New Home for Our Crop Swaps

I'm so pleased to announce that Gloria, the gracious and lovely owner of A Secret Garden Florist & Cafe has offered her establishment as a permanent home for our Produce Exchanges. It's a beautiful centrally located place with plenty of free parking nearby as well as coffee and pastries for those of us highly caffeinated gardeners.

Our Crop Swaps will be held every other week during the highly productive summer months :
     Saturday July 12th -   11 AM -5 Year Anniversary Party                           July 26th      11 AM
                          Aug   9th      11 AM
                          Aug  23rd     11 AM

A Secret Garden Florist and Cafe is located at 981 E. Main   Ventura, CA  805-667-8330.

A Gardener’s Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the yard
the branches were bare and the ground frozen hard;
The roses were dormant and mulched all around
to protect them from damage if frost heaves the ground.
The perennials were nestled all snug in their beds
while visions of 5-10-5 danced in their heads.
The new-planted shrubs, had been soaked by the hose
to settle their roots for the long winter's doze;
And out on the lawn, the new fallen snow
protected the roots of the grasses below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but a truck full of gifts of gardening gear.
Saint Nick was the driver - the jolly old elf
and he winked as he said, "I'm a gardener myself.
I've brought wilt-pruf, rootone, and gibberellin, too.
Please try them and see what they do.
To start new plants, a propagating kit.
Sparkling new shears, for the old apple tree.
To seed your new lawn, I've a patented sower;
in case it should grow, here's a new power mower.
For seed-planting days, I've a trowel and a dibble,
and a roll of wire mesh if the rabbits should nibble.
For the feminine gardener, some gadgets she loves;
plant stakes, a sprinkler, and waterproof gloves;
A chemical agent for the compost pit,
and for pH detecting, a soil testing kit.
With these colorful flagstones, lay a new garden path,
for the kids to enjoy, and bird feeder and bath.
And last but not least, some well-rotted manure.
A green Christmas year round, these gifts will ensure."
Then jolly Saint Nick, having emptied his load,
started his truck and took to the road.
And I heard him exclaim through the motor's loud hum
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a green thumb!"

Produce Exchange on Sunday April 14

If you have the opportunity check out the new path to the Ventura Botanic Gardens. It's a nice little switchback and gentle uphill walk toward the Cross. Native plants are growing and the hillsides are very green and lush. Springtime is in full bloom. Looks like it's time to start exchanging.

Many thanks to Diana for hosting this Sunday's exchange on 4/14/13
Diana's House
1520 Thrasher
12 noon

Bring any of your extra fruits, veggies, herbs, plant starts, seeds or baked goods or other food to share and exchange.

Holiday Potluck and Tamale Party

Oh it's that time of year again when you rush rush rush, shop shop shop, bake bake bake and wrap wrap wrap. How about a relaxing celebration with your gardening friends and fellow co-opers to appreciate all we have grown, gathered and shared throughout this past year ?

Pineapple Coconut Raisin Pecan Dessert Tamales

Lisa has graciously volunteered her backyard again for our Holiday Party. We will be steaming up some of the tamales from last month's cooking gala, so our bent is Mexican. Think rice, beans, enchiladas, quesadillas, aqua frescas (fruit drinks), rompope (eggnog).  More tamales would be great also as we have more dessert tamales than savory ones.

Sunday December 16th, 2012
Lisa's House
6476 Hummingbird Street
12 noon 

Hope you can make it, because you all make it special. 

Happy Holidays and Happy Gardening!  

cheers!
Maureen

Chili Today and Hot Tamale

Being in Mazatlan over fall break has inspired me to share some of the wonders of Mexico with the Produce Exchange. And what better way than to make tamales. It's not particularly difficult, just a lot of steps. So many hands make it easier and of course more fun.

Sunday Nov 18th - Tamale Making Party starts @ 10 am
Produce Exchange @ 12 noon
Maureen's House
9572 El Cajon Street
Ventura, CA 93004
Please RSVP for Tamale making 805.340-8756

I'll gather up the masa and hojas. So bring your favorite filling, an apron and a beverage or snack to share.

3rd Anniversary Prodcue Exchange & Potluck

Celebrate Good Times Come On...... 
All you generous, loyal gardeners and exchangers.

Can you believe we've been doing this for 
3 years?
This year's theme is PIE - sweet or savory pies, tarts, turnovers, empanadas, calzones, quiche or galettes.

Bring your favorite and come share some of the others.

Sunday August 5th
Lisa's House
6476 Hummingbird Street
12 noon

Remember this is a free neighborhood exchange of all the Fruits,
Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers that we grow in our yards.
A collective in which we all get to enjoy some of what everyone grows
in exchange for contributing what we don't want or won't use ourselves.

A little cheesey

Liz and Gary will be hosting the upcoming Produce Exchange on 
Sunday July 15th at their home at 
1682 Ocean Ave at
12 noon.


Liz has offered a cheese 
making demo to show the relative simplicity of this process. 
C'est Cheese!



I'm just bringing the rosemary bread to go with....
Hope to see you there.

Ventura County Fair Entry Dates

For those of you wanting to enter your flowers or produce in the 2012 Ventura County Fair,
http://www.venturacountyfair.org/pages/3441/

 here's some dates to remember................

Ventura County Fair Entry Dates -

 

Produce I – July 31, 2012 – 8 AM – 6 PM

Produce II – August 8, 2012 – 8 AM – 11 AM

Potted Plants & Collections – July 29 - 12 PM–5 PM & July 30 – 8 AM-12 PM

Wheelbarrow Competition – July 29 – 12 PM–5 PM & July 30 – 8 AM-12 PM

Roses & Arrangements – August 4, 2012 – 7 AM – 10 AM

Cactus, Terrariums, Dish Gardens – August 6, 2012 – 7 AM – 10 AM

Dahlias & Arrangements – August 9, 2012 – 7 AM – 10 AM

Cut Flowers – August 11, 2012 – 7 AM – 10 AM

Baked Foods – Monday, July 30, 2012 – 7 AM – 1 PM

Produce Exchange is back in the swing of things

School's out, fog's in and those little seedlings that you planted are finally taking root. You might even have some tomatoes ready soon. Until then, harvest your zucchinis and rhubarb and kale and come out for an exchange of your extras.

Saturday June 23rd 
12 noon
Jim and Marion's House
340 N. Dos Caminos

Produce Exchange Oct 8th

Peter Glazebrook from Newark, England, holds his record-breaking giant onion that weighed in at 8.150kg (~18 lbs) in the Heaviest Onion competition to claim a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. What do you have in your garden that compares? or is the smallest? Bring it on Saturday, October 8th at 12 NOON to  our next Produce Exchange at Dinisea & Everett's House 10471 Graham Court ** near Telephone Rd and Saticoy Ave 805.659.9836

Sunday September 25th -Ventura Produce Exchange

Many thanks to June for hosting the last terrific exchange at your home.
We had a host of herbs including mint, oregano, bay leaves, basil, as well as a bounty of veggies of tomatoes, radishes, beans, peppers, cucumbers, rhubarb, yellow crookneck, lemons, swiss chard, green onions and chilies. There was planting materials of cocoa fibre, pots and trellises ... and a special treat of just baked bread and home made fig and nectarine quesadillas.

This is a reminder that the next Produce Exchange is this

Sunday Sept. 25th
at Pam's home
2404 Mohican Lane
West Ventura
641-0052

noon to 1pm


We will start exchanging at 12:15pm.
Don't forget to bring your own bag or basket! 

** We are needing people to host exchanges on November 20th and December 3rd  ... Please contact us if you are interested in hosting ! **

Time for another Exchange

Saturday September 10th our Produce Exchange will meet at 12 noon off the Avenue on the West Side of Ventura. June Peterson has graciously offered to host our event which will be held at 5054 Norway Drive.

For more info or to volunteer for set-up or clean-up, please call Maureen Durkin at 805-340-8756 or June at 641-9273.

Wahoo! 2 Year Anniversary Potluck & Exchange

It's time to exchange again.
This Saturday 7/23/11 at 12 noon at 
Maureen's house, 
9572 El Cajon Street
805 340-8756.

Oh and it's a potluck too, as we celebrate 2 years of wonderful exchanges.
Yippee, I'm so honored and proud of all involved, so let's party!
Bring yourself, your Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Plant Starts or Culinary Delights to exchange and meet some like minded people!

We will be cooking up some pastor tacos and rosemary bread.
My good friend Al is a very accomplished homebrewer and will be sharing some of his Two Trees Ale.

Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly. And let's chat about what you're bringing.

If you don't have the time or inclination to make anything, then plates, glasses or utensils would be great. Or you could email or call me and drop off your harvest ahead of time. I'll conjure something edible from it.

Exchange Sunday July 10th - Lucinda & Dave's Home

Many thanks to Jan and Bernie for hosting the last terrific exchange in the keys.
We had greens, oregano, rhubarb, onions, flowers, mint, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary,
Italian oregano, apricots, beets, oranges, cactus, lemon verbena, sorrel, sage, parsley,
artichokes, and more oranges.

This is a reminder that the next Produce Exchange is this Sunday,
7/10/11 at 12 noon at

Lucinda and Dave's
 572 S. Evergreen Drive (in Midtown)
 653-2787

We will start exchanging at 12:15pm.
Don't forget to bring your own bag or basket! 

To participate in this next exchange, please bring your harvest of Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Plant Starts, Seeds or Culinary Delights and meet some like-minded gardeners and gather-ers. The best part is taking home a bag of fresh local produce for FREE !

Remember if your harvest is not ready yet, we still need volunteers for set-up and tear-down, as well as to be on the receiving end of all this bounty!

And the following exchange will be a Potluck Celebration of Our 2 year Anniversary as a Cooperative !

Please sign up and bring a favorite dish to share.

Exchange this Saturday @ 12 noon

Thanks again to Jim and Marion for hosting our last wonderful exchange. You have created a wonderful horticultural fantasy at your home, especially with your new greenhouse. We all have garden envy!

Our Next exchange is Saturday, June 25 @ 12:00 noon

Jan and Bernie's
1314 Beachmont St. (in the Ventura Keys)
644-4465

We will start exchanging at 12:15pm.
Don't forget to bring your own bag or basket! 

To participate in this next exchange, please bring your harvest of Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Plant Starts, Seeds or Culinary Delights and meet some like-minded gardeners and gather-ers. The best part is taking home a bag of fresh local produce for FREE !

Remember if your harvest is not ready yet, we still need volunteers for set-up and tear-down, as well as to be on the receiving end of all this bounty! For more info, contact Maureen at 340-8756.

 Some of you in the mid-town area asked why the leaves on your plants are turning grey. Here's an excerpt from the Green Thumb Newsletter.


Powdery Mildew By Tamara Galbraith
When it's summertime and you're working on a tan, your plants may begin to take on a pale, pasty look. What gives? Say hello to the fungus disease known as powdery mildew.
A common condition found on plant life throughout North America, powdery mildew is characterized by spots or patches of white to grayish talcum-powder-like growth. Fortunately, it is usually more of an effect than a problem itself. In other words, in addition to treating the plant, you'll probably want to take a look at the surrounding conditions and make some adjustments.
The primary way to keep powdery mildew (and other fungi) from attacking your plants is prevention. Start now.
First and foremost, make sure you give plants plenty of room. Good air circulation goes a long way. Trim plants that get crowded or bushy. Avoid overhead watering and do your watering in the morning so any water that does get on leaves has a chance to dry. If your plants are getting spray from a lawn sprinkler system, try moving the sprinkler a bit further away. If that's not possible, you might consider replacing your plants with more mildew-resistant plants or varieties.
If you do get powdery mildew, to halt it in its tracks, spray the affected plants with a good fungicide, such as Ortho Rose Pride.

Sunday June 12th -Ventura Produce Exchange

Get ready to harvest, gather or volunteer. Our upcoming exchange is on
      Sunday, June 12th at 12 - 1 pm 
         Jim + Marion's house
         340 N. Dos Caminos Ave
         207-4234

Bring your extras .... Fruit, Veggies, 
Herbs, Seeds, Plant Starts, 
Baked Goods,homemade vinegar, 
homebrew, doggie treats, etc. 
to exchange or just drop by 
and meet some like-minded people who enjoy the garden.
And mark your calendar for a Saturday Produce Exchange 
from 12 - 1pm
     6/25/11 Bernie + Jan's house
     1314 Beachmont
     644-4465

Exchange this Saturday @ 1pm

Let's try something different and have our exchange on Saturday. Some of you have been asking for this, so let's give it a try. Bring your extras .... Fruit, Veggies, Herbs, Plant Starts, Baked Goods to exchange or just drop by and meet some like-minded people who enjoy the garden.

Maureen's House     9572 El Cajon St.   1- 2 pm    Saturday May 14th

Time to Plant your Garden

Do any of you remember the 1979 film Being There with Peter Sellers? He was simple-minded gardener, but his analogies gave him recognition and are still applicable today.

Chance the Gardener: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.
President "Bobby": In the garden.
Chance the Gardener: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again

How To Plant Your Garden

First, you come to the garden alone,

while the dew is still on the roses.

For the Garden of your daily living,

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS :

 1. Peace of mind

 2. Peace of heart

 3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

 1. Squash gossip

 2. Squash indifference

 3. Squash grumbling

 4. Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:

 1. Lettuce be faithful

 2. Lettuce be kind

 3. Lettuce be patient

 4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:

 1. Turnip for meetings

 2. Turnip for service

 3. Turnip to help one another

 
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:

 1. Thyme for each other

 2. Thyme for family

 3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.  

THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN

BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

First Produce Exchange of 2011

Time to pick those oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes, dig out the beets, radishes or potatoes, or cut the chard, lettuce or herbs and head over to 

 Marion and Randy's House

 471 Montgomery Place

 Sunday March 13th 

 12 Noon

for the first Produce Exchange of the not-so-new year.

Hope to see you there !

Last Exchange of 2010

Thanks to Alicia of the Jordan Ave Community for hosting last week's exchange.
It was a small and fun gathering with a lot of variety if not quantity : Tomatoes, brocolli, greens, seranos, dahlia tubers, pumpkin, avocado, basil, lettuce, kale, rosemary, rose potpourri, camelias, peppers, eggplant and some yummy peppermint rice krispy treats !

We will be taking a break from Exchanges for a few months.

Hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season
and
See you in the Spring !