Let's Garden!

April 14, 2021 Newsletter

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Save the Date - May 8th Plant Handout

With the beautiful spring weather, we're all getting excited about planting our garden. But don't buy all your vegetable starts and seeds just yet! The Neighbors Nourishing Communities annual plant handout is happening on May 8th. We have combined our seed and plant handout into one event this year and will have vegetable starts, along with seed packets at the May 8th event. Come get your starts and help us donate produce for local families in need.

We are doing things a little differently this year, and asking all gardeners, both new and returning, to register as a gardener on our website. The registration is quick and easy, and once registered, you will receive further information on the location and time for the plant handout on May 8th.

Register as a gardener at our website - and we will e-mail you the details on the location and time of the plant handout: https://neighborsnc.org/

We had a record number of gardeners last year, and also a record amount of produce donated! With growth comes some growing pains, and while we had a record number of gardeners last year, we also had a record number of gardeners who did not report back to us or donate produce. So, in appreciation for all of our past donors, we have a special earlier time availability along with free herbs and flower starts at the plant handout for past donors. Thank you so much to all of you who donated produce!

Recognition for 2020 Gardeners

The many challenges of 2020, from the pandemic to wildfires, were a reminder of why we do the work we do at NNC. These difficult times also brought an increase in the number of families in need of support from local food pantries and the need for fresh produce. Our NNC gardeners responded to this challenge by increasing donations for the 7th straight year with a record-breaking 4,776 pounds of produce donated. We could not achieve this without all of our volunteer gardeners, and particularly these outstanding donors:

Golden Trowel Award - our 2020 new gardener who donated the most:
Jane VanKuren, Sherwood, OR

Rusty Trowel Award - our veteran gardener who donated the most:
Jo Hibbits, Tualatin, OR

Sod Buster Award - the business that grew and donated the most:
Tualatin Park Veterinary Clinic, Tualatin, OR

Hoe Lot of Support Award - the institution that grew and donated the most:
Hilltop Community Garden, Tualatin, OR

Companion Planting -

Giving Vegetables Some Flowering Friends

Adding flowers to your vegetable garden can bring many benefits - not the least of which is their bright appearance. Here are just a few of the benefits, along with flower varieties considered most advantageous for specific functions.

Pollination - squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and pumpkin need bees for pollination, and many other crops will produce more when pollinated. Zinnias are brightly colored and rich with nectar, making them a great attractor for bees.
Repelling garden pests - unwanted pests can destroy produce and even bring disease. Marigolds can repel aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, and even rabbits. Lavender can also deter common garden insects and even deer.
Attracting beneficial insects - ladybugs and green lacewings can prey on harmful garden insects such as aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and whiteflies. They will even feed on powdery mildew fungus. Cosmos is a great option for attracting both ladybugs and green lacewings.

Resource Web Links:

Oregon State Soil Testing

Concentrates Organic Agriculture Specialists

Portland Metro Master Gardener Information

Soil Science

Sustainable Market Farming

Capital Press Agricultural News

Newsletter Signup

Please forward our newsletter to others who may be interested in gardening with us. If you are interested in receiving our newsletters and not currently on our subscriber list, please contact us at neighborsnc@gmail.com.

Neighbors Nourishing Communities (NNC) is an organization of neighbors gardening to raise fresh produce for local families in need of food support. We provide plants, seeds, instruction and site consultations in exchange for 20% of the produce raised. Visit our website at www.neighborsnc.org.

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Our mailing address is:
17660 SW Shawnee Trail, Tualatin, OR 97062

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Neighbors Nourishing Communities · 17660 SW Shawnee Trail · Tualatin, Or 97062 · USA