Notes from the Garden

We at Throop Learning Garden have wanted to be certified as a National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat. We lacked a water feature, so Therese put out the call for birdbaths.
Enter Jim…

Jim showed up a few Sundays back with ideas and supplies to construct a hypertufa birdbath for us. He provided us with an impromptu reskilling that delighted us all!  The steps were simple, and all of us participated.

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First he had us dig a flattish hole, a little larger than our birdbath would be. He mounded the disturbed soil in the center of the hole, to form the template for the birdbath. Next he flattened out a garbage bag over the mound to create a smooth surface. He mixed oxides with cement and had us paint decorations directly onto the bag. Then we packed the wet hypertufa mixure over the bag-covered mound. We added chicken wire into the hypertufa for added strength. Jim showed us how to ensure sturdy edges on the birdbath by crimping, like making a piecrust. Finally we sealed the whole creation with the sides of the garbage bag and buried it all under several inches of soil. We let it cure one week. The unveiling on June 30 revealed a simple, colorful container that far exceeded our initial expectations for a birdbath.

Jim will give a hypertufa reskilling on Saturday, August 24 from 9 – 11am at Throop Learning Garden. This will be followed by a potluck lunch. Watch for RSVP info. We will be asking for donations to cover materials. Everyone will go home with a hypertufa container.
 
Michael has been conducting Wednesday morning work parties this summer at Throop Learning Garden, meeting from 8:30 – 11:30am. Michael will be concentrating on infrastructure like irrigation, and the remaining lawn conversion, as well as the usual garden tasks.  Contact us for more information.

— January Nordman