Right so the question about the neighborhood potluck next Saturday. I think we should bring the slow cooker situation. Basically the idea is we plug it in near the far end of the picnic tables, and we load it up with a few different things. I was thinking maybe we do pulled pork that has been going since Friday night, just low and steady. Then we can have a second pot with a vegetarian chili, because Jen said her cousin is coming and she does not eat meat. That way nobody has to stand over a grill the whole time and we can actually sit down and talk. The main thing we need to figure out is how many extension cords are available at the park. Last year the outlet near the pavilion was not working, so we had to run a cord all the way from the restroom building. I can bring two heavy duty ones if you have one more. We also need to think about how to keep the food warm during the car ride over. I usually wrap the crock in a couple of towels and it stays hot for about forty minutes. If you can bring a cooler with ice for drinks that would help a lot too.

I will plan on getting there around nine to claim the spot near the big oak tree. That area has the most shade and it is flat enough for the folding table. Let me know what you think and if we need to adjust the menu. Maybe we skip the coleslaw because nobody ate much of it last time. I am fine with that. Also I think we should bring extra paper plates and napkins. The good ones, not the ones that fold in half.

Anyway, just wanted to circle back on this before I go to the store on Thursday. I can pick up the buns and the cornbread if you grab the drinks and the dessert. Does that work for you?

Okay so about the community garden plot. I think the best approach is to split the bed into three sections. The far section near the fence gets the tomatoes and the basil. The middle section can handle the zucchini and the bush beans. Then the section closest to the path should be reserved for leafy greens like lettuces and spinach. The reason I like this layout is the tomatoes and basil can get tall without shading the shorter plants. And the greens are easy to reach for daily harvesting without stepping into the bed. For watering, I think we set up the drip line on a timer and run it every other morning. That keeps the leaves dry and reduces the chance of mildew. We should also put down a layer of straw mulch on everything except the carrots if you decide to plant those. Carrots do not love heavy mulch until they are established.

One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that the soil test came back from the extension office. The pH is a little low so we should add some lime before we turn over the bed again. I can pick up a bag at the garden supply place on Miller Road. It is about sixteen dollars and that should be enough for the whole plot. We also need to check the gate lock because last week someone left it open and the rabbits got in. I think we should add a second latch near the bottom. That will keep out the smaller critters.

Anyway, I can head over there on Saturday morning if you want to meet up. I will bring my wheelbarrow and the hand tools. Let me know if you have a preferred type of lettuce because I was thinking butterhead and a red leaf mix. Maybe also a row of arugula if there is room.