Dead Flies on the back of our Budlea

There is not a lot of time for me to go into all the things happening on the farm today but this is something I have noticed here all summer.  I have grown Budlea (I hope I am spelling it right! – also known at Butterfly Bush).  Weird clusters of what appears to be dead house flies encrusted on the back of many leaves.  Has anyone seen this before?  What is it?

Hope to get another post up tomorrow!

Autumn Light in the Sunflower Bed

CORNHOLE! (competitive bean bag tossing) is comiing to Alchemy Initiative

Day's Harvest

For some reason this season seems to bring a renewed sense of focus to my days.  Probably harks back the new school year beginnings of my younger years.  I love it!

One aspect we are working on is the new order of our website. Regrettably it has been in quite a shambles for most of the summer.  Now, folks we are getting organized – we are down-right planning!  No more last minute ‘let’s pull it off’ events that consume our time and thought without the help of production calendars and website promotion.

Over the next few days the site will be morphing into something I hope will be easy to navigate and candy for the eyes.  We hope to convey the excitement we feel for this Intentional Living Laboratory.

Let us know what you think or what you would like to see posts on.

Tomatillo Harvest

Tomatillos

The tomatillo is a plant of the Solanaceae (or nightshade) family.  I just adore tomatillos… they are these little treasures.  They are wonderous green tomatoes hidden inside a paper-like husk.  How cool is that?

With all the tomatillos growing it was finally time for a big ‘ol harvest.  And harvest indeed.  I made a delightful Salsa Verde for the Alchemy clan.

There is something so satisfying about this process: planting the seedlings, growing the tomatillos, harvesting them, roasting them and turning them into Salsa Verde, canning them, and then, finally… giving an adorable jar of homeade goodness to your friends.

After lots of rain and several transplants...

... the peas surprised us all as they are now 4 feet tall with these lovely pink flowers.

The scape stands proud as it twists and turns- almost ready to eat.

We suckered the tomatoes and trained them up the twine vine. They are growing and ripening!

Any piece of land gardened by a group of people.

Alchemy Initiative's community garden : aka : Alchemy Urban Farm

The American Community Gardening Association broadly defines a community garden:  It can be urban, suburban, or rural. It can grow flowers, vegetables or community. It can be one community plot, or can be many individual plots. It can be at a school, hospital, or in a neighborhood. It can also be a series of plots dedicated to “urban agriculture” where the produce is grown for a market.

Benefits of Community Gardens:

* Improves the quality of life for people in the garden
* Provides a catalyst for neighborhood and community development
* Stimulates Social Interaction
* Encourages Self-Reliance
* Beautifies Neighborhoods
* Produces Nutritious Food
* Reduces Family Food Budgets
* Conserves Resources
* Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education
* Reduces Crime
* Preserves Green Space
* Creates income opportunities and economic development
* Reduces city heat from streets and parking lots
* Provides opportunities for inter-generational and cross-cultural connections

Come by and garden with us EVERY Sunday from 10-4 at 50 Melville Street.  We are now a member of the American Community Garden Association and will soon be featured on Local Harvest!!

All proceeds will benefit our urban farm project.