Bend and Geyer, 8 am to 12 pm.
April 23 to 27 Collection sites accept donations.
April 29 to May 2 GPD Set up and plant transport, Carriage House, 9 am to 3 pm.
May 3 Great Perennial Divide, Carriage House 3815 Bell, 9 am to 12 pm.

Next garden work day and tasks to be accomplished.

Sunday April 27 at noon, Marian will provide refreshments. tasks to be done:
Start refining and building paths, with weed barrier and mulch / Plastic for Bermuda grass control if sunny / Install trellises / Arbor up the grape arbor / Mark out new garden plots available / Bill’s proposed arbor, seat area and prayer pole / Hang banner between the mulberry trees ready for the spring event.

Next meeting date, Wednesday, April 30 in the garden 7:30 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 8.45 pm.

Follow-Up

Last updated: Friday, November 14, 2008