The John Muir PTC

Our primary goal remains to PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOL GARDEN PRODUCE to the AMS cafeteria while providing a learning opportunity for all students.

Welcome and welcome back.  The garden has been a busy place.  Here what's happening:

After a stressful summer, the year is starting out with a VERY positive spin.  The work group of Sept. 1st was small but mighty. With

their help we managed to tame the black berry bushes and shrink the jungle of weeds very nicely.  Our Farms to School liaison, Tracy Harding, continues to be a strong supporter of our efforts.

Shortly after school concluded last June the AMS maintenance department  put in a city water faucet source for us in the SE corner. YEAH! So now we have available to us City water and seasonal TID via gravity feed and a pump in the SW corner

Thank you Gary Sisk, Head of Maintenance, and Don "the water guy!"

We quickly PUT IN A DRIP SYSTEM and managed to plant half of the garden space.  We are currently expanding the drip system this week to accommodate a fall garden.

The DEER FENCE was a great success and the gophers did not do as much damage as last year.

Despite a heroic effort from Peter Wilhelm, TIna Marie Springer, and her steadfast helpers, Michiko & Lisa,

the PEST DAMAGE TOOK A HEAVY TOLL ON THE SUMMER CROPS and crop yields are historically low.

We have initiated an improved organic pest control program and will increase our education by Spring planting time.

WE WERE GIFTED A STRAW JET SHED by the Straw Jet Co. of Ashland/Talent. We will need help with the foundation at some point.  Please contact me or Martin if you have a particular intertest in this project. Martin Lee is the coordinator.  Google "Straw Jet Shed" and choose the Ashland based company video for some really inspiring information on this cutting edge sustainable practice.

Great news came to us when school resumed. THE 5-8th GRADERS WILL BE USING THE GARDEN as part of the

Seed unit Sept 20 - Oct. 22.  They will be involved in soil testing, establishing a composting system, planting seeds under

various conditions and other fun activities.  We are delighted to be a resource for some of the JMS curriculum.

At this time WE ARE PLANTING A FALL GARDEN RIGHT NOW and hope to have these crops go in to the Middle School cafeteria.

Thank you Peter W. for all the wonderful starts.

We are working closely with Eric Sandrock (AMS teacher)  and Tracy Harding (F2S).  We are very appreciative of the effort and resources provided by David Munson (a new JMS parent).

To be successful WE NEED YOUR HELP.  Please contact me or come the garden to help prepare for and plant the fall crop Monday,

Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, Sept. 13-15, from 9-11 a.m.

Make it YOUR COMMUNITY GARDEN!

Patti Ruiz

541 482-2826

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