The Free Press, Mankato, MN

News Ticker

Local News

July 28, 2012

Community gardeners having big summer

By Edie Schmierbach Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — MANKATO — This summer, an investment in sweat equity is resulting in a bountiful pantry.

“The heat’s been good for the peppers, okra, tomatoes and eggplant. Melons are doing great, as long as they are kept hydrated,” said Lisa Coons of the Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry, which oversees the community garden plots at Good Counsel.

Withstanding the high heat and humidity to haul water and pull weeds has been worth it, agreed most members of River Meadows in North Mankato.

“This is our best year yet,” said Lynn Solo, garden manager. “Most plants really liked the heat.”

Last year, she had problems with garden pests attacking her squash, but fewer worries this year. The insects didn’t return.

Member Marion Fullmer, 80, wasn’t bothered by bugs or the heat. She regularly tends to her plot late afternoons and early evenings. Each maintenance visit to her garden has meant four or five trips to the water spigot at nearby Crossview

Covenant Church. Fullmer cares for close to 50 tomato plants.

Fullmer willingly helps other gardeners and she sets aside some produce for people who don’t have gardens.

“I plan to give some to the local food shelf. I’ve already had cucumbers delivered to them,” she said.

Many community gardeners in Mankato are anticipating their pantries will be full after this summer’s harvest and several people are raising corn this year.

The bi-colored variety River Meadows gardener Doug Mehloff planted is coming along, he said. The first-time grower’s crop has started to tassel, so he’s been going from stalk to stalk shaking pollen loose. His efforts may result in better pollination and more kernels per ear.

River Meadows member Don Rickard has to wait until this fall to taste his corn harvest — he’s growing popcorn. “It’s struggling along. I am hoping for more rain.”

This summer, Mankato Magazine gardening columnist Jean Lundquist gave up the struggle involved in growing her favorite variety of corn. After a personal drought assessment of the rows she had planted, Lundquist mowed them down.

Many sweet corn lovers prefer paying for ears to backyard farming. Costs and quality have varied in reports from throughout the area this week.

Thirteen fans responded to The Free Press Facebook inquiry about what they’ve paid for the favorite summertime meal. Their purchases had ranged in cost from $4 to $7.50 per dozen.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • What's Read on the Web 1. Gay marriage hits home for minister This summer, Lisa Coons hopes to be on both sides of a same-sex marriage -- officiating and participating. The Mankatoan plans to wed her partner of 25 years and, as an ordained non-denominational minister, is e

    May 19, 2013

  • Management company can provide valuable expertise DEAR BRUCE: I have read several times in your column that people need to be careful when getting into investment properties. Is it a more viable option to use a property management company to handle the business end of things and therefore "buy" some

    May 19, 2013

  • No Headline Provided Angels 12, White Sox 9: Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak. Callaspo also had a pair of sacrifice flies to give him five RBIs on the day. Mark Trum

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp-cadets pic 51913 Two Mankato area Civil Air Patrol cadets receive Mitchell award MANKATO -- Lt. Col. Mathew Wiskow, Minnesota Wing's Group 4 commander, presented certificates and ribbons to two cadets during a ceremony May 9 at the Mankato Regional Airport. Cadets Hunter Brindley and Tanner Johnson of the Minnesota Wing's Mankato

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • West second, East fourth at North Links NORTH MANKATO — Eleanor Dhuyvetter shot an 84 at North Links Golf Course on Saturday, tying for third place individually and helping Mankato West to a second-place finish at the Mankato Girls Golf Invitational. Providence Academy won the meet with 35

    May 19, 2013

  • Many uses for epsom salt Epsom salt can be used to remove splinters. Soak the affected area in warm water and Epsom salt. The salt will help draw out the splinter so it's easier to remove. This is especially helpful for kids who get small splinters at the playground from mul

    May 19, 2013

  • Kids burned by instant soup cups CHICAGO (AP) -- On a typical June day last year, 3-year-old Jolan Jackson was sitting at the dining room table in his booster chair waiting for his meal. Having just boiled a cup of water in the microwave, Jolan's teenage sister poured the hot liquid

    May 19, 2013

  • U.S. Two-Percenters Save Wealth in Trade-Down to J. Crew WASHINGTON — Jennifer Prentice, a medical-equipment saleswoman in Minneapolis, once had no qualms about dropping $600 or more for Gucci purses. Now she spends $300 for Coach bags and is filling in her Burberry wardrobe with pieces from J. Crew. "The

    May 19, 2013

  • Why posture is important in your growing children Whenever I do an annual physical, I always spend some time looking at the child's back. Why? It's important to examine a child's spine to check for any irregularities or disease, such as scoliosis (curvature). I also check the skin around the child's

    May 19, 2013

  • AgStar awards county fair grants MANKATO -- The AgStar Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, recently awarded $69,000 in grants through its county fair facility upgrade grant program, $24,000 more than last year. Area organizations recei

    May 19, 2013