Solstice Party!

A ten yard pile of chips, awaiting “The Spreading”

A delicious Solstice picnic dinner!

Spreadin’ Chips

After a few weeks of generally dreary weather and confused plants after a gorgeous May, the solstice turned things around in a major way and reminded us at Miller what summer was supposed to feel like! A glorious sunny day was the perfect time to spread the new wood chips that had been delivered the week before, awaiting the perfect time to permeate through the garden. At 7:30 however, there was only one person in the garden! Fortunately, she knew it was Solstice, and since the sun wasn’t going down anytime soon, that people would show up. One by one, they wandered into the garden, adding their efforts to the enormous pile that lay before them. The work was slow going at first, but thankfully Chris was able to procure a wheelbarrow for the cause, which improved efficiency several orders of magnitude. As the gardeners worked, some friends started to arrive, bearing food and games. Plates, forks, and bowls were pulled out. The pleasant ringing of badminton racket on birdie could soon be heard, amidst jubilant laughter. Then, all of a sudden, it was done! The chips had all been spread!

Enjoying visual and comestible delights in the garden

People sat down to eat the bounty that had been brought, and a delightful picnic in the park occurred right next to the garden. Apparently the solstice evoked the idea of salad, as there was rich, creamy pasta salad, a fresh green salad with sunflower seeds, a home-made hummus that smacked of lovingly stirred garbanzos, quinoa salad with a rainbow of fruits and a toasted coconut topping, and a extra rich chocolate cake that topped off the cornucopia in a spectacular way. Paired with the rich flowing conversation of what was turning into early evening after the sun finally went down, it was a splendid way to spend the longest day of the year. Join us for our next work party, and experience some of the magic!

Introducing the new faces of Miller CC Garden

Yesterday’s meeting was very productive. We talked about the goals for the garden this summer and beyond, and there is a lot coming up to be excited about. We also started the Great Dandelion Weeding and thinned some of the seedlings coming up.

Today, June 1, marks an important transition for the garden. Elizabeth, the volunteer manager since the garden was a twinkle in the Parks Department’s eye last year, is moving to be an intern on a series of farms in northern California. Her departure opens up the opportunity for a new crew to step up and take Miller CC Garden to the next level this growing season.

We’re proud to introduce the new volunteer management team, from left: Sophia, Dana, and Alex:

Sophia has been a master volunteer since the garden’s inception last year, and thanks to her diligence we now have two compost bins on-site. Her continued support will be invaluable to the evolution of the garden, and she has a suprise project up her sleeve that will enhance the space and bring more community members in.

Dana recently relocated to Seattle from North Carolina. She has experience farming in a warm Southern climate and is looking forward to learning about how we grow in the comparatively cool PNW. She is excited to work with youth programs in the garden and will help design some better signage and a flyer to advertise the garden.

Alex studied food security and works for an environmental non-profit dedicated to preserving natural resources. Alex is looking forward to building community through the garden, and hopes to create a more solid plan for the future of the garden, including crop rotation and a more effective communications system to coordinate everyone involved.

Get ready for a summer of homegrown goods, garden art projects, and – fingers crossed – lots of SUNNY work parties.