Weeding and Mulching Crew

Saturday, April 30th, with a possible threat of rain, I anticipated work in the Prospect Gardens. After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and English Breakfast tea, checking email and a few news web sites, and scanning Facebook, I packed up the wheel barrel with necessary tools, and made the half block trip to the Gardens.

Three neighbors joined me: Laura, Joyce and Steve. These three are frequent volunteers. We worked for about two and half hours, accomplishing the goal of weeding and mulching a significant portion of the north side of the Gardens. Light rain began to fall as we accomplished the goal.

More of the Gardens need weeding and mulching.  So sometime soon we will be back tending the Gardens.  Here's a few pictures of the crew.

Laura is too busy to look up as she spread mulch. I so appreciate Laura taking time from her busy schedule to be on the crew.

Laura lives a half block from the gardens. Her home is in the Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood.

Laura has the cutest little dog, Cosmo. I would guess he is just over a foot long and five inches tall and with a stubby tail. His friendliness makes up for his small stature.  Cosmo knows how to "meet and greet" and collect well deserved petting from his human neighbors.

 Joyce, appropriately dressed for the chilly day, pauses for a moment. Joyce willingly takes time from tending her own gardens and from her worldly travels to be part of the crew. I greatly appreciate her contributions to the Gardens. We always enjoy listening about her travel adventures.

 Joyce is from the Regent Neighborhood and is the link to the Regent Neighborhood Association.  The Gardens are supported by both the Regent and Dudgeon-Monroe Association.










Steve is also from the Regent Neighborhood.  He is one of the "founding fathers" of the Gardens, writing the grant nearly seven years ago that provided initial city funding. The $800 grant got us started. Dedicated volunteers, like Steve, have contributed so much during the expansion of the Gardens. The Gardens now cover more than 1500 square feet.  Thanks, Steve.

He shared news that his daughter, grandchild, and son-in-law are moving back to Wisconsin from Oregon. They were in Corvallis, Oregon while his son-in-law completed a post-doc. Northland College, an Environmental Liberal Arts college in Ashland,will be their new home.  










 Here's the crew. Don't we look stylish and fit!  According to my Fitbit, I consumed nearly 800 calories while gardening. (left to right: Joyce, Laura, Steve, and me)

We will gladly add you to the crew when you volunteer. We always have a good time while working to beautify our neighborhoods.

Not pictured is my wife Ann, who usually joins us. Workmen in our house took priority this morning. However, she delivered a healthy snack. Thanks, Ann,  for your contributions including working in the Gardens. She considers her specialty to be cleaning the bike ramps of leaves and debris, and weeding (with approval of what is a weed ).