I had lots of thoughts when I found out my recipient. This person gives a lot and is also very resourceful with nature. I was thinking about doing something with the government, but nothing seemed to fit with our service. I wanted to do something with the community and couldn't match up the times. Then our ward was giving the YMCA community garden a foundation with mulch. Uh...PERFECT!! This was my chance to try to act like I had a green thumb like Chuck.
I am always reading how Chuck is working out in his garden or seeing pictures of him teaching his kids the value of creating a garden. His plants always look so healthy and strong. The best part is when we visit and The Gates' prepare a crisp salad, grilled vegetables, and fresh seasoning for the meat. I wanted to give this same opportunity to those who may not have the manpower to get started.
The YMCA had some people build planter boxes and prepared the soil and planted various herbs and vegetables. The problem was that the ground always was muddy or dusty. The solution was to spread mulch all around the garden so that there was a nice foundation for the people to access their plants.
I joined a group of people to tackle this task. The first thing we had to do was lay down a weed fabric. This prevented grass and weeds from growing in the mulch. We had to stake it down and spread it so that all the pathways were covered. Then shoveled the mulch into wheelbarrows from a nearby pile and transported it to the pathways. We had a great time and I really was amazed at how well the plants looked. I could easily see Chuck working the ground, spreading his compost, and picking the fruits of his labor.
I am really impressed with the talent you have in being self reliant in your own backyard. I only wish that my skills even came close to what you have. Thank you for taking care of my nieces and nephews and being so aware of our planet. I would be OK if we were trapped on an island together.
I am always reading how Chuck is working out in his garden or seeing pictures of him teaching his kids the value of creating a garden. His plants always look so healthy and strong. The best part is when we visit and The Gates' prepare a crisp salad, grilled vegetables, and fresh seasoning for the meat. I wanted to give this same opportunity to those who may not have the manpower to get started.
The YMCA had some people build planter boxes and prepared the soil and planted various herbs and vegetables. The problem was that the ground always was muddy or dusty. The solution was to spread mulch all around the garden so that there was a nice foundation for the people to access their plants.
I joined a group of people to tackle this task. The first thing we had to do was lay down a weed fabric. This prevented grass and weeds from growing in the mulch. We had to stake it down and spread it so that all the pathways were covered. Then shoveled the mulch into wheelbarrows from a nearby pile and transported it to the pathways. We had a great time and I really was amazed at how well the plants looked. I could easily see Chuck working the ground, spreading his compost, and picking the fruits of his labor.
I am really impressed with the talent you have in being self reliant in your own backyard. I only wish that my skills even came close to what you have. Thank you for taking care of my nieces and nephews and being so aware of our planet. I would be OK if we were trapped on an island together.
No comments:
Post a Comment