Minutes of the Meeting of the
Middlesex County Master Gardener Focus Group
September 25, 2009
In attendance: Tage Carlson, Chantal Foster, Maureen Gillis, Peggy Becker, Jamie Burgess, Fern Martin, Marsha Dowling, Barbara Glista, John Carlson and Susan LoGatto
Marsha Dowling called the meeting to order at 6:35. Thank you to Maureen and Chantal for the refreshments. The August minutes were accepted.
First item discussed was a winter cover crop. Discussion was had on possible use of spinach since there were seeds remaining from an earlier planting this year. It was decided that new spinach seeds would be purchased (Hart's bloomsdale) for a partial cover crop (where tomatoes were planted 2009) since it is expected that the fresher seeds (2010) would germinate more successfully. Spinach will be planted September 28. Additional compost will purchased from Town and Country and placed on the garden this fall (November) so that it will work its way into the soil over the winter months.
The class of 2009 will be constructing a coldframe to be placed outside of the garden on the southend next to the composting bins. The bins will be moved slightly to the east so that the coldframe can be suitably placed in the sun. The coldframe will be constructed, thus far, by Tage Carlson, Chantal Foster, Maureen Gillis, Jamie Burgess and other Focus Group members as the case may be. Cedar wood will be purchased for framing the coldframe and the cover will be the same corrugated plastic of the compost bins. Cinder blocks and possibly styrofoam (insulation) will be used for the foundation of the coldframe. John Carlson will be presenting the project to the Connecticut Master Gardener Association for a grant for this project.
Other gardening projects were tabled.
Marsha Dowling has decided to step down as our chairperson and asked for volunteers to assume the responsibility. Chantal Foster and Maureen Gillis volunteered to co-chair. Thank you Marsha for all your hard work, enthusiasm and leadership in establishing the focus group and garden. Although Marsha will no longer chair, she and Dianne LaRosa will work on contacting Master Gardeners to join the group using the CMGA roster.
Becki Connell and Gladys C.H. Goodale will no longer be part of the Focus Group.
Fern Martin volunteered to drill holes in the tomato stakes for tying up the tomatoes next year.
Jamie Burgess volunteered to bring refreshments to the October 30 meeting and Marsha Dowling volunteered to bring refreshments to the October 31 garden clean-up.
Submitted by, Susan LoGatto