SLUGgish start to garden

Nice weather we’re having: if you’re a slug!

The YEC garden has had a rough couple of weeks. The early start that we got on the beets and beans has been undone by a small army of slugs that have taken up residence in the garden. All wet and no sun creates ideal conditions for these mostly aqueous critters. We discovered on Sunday that they had leveled the tender beet shoots completely: not a trace left behind. And, they were making their way, plant by plant, through the bean bed.

Slugs are tough to combat.  Here’s a summary of some of the known slug-control methods: http://www.weekendgardener.net/how-to/snails-slugs.htm

Tracy made a slug deterrent spray based on a Jerry Baker recipe. She sprayed the remaining beans and the other plants that are still standing. We’ll see how that works. If that does not work, we’ll set some beer traps. I’m told that slugs will turn up their tentacles at cheap beer: I guess we’ll have to sacrifice a microbrew or two.

Even before we discovered the slug fest, the rain and wet beds had been slowing down progress on planting. We have some ground to make up, so we plan to put on a big push this Sunday.  If you can help us replant what was lost and continue to get the garden going, please come by any time between 11am – 2pm. Be sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting mucky.

 

Tools for all!

There has been a tool windfall here at the Hilton-Winn Farm!

The Youth Enrichment Center is the happy beneficiary of a generous donation by Corona Tools of Corona, CA, a long-established manufacturer of high quality garden, landscape and agricultural tools. Through its Corona Cares program, Corona seeks to support community-based green education projects. Happily for us, despite being located all the way across the country, they determined that the mission of the YEC is in line with their goals and sent along a shipment of garden and orchard tools that were put to immediate use this week.

The donation included:

• Long and short handled pruners for maintaining the fruit trees
• Folding hand saws and hand pruners for the fine pruning of the fruit trees in the summer
• Folding hand extension pole saws and pruners for large tree pruning
• An assortment of spades, shovels, and trowels that we’ll use to handle compost and wood chips, plant trees, and work in the garden.
• Two sturdy wheelbarrows that will be great for a range of garden chores.
• Rakes to spread wood chips and to clear leaves and cut grass.

The tree pruning tools will be used by adult volunteers who will be trained in onsite workshops on fruit tree pruning. The other tools will be used by the volunteers who maintain the facilities and run the programs at the YEC, and of course, by the children who participate in the YEC programs.

Tchukki Andersen, Staff Arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association and volunteer Orchard Manager at the YEC, facilitated the connection between Corona and the YEC.  She is thrilled to have such high quality pruning tools to use on the farm’s young trees: every cut made on a young tree can affect it for the rest of its life. Having these new, high-quality Corona tools available for orchard work can prevent harmful cuts and tears that compromise the vitality and reduce lifespan of tender young trees.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Corona Tools for supporting the mission of the YEC, and to Tchukki Andersen for her commitment to the YEC orchard.

 

Register for Summer Fun

The weather is warming and the garden is growing, which means that Summer Fun 2012 is just around the corner. Summer Fun is one of our most popular programs at the YEC, and we are looking forward to another terrific year.

Summer Fun will be held the weeks of July9, July 16, and July 23.

Summer Fun for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder will run from July 30-Aug 2.

We are now accepting registrations for all weeks.

Download the Summer Fun 2012 flyer and registration form.

Download the Summer Fun: ASD 2012 registration form.

 

Annual Fundraiser Gala

The Youth Enrichment Center at the Hilton-Winn Farm will hold its annual Fundraiser Gala on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 6:30 – 11:00 pm in York, ME. This will be our 10th annual auction fundraiser event, and promises to be one of the best ever. Come and learn more about the YEC and hear the stories of youths whose lives have been enriched by spending time at the Hilton-Winn Farm.

Please join us for a fun-filled evening that will include a silent auction, a live auction, raffles, live music, and dancing. The auctions will feature dozens of items including restaurant gift certificates, personal services, art, sports collectibles, and Red Sox tickets.

Hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and desserts will be served.

Tickets are $40.00 per person or $375.00 for a table of 10. Contact us at 207-363-0376 to reserve tickets or purchase them at the doorl

The fundraiser will be held at:

Ramsdell-Rogers Function Facility
American Legion Post 56
9 Hannaford Drive
York, ME 03909

Call if you have any questions. We hope to see you there.

Owl Moon Program at the Farm

 

On February 7, 6-7:30 pm we’ll be hosting the Center for Wildlife’s Owl Moon Program.

Discover things that go who, who, whooooo under the light of the moon. Meet Center for Wildlife’s live owl ambassadors in Hilton-Winn’s historic barn, and learn about their amazing adaptations. Then, as we prepare to go out calling for great horned owls, we’ll read aloud from Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon and sip hot cocoa. Together, we’ll learn about owls’ special features, from silent flight to feathered feet. Recommended for ages 6 and up. $5 suggested donation.

Reservations are required, please email info@yorkcenterforwildlife.org to save your spot!