Meridian Co-Op Gardeners-KLEINER PARK

08/09/2026

The Russian Mammoth sunflowers from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds are reaching for the clouds behind the children’s fence. They will be 12-15’ tall.

08/09/2026

Here’s a good listen on Spotify about tomato problems. We’ve had few of our own problems this season. Joe has a chat with Craig LeHoullier, who is known for the Cherokee Purple tomato and his book Epic Tomatoes. He’s also written a book about growing in hay bales.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OEXuWaXQQa2bzddpBNnCl?si=SpvgGoNxTDahQCTXRb_UEQ&utm_source=copy-link&fbclid=IwZnRzaATldVhwZG9mBWZkaWQWUMJmzoeaVzOWk3KsFksa488Vf9x4yWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5Ese4l6OYjYaWBh79oHPndrFSEaEHAL526JP6jpRHfIq6V3KDW7XM8FEVIYA_aem_Qw2B8Ig8oztSr1gBpOoP6w&nd=1&utm_medium=organic&_branch_referrer=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%3D&product=open&$full_url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OEXuWaXQQa2bzddpBNnCl?si%3DSpvgGoNxTDahQCTXRb_UEQ%26utm_source%3Dcopy-link%26fbclid%3DIwcGRvZgVmZGlkFlDCZs6HmlczlpNyrBZLGuPPFX_ceMlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRLHuJejmI2GlgYe_aBz53axUhGhBwC-duiT-o6UR3yKuldyg1u1zPBRFSGA_aem_Qw2B8Ig8oztSr1gBpOoP6w&$android_redirect_timeout=3000&~channel=facebook&feature=organic&_branch_match_id=1615014207973494258

The joe gardener Show · Episode

08/08/2026

A handful of us braved the unhealthy smoky conditions to pull off the harvest, plant seedlings, and pull more weeds. The harvest is growing and the weeds too! Today we harvested basil, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, peppers (so many varieties), potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini. We are thankful for the food this garden provides to our families and to the Meridian Food Bank.

Community gardening is a wonderful way to bring people together, grow fresh food, share food with local food banks, and care for the earth. This garden is a space where people of all ages can learn, share, and build friendships.

08/08/2026

You have to keep planting if you want to keep growing. Our calendar has about 9 weeks to go. The average first frost date is about mid October (could be earlier or later). That’s only 63 more days for us. We are growing arugula, bean, beet, cilantro, and dill starts. We also have more zinnias to add into the garden.

Now is a great time to consider cover cropping. We find it helpful to begin this while we still have irrigation.

08/07/2026

More details from Spyglass Garden’s talking about the challenges this summer.

https://www.spyglassgardens.com/post/tough-year-growing-4-you?fbclid=IwZnRzaATjJj5wZG9mBWZkaWQWUMBbCQaXq25_JsMbaitzcC4a5gu-xmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6-uP0QgIgj-GAKHXxtZSfLMeDuMLzixm75lOJuck1xJQs7KGh_hv5wKfIEGQ_aem_MWnyz0STc9_Xt9LC0xRrWg

This year has been our toughest growing year on the farm. Low snow fall, warm winter created an environment for unwanted weeds and bugs to flourish. Many of which perish during our normal cold winters. Early spring - had our orchard in full bloom all of the trees, had a great "set" meaning that the....

08/07/2026

Community gardening in a communal space requires everybody to pitch in, to work together as scheduled, to check on the garden on the days we don’t meet to assess watering needs and bugs, and make up time when you can’t be there. It takes all of our gardeners to make this garden possible.

We have gardeners that work in the off season, help with special projects, grow seedlings, keep track of our money, deliver food to local food banks, coordinate and teach children’s programs, haul things when needed, and spend time keeping our garden space safe.

This summer our schedule has been hit or miss with the smoke and triple digit temperatures, but we know the garden is being cared for. The smoke has been difficult for many of our gardeners. We are grateful for automatic watering AND for the people who check on the garden and work at the garden throughout the week.

Today one of our gardeners tackled more weeds (before and after pics). Thank you Ryan.

08/06/2026

https://www.kivitv.com/news/its-a-one-two-punch-smoke-along-with-drought-hits-farmers-hard

It’s been a difficult year for Idaho farmers, and now wildfire smoke is creating another challenge during a season already strained by drought conditions across the state.

08/06/2026

It’s been a challenging growing year for many. Friends at Spyglass share about navigating this tough year.

https://www.kivitv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/meridian/meridian-farmers-navigate-their-toughest-year-as-community-supported-farm-weathers-difficult-season?fbclid=IwZnRzaAThamBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUL9CdDCjFJ4FpfbA7cX_h5FYVNw9F2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7IilHrVRVJ4sGJthqimM1ScrRjsDO4DJUx27WrPdJPf556j__Ss83ECf7kYg_aem_xRyNtM6gmRdZOlCqsWnCIA

🌱 A mild winter, late freeze, and extreme heat have made 2026 the hardest year yet for one Idaho family farm. Here's how their community is helping them survive.

08/05/2026

I saw this on the Texas Tested Seeds and Plants page and it resonates. It’s a great reminder.,

08/04/2026

Cucumbers are perfect for trellising. They take up less space and the fruit is off the ground.