I think the best approach for the team meeting would be to start with a quick recap of where we are on the current projects. We have about four major initiatives running right now and it would help everyone to see the big picture first. Then we could break into smaller groups for the detailed discussions. That way people can focus on the areas most relevant to them. For the afternoon session, I was thinking we could do a hands-on workshop rather than just presentations. The conference room has enough space if we rearrange the tables. We would need to order lunch for about twenty people. There is a deli nearby that does catering platters at a reasonable cost. I can reach out to them this week to get some options. Let me know if you think we should include any specific dietary preferences in the order. Also, we should send out a calendar invite soon so everyone can block off the time. Does next Thursday work for you or would Friday be better?

I also wanted to ask if we should invite anyone from the other department. They have been working on a related project and it might be helpful to align our efforts early. Let me know your thoughts on that as well.

We finally got the garden beds set up last weekend and it took longer than I expected. The soil needed quite a bit of amendment because it was mostly clay. We mixed in some compost and peat moss to lighten it up. I planted tomatoes, peppers, and basil in the first bed. The second bed has cucumbers, zucchini, and some flowers to attract pollinators. I am hoping we get a good harvest this year because the weather has been pretty cooperative so far. My neighbor suggested using drip irrigation instead of overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases. I found a kit online that looks simple enough to install. I might also add a small fence around the perimeter because I have seen rabbits in the yard recently. They got to my lettuce last year before I could harvest any of it. If you have any suggestions for natural pest control methods I would love to hear them. I am trying to keep everything organic if possible.

I also picked up a few berry bushes that I plan to put along the side of the house. They are supposed to do well in partial shade so that spot should work perfectly.