As we continue to transition the 610 Gifford Street Community Garden to being majority perennial based plantings, we have implemented an Adopt-A-Bed program trial this year that is meeting with some success. Over 5 years in, since the formation of the 610 Gifford garden, numerous founding members have either moved from the neighborhood or taken their use of time elsewhere, resulting in a need to reduce labor and inputs to sustain the viability of stewardship of the site. Although we still welcome annual beds, we are focused on perennial beds, and have 5 people now who have adopted at least one of them!

Frank has adopted the rhubarb bed, which also includes some plantings of herbs including chives and bergamot underneath a yellow fruiting dogwood. Susan has adopted the strawberry border bed facing Gifford St. Kathy has adopted the native wildflowers bed planted in the right-of-way strip along Gifford St. Ursula has adopted the two pallet strawberry beds in the interior of the lot. And most recently, Carrie has adopted a new strawberry bed adjacent to the other interior strawberry beds and next to the highbush cranberry, where we are removing mint and expanding berries!

Why are perennial beds easier to maintain and adopt? The plants are usually more drought tolerant, and don’t require regular watering over the summer. The plants have a permanent place, making it easier to identify weeds that are growing around them, and reducing the need to clean them out and replant them every year. And, they are pretty much guaranteed to produce a product for harvest every year! We have lots and lots of rhubarb, strawberries, and mint year in and year out no problems, and we can all share with each other when it is harvest time.

Want to get in on the fun? Here’s some beds looking for an adopter:

Get in touch, or show up Saturdays at 11 am during the fall/winter/spring seasons, call or text ahead to double-check that we’ll be there, everyone sets their own schedules. Adopters will be asked to visit their beds at least 1-2 times per month. We’ll teach you what else you need to know for care and harvest.

Plant Sale Orders Due by Wednesday 11:59 PM for Saturday Pick-up

Alchemical and Bread and Rose’s 5th? Annual Fundraiser plant sale, supports our Near Westside community gardening projects. Plant sale final week, orders due by 11:59 PM on Wednesday Night, pickup window 11 am – 2 pm on Saturday; pick-ups can also be made after Saturday by scheduling.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1003936433835471

Natives and edible perennials: berry bushes, shrubs, rain garden plants, ferns, herbs, and perennial vegetables! Some house plants and gardening supplies may also be available this year.

Proceeds benefit the urban planting work of The Alchemical Nursery Project and the Bread and Roses Collective. Please support local grass-root groups committed in promoting urban sustainability!

Recognizing ongoing constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are once again practicing the email ordering and curbside pickup model we used last year to continue this event safely.

Please place orders online by messaging us (through this event page) or emailing (info@alchemicalnursery.org for ANP tagged items OR jess.maxwell@me.com for BNR tagged items) with the following info:

1. Plants and items you’d like to purchase from the inventory (include source from either B&R or ANP, sizes, quantities, and price each). Please provide your email address so we can send you a virtual invoice for you to make payment prior to pickup. Ordering will close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday May 4th.

2. Indicate your choice of Pickup location on either the Westside of Syracuse at The Alchemical Nursery at 717 Otisco St, or the Eastside of Syracuse at Bread and Roses at 405 Westcott St.

3. B&R will also host an in-person sale this year 11-2 at 405 Westcott St.
Our 2022 inventory can be viewed at the following link. Please post on this event if you’d like more info or photos of a specific plant, or if you have any other questions that may apply to other customers. (The inventory may not be exhaustive of plants we can propagate for you – if you’re looking for something specific, please ask!)

https://tinyurl.com/429ty7bn

Orders will be put curbside in front of 405 Westcott St or alongside 717 Otisco St for pickup anytime between 11 am – 2 pm.

Session A: Urban Agroforestry

FOOD FORESTS – BUILDING EDIBLE COMMUNITY LANDSCAPES –
Gary Wyatt University of Minnesota Extension – Recognizes our quality educational and interpretive signage at the Rahma Edible Food Forest Garden during this year’s conference

Many of you were instrumental in the design, development, and management of Rahma Food Forest Garden over the years, come out for a tour to see how things stand. And learn how you can help with the next phase of development as we work to stabilize the understory beneath our canopy.

https://www.facebook.com/events/764065274091605

If you can, become a supporting member at www.patreon.com/alchemicalnursery

Scan this QR Code with your Smart Phone to sign up for our garden site harvest notifications through the growing seasons!

Friday, February 26th, 2021 at 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Joint fundraiser for The Alchemical Nursery Project (ANP) and the Syracuse Refugee Agriculture Program (SyRAP)

Come learn how to make traditional miso from Kayo Green in a fun Zoom class! What is Miso? Miso is a fermented soybean paste that is popular in Japan and throughout Asia. The rich savory flavor can be used in soups, marinades, salad dressings, and even some desserts. Hosted by Frank Cetera of the Alchemical Nursery Project and Lucy Spence of Syracuse RISE.

$25 donation to view and participate in Live & Interactive Zoom Class. >> Unlimited People

$10 add-on for ½ pint of white miso in mason jar (available in 12 weeks after virtual event when fermentation is complete, pickup only) >> Limit 16 people

$15 add-on kit of soybeans and koji to make your own miso (available after the virtual event, scheduled pick-up only >> Limit 16 people

REGISTER TODAY AT https://the-alchemical-nursery-project-inc.square.site/