Green Oasis Community Garden & Gilbert's Sculpture Garden

GO Meeting notes 9-20-09

Attendance: MaryAnne, Tessa, Martynka, Richard, Ben, Laura, Corinna, Beverley, Susie, Kimberly, Jan, Pam, Lesa, Manu, Mercedes, Nan, Jim, Jen, Louis, Dena

Upcoming Events/Workdays – Save the Dates

*********************************************************************

GO meeting minutes July 19, 2009

Attended by: Pam, Maryanne, Alice, Marlene, Kayoko & Hannah, Jim, Jan, Manu, Louis, Dena

Meetings: August meetings will be held on August 2^nd and 16^th (regular 1^st and 3^rd Sunday schedule.) In September, there will be one meeting on Sept. 20^th (due to Labor Day weekend.)

Jim reports that the compost is going well, but he will install a covered galvanized pail for kitchen scraps. (Watch for it, coming soon.) Weeds, etc. should continue to go on regular compost heap; scraps will “cook” in the galvanized pail and be transferred to the other compost bins. This will cut down on the flies, etc.

Jim also reported on the hose issue: he purchased several triple connectors and is planning to reroute hoses so there will be no need to drag hose from one part of the garden to another. There will be several shut offs and some places where the hose will be buried.  (Stay tuned for details about upcoming work events.)

Bids for electric work have not been put in yet, but are forthcoming. (Work may require work party trenching or that may be outsourced depending on cost.)

Any and all engineering work requires a vote at a meeting. This includes the moving of paths, etc. A peony that was moved recently may not make it due to this, reports one member.

Several members suggested that the western part of the garden (Gilbert’s side) should be designated as a “quiet” zone – for reading, quiet conversation, etc. West of apple trees is a Quiet Area as agreed by voting membership on 7/19.

Tools are reportedly missing from the shed, including trowels, small saws, etc. A suggestion was made to purchase some kids tools that would be housed in the kids shed.

A documentary filmmaker attended the meeting and interviewed members about beekeeping.

If anyone is interested in showing films in the garden this summer or fall, please speak up. GO often hosted films during Howl (scheduled for Sept. 4-6). Thoughts? http://www.howlfestival.com/

*******************************************************************

Meeting Notes from 7/12/09

Present, Ariana (a visitor), Marlene (Aya's Mom), Maryanne, Mercedes, Sarah, Pam.......Charlett, Nasima and Ninette........came later.

Many didn't realize that there was a meeting. Meetings are scheduled for 11AM on the first and third Sundays of each Month. Because of the July 4th Holiday, the schedule was altered, and because of that, the July Meetings are slightly bleeped up. The meeting notes of the meeting where we decided the schedule did not include this info. The next meeting will be on July 19th at 11AM.

In August, we will resume our usual schedule: Meetings on August 2nd and August 16th.

Maryanne reports that on July 11th, she cleaned up trash and tried to clean up the pothole of foetid water next to curb..she looked also to make sure nothing dead was in the bushes near the fence, but it was the pothole. yech! She worked hard sweeping it out and promised to do more on Sunday!

Sarah suggested that we hose it down and use soap.

Sara also noted that bikes are again being chained on the fence at the East side of the garden. Since Tim is out of town she will e-mail Jennifer to ask people not to chain their bikes there. We can't open that gate....

Mercedes said that a sign had been put on the bikes asking that they be removed.

We talked, in a desultory fashion, about Hallowe'en (we may have a puppet show as well as the Pumpkin Carving)and the Lantern Festival.

Ariana, the visitor, may join. We gave her the info.

The harp circle seems to be meeting on Wednesdays, and is scheduled to   meet today, Wednesday, from 6-8 PM.

We may put up Bat Houses next spring and hopefully will have fewer mosquitos because of them.

Cheers to you all..hopefully you're having sweet summer days.

Pam

****************************************************************************

Green Oasis Community Gardens—meeting notes for June 7, 2009

In attendance: Ian, Carrie, Kayoko, Ninette, Amy, Dianna, Asami, Ben, Laura, Corinna, Ken, Tim, Lawrence, Jan, Mercedes, Anna and two prospective members: Martynka and Richard. Ken chaired; Jan took notes.

Bee update: The hives are doing well and the beekeepers think we should be able to harvest honey in the next 4-6 weeks. We need to decide what size jars to order this year. If you have strong feelings about this, please bring a sample jar to the next meeting, just to compare volumes. (For reference, the jars from last year contained 4 oz.) We can order more than one size.

Garden board:  We’re required to have a board of directors. Anyone who would like to be a board member is a board member. We need nominal officers: two co-chairs and a secretary. Pam will continue as treasurer. We’ll have a signup list at the next meeting. (NB: We do not have insurance that covers board members in case of a lawsuit.)

Weed ID: Diana made weed samples that can be carried around and used to identify weeds v. non-weeds. They’re hanging in the gazebo, to the left of the entrance.
•    A reminder: If you plant seeds in a common area, mark that spot with rocks, sticks, or the laminated “this is not a weed” tags. Said tags are in the envelope to the left of the shed door. (Combine with the samples for magrittey fun! Ce n'est pas une mauvaise herbe.)

SEE ALSO WEED PAGE ON THIS SITE: Weeds!

Solstice craft: Asami brought a prototype of the koi we’ll be making on 6/21. There's some prep work to be done (mainly cutting fish parts out of paper). Anyone who’s interested in helping should contact Asami.

Communal vegetable plot: The work on the 368 exterior is complete so the entire plot can be planted. Anyone who wants to help with tending the plot is welcome to do so.

Party booked for 6/27: Corinna asked to reserve the grill for a party on Sat. 6/27. No conflicts or objections.

Water usage: We’re now paying 368 for actual water usage so we need to be especially conscious of waste. If you’re the last one to leave/the only one in the garden, please turn off the hose at the first Y since the hoses and hardware themselves are leaky.
•    368 would be interested in setting up a rainwater harvesting apparatus; further discussion and planning needed.

Open hours on meeting days: It’s okay to sign up to keep the garden open on meeting days; however, it would be very useful to pick another day with no or incomplete coverage.

Outside parties: After some discussion, we agreed to bring up the issue of donations by telling non-members something like: “We ask for a donation of $50 but if you can afford more—$100 or $200, or whatever—that would be great. We’re a 501(c)3 non-profit and we’ll give you a receipt so at least part of it would be deductible.” How and whether to bring this up is left to the discretion of the person dealing with the non-member.

Nearby trees: The lot on D & 8th is being cleared for construction; the bulldozer guys were extremely careless in their treatment of most of the trees. If you’d like to save the ones left,
Green Guerillas is a good place to start: (212) 594-2155 or www.greenguerillas.org
Partnership for Parks handles street-tree steward certification so they might help: (212) 676-1929 or www.PartnershipsForParks.org
For complicated yet boring reasons, Green Oasis as a garden can’t get involved with this issue but members are welcome to take action as individuals.

Gut-rattling, ear-shattering music: This is a chronic problem. It’s not advisable to deal with the music enthusiasts directly; nor is this something the garden can take on.
Try to identify the specific car or apartment the noise is coming from and call either 311 or the 9TH PCT. (212) 477-7811. Persistence may pay off.
You can also try the NYCHA office for Manhattan: (212) 427-8542—though it's unclear what they’ll do. (Complaints from residents are supposed to go through the resident’s NYCHA counselor.)
Tim recommended using a pay phone for these calls.

Stage plans: Frederic has drawn up plans for a new stage. The next step is coming up with a budget (ideally, a range of budgets) and a tentative schedule and workplan to present at a meeting. Fundraising ideas would be good too. All members are invited to join this new committee.

************************************************************************

Minutes 5/17/09 Meeting

Signed In: Pam, Brigitte, Ninete, Ian, Carrie, Sarah, Manu, Aya, Debra, Asami, Jack, Tim, Maryanne, Anna, Ken, Michael, Beverley, Lesa, Mercedes, Donna, Joanna, Jan, Jim, Nasima, Kimberly, Yukie.

Record of Open Hours coverage & individuals' Work Hours:  Corrina & Bev are working on this Excel document to help us all honest.  It will be made available for all   to see via the website or some other to be determined manner.  Thanks gals!  (does minute posting count?)

Signage: Tim? volunteered to make the sign for the gate:  Garden is Open Sat & Sun 11-5 /Weekdays & Public Holidays weather Permitting when Garden Member is present.  Thanks Tim!

$5 Donation received by Beverly.  Thanks for being there Bev!

CATS : Two Tiger cats were successfully transported to the Woodstock Sanctuary!  Big Applause!  Thanks Joanna, Maryanne, Annie of the Neighborhood Cats, Jessica and Jenn AND...anyone I missed who facilitated this.  (please write in)

Motion passed. It was reiterated and agreed to that GOCG will not introduce any new cats to the colony, that we are committed to limiting the cat colony population, to continue to find our ferals new homes when possible, to dispose of any uneaten cat food quickly, our goal is "zero" cats in the garden and the motion was made to no longer discuss the above cat history at our meetings.    

Maryanne would like to suggest to anyone who is so inclined that a small donation to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in acknowledgement of their taking two of our cats would be greatly appreciated.  Right now they have an anonymous donor who is doing a 2 for 1 match on all donations so now would be the time.  You can get all the info off their website: Woodstockfas.org

Bees :  One of our hives is weak.

Electricity:  Pam reports that she is getting estimates for a meter and a direct line from 368 E. 8th.  Thanks Pam.

PLOTS :  Lesa presented a full description of GOCG's Rules & Expectations for individual plots and their surrounding areas.  The usual deadline for planting of May 15th has been pushed back due to weather considerations.  Owners of neglected plots will be notified.  Morning glories and milkweed were discussed-take care before they go to seed...but lemon balm is ok...Jan will print out a guide to the invasive plants to be weeded out.  No chemicals. Jan suggested folks "adopt a weed" to focus on.  Let someone know if you are away...Never take from another's plot without permission..    No.Poaching!  Also-Members are expected to be involved beyond their plots with community garden activities, workdays, and open hrs.  Please consult the website or contact Lesa if you have specific questions or concerns.  Thanks Jan & Lesa  Again--members who have plots are expected to do a little more with community garden activities, workdays and.open hours, or somesuch.

SPRING EVENT :  JUNE 21st SUMMER SOLSTICE.  It's a Mtg. Day, FATHERS' DAY, KOI DAY, a great day to be @ the Garden!   Manu proposed a collaboration with another community garden on 6th.  Thanks to Sarah for volunteering Loam's band to perform!  and thanks to Pam who will make a flier!   2-6pm Potluck BB-Q> Music> Koi Kite Crafts>

OPEN HOUSE EVENTS:  Jan reported that one grant was refused but we are waiting on another.  Just Foods will work with us and will supply a chef.  This event will be in September.  Contact Jan if you can volunteer. thanks thanks

Payment of Musicians :   There was an in depth discussion of whether or not we should offer payments to performers.  Quality, diversity, introducing new members, budget, "standard" $250.00 fee, and/or "passing the hat" were all discussed.  The general consensus was that it would be nice to be able to offer $ to bring some new special performers in but that we usually do not and that our budget is too limited.  Musicains Fund: Specific fundraising could happen if someone wants to pursue this.

Small Pond:   Asami is willing to help with it.  Jim Fealy proposed eliminating it.  Date to be set.

SOIL DELIVERY & GREEN THUMB :   MEMBERS! CHECK GREEN THUMBS WEBSITE TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP!  WE CAN GET FREE SOIL FROM THEM.  Otherwise we must buy it .  Pam asked for a commitment to make this happen either way.

END OF MTG.  Collection of Dues and Sign up continues for new keys.  Our Next meeting is ?  Will someone please post it to the list? thanks.

Debra Lee

****************************************************************

Meeting 5/3/09 “Key Meeting” in the rain.

Attendance sheet went missing, but there were more than 25 people present.

Minutes of previous meeting accepted without change.

Harp Circle: Welcomed Mia Theodoratis; a group of harp enthusiasts will meet once a month (Saturdays 11 am?) to practice and play. Ms. Theodoratis will have a key to the garden; and the group will offer a donation.

Operation Dianna: Dianna received $1000 from a film production company after days of filming left the neighborhood in a cloud of fumes. The money will go toward tree pruning, see below.

Tree Pruning: Dianna reports that she met with Bartlett’s tree service; this project will take place in the fall; tentative bid $3500.

Cats to Woodstock: Two cats are to be taken to Woodstock animal permanent home (reported later in May.)

Garden Open Nights: at least 3 Fridays during the year, TBD. Community fun!

Keeping Shed Tidy!

Shifts/Keeping Garden Open: Finally decided upon 11-2 and 2-5 as Saturday/Sunday shifts. Other hours include some weekdays, not set, but on calendar.

**************************************

Green Oasis Garden Meeting 4/19/09 minutes

REMINDER: Meetings are usually held on the first and third Sundays unless it's a holiday weekend. Meetings start at 11 a.m.

Attendance: Beverley, Asami, Kayoko, Emily, Hannah, Dianna, Anna, Amy, Tobias, Tim, Brigitte, Ben, Laura, Frederic, Michael, Ruth, Lesa, Joe, Pam, Nasima, Mercedes, Ig, Kim, Lawrence, Jim, Jen, Jan, Chris, Josh, Tessa, Carla, Donna, Louis, Dena

Pam provided a comprehensive typed agenda for this meeting, which was added to during the meeting.

Minutes of the previous meeting (4/3) were approved with no amendments.

Bee update: Jan reports that the re-queening of Mayflower went well and thus far, all is fine with the hives in their new location.

Please exercise caution when walking near hives, especially during events: some plants and chutes were trampled.

Garden membership:

A. Returning members who have not met the membership requirements – there was consensus that no one wants to "get tough" about this, but that there should be minimum standards that are met.

One thing that was agreed upon is that there will be specific sub-committees (these will be listed separately*) to address various garden issues and that all members will be required to commit to at least one sub-committee in addition to previous requirements.

B. New members – will be mentored (meet and mentor to be determined at next meeting)

C. Plot qualifications – again, there should be minimum standards in order to obtain/maintain a plot from year to year;

Grant applications "redux" – Jan reports that the two applications she sent out have not been answered as yet.

As always, the garden needs your ideas and expertise when it comes to grant writing and fundraising…

Cats "redux" – Not much new to report; the traps that were supposed to be lent were not lent (there was a change of heart about the matter.) Please continue to contact people about adopting a garden cat…

Electricity "redux" - a sketch is needed; a schematic drawing of the garden exists; bids are to be gathered in the near future; the garden may need to purchase a trencher and/or hire someone to help with trenching job. Last estimate was apx. $3-5K for the job, plus an additional $3K for trenching.

Pruning: Dianna has set up a meeting (email sent this week) for Wed. 1 pm with Bartlett tree service; they will make recommendations and these will be submitted at the 5/3 meeting.

New Business:

Shed: Jim reports that he has organized tools at least three times this spring. Please put tools back where they belong. Shed committee will make and place signs. Kids will be getting their own set of tools, to be kept separately. Kids should not be in the shed or using the tools.

Compost: Jim reports that he will offer a compost workshop/learning event in the near future. The sign that says no new compost means just that…and please cover your compost offerings – it's essential.

Pond: Jim reports that new gaskets were added, but there is still trouble with the pump mechanisms. The garden voted to buy a spare motor for the pond as it is no longer being manufactured; this will cost about $200. A new liner will be needed eventually ($500) but not yet – Jim and pond committee will need volunteers to help find and repair leaks in the existing liner. Oh, and the waterfall has some troubles too… the good news? The pond has two filter systems, a mechanical and a bio filter. And it's "healthy" – even if not crystal clear (yet.)

A Koi Day may be planned for later in the spring. (It's an old GO tradition that many are ready to bring back.) All ideas for celebrating spring and the pond are welcome.

Subcommittees: In general, subcommittees will have some leeway in making decisions, but for major decisions, including purchases, the subcommittee will report to the general garden membership for a vote in regular meetings.

Possible Subcommittees include:

Bees

Cleanup (including trash removal, snow, leaves, etc.)

Common Area Maintenance (growing structures, weeding, grass cutting, etc.)

Communication/Marketing/PR (reminders for keeping garden open, website, minutes, etc.)

Community Outreach / Educational Events (workshops, Trick or Treat, etc.)

Compost

Event Planning (food, music, etc. for Spring and Fall events, etc.)

Fundraising

Kids Meetings & Events (their own events and as part of larger garden events)

Pond Upkeep &Maintenance

Shed & Tool Maintenance

Non-growing structures – maintenance (gazebo, fences, arbors, trellises, etc.)

ListServ: Louis has agreed to help Pam with the ListServ; he will add email addresses to begin with, but is looking into whether there are simpler services out there that would allow people to EASILY log in, not only to post messages, but also to keep a record of their time/deeds for the garden. This still doesn't help those gardeners without computer access…

Miscellaneous/Open Hours, etc.: It was agreed that we must continue to make more concerted effort to track hours/deeds and to make sure we keep the garden open during posted open hours.

This year the garden must keep open hours for twenty hours a week (10 formal, 10 informal).

Many people have signed up for open hours and then been "no shows" – we will try to keep up with a notification system, but everyone is responsible for their open hours. It's part of the gardens' charter with the City…and it's non-negotiable…and they do conduct spot checks.

Various systems were discussed (not voted upon) for making sure that people clean up after parties, etc. Vouchers, deposits, etc. were all discussed.

Pam will write up a little something to help explain what member duties are when they are "on duty" in the garden…

I think this about covers the meeting, but after six pages of notes, I'm not really sure!

Best,
Dena

***********************************************************

Meeting Notes, GREEN OASIS GARDEN MEETING APRIL 5, 2009

Those in Attendance:

Anna Astner, Maryanne Byington, Carla Cubit, Tobias Daniels, Ken Ecker, Brigitte Engler, Laura Frisk, Kim Fritschy, Mercedes Gallego, Joanna Murphy, Donna L. Grossman, Ben Houghton,

Dianna Ilk, Nasima Karim, Ninette Kiddon, Corinna Lindenberg, Beverley Love, Jennifer Lowing, Namita Luthra, Amy Marcus, Emily Munzer, Tim Murphy, Manny Perez, Pam Pier, Mike

Rimbaud, Hannah Rosenthal, Manu Sassoonian, Jan Werner Seen, but didn't sign in: Tessa, Loam, Sarah, Josh,, Ruth, Shima

Notes were taken and are being loosely arranged according to the Agenda which was handed out at the meeting. Tim Murphy Chaired. The meeting did not always  follow the order of the agenda, but the notes are written as if it did.

1.  WELCOME BACK, NASIMA & MASUD

Nasima was welcomed back. Pam apologized on behalf of the garden for the incident which caused them not to return last year.

2.     BEES - GENERAL UPDATE -- MEET NEW KEEPERS

Jan, who has been the Garden's main Bee Advocate and benefactor to the Program introduced .Andrew Cote, a 4^th Generation Bee Keeper who started helping us with the hives last year. Andrew is teaching a  class in Beekeeping through the New York City Beekeepers Association, and the Garden's two Hives, Stripes and Flowers, will be used as teaching hives.

     Andrew assured us that bees are benign insects, and that no one has died from a bee sting in the U.S in the last 50 years. He said that there is a movement in New York City to make bee-keeping legal, and that at this time. GO hives are getting quite a lot of anonymous attention. Adam Johnson, part owner of the two hives the Green Oasis gave sanctuary last year, (The Gray Ones, named Greystoke and Mayflower) said that there is an epinephrine stylus in the shed in case someone has anaphylactic shock.

Andrew suggested that ammonia be put on bee stings, and that we keep benedryl on hand . He also suggested getting anyone who is in extremis to the hospital.

 .  Sarah asked about how to harvest propolis and other wonderful bee products.

Andrew said that we can install a propolis trap. Jan mentioned a solar wax extractor. The honey for last fall is going back into the hives to be used by the bees until they really get going. "Stripes," is the most hearty hive. Adam's hive, "Mayflower" died over the winter and will be re started this spring. Adam thought that perhaps the late March snow was what did them in. The good news was that it was not bee mites which killed off the hive.

City Bees seem to be generally healthier than their country cousins; the bees of London, Dallas, Paris and of course New York are doing very well. One crop bees are always at the mercy of their crops, and should that one crop fail, the bees are d o o m e d. In the city something is always blooming.

  GARDEN MEMBERSHIP

          A...    GARDEN GOSSIP, OTHER UNPLEASANTRIES:

          Members are asked to refrain from malicious gossip and innuendo, and not to indulge in gossip and verbal violence in or out of meetings.

          B. RETURNING MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT FULFILLED THEIR MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

        Tim points out that some members are growing weary of doing              the majority of the work.

      Pam notes that she would like there to be more draconian penalties       for not

   Manu says at his Zen monastery, new monks don't have to work as hard as the  older monks who do just about everything, Pam responds that that's  already happening here.

It was pointed out that starting this year, 2009, Green Thumb requires that all Green Thumb Gardens be open at least 20 hours per week.

Jan points out that we are required to post TEN hours that we will be open, and we will arrange a less formal schedule for the other ten hours. We seem to be subscribing to having people cover their hours in shorter shifts. To be firmed up at the April 19th Meeting.

          There are questions about what to do in the case of members who have not fulfilled their membership duties. Tabled until 4/19.

        C. NEW MEMBERS To be discussed 4/19.

          D.EVENTS (outside people i.e., non members)

          No events may be held in Garden which endorse  or raise money for politicians. (added by P.Pier ad hoc)

          Sponsoring Garden member must be present.

          Four hours max.

          No more than 1 5 children, who should be closely supervised.

          End by 7PM

          Require a donation unless not-for profit.

          People and members of garden other than guests may not be refused entry to           garden during an event.

          Weddings –no more than 100 people. People having a wedding should come to a garden meeting

          Deposit of $100 required in case everything not tidied up and all decorations,           garbage, etc removed. Wedding donations should be fairly substantial.

          Clean up and remove

                   All garbage, bones and ashes.

                   May have to return the next day to remove ashes.

                   Take refuse, etc. to garbage can on corner.

          E. PARTIES/BBQS (inside people-i.e., garden members)

          Put your name on the calendar to reserve the date.

          If the gathering is small, no donation required

          If the gathering is larger, please donate  

          Again, can't close gate to public and all members must be allowed. If you know           someone else has signed up for the big BBQ, , set up the little barbeque on           West Side of Garden.

CATS REDUX

          Manu says people are not taking cat problem seriously enough, and suggests           that if the problem were puppies running loose in garden, they would be taken           more seriously.

Jan replies that it is being taken seriously.

Corinna points out that we do not want to kill the cats to get rid of them, and           that we are working to make the Green Oasis a low cat, if not cat free garden.

 Mercedes is worrying about the feeding of cats.

The cat feeder has been spoken to, and actions are being taken to cut back on           amount of food given to cats, and time the food is left out.

Maryanne notes that because of prior association, we are being done a great           favor by the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary. Jennifer can take cats up to country           when she goes. Joanna and Maryanne are trying to locate traps.

 CONCLUSION OF CATS REDUX: We are engaged in a process to drastically           reduce the cat population of the garden. It is a process and will take time. Does           anyone know someone who might like a beautiful garden cat?

5.  PRUNING vs. LOPPING

 Ben suggests that if this is not to become a shade garden, we must cut back trees.

After some discussion, Dianna says she is knowledgeable about pruning and           may be able to do some and/ or to find a landscaper who can provide this service.

After meetings, those members who are interested in the overall care of the                     garden will meet regularly to discuss and arrange for what needs to be done.

 6.. FUNDRAISING

  A. RECENT APPLICATION Jan has made an application for a series of three           events that will be modeled on our June and November Events with food and           music, and will be connected with "Just Food's" `Community

  Chefs'  cooking demonstrations and will include food from plots and            supplemented by other fresh and wholesome foods  It is hoped that we will get     the grant, and be able to pay for the chefs, but if not, Just Food will probably be         able to provide one cook gratis, and the garden can do the rest.

B. Tim calls for anyone who wishes to design a program and to run it by the           garden. "Get yourself a grant!" Jan suggests the Foundation Center on Line for           lists of what they subsidize.

 The Green Oasis will happily sponsor you under the aegis of our 501c3

 Not-for-profit status.

7. ELECTRICITY REDUX

Pam suggests that it's time to seriously pursue getting electricity in the Garden,

 And suggests that we probably have enough money to afford to do it.

 Call for vote. The Ayes have it.

  We will connect a line to a meter which will be installed, at the garden's      expense, in 368.

  Pam will get 3 estimates. At the time of the writing of these notes, three or four names of           electricians have been submitted to us, and we are waiting for a sketch.

 We need someone to make a sketch of where the wires would be run. Pam  can do a half-*****one, but is there anyone who can do this for the garden           within the next couple  of weeks?

 Jan says that the electrical lines  must be 18 inches beneath the soil .

 Ninette suggests solar, but Ben notes that the large  number of panels required    to run the pump for the pond would be impossible to install, even though      they are becoming smaller and more efficient all the time.

 Water: Tim says water is now being metered, and that will affect what the    Garden  has been paying 368. Our electricity will be billed to 368 and we will pay them. We have been paying them an annual fee.

8.     EASTER EGG HUNT  there was to be one, but it was called off.

9.     If people wish to purchase plants, etc. they need to run their request by at a meeting. It is also suggested that people may want to contribute flowers to be planted.

10.  Corinna wants to purchase a composter.

11.   Someone is going to get a list of what Green Thumb will provide.

12. Should both old and new members be required to attend one meeting and one work day before obtaining key?

13.   Post meeting vote taken by people left sitting at table to prune back buddleia, as it flowers best if clipped very low to the ground.

NEXT MEETING – APRIL 19^TH

"KEY" MEETING MAY 3^RD

 ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS ?

 EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE WORK DAY 
Please remember to POST YOUR NAME TO THE LISTSERV.

(whew!)  respectfully submitted April 13th  Pam