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SRO Outdoor Learning Season Opener

By Community Events, Gardening Tips, News & Events, Outdoor Learning Center
Dudley

Dudley Braun

The 2015 Outdoor Learning Programming kicked off the year on Sunday with more than 50 members and visitors.  The opening program from our own Dudley Braun offered the basics in constructing raised beds from Redwood.  The follow on program from perennial favorite, Lori Caldwell, offered tips on getting your garden ready for planting.  If you would like to attend one of our Outdoor Learning Events, check out the “Events List” just to the right of this post and check back often for new listings.

Lori.Caldwell

Lori Caldwell

 

 

 

 

Sip of Soup and “Soup Opera” Performance Featured in the Contra Costa Times

By Community Events, Kids, Lafayette Library and Learning Center

Have a read about the Sip of Soup event at the Lafayette Library tomorrow (Wednesday, January 14) in Lou Fancher’s article, “Lafayette: Garden gets exposure through ‘Soup Opera’” in the Contra Costa Times. Says Fancher:

“Soup Opera” …will feature Senior Library Manager Vickie Sciacca (narrator), the library’s Orlando Guzman (soup eater), garden director Janet Thomas (chef), piano teacher Xiomara Di Maio (United States president), Lafayette police Chief Eric Christensen (chief of police) and Stanley Middle School music teacher Bob Athayde (waiter).

Join us on Wednesday, 12:00-1:30PM at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center (open space), 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA for a not-to-be-missed performance of “A Soup Opera” and a Sip of Soup.

For more information, call 925-385-2280 or go to www.lafayettelib.org/calendar.

The Highlights of the 2014 Season

By Open House

Thanks to the community of Lafayette for a wonderful year! We enjoyed many successes. Here are some of the highlights:

– We reached capacity, with 70 garden member families (about 120 members) and sixteen families on the waiting list for next season.
– Soil was greatly enhanced through addition of compost and other organic nutrients.
– Ten beautiful new beds were constructed.
Propagation of our plants took place in homes and at the garden. Planting was done with attention paid to what was planted where. Rotation of crops, water conservation and bio-intensive methods of planting guided our planning.
– Plants which we propagated but couldn’t use in the garden were given to Chateau Lafayette and Belle Terre Eden Senior Housing facilities for their patio gardens.
– We opened the garden to the entire community Wednesdays 2–5pm, Thursdays 9am–12pm and Saturdays 9am–1pm. Many community groups (scouts, schools, garden clubs, etc.) were given tours.
– The garden produced over a ton of vegetables and herbs. Almost all of the harvest was taken by community garden members. What was in excess was donated to the new Belle Terre Housing and Chateau Lafayette.
– We got water! We worked with the City to access and purchase piped in water rather than depend on it being trucked as in years past. Thanks to a grant from the Lafayette Community Foundation and private donors, we were able to install an efficient drip irrigation system. We remained cautious in what and how we planted in order to save water.
– We took down our “not to code” greenhouse and purchased a beautiful new greenhouse, thanks to support from the Happy Valley Garden Club and the Brenner Foundation.
– Over 350 people visited our third annual Harvest Festival, enjoying activities from scare crow building to sachet making, listening to music, and learning about the natural history of Lafayette.
– Our education programs provided a variety of rich experiences for community members of all ages:
– Partnering with the Lafayette Library, we hosted regular themed book events and workshops for children.
– This summer we offered a month long series of eight preschool classes and a weeklong Native American immersion camp for 7 – 12 year olds.
– Ten adult and intergenerational classes and workshops were attended by over 200 visitors.

SCHOOL’S OUT: Join us for some summer reading fun June 16–20

By Kids, Outdoor Learning Center

Bring a brown bag lunch and come to the MUNCH-A-LUNCH READ ALOUD under the oak trees at the Lafayette Community Garden.

During this relaxed hour, we will embark on a journey to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation. From 12:15–1:30PM Monday through Friday, Lynn De Jonghe will be reading Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson. This Newbury Award winning classic asks what will happen to the animals of a country hillside when new folks move into the abandoned house nearby. Will they be hunters? Gardeners? Will they be willing to share their food?

This FREE event for all ages of young at heart will feature homemade cookies and afternoon sun tea. (Children ages 5 to 11 should be accompanied by an adult, but readers of all ages are welcome.)

Register here.