Volunteering - June 27

Whew! It's hot in here!

Today, another volunteer named Gonzalo and I helped Jon mulch inside the fruit pavilion. Gonzalo and Jon filled the wheelbarrows with mulch while I raked and spread it out over the dirt. It was quite physically challenging, especially when when the thermometer hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit ... 100 degrees at 10 am!

Needless to say, I skipped the gym today. I got my workout gardening.

Mulching is important because it helps keep moisture on the ground. (We had to make sure we didn't spread mulch over the ground sprinklers though.) As the leaves and bark decompose, the soil receives extra nutrients. A fresh layer of mulch is also more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The pavilion grounds now look beautiful and ready for the Mango Festival next month.

By the time we were done, there was an invigorating earthy smell in the pavilion, a wet soil scent with hints of pine.

Gonzalo collecting mulch.

All mulched and ready to go! We covered the entire pavilion in about three hours.