Newsletter August 2022
Grow A Row Fundraiser, Nitrogen Fixers, and Quick Pickles!
Good Morning Growers, Gatherers, and Givers!
We're glad you're here!
Our 'Grow A Row' Plant Sale Fundraiser is right around the corner! On Saturday, August 20 from 10am-2pm at the Birchyville Food Bank Garden we will be selling cold crop starts, hoops to protect your winter beds, and some miscellaneous plants such as fruit trees and ornamentals. Encouraging our community to 'Grow A Row' means we want to equip you with the tools and knowledge to grow into the shoulder seasons for their family or the food banks!
Save the Date for our 24 Carrot Party!
On September 24, we will be hosting a volunteer appreciation party. We wouldn't be FBG without each one of you, so we hope you will join us for a night off at RainCoast Farms. Stay tuned for more details!
Garden Manager Needed!
Blessings Garden is a well-established garden on Umatilla Ave in Port Townsend. As one of FBFG's first gardens, it is a beloved project for us. Beginning this fall, we are looking for someone to take over as Garden Manager. As a well-maintained garden, thanks to all the hard work from the Quimper Grange folks this year, it is in a great spot for a new manager to take over. Now is a great time to team up and learn the ropes of the garden before transitioning into leadership in the fall! This would be great for someone with Growing Groceries or Master Gardener experience wanting a supportive place to take the next step.
Keep reading for more community updates, some knowledge for your garden, and a documentary recommendation!
Quimper Community Harvest (aka Gleaners) is preparing for the 2022 harvest season and is welcoming new trees as well as new fruit pickers.
If you have fruit trees, berries, or excess vegetables that you’re willing to donate to local food banks, schools, and other organizations that can use fresh locally grown food, we can help harvest and deliver the fruit so that it doesn’t go to waste. We also make applesauce from less “perfect” fruit at the end of the season that is delivered to local schools.
We always welcome new members to our gleaning team, which meets on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, beginning in late August. Quimper Community Harvest is a branch of Food Bank Growers, and has served the Quimper Peninsula region since 2008. E-mail us at if you would like us to harvest your fruit or would like to join the team! ptgleaning@gmail.com
You can also learn more about Quimper Community Harvest here: https://www.foodbankgrowers.org/welcome-gleaners
Check out this short video to learn how to harness the nitrogen cycle in your own garden!
August Volunteer Opportunities
Plant Sale Prep
If you are interested in volunteering to help with the plant sale, please contact us through the FBG email. While much of the up-potting and organizing has been done, we will be getting things organized at Birchyville in the days before the sale and can always use extra hands!
Birchyville Food Bank Garden
M, W, F - 10-12
With chickens and ducks at the Birchyville Food Bank Garden there are opportunities to work in the gardens and get to know the animals. You can even earn a dozen eggs when you volunteer!
Documentary to Watch - We Feed People
We Feed People from Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, spotlights renowned chef José Andrés and his nonprofit
World Central Kitchen’s incredible mission and evolution over 12 years, from being a scrappy group of grassroots volunteers to becoming one of the most highly regarded humanitarian aid organizations in the disaster relief sector.
It can be watched on most streaming platforms.
'Tis the Season for Pickles!
I don't know about you, but my first thought when I don't have enough room in my fridge for all my fresh veggies is, "what can I pickle?"
From long lasting options to quick pickles, there is something for everyone.
This article has some information and resources for where to start if you are new to the world of fermentation!
Also check out the quick pickled radishes for an easy way to store those delicious crunchy veggies!
Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes
- 1 bunch radishes
- ¾ cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon whole mustard seeds
- Slice off the tops and bottoms of the radishes and slice the radishes into very thin rounds. Pack the rounds into a pint-sized canning jar. Top the rounds with red pepper flakes and mustard seeds.
- To prepare the brine: In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, honey or maple syrup and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then pour the mixture over the radishes.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature. You can serve the pickles immediately or cover and refrigerate for later consumption. The pickles will keep well in the refrigerator for several weeks.
Related Topics
