LCO shares nature’s fresh produce

LCO, September 2020

April through June was a very active time in the garden at Lighthouse Center Oregon (LCO). This year we significantly expanded the variety of garden crops. We needed more areas for planting; but the main growing area had become overgrown with grass, weeds and blackberries.

To solve the problem, we moved the compost piles to a new area and uncovered the soil below—a clean, nutrient-rich spot for a potato crop. In the large greenhouse (80’ x 120’), we grew most of the heat-loving summer crops. We added two small growing areas outside and cleared a section of the old main garden as well. The garden beds were enriched with compost, biochar, and nutrients, as we continued experimenting with ways to improve the soil.

After planting the summer garden, we continued with some successions of lettuce, spinach, beets, cucumbers, salad greens and kohlrabi. We enjoyed an abundant harvest of Swiss chard, lettuce, zucchini, and basil, along with a welcome burst of cauliflower and cabbage. Peas, orach, kohlrabi, beets, and cucumbers provided a nice addition to salads.

Flowers and Herbs

An additional project has been growing flowers to bloom throughout the year at LCO. So we prepared two large (100’x 4’) beds just for flowers. In spring the greenhouse overflowed with seedlings for planting the flower beds.

Sharing nature’s fresh produce

In April, we realized that we needed more fresh, organic produce in the coming months to keep up with the demand for the wholesome soups we were making and donating to the charities we partner with. When the garden blossomed through summer, we were thrilled and ever grateful for nature’s abundance. In the last month, we harvested and donated 500 pounds of cucumbers to Roseburg’s Fish Food Pantry and Roseburg Rescue Mission. Such joy to share nature’s gifts with our friends in the community!