Thanks for asking about the garden project. We ended up going with raised beds made from cedar since it naturally resists rot. The dimensions are four feet by eight feet and about eighteen inches deep. That depth gives the roots plenty of room to spread out. We filled them with a mix of topsoil compost and vermiculite. So far the tomatoes are doing really well but the peppers seem to need a bit more sun than they are getting. I might need to trim back some branches from the maple tree to let more light through. The drip irrigation system we installed makes watering so much easier. We set it up on a timer so it waters early in the morning before the sun gets too intense. Next season I want to add a few more beds for squash and cucumbers. The whole setup took about a weekend to build and another weekend to fill and plant. Let me know if you want details on the soil mix we used.

Also I wanted to mention that the local hardware store now carries the same cedar planks at a lower price than the big box store. The quality seems just as good if not better. I picked up a few extra boards last weekend to have on hand for repairs. The store is on Main Street just past the library. They usually have a good selection of untreated wood for outdoor projects.

One more thing we added a small compost bin near the garden beds and it has made a noticeable difference in soil quality. We use mostly kitchen scraps and yard clippings. It took about three months to start producing usable compost. If you decide to build one I can send you the plans we used. They were pretty straightforward and the whole thing cost less than fifty dollars in materials.

About the book club meeting next Thursday I think we should meet at the community center instead of the library this time. The library closes at eight but the community center is open until ten. We can use Room 204 which has a conference table and a whiteboard. That might be helpful for discussing the themes in this months book. I finished reading it last night and I have a lot of thoughts about the main characters decisions. The ending really surprised me. I will bring notes and a few discussion questions. We should also decide on the next book before we wrap up. I have a few suggestions that might work well. Someone mentioned wanting to read something lighter next time which I totally get. The last three books have been pretty heavy. Maybe a mystery or a comedy would be a good change of pace.

Let me know if the community center works for you and I will reserve the room. Also I can bring snacks if everyone chips in a few dollars. We could do a simple spread with chips dip and maybe some cookies. I know a good bakery that makes great shortbread. If the weather is nice we could even sit outside on the patio area. The community center has a nice courtyard with tables and umbrellas. It should be fine either way. Just let me know what you think about the location change.

One more thing I finished putting together the reading list for the next few months. I tried to pick a mix of genres so everyone gets something they enjoy. We have a historical novel a contemporary drama and a collection of short stories lined up. I will send the full list once we confirm the meeting date. Let me know if you have any preferences.