Tomatoes on the way...

The tomatoes are following my little plan without much intervention. In the last month they have grown up to the poultry fencing and, with a little manipulation, latched onto it.

The Stupice (right) and Paul Robeson (front) plants already have extensive fruit set on widely branched, three-to-four foot vines. The Pearson (left), which I just learned is a determinate, has just put out its first fruit and is growing a bit more slowly. And the Garden Peach (back), which are the only plants I started from seed, are just putting out their flowers.

I've got basil growing in between the plants to ward off pests (and eat with the tomatoes!) The Italian Basil on the right has done much better than the Sweet Basil on the left...

Installing Raised Beds- NeighborWorks Week!

The Oak Park Crop Swap teamed up NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region, during NeighborWorks Week this past Saturday, to install raised beds for a neighbor who needs a little help getting started.

Installing raised beds may seem like a difficult and expensive project, however one of the Crop Swap Members came up with a great idea. He figured out a way to construct a raised bed for around $25.00 (not including the cost of the soil and plants). We'll be posting a material list and directions in the next few weeks.


This past Saturday eight members of the Crop Swap gathered on a beautiful sunny day to construct 4 large raised beds and two small raised beds for a neighbor. The construction leader Chuck made the job easy for the group. He assembled three raised beds before we arrived and had the materials cut and ready for the other three. Chuck designed the beds out of redwood fencing material.



We loaded our truck full of gardening supplies and building supplies: 2 wheelbarrows, tables, shovels, sawhorses, plywood and of course plants. The plants were donated by Soil Born Farm. Thanks Soil Born Farm!

While we were getting set up the volunteers with tucks went to get two loads of soil mix. When they returned the rest of us had to get busy. The boxes were assembled, positioned into place and filled with soil, then the starts were planted.



Before nothing but lawn:

































After: A beautiful raised bed garden that will be easy to maintain!















This was a great project and really shows how much can be accomplished in a short time when neighbors work together. Volunteers got some exercise, our neighbor a garden and the Crop Swap gained a new member! Thanks to everyone who volunteered on Saturday!