Rainy Day Outreach

Posted by Sarah

Today Todd and I visited St. Paul of the Cross Preschool in Park Ridge.  Buttercup and her lamb and hen buddies spent a wet morning teaching kids about milk, wool, and eggs.  Even with a rainy lesson, the kids all had a great time! 

Garden Personality

By Jen

Memorial Day weekend was a big weekend for planting -- we're now up to 80 plots planted! And no two plots look alike. In the picture above, you can see seedlings poking through the soil in rows from east to west,  Below, wire cages give a hint about the number of tomato plants in that particular plot.

A garden teepee, like the one below, can be used for different vining plants like beans, all while providing a little shade underneath for lettuce and other greens.

Gardeners have been filling their plots with a combination of established plants and seeds. Below, a gardener has planted different vegetables by seed in rows north to south.

In the plot below, the gardener is using marigolds throughout the plot to keep pests away. Some plants repel insects and animals, while others attract them. Borage and sweet alyssum are great flowers for attracting pollinators to a garden.

A garden gnome is keeping watch over this plot, while I've spotted Sox and Bears flags flying in other plots. Below, a gardener makes use of vertical space by putting up a string trellis for beans. 

Lining a plot with permeable fabric is one way to keep down weeds. The gardeners placed the fabric, then cut holes to plant their seedlings. Fabric like this allows moisture through to the soil but prevents weeds from getting sunlight. Below, another gardener is working with height by growing potatoes in a potato tower. Growing vertically, gardeners can get more vegetables in less space.

Keeping the Farm "Trim"

Posted by Allyson

There was lots of gardening and landscaping going on at the farm last week with June only a few days away.  If you stopped by the farm on any given day, you likely saw Paul working in the kitchen garden or the flower beds around the farmhouse along with fellow volunteers Andrea, MaryBeth, Scott, and Sue.  They were busy weeding and planting the kitchen garden and cleaning up the farmhouse landscape.  Make sure to take a good look at the front of the farmhouse the next time you cross Wagner Road - it's hardly recognizable with the new forsythias and hydrangeas and all of the bridal wreath cut back!  If you venture down the road a little farther north, you'll also notice that the ditch has been getting some attention lately.  Another volunteer, Richard, has started to bravely tackle the weeds and brush that have begun to grow back since the area was cleaned up and replanted at the end of April.  Take a look back at this blog post to see just how quickly things can go from freshly tilled to overgrown! We are so thankful for our volunteers' efforts to keep the farm looking its best! 

Wagner Farm's 1st "Super Senior"

Posted by Allyson

One of our volunteers, Paul Spanier, was honored as a “Super Senior” at the North Shore Senior Center yesterday for his contributions to Wagner Farm. Paul was among 48 seniors recognized for their volunteer efforts at the NSSC’s 39th Annual Super Senior Day. Paul has been a longtime supporter and volunteer of the farm. His involvement began nearly a decade ago as a founding member of the Friends of Wagner Farm, the official support group for the farm. Since then, Paul has been involved in all facets of the farm’s operation from securing donations though Illinois Tool Works, recruiting new volunteers, and organizing tour groups to growing and harvesting crops, overseeing the planting and care of the kitchen garden, and restoring antique farm equipment. The unwavering support and commitment of Paul and the more than 2,000 Super Seniors honored by NSSC over the years serves as an inspiration to all and exemplifies the true and honest spirit of volunteerism. Without him, the farm would not be the beloved community treasure that it is today. Please join us in congratulating Paul on this great honor when you see him at the farm!

5am at the Community Garden

By Jen

The Community Garden's irrigation system in action on a beautiful morning.

Springtime on the Farm 2012

Warm temperatures made for warm smiles. A good time was had by all at our opening event of the season.

Let the Planting Begin

by Jen

The Community Garden officially opened for planting on Saturday, a beautiful sunny day. Gardeners came armed with seedlings, trellises, children and chairs. While some gardeners worked hard to get their 10' by 20' plots planted, others took their leisure (usually the kids) in the lovely surroundings. A variety of planting styles are already apparent, from straight-forward rows of vegetables to interplanting with flowers to repel pests and attract pollinators. Some of the more experienced gardeners shared their knowledge with other gardeners as they got to know their gardening neighbors. Come by throughout the summer to see how the space transforms!

Tractor Season

Posted by Allyson

With summer nearing, the tractors on the farm have been getting more use and attention lately.  Last week, Paul hooked the disc up to the John Deere A and worked the cornfield.  It still has to be smoothed over with the harrow, but then it should be ready for planting.  On Saturday, volunteers and staff hooked the wagon up to the newly-restored Massey Harris and took visitors for a ride around the horse pasture for Springtime on the Farm.  The wagon rides were a big hit with the crowd, and the tractor looked like new!  Job well done to all of the volunteers and staff who had a hand in the restoration!

New Addition to the Farm

Posted by Allyson

There's a new cat on Wagner Farm! Crooks, one of the barn cats, recently had a kitten.  Mom and baby are doing well, but we kindly ask that you give them their space and refrain from handling the kitten since it could upset the mother.  Mother cats can reject their young for a variety of reasons, and we don't want that to happen.  Don't worry though, oos and awes are welcomed!

Spring Staycation - Farm Style

Posted by Allyson

Recently, Wagner Farm was voted the best staycation destination in Glenview by GlenviewPatch.com readers - Thank you!  If you're thinking about planning a Wagner Farm staycation this spring, make sure to mark your calendar for Springtime on the Farm this Saturday, May 19 from 12:00-3:00.  Come and join us as we get ready for the new season: Enjoy sprintime snacks and beverages, help with the spring cleaning chores, make spring-themed crafts, visit the livestock, take a wagon ride, and tour the farmhouse.  There's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy, and admission is just $3 per person (children under 3 are free)!

Silo Installation Update 2

Posted by Sarah

The silo is standing!  Now it's on to finishing the stairs and placing the rest of the boards on the outside of the silo.  This thing sure is tall!

Silo Installation Update 1

Posted by Sarah

SVI is testing the height of the silo. As you can see, our new addition will be standing VERY tall!!

Silo Installation Begins....

Posted Sarah

Yesterday afternoon a huge semi pulled onto the farm carrying our silo!  The SVI crew worked carefully to bring each piece inside and set the bottom piece of the silo into place.  This morning they placed the roof on the top portion of the silo.  Next the roof will be bolted on and a lift will place the top portion of the silo onto the bottom portion.  More pictures and updates to come...!!

Icing on the... Garden

by Jen

The Community Garden irrigation system made an appearance today! The irrigation system will provide overhead watering of the entire garden, taking that sometimes onerous task out of the hands of the gardeners. Watering can be a hassle in community gardens for many reasons: too few hoses, a distant water source, or gardeners going on vacation or taking a break from gardening in the heat of August. None of that should be an issue here, since staff will monitor rainfall and use the irrigation system to supplement natural rainfall. The garden is split into three lines of tilled ground for the garden plots, with grass walkways in between. Two lines of posts are located down the length of the garden on those walkways.  Landscapers dug trenches next to those interior posts, which will house the pipes for the system.