Madison Park N'hood Assoc. is sponsoring a spring,09 pine needle sale in February.

See: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/charlotte/madisonpk/genpage/999911322.html

What to do now before planting time in about 2 weeks.

1. clean up gardens and freshen up mulch.

2. prepare soil for veggie gardens by digging, weeding, raking to remove debris. Add lime if soil acid, or get soil tested.  If soil clumps, it is still too wet to dig, wait until a fistful falls apart and doesn't clump. Prune roses and remove dead wood from shrubs. 

3. build structures such as fences, walls.  Turn compost piles, adding thin layer of dirt to incorporate soil organisms. Wet down compost if too dry. Black plastic laid on top of compost piles can help the pile absorb sun and heat up. 

4. spray acid fertilizer on azaleas and other acid lovers. To remove any unwanted moss in lawns, spread lime if not done already. Lime takes time to work.

Wait 1 more week before planting tender items like tomatoes, 32deg. forecast for coming week. Avg. frost date is about 4/15.  You can however, plant and then cover tomatoes, peppers, etc. with a bucket or similar thing on frosty nights. 

St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Central near Eastway has plowed their side yard and in process of planting some plots.  Contract the church for info. on renting a sunny and reasonable space to grow your own.

St. Andrews also has a Loaves and Fishes pantry in rear of church and they DO accept fresh produce on Wed, Thur about 9-1.  A good place to take that extra zucchini!