A Work Day in the Garden

Another good day working at the New Foundations Garden located at the Solano County Juvenile Hall Detention Facility, in Fairfield.

This garden was started last year with the cooperation of the Solano County Grounds Supervisor Jim Simon, the counselors at the facility and the Master Gardeners.  The idea is to turn a huge empty field into several types of gardens and paths, along with a teaching area.

Over the last few months planting beds were constructed, filled with compost, and made ready to plant.  The young men at the detention facility did the work under the supervision of the Master Gardeners.   Summer vegetables were planted as well as red and golden raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.  A citrus orchard has also been started with the trees off to a good start.  So far the young people have learned how to plants seeds and trees, how to install drip irrigation, and how to compost by starting a compost bin. The Master Gardeners have taught the young men how to keep the garden tools clean and ready for use, as well as plant propagation.

The young men taking a break from the work in the garden. (photo by Jennifer Baumbach)

Over the summer months, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, corn on the cob, watermelon, and pole beans were harvested. Some of the bounty has been donated to the food bank.  The blackberries, raspberries and strawberries were eaten right of the vine by these hard-working young people.

This last week the beds were cleaned of the summer vegetables, except for a tomato plant, pumpkin, watermelon, and the zucchini as they were still producing.  The cleaned beds were then planted with butter lettuce, ‘Pixie’ cabbage, tricolored carrots,   broccoli, and green onions as the winter crops to be planted so far.

Wheelbarrow of bounty from the NF Garden. (photo by Jennifer Baumbach)

For color, one of the beds was planted with iris and cannas and another bed has been planted with sweet peas.

Also on their waiting list the giant pumpkins that were planted early in the year. All are wondering how large they will get and if any will be ready by Halloween.

More projects are planned for the coming months, watch for updates.

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