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Community Gardens August Update

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Wallisch Community Gardens

The growing season at the Wallisch community garden is in full bloom including an ambience added by our many pollinator flowers. Our Wallisch gardeners are also cross-pollinating! We have been taking in the great events offered at the Wallisch Homestead, including drum circles, yoga and Monday night music, just to make a few.

We may not see them on a regular basis but many volunteers are keeping our property well maintained. We give many thanks to:

  • Donna, Neil and Jim for keeping the grass mowed and whacked,

  • Dori for keeping the water tank filled, 

  • David and Mary Beth for fixing the gates,

  • Sierra for planting the flowers along the borders,

  • Jean for organizing our social gatherings.

Culinary herbs are growing, albeit slowly. Not sure if heavy rains are helping or hindering. We are staying patient as herbs tend to be hardy once established.  What do they say? Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Fellow gardener, Katie, has continued her exploration on the topic of soil health. She recommends reading “The Third Plate” by Dan Barber. Dan is the head chef and co-owner of Blue Hill restaurant and Blue Hill Farm at Stone Barns in New York. The book details how he established the organic farm and how he incorporates farm to table practices in his restaurants. Dan came to “learn the language of the soil” through conversations with organic farmers who explained that soil health is absolutely vital for the success of a garden or farm.   

For any topics related to the above, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at cgb2673@optonline.net or 201-264-3528.


Culinary Herb Pilot program at the Wallisch Homestead

With support from the Friends of Wallisch Homestead we are pleased to announce a new culinary herb program we are piloting at the Homestead.   Click the link above to learn more

We also extend many thanks for the community partnership in action at the Wallisch Homestead.

Apple Acres Community Gardens

Everyone seems very happy and the garden is humming along.  We have a few very strong committees that operate exceedingly well. The weed whacking and mowing committees, chaired by Bill Hall and Tom Latchford respectively, are extremely well organized and do a super job, respectfully.  Composting and Social are also strong committees—Norma and Deb are our ladies in charge there. 

We have some fabulous new members that have really gotten involved and mix in well with the existing crowd.  

Our first work day was super well attended, I think a record breaker.  It was wonderful to see gardeners working with gardeners.  The seasoned ones giving advice and a helping hand to the new ones.  Following close behind the work day was our second social which was also extremely well attended. The weather drove us inside but that only made the evening more special!


For any topics related to the above or the Wallisch Community Garden, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at Cgb2673@optonline.net or 201 264 3528.

Ample Harvest August Update

The basis of Ample Harvest is to rescue produce for  gardeners that grow too much - Don’t let it go to waste in the garden, collect it and donate it to the local food pantry.    The pantry client benefits with nutritious food.

We have operations at both Apple Acres and Wallisch Homestead.

We supplement the process with a dedicated plot at each garden.       

Flags and Ample Harvest Flag System are posted near the gate in both gardens.  Community gardeners are encouraged to share their bounty as the garden starts to produce.

We have 2 Ample Harvest schedules to ensure fresh delivery.  

  1. At Apple Acres on Saturdays, 8:30 AM, serving the pantries open on Saturday

  2. At Wallisch on Thursdays, 10AM, serving the pantries open during the week

Upcoming Ample Harvest events:

  • Weed and water (ongoing)

  • Harvest (weekly at each garden)

  • Replant for 2nd crops

Our tally as of the end of July is 107 pounds and the tomatoes haven’t started yet!

Our harvests to date have been the early summer crops - snow peas, lettuce, beets and the always ever faithful chard and kale.   Fresh oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary and mint are small in size and packed a powerful flavor punch.   The pantries have also enjoyed the heavy zucchini producers - a bountiful way to help the food insecure.     We have successfully contributed to our food pantries on a rotating basis:   Holy Faith Luthern, Queen of Peace, St. Joseph’s, SOS, West Milford Presbyterian.

Suggestions for improving our operation are always welcome and we are seeking volunteers to come help plant, tend, harvest and deliver.

We’re looking forward to the upcoming production of tomatoes and beans - we will need help in the garden to harvest in August !

Learn more about Ample Harvest and our system for rescuing produce from local gardens for distribution to local pantries on the NCWM website.  


For any topics related to the West Milford Ample Harvest program at our community gardens, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at cgb2673@optonline.net or 201-264-3528

Native and Medicinal Garden August Update

Sunday’s Garden day was canceled due to excessive rain and thunderstorms. At this time, the garden is blooming; Echinacea is flowering and some varieties of Goldenrod are just beginning to tease with hints of gold. The pollinators are taking full advantage of all the garden has to offer. We look forward to gathering next month to continue our work together tending the garden.

Learn more about the plants and trees that are beneficial to the insects, birds and mammals (including us human mammals!) during our next Tend and Learn day on Sunday, August 13 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. 

West Milford Farmers Market August Update

Market season is in full swing and we are so excited about the influx of new produce and other items available through our vendors each week. In addition to the growing array of produce, pasture-raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, and handmade products like soaps, jewelry and more, we are excited to welcome back The Cheese Guy’s wide variety of cheeses, and a new vendor, Pesto Joe.

The abundance of the season may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that access to healthy, fresh, and local food is not something that is easily available to everyone. That is why we are so grateful to the vendors and community members who are able to donate a portion of their abundant garden harvests, or who provide other pantry donations or monetary support.  

With so much growing, we have been receiving many generous donations from our vendors and community gardeners for local food pantries throughout West Milford. We work together with Ample Harvest and other organizations in the area to ensure that we get donations of fresh food to our community members in need. 

We would like to thank Judy DeJosia of Growing With Food, for her generous and kind donation of fresh local produce this month. Please visit Growing With Food online and discover the amazing gardening programs Judy has put together. Thank you Judy!

Food insecurity is a growing concern, and one that is often hidden in plain sight. Please consider supporting those in our local community who are struggling to make ends meet by visiting the market welcome booth with a food or monetary donation that will directly help reduce food insecurity and improve healthy outcomes for our neighbors and friends. If you can’t donate food or dollars, but you can donate your time, please consider volunteering for our local Ample Harvest program.

The West Milford Farmers Market is looking for a few people interested in volunteering a few hours to greet as they come to market. This is a great opportunity for teens or adults to get service hours! Stop by the Market tent to learn more.

To get a full list of our vendors, sign up or our website, or learn more about what’s at market each week, visit www.westmilfordfarmersmarket.com

Discover our Vendors: 

Pickle Licious

Empanada Lady

Hope Cress Farms

Orlando's Bakery

The Cheese Guy

Rosie's Market

Muino Bakery

Clyde's Ices & Ice Cream Co

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Meet our Musicians: 

Marty Koppel 

Bob Nicholson

Peter Sando

Marji Zintz ,

Dani Zanoni

We continue to spotlight our vendors and musicians with new posts each week. To learn more about our vendors and what’s at market each week, visit www.westmilfordfarmersmarket.com and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

We hope to see you at market this Wednesday from 3-7 p.m., and each week through October at the West Milford Presbyterian Church.

Education days with The Nature Connection of West Milford

In June, three local partners let the community know what is happening in our neck of the woods this summer.

Julia and Lucy from Highlands Pool in Ringwood share how this all-natural, stream-fed pool went from being the first interracial pool in the area back in the 50s, to a summer hotspot for locals and city-dwellers alike.  With picnic tables, grills, a snack bar, swimming lessons, and lots of places to rest and get out of the sun, we can see why it was voted NJ’s #1st best swimming hole. 

Dan from WM’s Community Services and recreation department shared all of the incredible outdoor activities available for adults, families, and all ranges of kids. Bird watching, a fishing derby, hiking, archery, rowing, animal tracking, and family frog nights are just a few of the many nature experiences available in town. 

Theresa from Flatwater Paddle Company provides rentals and lessons on Monksville Reservoir, Shepard Lake and two southern NJ locations. Committed to creating affordable access to our local waterways, the company rents kayaks, double kayaks, pedal boats, and row boats Friday through Monday. They even have paddle boards, and larger 4-person, racing-style dragon boards that are big enough to fit the family.

They also host events and groups. It’s easy to book online.

Discover more than 15 additional ways to connect with summer in our ONLINE GUIDE.


Public Education Events:


July Education: Eat Better Tonight!

Thursday, July 13, 2023; 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

West Milford Library, 1470 Union Valley Rd

Join us and Nature Connection West Milford partner, Lisa Martin from City Green, to learn all about local foods and seasonality in this farm-to-table workshop – EAT BETTER TONIGHT! 

This session will include an interactive seasonal recipe demo and tasting with goodies brought from the West Milford Farmers Market.

City Green is a Nature Connection partner. They are a nonprofit farming and gardening organization, based in Clifton, New Jersey. Their programs offer practical, technical, and financial resources to foster equitable access to local food and green spaces, in support of sustainable, healthy communities.


Future education topics will Include: 

Nature Experience Safety 

Different presenters discuss everything from the basics to advanced safety techniques for hiking, swimming, boating and biking in our region.

Plants for Topical Health 

In this hands-on workshop, we will learn about topical healing while making a salve or balm together.

Your Yard as a Pollinator Garden 

Learn about the different plants that will help make your yard a pollinator garden. 

GMO’s OMG 

What are GMO's and how do they affect our health?  

Winter in West Milford 

Want to get outdoors this winter? A variety of local presenters will share the different nature-connected events and activities happening in our region this winter so you can combat cabin fever and stay connected.

Learn more about these and other Nature Connection events here.

Native Medicinal Garden July Update

Volunteers met on our June 11 Tend and Learn Day to clear paths and manage the plots at the Native Medicinal Garden. It has continued to be a drier Spring than we are accustomed to in New Jersey. We will continue to manage the plots and clear the paths as much needed rain has arrived, and will hopefully continue through the next Tend and Learn date.  

Now is the season for pollinators, as there is abundant nectar available through mid-July for honeybees and other insects.  Milkweed has started to show their flower buds and we will be on the lookout for the pollinators to start feeding on them. Soon afterward, monarch butterflies will begin to lay their eggs. We have seen a severe loss of this plant that the monarch butterfly depends upon for survival. Some varieties of milkweed flowers smell like chocolate, which is another great reason to start a milkweed patch on your own property. 

Please join us to help learn more about the plants and trees that are beneficial to the insects, birds and mammals, including people during our next Tend and Learn day on Sunday, July 16 from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. 

West Milford Farmers Market July Update

Market season is in full swing and we are so excited about the influx of new produce and other items available through our vendors each week. In addition to the growing array of produce, pasture raised meat and dairy, prepared foods, and handmade products like soaps, jewelry and more, we are excited to welcome back The Cheese Guy’s wide variety of cheeses, and a new vendor, Pesto Joe.

The abundance of the season may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that access to healthy, fresh, and local food is not something that is easily available to everyone. That is why we are so grateful to the vendors and community members who are able to donate a portion of their abundant garden harvests, or who provide other pantry donations or monetary support.  

As we approach our sixth market of the season, we're getting excited about the bounty of our local harvests. With so much growing, we have been receiving many generous donations from our vendors and community gardeners for local food pantries throughout West Milford. We work together with Ample Harvest and other organizations in the area to ensure that we get donations of fresh food to our community members in need. 

This week, we would like to thank Judy DeJosia of Growing With Food, for her generous and kind donation of fresh local produce this week. Please visit Growing With Food online and discover the amazing gardening programs Judy has put together. Thank you Judy!

Food insecurity is a growing concern, and one that is often hidden in plain sight. Please consider supporting those in our local community who are struggling to make ends meet by visiting the market welcome booth with a food or monetary donation that will directly help reduce food insecurity and improve healthy outcomes for our neighbors and friends. If you can’t donate food or dollars, but you CAN donate your time, please consider volunteering for our local Ample Harvest program.

To get a full list of our vendors, sign up or our website, or learn more about what’s at market each week, visit www.westmilfordfarmersmarket.com

We hope to see you at market this Wednesday from 3-7 p.m., and each week through October at the West Milford Presbyterian Church.

Wallisch Organic Community Garden July Update

These are our Wallisch Organic Community Garden reflections from this past month.

  • Jim and Courtney built eight new plots this month. Jim, Courtney, Jessica, Kim and Wendy prepared the plots for planting. We now have a dedicated Ample Harvest plot and a plot for our Culinary Herb pilot.  

  • Peggy and Sue from Apple Acres graciously donated shovels to supplement the existing tools.

  • Sierra gathered the cardboard that we used as sheet mulching for the new garden beds.  

  • Sandy and Sue from Friends of Wallisch provided gardeners with Wallisch membership cards.

  • Dave from DC Power Repair generously donated a gas-powered weed whacker. Donna and Neil have been keeping the grounds well weed-whacked and mowed and are grateful for the donation.

  • Barbara from Midsummer Farm donated a tray of plants for the Ample Harvest plot, happily planted by Cathy and Wendy. Jim added potato grow bags to increase our planned contributions to local pantries. 

  • Jim built a protective fence for the Ample Harvest plot.

  • Dori has been keeping the water tank filled for all our watering needs.

  • Richard Anderson, a Friends of Wallisch visitor, built a handcrafted table from pallets. It arrived in time for our first garden mocktail event!

  • Jean organized our first garden mocktail event. It was a wonderful evening in the garden. Jean, Courtney and Jim mixed up very refreshing drinks, and Kim captured the ambience of the setting with awesome photos.

Thank you to all of the garden supporters and volunteers for your help this season!

We also extend many thanks for the community partnership in action at the Wallisch Homestead.


For any topics related to the above or the Wallisch Community Garden, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at Cgb2673@optonline.net or 201 264 3528.

Culinary Herb Pilot program at the Wallisch Homestead

With support from the Friends of Wallisch Homestead we are pleased to announce a new culinary herb program we are piloting at the Homestead.   

We are growing herbs to sell to a few local restaurants this season. We believe that this program will showcase the rich climate for growth at Wallisch, and hope it will enhance our partnership with the Friends of Wallisch while creating a revenue stream that we can continue to reinvest back into the garden. 

We are looking for gardeners with herb-growing expertise to help steward this program. With the right mix of energy and volunteers, this program has great potential for the garden and our local restaurants. 


If interested, or for more information, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at Cgb2673@optonline.net or 201 264 3528.

Ample Harvest July Update

The official start of Ample Harvest season has arrived!

Ample Harvest has gardening operations at both Apple Acres and Wallisch Homestead. The main purpose of Ample Harvest is to rescue produce for gardeners that grow too much. Don’t let it go to waste in the garden, collect it and donate it to the local food pantry. The pantry client benefits with nutritious food like the vegetables and herbs you are already growing in abundance!

We supplement the donations of excess produce from local gardeners with a dedicated plot at each garden. These plots are tended to by volunteers, and the entirety of their harvest goes directly to local pantries. The plants for the dedicated plots were donated this year by Barbara at Midsummer Farm with some tomato plants donated from Wendy. 

    

Community gardeners are encouraged to share their bounty as the garden starts to produce more than they can consume. We harvest your excess using the Ample Harvest Flag System, which is posted near the gate in both gardens.  

We have 2 Ample Harvest schedules to ensure fresh delivery to pantry clients: 

  1. At Apple Acres on Saturdays, 8:30 AM, serving the pantries open on Saturday

  2. At Wallisch on Thursdays, 10AM, serving the pantries open during the week

Upcoming Ample Harvest events:

  • Weed and water (ongoing)

  • Harvest (weekly at each garden)

  • Replant for 2nd crops

Ample Harvest 2023 is off to a fruitful start with a recent delivery to St. Joseph’s Church. Last year we donated 300 pounds of fresh produce, and this year we are on a path to greatly increase our impact!

Suggestions for improving our operation are always welcome, and we welcome volunteers to come help plant, tend, harvest and deliver.

For any topics related to the above or the West Milford Ample Harvest program at our community gardens, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at Cgb2673@optonline.net or 201 264 3528.

Tips from the Garden: Pest Control for Organic Gardening

submitted by Jim Segal

 

After the effort spent preparing your soil, planting, and tending your garden plot, it can be disappointing if you have yield loss due to insects and other pests.

Much has been written about effective techniques for organic garden pest management. Here is a top 10 list of tips and topics to consider as you develop your own strategy.

  1. Companion Planting
    Some plants either disguise themselves, or send out repellants which protect other plants.  For example, plant marigolds near tomatoes or squash to protect them from insect infestations.

  2. Crop Cover 

    Agribon and other floating row covers allow light, air and water through, while protecting seedlings and young plants from insects. If plants are not a self-pollinating variety, remove the cover when plants flower, so they can be pollinated

  3. Diatomaceous Earth
    Sprinkling this all-natural product on the soil around plants, or a light dusting on infected leaves of eggplants and squash, is effective to desiccate some insects and slugs

  4. Neem Oil Solution
    A solution of this natural plant-based oil acts as both a natural pesticide and fungicide

  5. Insecticidal Soap / Garlic Spray
    These often discourage insects through scent

  6. Crop Rotation
    Crop Rotation has long been used as a way of building up soil, but it can also break annual cycles of repeat insects, since you won’t be providing them with the same plant in the same spot over successive years

  7. Add Beneficial Insects
    You can purchase and release beneficial insects like ladybugs that will control populations of pests that will harm your plants

  8. Manual Removal
    If you see insects, manually remove them. This is also known as the “Just squish it” method. 

  9. Fencing
    To discourage rabbits, you can use chicken wire. To prevent mice and voles, create a barrier using ½ inch wire hardware cloth

  10. Healthy Plants
    Plants that have enough sunlight, air, optimal level of moisture, and well prepared soil with organic nutrients will be stronger and more naturally resistant to insects. Keeping your plants as healthy as possible is one of the first defenses against infestations.

You can easily find a lot of information on each of these topics on the internet or at the library.   

Happy Gardening!

Native Medicinal Plant Garden Update

Volunteers met on May 21 for the Tend and Learn day at the Native Medicinal Plant Garden. We had beautiful weather. Paths and beds were cleared, and mulch donated by Mountain Landscaping was added to the paths.  Mustard plants were pulled up before setting their seed, and their roots were shared with anyone who wanted to use them raw in salads or in a soup or cooking recipe. Karen did a tour of the garden for some newcomers. Our Solomon Seal plants were still flowering and the Bleeding Hearts are in full flower. The Black Cohosh plants have started filling in under the Black Walnut tree.  Milkweed plants have also started to emerge.  Echinacea and Yarrow that had wandered off into other plots were dug up and returned to their main beds to fill in the bare spots. 

 

Our next Tend and Learn day will be a week early, due to Father’s Day, on Sunday June 11 from 11:30 am - 3pm.  Please join us as we continue to maintain the paths, learn the benefits of these amazing plants and trees and enjoy tending to the garden while observing the birds and bugs that feed on and use them too.

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Community Garden Updates

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APPLE ACRES 

Sunday May 21st was Opening Day at Apple Acres and it was a wonderful success!  We had a great turnout with a perfect mixture of seasoned gardeners and newly joined members.  It was heartwarming to see how perfectly everyone got along.  

The day began with bagels, fruit salad and coffee, organized and arranged by our outstanding Social Director. The spread was completed when one of our gardeners arrived with the most delicious crumb cake......this was completely devoured.  

With the eating and socializing behind us we helped new gardeners till their plots and attended to our own where needed. It was a wonderful day and we were so happy to be a part of it!!!

We also wanted to announce the creation of a fund in honor of one of our gardeners who passed away last fall after a battle with cancer. All donations supporting the fund will go toward the purchase of a new picnic table to replace one of our aging ones. We are also going to create a carved plaque to be placed under the tree in the flower garden. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing.

Garden Coordinators

Peggy White & Sue Latchford



AMPLE HARVEST

The basis of Ample Harvest is to rescue produce for gardeners that grow too much… Don’t let your produce go to waste in the garden—collect it and donate it to the local food pantry. Pantry clients benefit with nutritious, fresh-grown food.

Last year we donated 300 pounds of fresh produce, which was distributed to Queen of Peace, West Milford Presbyterian, St. Joseph’s, Holy Faith Lutheran and SOS Shelter. This year we have a chance to greatly increase our impact!

The Organic Community Gardens, under Nature Connection of West Milford, are hosting two plots for 100% organic produce donation to our local food pantries—one at Apple Acres and one at Wallisch. 

Team Wallisch was able to prepare the new plot for Ample Harvest at the garden workday, May 21st. HOORAY!!

Our dedicated plots are intended to promote growing for donation to those in need. We encourage  our community gardeners to grow a little extra and/or donate your excess to the food insecure in our local area. Team Ample Harvest will gladly harvest your excess for you.

Ample Harvest is looking for volunteers to weed, water, tend and harvest the plots - Jim and Kim are signed up at Wallisch. Courtney is signed up at Wallisch and Apple Acres. Looking are always seeking additional volunteers to help water, tend and harvest our plots during our work days, or any days. Ample Harvest workdays are planned for Saturday mornings at Apple Acres,  and weekdays at Wallisch. Harvests are aligned to the food pantry operating hours so produce is distributed fresh. 

Snowpeas, radish and beets are sprouting in the Apple Acres plot. Thanks to Barbara at Midsummer Farms for healthy donation of plants for Ample Harvest.

Upcoming Ample Harvest events:

  • Weed and water (ongoing)

  • Flags will be coming out (mid to late June) 

  • Harvest (target start date mid to late June)

Suggestions for improving our operation are always welcome.

Please reach out to Cathy Bruce to join the West Milford Ample Harvest team!



WALLISCH GARDENS

Welcome Jessica and Courtney as new members to the Wallisch garden !

Thanks to for helping out during our most recent work day!

New plots are in progress… the Wallisch team, comprised of Kim, Jim, Kathy, Courtney, Jessica, Jean and Jim, completed assembly of one single and one double plot. Jessica got straight to work loading her new plot with soil. The double plot was started with soil and will be used for Ample Harvest. 

More manure will be acquired for the Wallisch garden and we will need additional cardboard to complete the remaining plots. More topsoil will also be acquired if needed.

Wallisch still has two plots open for any interested gardener! 

Gardeners also got a chance to take in the upcoming Art Show. The view of the garden from inside the barn is quite lovely.

Please join us for a City Green workshop at the West Milford Library on May 30th at 6pm: Dirt Matters! Growing Healthy Garden Soil

June 7th: The West Milford Farmer's Market Returns!

A new year at the farmer's market brings excitement and a strong sense of community to the West Milford area. We're enthusiastic about a new season and reconnecting with the amazing community present each week. We're also hoping for lots of beautiful Wednesday afternoons!

We want to express our gratitude for the support of our returning vendors, and also extend a warm welcome to a few new vendors. We also want to thank all of you, our patrons, for your amazing support which helps to stimulate our local and regional economy and ensures your family has nutritious and sustainable food choices. 


This year’s vendors:

Empanada Lady 

Pickle Licious

Top of the Mountain Honey

Hope Cress Farms

Rosie's Market

Orlando's Bakery

The Cheese Guy

Pesto Joe

Seven Tribesmen 

The Gritty Sisters Soapery

Clydes Italian Ice

FLORAL IDEOLOGY


Our farmers and artisans cannot wait to welcome you, and I hope you will take time to relax and enjoy our musical performances each week. If you are part of an organization that would like to be a part of the market to increase your visibility in the community please get in touch with us to discuss availability.

See you June 7th!

Public Education

May Education - Insights from the Community

In May, a group of community members came together to learn about the Nature Connection and to share the barriers they experience in connecting to nature in our region. We discussed a variety of solutions, and explored other groups that model the capability and usability that we want for the Nature Connection Online Portal. This includes curating and organizing maps and content like that found on AllTrails, Mountain Creek and other sites all in one easy-to-navigate place. Attendees wanted us to include places we do and don't need permits, outdoor activities with pets and pet safety, where to kayak, differently-abled hikes, hike and dine meet-ups, family-friendly hikes, hiking without GPS, and even stickers for outdoor event participation. We are so grateful for your insights, suggestions and energy. It was exciting to hear about how people in their 30s are looking for outside activities—like yoga every Wednesday at Wallisch. The Nature Connection extends their thanks to all who attended, shared their insights and completed our quick two-question survey at the end.


June Education - Things to Do to Connect with Nature in WM this Summer

Join us on Thursday, June 8th at 7pm to hear about lots of fun summertime activities for residents, families and their friends in and around West Milford. We bet even the longest residents will learn something new to do that they didn’t realize existed before! Speakers will include Daniel Kochakji of West Milford Parks & Recreation, Hiking Leader Don Weis, and Highlands Pool board member, Lucy Cilento, as well as Theresa from Flatwater Paddle in Ringwood. Each presenter will share a variety of ways you can make the connection to nature this summer, and we will provide a handout with links to our speakers and additional nature groups and activities you can connect with. See you at the Library

Native Medicinal Garden News & Updates

The Douglass Memorial Garden, aka Native and Medicinal Plant Garden, opened for the year on April 16. The bloodroot, trillium, twin leaf and Solomon seal are all expanding in their plots and will soon be in flower. Some new local volunteers and their friends from New York joined us and helped to clear paths and add wood chips and mulch donated by Jay from Mountain Landscaping. 

Our next Tend and Learn day is May 21 from 11:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. 

We will have native and medicinal seed packets for sale as we continue to tend to the beds and add wood chips and mulch to the paths. Please join us and learn about plants that you can eat, use medicinally, attract pollinators, or add to your landscaping.

trillium

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The West Milford Community Gardens news and updates

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Community Garden directors, Cathy, Sue and Peggy are pleased to announce two garden workshops for Apple Acres and Wallisch Homestead community garden members. These one-hour workshops, held at the West Milford Library (1470 Union Valley Road), are hosted by the Community Gardens and will include speakers from City Green.


Upcoming workshops for community garden members:

May 30: Dirt Matters! Healthy Garden Soil

Community Garden member workshops are held at the West Milford Library



Springtime at Apple Acres

All the plots at Apple Acres are filled with enthusiastic gardeners this year. Screened, organic topsoil and manure has been delivered for use in all of the plots. Committees have been formed, and some early spring maintenance is underway. Tom Latchford set up the water tank and installed the faucets. Our official opening is May 20th, but the garlic is coming up and seeds are in the ground. We are looking forward to a productive year!


Community Gardens Opening Day at Wallisch Farms

April 15th was a successful garden opening today at Wallisch. The grass is mowed and whacked, gates are cleared for entry/exit and our gardeners energies outlasted the weed whacker battery juice. The community joined in to clear the raspberry plot for future growth, and gardeners shared spirit and cultivation of ideas for a great 2023 garden season.

Shout out to DeMarcos for pizza donation.

Ample Harvest is active at Apple Acres

With thanks to the West Milford Rotary Club for their $350 donation and the helping hands of Karl and Pat, the Ample Harvest plot was framed in the Fall 2022. To build a good soil foundation where plants will thrive, the plot was loaded with a combination of cow manure, top soil, kelp meal, humic acid and earthworm castings.

Cold weather seeds of radish, snow pea, beet and carrot were planted on two separate dates (April 9th and 21st)) to allow the harvest to extend and spread to multiple pantries. Radish, snow pea and beets are already sprouting!   

The fence frame is up in preparation for climbing plants—zucchini and cucumber. We will round out the plot with a few tomato plants, parsley and basil. Beans will be planted along the fence by the back gate in keeping with John’s tradition. The seeds were graciously donated from Debbie.

We are trying to squeeze as much into a small space as possible to produce high yields for our grateful food pantries. If you have any suggestions, please contact Cathy Bruce.

Ample Harvest is a community effort! While a single plot is dedicated to Ample Harvest, we invite our fellow gardeners to share a portion of their excess harvest.  

Upcoming work in the gardens:

Clear space and plant beans (mid May)

Plant tomato, parsley, basil, zucchini, cucumber (post Memorial Day)

Weed and water (ongoing)

Flags system refresher (mid to late June) 

Harvest (target start date mid- to late- June)


We will be exploring expansion of Ample Harvest to Wallisch Homestead ,and are actively recruiting volunteers to help plant, maintain, harvest, deliver and grow the impact. If you are interested in joining the team, please reach out to Cathy Bruce to join the team!

Nature Connection of West Milford May Updates

In an effort to create and curate hands-on and virtual opportunities to connect with nature, our monthly newsletters will share news about what's happening in West Milford and the greater New York/New Jersey Highlands, as well as events and other ways to get involved and deepen your connection with nature and with each other.


Education days with The Nature Connection of West Milford

Education Days at the West Milford Library every second Thursday of the month from 7 to 8 p.m. These free, interactive lectures and workshops bring together resources and experiences that support nature as a source of nourishment, medicine, entertainment and healing for our local communities.

In our first educational workshop, on Thursday, May 10th, we will share more about The Nature Connection and our role in our community. We will also be seeking input to help create programming for our first season. This input will become the basis for the online Nature Connection App providing resources, information and guidance on navigating everything “the great outdoors” right here in our local community. Let us help you and your family make connecting with nature easy. Learn more below.

our educational series events.

Our upcoming May events

Introduction to The Nature Connection of West Milford

Thursday, May 10, 2023; 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

In our introductory educational series workshop, we will share who The Nature Connection of West Milford is and what we do, but we will also ask for YOUR insights on what works best to strengthen our community's connection to nature.

Tend and Learn at the Native Medicinal Garden

Sunday, May 21st 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Warwick Triangle (corner of Clinton Rd & Warwick Tpke)

Discover the healing properties of countless native species with a Master Gardener. This is a registered Project Site in Passaic County and volunteer hours can count toward your volunteer requirements. Learn more and see future gardening days here.

Workshops for community garden members:

  • May 30th, 6 p.m.: Dirt Matters! Growing Healthy Garden Soil

Community Garden member workshops are held at the West Milford Library

Future education topics will Include: 

What to do this Summer in West Milford

A variety of local presenters share outdoor events and activities to enjoy in our region. 

Why Eat Fresh?

This workshop has something for everyone as we discuss the importance of eating fresh to our health, our community and our environment.

Nature Experience Safety 

Different presenters discuss everything from the basics to advanced safety techniques for hiking, kayaking and biking in our region.

Plants for Topical Health 

In this hands-on workshop, we will learn about topical healing while making a salve or balm together.

Your Yard as a Pollinator Garden 

Learn about the different plants that will help make your yard a pollinator garden. 

November: GMO’s OMG 

What are GMO's and how do they affect our health?  

December: Winter in West Milford 

Want to get outdoors this winter? A variety of local presenters will share the different nature-connected events and activities happening in our region this winter so you can combat cabin fever and stay connected.

The New Weis Center Earth Day Event

Although the day started out chilly, we thoroughly enjoyed spending time meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends at The New Weis Center's Earth Day celebration. The schedule of guided walks throughout the day was a special treat, and thanks to our seed sale, we raised money to support continued work in the Native and Medicinal Plant Garden. As an added bonus, the sun came out around lunchtime and made for a pleasant afternoon at Weis.

Wendy and Luke at the Nature Connection table during the New Weiss Center’s Earth Day celebration

West Milford Farmers Market Opening Day

The market team is working diligently behind the scenes to finalize our upcoming season’s lineup of vendors and musicians. Interested in being a vendor? We still have limited availability for vendor space on a regular or alternating schedule. We are also always excited to connect with new musical talent. Anyone interested in playing the market, please contact me! We look forward to sharing additional details about the upcoming season as we get closer to opening day.

More News FOR MAY:

To view all of this month’s Nature Connection news and updates and events (with no links to click-through, and no images to upload) click HERE.

Sustainable West Milford is now the Nature Connection of West Milford

Greetings!

We are pleased to announce that the organization that brings you the West Milford Farmers Market, Organic Community Gardens, and the Native Medicinal Garden has shifted its focus from promoting sustainable living, to promoting our deep connection to nature. 

In the last 16 years, so many things have changed. Back in 2007, when we began Sustainable West Milford, our community used tons of plastic bags and plastic bottles, did very little recycling, and the county was spraying herbicides along our roads. Now it’s a region where residents use their own shopping bags, drink from BPA free and stainless-steel bottles, recycle 50% of their waste, and the county is back to mowing instead of spraying along our local lakesides. We are so proud and humbled to have been an educator and contributor to many local sustainable solutions.

From SWM to The Nature Connection

As a way to address what’s happening in the world now, and how to better serve West Milford and its residents, we have shifted our focus to empowering residents and visitors to connect with nature. A connection to our environment reminds us that we are one and the same. Once we’ve forged this kind of deep connection to nature, the last thing we want to do is harm it…instead we want to protect it, enjoy it, and share it.

This is our upstream solution to getting more hearts and hands living in harmony with nature.

What the West Milford Nature Connection does

Nature Connection of West Milford creates hands-on and virtual opportunities for residents and visitors to recognize and experience our inherent connection to nature and to each other.  Our farmers market, community gardens, and medicinal garden already use the environment around us to empower and teach residents to connect with, nourish and heal themselves and their communities.  But there are so many more ways West Milford connects people and nature!

By compiling a comprehensive resource of community groups, locations, events and experiences in our region, our on-line resource portal will make it easier to discover all of the ways you can connect with nature. Our goal is to help you discover the best options for you and your friends and family—before, during and after your nature experience. 

 We’ve attached a document to provide a deeper dive on our new mission, vision, values, and the impact we hope to make within the community.

Make the connection with us!

So many families and retirees move to our area, yet many don’t feel comfortable engaging directly with nature, or they feel so overwhelmed they don’t even know where to start. In addition to our current hands-on programs and upcoming portal, we will be providing monthly education this year at the West Milford Library to support residents in “making the connection.” 

On May 10th, join us at the West Milford Library from 7:00-8:30 pm to learn more about what we have planned, share what you would like to see happen, and find ways to get involved.

Learn more about us at www.natureconnectionwestmilford.org. We would love your reactions, thoughts, and ideas on how to make the connection even stronger. Look for monthly updates both on the site and in the new Nature Connection newsletter that will be arriving in your email box soon!

Luke Aaron - Executive Director

Wendy Watson-Hallowell - Board Chair

Preparing for our 6th Season - Come sign up on March 22nd!

Join us at the West Milford Library in Rooms 1-2 on March 22nd from 7:00-8:30pm!

This is your chance to sign up and pay for a plot in one of our gardens and to learn more about organic gardening. We will go over this year’s approach, collect all of the paperwork, and then our dear friend Barbara Laino from Mid-Summer Farm in Warwick will provide education + Q&A on how to get the best out of your organic garden.