Gillian Luellen began work as Garden Manager on August. 25. Gillian earned a B.A. in environmental science from the University of Kansas in 2005. She lived from 2005-2009 in Japan, where she taught and participated in World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). With WWOOF, she worked at a sustainable, organic vegetable farm which hosted children at weeklong camps. During the fall of 2009, Gillian is enrolled at Johnson County Junior College to obtain a Sustainable Agriculture Certificate.
Gillian's weekly log:
My first week at Okanis Garden has been wonderful, and I'm still so happy to have this opportunity! It is a beautiful thing you have all worked hard to create.
Tuesday, August 25th:
The weather was sunny with a high of 88 degrees.
I watered the seedlings for about 4 hours in total. Put up a support system made of t-posts for the gourds. The gourds are not taking to it too well; we will need to continue lifting them onto the supports.
Harvested Sun Gold cherry tomatoes as well as some Yellow Bell tomatoes that were in great need of harvesting; delivered over 20 pounds of Sun Gold tomatoes to the Merc.
Wednesday, August 26th
Weather was scattered storms with a high of 81.
Picked all the yard long beans I could find, about 5 pounds total; harvested some more Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes; harvested Japanese Black Trifle tomatoes until the rain came pouring down. Thunderstorm! Bagged beans.
The thunderstorm quit. Harvested and cleaned leeks, harvested more cherry tomatoes, weeded the seedlings.
Thursday, August 27th
Weather: high 76, low 66
Picked flowers and herbs, made bouquets and got bags ready for the CSA.
The Yellow Bell Tomatoes harvested Tuesday, as well some previously harvested, contained many splits so we decided not to sell them to the Merc. We gave some away to CSA members and for class snacks.
Sunday, August 30th
High: 70
Harvested heirloom tomatoes.
In the Okanis CSA bag this week: Sun Gold cherry tomatoes; yard long pole beans; Rose Finn Apple Fingerling potatoes; onions; leeks, fresh basil, sage, ang borage; flower bouquet, e-recipe.
