2017 Fall Gardening Class
Great opportunity for the beginning gardener and experienced gardener alike. This class will teach basics of gardening and tricks to great production. Click on the right under “Upcoming Events” for more information.
Great opportunity for the beginning gardener and experienced gardener alike. This class will teach basics of gardening and tricks to great production. Click on the right under “Upcoming Events” for more information.
One of my first lessons as a gardener came 33 years ago when I spent the summer building a large vegetable garden in my backyard. I was off for the summer from my teaching job and my goal was to build 6 large garden beds and plant them while off for the summer. I tried…
Composting is a simple way to add nutrient-rich humus which fuels plant growth and restores vitality to soils. It is also good for the environment and reduces landfill waste. Presently, we have the “Tree Leaf” compost program located near the storage buildings. Candice and her committee will take your leaves that you bring from home…
Take the 30 Ways in 30 Days Challenge! March is National Nutrition Month. Please join Westbury Community Garden in taking the VegOut! 30 Days in 30 Ways Challenge. We all need more veggies in our lives! Sign up online at vegoutwithrfs.org or get the free phone app from Recipe For Success. There is also a…
If you are new to WCG, let me tell you about one of the perks of joining our garden. We have two herb beds grown for common use. The herb beds are tended by members of The Herb Society of America- South Texas Unit together with a newly formed Herb Committee of WCG gardeners (which…
Ever wonder what to do with those huge radishes that seem to want to grow above the ground? Did you know you can cook them? I’ve tried steaming them and serving with salt, pepper, and butter–yummy! Sort of like a mild turnip. And they can be sliced thinly and sauteed with other fresh veggies for…
What is it? Black rot is a bacterial infection that affects the vascular system of members of the Brassica (broccoli) family. It is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Which plants are affected? All cruciferous crops are susceptible including arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage (including Chinese cabbage), cauliflower, collards, garden cress, kale, kohlrabi, mustard (including mizuna), radish, rutabaga, and turnip. NOT AFFECTED seems to be nasturtium (it must be far enough away on the family tree). Where did it come from? We don’t know the origin of our current outbreak. The bacterium infects all parts of host plants, including seeds, so it could have come in on a seed or on a commercial transplant. There are also some Brassica family weeds that can harbor it in the wild. Why is it such a problem now? We have had the perfect warm, humid weather for it to spread and multiply these past few months – temperature has been between 50-75, it has been breezy and wet. It wasn’t until Wayne saw the same pattern on several of his plants that he brought it to Ray’s attention. We’ve probably been living with it for months without realizing it, which allowed it to spread widely. How is it spread?…