Hi, all, First, some Chicago questions, including ones I should have asked long ago.
How many community gardens (as represented by this list) make compost within the garden? Do individual gardeners do it, or is it a group effort? And, separate issue, how many use local compost, either purchased or donated? Is it like a 'truckload' every couple years, or what? Second, do any composting questions or compost issues stand out in your community gardens? How many have a problem with rats in the compost? Last, anyone on this list going to the ACGA conference in Chicago is invited to come by the Charlotte display (Cultivating Common Ground) and say hi. I look forward to putting faces with messages. Now, about weeds: Jeneva recommends Joseph A. Cocannouer's 1950 classic, _Weeds, Guardians of the Soil_. So do I, it is a _great_ book. >A Kenyan in one of the community gardens that I co-ordinate is very fond of rough pigweed, which he grows for the edible root.< Just had a similar experience, when a couple of Mexican gardeners spotted a pigweed growing along a garden path. "Calalou" said one - and by golly he was right, it was Amaranthus spinosus, aka 'calalou', a popular warm weather 'spinach' in tropical areas. So, in this case the 'weed' was food. On the other hand, Sharon, I'd be very careful about Polygonum perfoliatum, aka 'devil's tail' and 'tearthumb'. It has spread to seven states so far, mostly in the mid-Atlantic states plus Oregon. It's a nasty little vine when it takes over. As the intensity of action against invasive exotics increases, I think we'll see aggressive steps to control such species, something that's already happening in North Carolina (whatever the ecological issues, and like it or not, I'm afraid 'stopping exotic plants' plays to American nativism). Meaning our gardens might get sprayed if we don't know how to identify, control and keep out the worst invasive exotic weeds. Meanwhile, there are some great traditional and native dye plants out there that are much better behaved (and you don't need gloves to handle 'em). Don Boekelheide Charlotte, NC ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
