tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1553651335880263512024-02-20T11:00:45.614-08:00Sadiq Organic Farm & Garden - St. Louis, MOHafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-24165767861791709012010-06-03T10:26:00.000-07:002010-06-03T11:21:50.334-07:00Planting in 2010!Year 2 is underway at the Sadiq Organic Farm & Garden! This year is full of promise and the SOFG looks to be bigger and better than before. Last year SOFG yielded a great harvest. We had 5 varieties of tomatoes, 2 varieties of cucumber, 4 varieties of peppers (3 sweet, 1 hot), 3 varieties of eggplant, lettuce mix, zucchini squash, spinach, collards & mustard greens, strawberries, potatoes, scallions, watermelons, edible flowers and herbs! Dare I say it, it was a good year and this year looks to be even bigger!<br /><br />We're 'growing' this year, by adding more beds to provide more organic vegetables to the community. We will develop a Farmer's Market and provide classes on gardening and healthy living. There will be solar technology added for lighting and a covered seating area for 'green-thumbs' to relax.<br /><br />The planting has already started! So far, we've planted 16 tomato plants all from last year's tomatoes that were grown in the garden. Planted 8 beds containing lettuce, collard greens, rainbow chard, squash and okra. Gave away 3 lbs of strawberries that remained in the garden from last year's crop and harvested 1lb of scallions from the garden....and it's just June! <br /><br />Oh, and it's looks that SOFG is 'sowing' more than 'seeds' in the community but also inspiration. One of our neighbors, who always wanted to start a garden, supported SOFG last year and gained the tools, resources and motivation to start another garden in the community. Keep on 'planting' Walnut Park! And keep on 'sowing' SOFG!<br /><br />Keep your ears to the 'ground' for the happenings at the Sadiq Organic Garden & Farm as we continue to give life to the community.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-14332128307324393412009-08-05T17:44:00.000-07:002009-08-05T17:47:14.579-07:00What's in the Garden...To date we have planted the following...<br /><br />Summer crops: (veggies, fruits, melons, & herbs): tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweet & italian peppers, onions, radishes, zucchini squash, spinach, bush beans, corn, strawberries, watermelons, potatoes, basil, & lemon balm.<br /><br />Companion plants: edible marigolds, edible borage, and sunflowers. Already bearing fruit or ready for harvest: cucumbers, radishes, onions, potatoes, basil, & lemon balm... <br /><br />Flowering & soon to fruit: squash, tomatoes, some peppers and some eggplant Early planted Fall crops: beets & lettuce <br /><br />Fall crops scheduled to be planted (via seeds) within next week: turnips, collard greens, mustard greens, and chinese cabbage. Possibly some other herbs such as sage and oregano.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-21781775261569894962009-07-21T08:52:00.000-07:002009-07-21T08:53:48.326-07:00Visit the GardenVisit the garden, see how the cucumbers and squash are climbing up the fence...how the tomatoes are growing in their EarthBoxes...watch the corn and bush beans coming up...pull some wild grasses from the pepper and eggplant bed...put fresh water in the birdbath and add bird seed to the feeder tray...check for hungry catepillars on our young plants and if necessary, spray some of the eco-friendly pest spray (follow listed directions) that's kept in the green bin. There's always something that can be done...small or big...little or a lot. Or just visit, sit a spell, enjoy the flowers...it is so peaceful and calm...most of all the plants thrive on our positive energy for they are living things too. Let's invite the entire Jamaat and Community to do this! It's good for the spirit!Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-28942555229356302172009-07-21T08:50:00.000-07:002009-07-21T08:52:16.085-07:00July 20Bro. Hadi cut the grass yesterday and also weed-wacked around the fence...which could use another run-through...all in all looks much better than it did before. Allahumdolillah, got the rain barrels filled with water from Mr. Townsend today also. Hopefully, we can have someone from our Jamaat responsible for doing that using the fire hydrant. My dad's sister is visiting from out of town and she helped me plant one of the small beds that was designated for the children's bed. Cucmbers are climbing the fence and so is the gourd plant (in the squash bed). The squash are getting big too. All are starting to flower...beautiful! Some of the tomatoes are flowering too.<br /><br />Kareema ShahidHafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-89463404310288930952009-07-13T18:10:00.000-07:002009-07-13T18:11:14.377-07:00REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHORES TO BE DONE ON REGULAR BASIS:<span style="color:#7030a0;">Grass needs cutting outside as well as inside fenced area (probably best to use a hand mower on inside until we get the whole area covered with mulch)</span> <span style="color:#7030a0;">WEED-WACKED around fencing by garden beds, EarthBoxes and along neighbor's fencing side</span> <span style="color:#7030a0;">Grass & weeds need pulling from garden beds as part of regular maintenance (they can "choke" out the young plants, stunting their growth)</span> <span style="color:#7030a0;">Check plants for unwelcomed bugs and disease</span> <span style="color:#7030a0;">Make sure plants get plenty of water on a daily basis until they get bigger</span> <span style="color:#7030a0;">Vining plants such as squash, cucumbers, tomatoes & melons should be 'staked-up' as they grow</span> <br /><br />Update<br /><ul><li>Installed birdbath and birdfeeder </li><li><b>Planted 2 </b>vegetable beds</li><li>Installed 3 more planting boxes</li></ul>To do's<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="color:#c00000;">take <b>pictures of</b> some <b>children planting in the Children's Garden Bed </b>for our online album and website.<br /></span></li><li><span style="color:#c00000;"><b>have mulch & compost delivered</b></span></li><li><span style="color:#c00000;"><b>put up the trellises </b>in the <b>cucumbers and squash beds</b> as well as <b>along the row of EarthBoxes with the tomatoes</b>. </span></li><li><span style="color:#c00000;"><b>two EarthBoxes</b> for Okra which have been rolled out from <b>the back of Sadiq Mosque </b>that need to be <b>picked up ASAP in a truck and brought over</b></span></li><li><b><span style="color:#c00000;">Design and make the trash recepticle. </span></b></li><li><span style="color:#c00000;"><b>Level the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1247533674_0">parking area</span></b>, and <b>make</b> the parking lot <b>cinder-block 'fence'</b>. </span></li><li><span style="color:#c00000;">Get some type of <b>signage</b>. </span></li></ul><blockquote> <div> </div></blockquote>Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-67606411863481446192009-06-30T09:46:00.000-07:002009-06-30T10:00:59.880-07:0096 degrees in the shade...There was a heat wave in St. Louis but that didn't stop the team from moving forward working in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sadiq</span> Organic Farm & Garden. The team filled the remaining beds with compost and mixed with vermiculite. The beds are now ready for planting. Weed stop material was laid <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">in between</span> the beds as the foundation for the mulch, which will comprise the walkways. At the end of the day, the youngsters began planting seeds. A good 'hot' day of work. Great effort team! Looking forward to 'the fruits of our labor'. See the new pics in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">slideshow</span>.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-83190142990089634362009-06-17T09:23:00.000-07:002009-06-17T09:33:15.356-07:00Rain, Rain...Rain can be like a confused friend. At times when you need it...it doesn't come, then when you don't need it...it comes. During the project, rain has been both friend and foe. Because of rain, our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">time lines</span> have been unpredictable. The last couple of days, we have had some fierce rain. Hopefully, our rain barrels are full. Thanks 'friend'.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-7053828826227982982009-06-17T08:33:00.000-07:002009-06-17T09:22:25.454-07:00Getting up to speed...<strong>June 5, 2009</strong> - Following <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Juma</span> a 'big' workday was planned. Under the direction of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kareema</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Shahid</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">GreenEarth</span> Living & Habitat), a group of 14 ventured to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SOF</span> to prep the ground for planting. The lawn was cut, the fence work continued, beds were put together and laid in position. An all-out effort to get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SOF</span> ready for seeding. By the end of the day, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SOF</span> began to look like a garden. You could see the 'fruits' of our labor beginning to sprout. Our neighbors once again came out to offer support.<br /><br />Our garden will probably be one of the most viewed in St. Louis. It sits alongside highway 70 where over 100,000 travelers and commuters ride daily. While we were working on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">SOF</span> later in the day, rush hour began to pack the highway. Cars were moving at a snail's pace. As drivers passed our corner and saw a bunch of folks digging and building, we anticipated what they were thinking. One gentlemen, who was on the highway, turned around to stop by. He said, he saw us while he was on the highway and thought, 'they must be building a garden'. He offered to donate some seeds to the project. Sis. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kareema</span> collected his name as she has begun compiling a visitor's book.<br /><br />Thanks and Blessings to all those who lent a hand!<br /><br /><strong>June 7, 2009</strong> - Once the beds were down and pushed flush to the ground, the next step was to begin adding the dirt. Sis. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kareema</span> directed the group in filling the beds with compost (the city delivered 2 truck loads of compost...for free!). We first laid newspaper as the base in the beds. The newspaper needed to be layered about an inch thick. Once the newspaper was laid, we began to add a layer of compost to the bed. We divided the work so that as one group prepared the bed with newspaper the other group filled the bed with compost. The team worked well together in getting this done. After the beds were layered with compost, the next step was to thoroughly water them. Our neighbor, Mr. Townsend offered to run a water hose from his house to the garden to complete this task. But all morning we were racing against some heavy rain clouds. Once we layered the last bed, rain from heaven came to water our garden. Well done!<br /><br /><strong>June 12, 2009</strong> - Garden Help ASAP! A huge delivery of peat moss, potting mix, vermiculite, etc. was being delivered to the site. The delivery company called and said they would be early...not good. Our HF coordinator, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Basiyr</span> Rodney jumped into action putting out an all-call for assistance. He managed to gather enough support to have the truck unloaded. Now we have the rest of the 'stuff' to complete the beds for seeding.<br /><br />Per <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Kareema</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Shahid</span> - "We added vermiculite and peat moss to all the beds. We even added more compost to the "Potato Patch" bed by the neighbors fence. I actually planted a few organic potato sprouts and some organic onions in one half the bed. The other side of the bed needs more of everything. We also added more compost and gridded off one of the other beds...so you can see how they will all look. Sis. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Fatirah</span> set up the rain barrel so it can catch any rain we get over the next few days. It is now imperative that we have ready access to water. The "Potato Patch" will need water everyday."<br /><br /><strong>June 14, 2009</strong> - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">GreenEarth</span> Living & Habitat sent the team a long list of "ASAP" work to be done. We are close but still have a few more long days of work to reach completion. Gearing up for the 'home-stretch'.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-57539221631649463602009-06-16T14:45:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:20:33.223-07:00Getting Up to Speed...<strong>May 22, 2009</strong> - Post holes dug for fence. Our resident, 'landscaper', Br. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hadi</span>, brought his new lawnmower to give the farm a nice 'low' cut. He also brought a gas-powered post hole digger. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Although,</span> it made digging much easier...it still took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">alot</span> of hard work. Thanks to the young <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Khuddam</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Qadir</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Malik</span> and Mubarak) for working together to get the holes dug.<br /><br /><strong>May 25, 2009</strong> - Purchase list submitted from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GreenEarth</span> Living & Habitat for plant beds, seeds, etc. The team is excited and primed to work. With money in hand, next stop...Home Depot.<br /><br /><strong>May 30, 2009</strong> - Permits acquired t0 erect fence for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sadiq</span> Organic Farm (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SOF</span>).<br /><br /><strong>May 30, 2009</strong> - Wood, fencing and other materials purchased for "work-day". <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Abu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bakr</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Basiyr</span> Rodney go to Home Depot to purchase items for the fence and plant beds. We have a big workday planned for tomorrow.<br /><br /><strong>May 31, 2009</strong> - HF team comes together to begin installing fence. A BBQ was planned but was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">substituted</span> with donuts...go figure. I arrived late to see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Abu</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Basiyr</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Shakar</span> sweating over the fence posts. They were down to business. The posts were placed and cemented for the fence. A couple of beds were made as well. We have to wait a day for the cement to dry before putting up the fence. A neighbor and his family, Mr. Townsend, came over to offer support. He had previously offered to lend any support needed for the project and will over look the security of the project. What a great neighbor! A beautiful gesture...Mr. Townsend is familiar with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Basiyr</span> and they embrace like old chums. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Basiyr</span> admires Mr. Townsend's new sandals. Mr. Townsend ask <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Basiyr</span> does he wear sandals. Of course being from Jamaica, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Basiyr</span> answers 'yea <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">mon</span>'. Mr. Townsend says...'I'll be back'. He returns with a pair of sandals and offers them to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Basiyr</span>. What a beautiful gesture! God is Great! This is going to be a blessed garden. The team worked for a few hours before breaking for prayer.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-70404007845532414512009-06-16T14:14:00.000-07:002009-06-16T14:43:20.808-07:00How it all started...The St. Louis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahmadiyya</span> Muslim Community owned a vacant plot of land that was purchased over 30 years ago. The land was to be used to build a Mosque for the St. Louis AMI community. Many of our past elders donated to the acquisition of this land. Although, St. Louis built a Mosque just up the street, the land on the corner of Alcott & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bircher</span> in the Walnut Park community always remained special.<br /> The sacrifice of those past members who donated their hard-earned dimes, nickels and pennies would be put to good use. In April 2009, the St. Louis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jamaat</span> embarked on an effort to build a community garden on the land. With the help of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">GreenEarth</span> Living & Habitat, a healthy living and green company owned by member <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kareema</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Shahid</span>, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Sadiq</span> Organic Farm would begin planting its seeds.<br /> As the project began to request support and donations, Humanity First (HF), USA, joined in to collaborate in the effort. With the effort of the local HF coordinator, Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Basiyr</span> Rodney, HF USA agreed to build a community garden in collaboration with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">GreenEarth</span> Living & Habitat. Thus, the project was granted the needed resources and began full steam ahead.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-155365133588026351.post-4877910162210924182009-06-16T14:06:00.000-07:002009-06-16T14:09:53.323-07:00Sadiq Organic Farm takes root in St. Louis.Amongst the abandoned houses, broken pavement and busy streets, new life is emerging in the Walnut Park community. Humanity First, has embarked on a project to bring good fruits and vegetables to the Walnut Park community. <br /> Organic foods are at a premium and so is good health. Two things that low-income neighborhoods have not been afforded. In the Sadiq Organic Farm, sponsored by Humanity First, fresh organic fruits and vegetables will be made available to the community at a minimal cost. Neighborhood families will be able to enjoy the benefits of a neighborhood organic garden “right down the street”, which will encourage a healthier lifestyle.<br /> Sadiq Organic will provide physical benefits to the community, while adding a touch of beauty and tranquility. It will also be an educational resource to healthy eating and living.<br /> As we till the earth, plant seeds for new life in the Sadiq Garden, so will the Walnut Park community benefit from the new harvest of fruits and vegetables from her new organic oasis.Hafiz Nasiruddin @muslimsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105295892886732420noreply@blogger.com0