In May, we celebrate Mother’s Day. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to women in our community. To all the women who take the time to give love and nurturing to children, we say thank you. You help to develop and create our leaders of tomorrow. The photos above are just a few of the women we photographed in the act of working with and caring for the children in their lives. (Double click images for a larger view and slideshow.)
Juneteenth Celebration and Marketplace
The Friends are hosting a Juneteenth Celebration and Marketplace on Friday, June 19, 2009 from 11-5 p.m. in front of Redford Branch Library.We are looking for vendors who would like to purchase a table for $25 to sell their products. We are also looking for performers who would like to entertain during the hours of the marketplace.
Stop by the library for an application or you may contact Fran Harris at 313-537-0739 to have an application faxed or email her at potterclay@att.net to have one sent via email. Look for our registration table to sign up for the Summer Reading Program 2009.
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW??
by ANDREL "FAYE" HUGHES
MASTER GARDENER
TIME TO TURN THE GARDEN BED
Hello My Gardener Friends:
The time has finally come to turn over those established garden beds, by loosening the soil with a shovel or fork, and removing any weeds or grass.
For new gardens, you have the following options:
1. Remove the grass and turn the soil by hand, or
2. Build "raised beds," by using black plastic or a thick layer of newspaper to kill grass & weeds. Fill the raised beds with composted soil, over the black plastic, or newspaper. (If using the" newspaper method", be sure to wet it thoroughly after laying it down.)
If you are wondering what a “Raised Bed” is, it is a defined area constructed of wood, or cement blocks, usually 3 or 4 feet long, 3 feet wide, and the height varying from 18 to 24 inches. If you plan to have more than one raised bed, be sure to allow at least 2 feet between the beds for walkways, and easy accessibility from all sides, without stepping into the beds and compacting the soil. Raised beds take on many forms, depending on the gardener's space and goals.
The advantages of raised-bed gardening are:
1. Better drainage, the plant roots are allowed to develop in soil held above water-logged or compacted soil.
2. Higher yields, better root growth from improved soil means healthier growth for food and ornamental plants.
3. No wasted space, more plants are grown in smaller area rather than the unused space between "row" planting.
4. Easier maintenance, less stooping is required for weeding, watering, and other chores. Intensively planted raised beds provide dense foliage cover, shading out much weed growth.
3. Using difficult sites, gardening where growing plants would otherwise be impossible. For example: on "Rooftops", compacted clay or poor soil.
4. If you are able to go online, I suggest you look at the "raised bed" options at http://www.gardeners.com/ . Also, "build your own raised bed" instructions can be found at www.vegetablegardener@e.tauton.com.
I GUESS YOU CAN TELL I REALLY LIKE "RAISED BEDS"...huh??
Now armed with this information, it is TIME to start transplanting your cool weather crops, or direct seeding them in the soil: Lettuce (all types), Greens (all types), Broccoli, Peas, Strawberries, Potatoes, and Spinach...Get Busy!!
Peace and Love ...Andrel
If you have questions or topics you would like Andrel to address in upcoming issues of the “Friends Blog”, send your requests to friendsofrbl@gmail.com.
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW??
by ANDREL "FAYE" HUGHES
MASTER GARDENER
TIME TO TURN THE GARDEN BED
Hello My Gardener Friends:
The time has finally come to turn over those established garden beds, by loosening the soil with a shovel or fork, and removing any weeds or grass.
For new gardens, you have the following options:
1. Remove the grass and turn the soil by hand, or
2. Build "raised beds," by using black plastic or a thick layer of newspaper to kill grass & weeds. Fill the raised beds with composted soil, over the black plastic, or newspaper. (If using the" newspaper method", be sure to wet it thoroughly after laying it down.)
If you are wondering what a “Raised Bed” is, it is a defined area constructed of wood, or cement blocks, usually 3 or 4 feet long, 3 feet wide, and the height varying from 18 to 24 inches. If you plan to have more than one raised bed, be sure to allow at least 2 feet between the beds for walkways, and easy accessibility from all sides, without stepping into the beds and compacting the soil. Raised beds take on many forms, depending on the gardener's space and goals.
The advantages of raised-bed gardening are:
1. Better drainage, the plant roots are allowed to develop in soil held above water-logged or compacted soil.
2. Higher yields, better root growth from improved soil means healthier growth for food and ornamental plants.
3. No wasted space, more plants are grown in smaller area rather than the unused space between "row" planting.
4. Easier maintenance, less stooping is required for weeding, watering, and other chores. Intensively planted raised beds provide dense foliage cover, shading out much weed growth.
3. Using difficult sites, gardening where growing plants would otherwise be impossible. For example: on "Rooftops", compacted clay or poor soil.
4. If you are able to go online, I suggest you look at the "raised bed" options at http://www.gardeners.com/ . Also, "build your own raised bed" instructions can be found at www.vegetablegardener@e.tauton.com.
I GUESS YOU CAN TELL I REALLY LIKE "RAISED BEDS"...huh??
Now armed with this information, it is TIME to start transplanting your cool weather crops, or direct seeding them in the soil: Lettuce (all types), Greens (all types), Broccoli, Peas, Strawberries, Potatoes, and Spinach...Get Busy!!
Peace and Love ...Andrel
If you have questions or topics you would like Andrel to address in upcoming issues of the “Friends Blog”, send your requests to friendsofrbl@gmail.com.
The Worth Reading Book Club
Our book club will hold its next book discussion on Saturday, May 16 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the library. The book for May is "Them," by Nathan McCall.
Them is Nathan McCall's debut novel. In it, McCall explores issues of race and gentrification through the story of Barlowe, a middle aged black man who lives in Atlanta's Fourth Ward. When a white couple moves in next door, Barlowe eventually forms a friendship with the wife while continuing to experience tension over the ways that white people are changing the neighborhood.
Them is not only a page turning story with well developed characters and voice, it is also a thought-provoking look at race relations in 2007 America.
For more details or suggestions contact:
Teresa “Teki” Kimble
Book Club Facilitator
313.341.0179 or email her at ewf_308_tk@peoplepc.com
Redford Branch Library Friends & Staff Partner with the Greening of Detroit!
Them is Nathan McCall's debut novel. In it, McCall explores issues of race and gentrification through the story of Barlowe, a middle aged black man who lives in Atlanta's Fourth Ward. When a white couple moves in next door, Barlowe eventually forms a friendship with the wife while continuing to experience tension over the ways that white people are changing the neighborhood.
Them is not only a page turning story with well developed characters and voice, it is also a thought-provoking look at race relations in 2007 America.
For more details or suggestions contact:
Teresa “Teki” Kimble
Book Club Facilitator
313.341.0179 or email her at ewf_308_tk@peoplepc.com
Redford Branch Library Friends & Staff Partner with the Greening of Detroit!
On May 6, 2009 Redford Branch Friends and staff joined forces with the Greening of Detroit to construct raised beds for the library's garden.
An entire series of summer activities will be centered around our vegetable garden.
Thanks to everyone who participated in getting our raised beds constructed.
Great things are happening at the Redford Branch Library!
.
No comments:
Post a Comment