permaculture

[Greg <FarmerGreg@UrbanFarm.org>]

Hey all,

Did you know that we have three growing seasons in the lower 
desert...or you could look at it as we have one long growing season 
where we can grow many different groceries all year long.  With the 
weather we are having, there are many plants that can be planted in 
January that will start growing before it cools off again in February 
(It always does).  Vegetables such as lettuce, greens and root crops 
that you plant now will pop up when it is the appropriate temperature 
and make wonderful salads.  Root crops including carrots, beets and 
parsnips and greens such as lettuce, chard, arugula and spinach are 
great salad choices.  Now is also a great time to start tomatoes and 
peppers from seed inside for transplanting outside in late February 
or early March.

***Greg's Gardening Secret.  Start collecting all those leaves that 
your neighbors are bagging and use them for sheet mulching your 
garden bed for great mulch in the spring.  To sheet mulch simply 
spread some kind of dry organic matter (leaves or alfalfa hay) in a 
four to six inch layer and then add some manure to the top.  Then 
more dry material and manure - similar to how you layer lasagna.  You 
can do this two to four times for up to 24 inches.  In less than six 
months you have just added an incredible layer of slow composted 
organic matter to your garden.

Now for our jam-packed schedule.

Greg
Proprietor, The Urban Farm
602-565-7045

*****************************************************

* Tuesday January 3 - First Tuesday Permaculture Discussion, Greg 
Peterson - Using Energy From the Sun
* Saturday, January 7 - Fourth Annual Fruit Tree Event
* Saturday, January 21 - 4th Annual Winter Pruning Class, At Greg's 
Other Orchard
* Saturday, January 28 - Rachel Sedacca House Concert at The Urban Farm
* Saturday, February 4 - First Saturday Urban Farm Tour at The Urban Farm
* Tuesday February 7 - First Tuesday Permaculture Discussion - Spring 
Planting - Jay Johnson, Seed and Transplant Trade

Look for more information on these upcoming events.
* Saturday, March 4 - First Saturday Sustainability Tour Sponsored by 
the Urban Farm
* Tuesday March 7 - First Tuesday Permaculture Discussion - Chip 
Satturlund, Hydroponics
* Saturday, March 18 - Chef Jason at the Urban Farm Cooking from the Farm

*****************************************************

* Tuesday January 3 - First Tuesday Permaculture Discussion, Greg 
Peterson - Energy From the Sun
Greg Peterson, one of the founding members of the Phoenix 
Permaculture Guild, will facilitate a discussion on photovoltaics, 
thermal and water heating systems and their use, costs and 
effectiveness.

Date:  Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Time:  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Donation: Accepted to help defray printing costs.
Location:  Unlimited Coffee, 741 E Glendale Ave., Phoenix 85020
Directions:  Glendale and 8th Place - Directly Across From Safeway
Phone: 602-565-7045

*****************************************************

* Saturday, January 7 - Fourth Annual Fruit Tree Pickup
This year our annual fruit tree festival and tree pick up day is at 
an orchard that I planted four years ago.  You will be able to see 
mature citrus, peach, apple, plums and apricots that have been 
producing for the past two years.  Come and join us for our annual 
fruit tree festival, learn about pruning, fertilizing and planting; 
and have the opportunity to purchase all the supplies that you will 
need to successfully plant your trees.  We will have compost, 
fertilizer and even a few more trees available.  If you have ordered 
and paid for fruit trees you will need to pick them up this day.

Date:  Saturday January 7
Time:  9 am to 2 pm
Cost:  Only if you would like to invest in some trees or other 
gardening supplies.
Location: 5755 N. 3rd Ave - One block south of Bethany Home Road on 
3rd Ave.  The entrance will be just east of 3rd Ave on Palo Verde
Phone:  602-565-7045
Email: Greg@urbanfarm.org

*****************************************************

* Saturday, January 21 - Fourth Annual Fruit Tree Pruning Class
Each year we give a fruit tree pruning class at the Urban Farm's 
other orchard where we will learn to prune both deciduous and citrus 
trees.  And then we turn the trimming over to you and we all learn 
the proper techniques of pruning.  This is a free workshop and you 
help us prune the orchard.  Bring gloves, pruning tools and saws and 
a desire to learn.

Date:  Saturday January 21
Time:  9 am to 11 am
Cost:  None - except your willingness to help prune.
Location: Meet at the Urban Farm - 6750 N 13th Place and we will 
drive over together.
Phone:  602-565-7045
Email: Greg@urbanfarm.org

*****************************************************

* Saturday, January 28 - Rachel Sedacca House Concert at The Urban Farm
We are very excited to host Rachel Sedacca at our annual house 
concert.  We will begin gathering at 6pm for snacks and 
socializing...please bring natural food and organic snacks, we will 
provide herbal tea both hot and iced.  The concert begins at 7pm. 

The Sasa Texas Musicshopper says  "She's got a country voice, the 
emotions of a blues player, and a knack for writing songs that tell 
stories in a very folk-like way. Sedacca herself simply refers to 
this mix as Americana. This type of music is solid and vigorous, 
however it also maintains a very unpretentious attitude."  Our last 
two concerts have been wonderful, so don't miss this one.

Musician Rachel Sedacca <rachel@rachelsedacca.com>
Website www.rachelsedacca.com

Date:  Saturday, January 28
Time:  6:00 pm Socializing, Snack potluck, 7:00 pm Concert
Donation:  $15
Location:  The Urban Farm - 6750 N 13th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Directions: One half block south of Glendale Avenue
Phone:  602-565-7045
Email:  Greg@urbanfarm.org

******************************************************

* Saturday, February 4 - First Saturday Urban Farm Tour at the Urban Farm
The fruit trees will be blooming, the winter crop will be producing 
and spring will probably be in the air.  Come and join us for our 
quarterly tour and learn about permaculture, urban farming and well 
who knows what. 

Date:  Saturday, February 4
Time:  9 am for about an hour and a half
Donation:  $5
Location:  The Urban Farm - 6750 N 13th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Directions: One half block south of Glendale Avenue
Phone:  602-565-7045
Email:  Greg@urbanfarm.org

******************************************************

* February 7 - First Tuesday Permaculture Discussion
Spring Planting - Jay Johnson, Seed and Transplant Trade
Bring your seeds and transplants to trade with others; and Jay will 
talk about what annuals and perennials can be planted in spring, tips 
and tricks to preparing your soil and how to choose a location for 
your gardens.

Date:  Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Time:  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Donation: Accepted to help defray printing costs.
Location:  Unlimited Coffee, 741 E Glendale Avenue, Phoenix 85020
Directions:  Glendale and 8th Place - Directly Across From Safeway
Phone: 602-565-7045
--

The Urban Farm
Growing good food
Having fun gardening
Connecting with nature


Greg Peterson
http://www.urbanfarm.org
602/565-7045