Happy Valley Pride: August 26, 2009

Happy Valley Pride Day is Saturday, Sept. 19.

This will be our eighth year of cleaning up the roadsides in Happy Valley. The day starts at 8 a.m. outside Happy Valley's Community Center, 5400 Happy Valley Road, with coffee and sweet rolls.

Volunteers receive trash collection bags, grabbers and a free T-shirt. All volunteers should wear sturdy walking shoes and bring their own drinking water. A chicken barbecue will be served at noon with meat donated by Country Market. Volunteers are asked to bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share.

This year, we are making things a little more fun with a treasure hunt. Instructions and rules will be distributed during registration. Prizes include a chance to win $100.

Don't forget that Happy Valley Farm Trail will hold a potluck dinner and business meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Happy Valley Community Center. Please bring a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert to share. It would be nice if your potluck dish contained something that you raised.

We will talk about raising food year-round. Even people in the city can grow food. All manner of information is available on growing gardens in containers.

Yes, it takes a bit of effort, but the payoff is worth it.

Everyone is welcome whether or not you are a farmer. We will also sign people up for next year's Farm Trail.

I finally got my planting book for August gardens. The following is courtesy of Sunset magazine.

Prepare your beds by cultivating the soil at least 12 inches deep, then work in a 2-inch to 3-inch layer of organic matter and fertilizer or compost and rake smooth.

Fall vegetables should be in the ground by now. Sow seeds of beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, parsley and radishes directly in the ground. Plant seedlings of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.

Harvest your fruits and vegetables regularly. Give your fruit-laden branches extra support as needed to prevent them from breaking. Pick up fallen, decaying fruit that could harbor insects and diseases. If you suspect the fruit of harboring insects or diseases, toss them in the garbage.

Right now, I am renewing the mulch placed around my berries to conserve moisture. I use a lot of hay. For my blueberries, however, I use oak leaves.

In the past, when I had no money for hay, I used newspapers, rocks and even old rugs to keep down the weeds.

Another reason for using mulch is to protect the soil against wind and water erosion.

Don't forget that the Happy Valley Water District has books on farming, conservation and many other topics available.

It's all about being a good steward of God's beautiful creation. Being a good steward means sharing your time, talent and treasure.

I have the following saying on a calendar, and I think it is worth sharing:

All work done by stewards is important. No job is too menial or too insignificant to be part of God's plan. Stewards use their work for the greater glory of God, in partnership with God.

All that we do is part of our conscious effort to collaborate with God in the fulfillment of creation."

Have a great week. Don't forget to share your time, talents and treasure