Happy Holidays

 

Happy Holidays from the Peterborough Community Garden Network

Just a quick reminder that our Coordinator will be on holidays from Dec. 17th - January 2nd. 

During that time you can contact Marcy at marcy.pcgn@greenup.on.ca or 705.745.3238 x.219

Our offices will be closed completely from Dec.24th-January 2nd. You can still leave messages or emails & we will return them in the new year.

December Newsletter

dec2012 -

LIft Lock Community Garden Clean-Up

Earlier this week, a group of dedicated community gardeners took advantage of a warm(ish) later season day to get out into the garden. They worked together to ensure that the garden was put to bed neat & tidy for the winter. Many hands made light work of pulling out remaining trellising & plants, as well as covering weedy areas with cardboard & mulch.  

 Happy, warmly dressed gardeners laying down layers of straw.

 Moving pallets that will be used to build compost containers.

Growing food & Community!

Storing Root Crops Overwinter

Did you know that you can store your own root crops overwinter? Without a root cellar! 

storingroots -  

Check out this great article on Civic Agriculture Builds Urban Communities: 
While urban farms grow food, improve soil quality and shrink carbon footprints— all invaluable community assets — Slotnick said he has seen firsthand what these types of operations truly create. They cause people, he said, to become “attached to each other and where they live.”

Storing Carrots & Beets Overwinter

I got an inquiry yesterday about the best way to store carrots & beets overwinter (when you don't have a root cellar) I asked around, did a bit of research & here is what I discovered:

1) Pick carrots & beets. Brush off extra dirt, but do not clean them fully. 

2) Cut off greenery, but leave vegetable un-cut. 

3) Find a plastic pail or storage container

4) Layer carrots or beets between dry or semi-moist sand or soil, or peat moss

Place a think layer of sand, soil or peat moss at base of container. Next layer in carrots or beets. Cover with a layer of sand, soil or peat moss. Continue until container is full.
Be sure that the top layer is sand, soil or peat moss. Cover loosely with lid.

5) Store in a dark, dry & cool location. You're garage or unfinished basement should work. Best if the temperature stays between 1-5 degrees, and at approximately 90% humidity. Be sure they won't freeze!

6) Remove as you like. Wash, eat & enjoy fresh from the garden taste all summer

6,000 pounds of food on 1/10th of an acre!

great ted talk

Innovative Ideas

Converting a School bus into a Greenhouse!!! Coolest thing I have seen in awhile!

November newsletter

nov2012 -

Video - Bonaccord Expansion

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of witnessing & documenting the expansion of Bonaccord Community Garden. The garden which has existed for over 15 years, can be found just off the bike path on Bonaccord St. It has always been communally run & has grown organically over the years. New gardeners have dug up sod to make their own garden plots. It is a popular & picturesque Community Garden that has had a waiting list for many years. Garden Coordinator Ted Smith, along with committee member Barry got  together with the friend Bill who had a tractor & decided to plough up a portion of the garden to make room for new plots & gardeners in the Spring of 2013. 

Nothing like a beautiful Fall afternoon in a community garden with dedicated community gardeners, a tractor & the smell of freshly turned over dirt. 

Bonaccord Community Garden Expansion

 *Before 

 Bill drives his tractor in & ploughs the first furrow! 

 Look at that beautiful soil emerging 

 Lovely Fall afternoon to spend the afternoon watching a garden expand 

 Bill (on tractor) with Barry (Garden Committee member), perspective gardener Valerie & Ted (Garden Coordinator) standing proudly by the area being ploughed. 

 Ted stands by with his rock picking shovel, watching the ploughing process. 

 Scarecrow & tractor 

 The area is mostly ploughed now .... the soil is rich & healthy looking 

 Barry, Ted & Bill happy after the ploughing is complete! 

Food Not Bombs - 7th Anniversary Party!

Food for Thought

Check out this GREAT article in the London Evening Standard that suggests every employee should work four days/ week and spend the fifth gardening! Certainly food for thought!

"Spending less time in the office and gardening both have a range of benefits, and a scheme to provide a shorter working week and space for growing plants and food could "provide the answer to every headline problem at the moment", it was claimed.
Gardening and growing food are good for physical and mental health, improve the environment and boost wildlife in towns and cities and even help make urban communities more resilient against food prices spikes and climate change."

Inspirational People

Gotta love Vandana Shiva:

You can go see her speak in Toronto next week!

Vandana Shiva

Ecological Feminism & Earth Democracy:Occupying Life/The Seed

Monday November 12, 2012, 7pm

Auditorium, 252 Bloor St W (OISE building), Toronto

Wheelchair accessible

Free, donations welcome

Baking wtih Beets!?

Over the weekend, I pulled the last of my root crops out of the ground. I was in the mood for something sweet & wanted to use the freshly pulled produce .... And, I came across this: Beet Brownies! 

Check out the full recipe & pictures here!

Servings: 24
Time: About one hour total; 30 minutes active

8 ounces raw beets, peeled and halved
8 ounce unsalted butter (2 sticks)
¾ cup dark brown sugar
¾ cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 ¼ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract, not imitation
¾ cup white flour
1 cup chocolate chips, preferably 60 percent or more cacao

How to Put Your Garden to Bed Factsheet

Here's an accompanying factsheet to the Put Your Garden Bed: How to Video 

Plant Your Garlic Factsheet

Here's a downloadable factsheet to accompany the how to video ~ 

plantyourgarlic -

Video Tutorial - Putting your garden to Bed!

Check out this other Video Tutorial - Putting your Garden to Bed. Some of you may still need to clean up your garden a bit! Promise, it will make your life easier in the Spring!

Planting Garlic - Video Tutorial

Check out this newly filmed video showing you how to plant your garlic - it's not too late! You can plant garlic right up until the ground is frozen

Good Read

" gardening encourages confidence, pride and collaborative work. Individuals and families can gain an appreciation and understanding of natural cycles and the quality of life that comes from such a lifestyle. This is why you should strive to ensure your own sustainable future, rely on your own community and garden your own growth." 
  Good quote from an article on the greatness of Community Gardens - check out the whole article here. 

Bitter Seeds - Great Movie

Bitter Seeds from Working Films on Vimeo.

Late Season Lift Lock

garlic to be planted 

 garlic planted & mulched! 

 all that remains is kale & parsley 

 an immaculately cleaned up plot! 

Bonaccord Community Garden - fall visit

 I went to visit the Bonnacord community garden last week. I met up with the 3 gentleman who compose the Community Garden Committee. We talked about an upcoming expansion of the garden, water metering & how it will affect local gardens & pulled up some plants to make room for ploughing. All in all a wonderful morning. 

 The picturesque Bonnacord garden. There are large tracts of grass between gardens currently. The group is looking to plough up half of the garden to make space for some for gardens & gardeners. 

 kale & other cold hearty greens are still looking beautiful in the garden 

This lettuce took my breath away. 

 

Working in the garden. Clearing out & collecting some jerusalem artichokes. 

 beautiful kale & chard - late october 

Just ordered some new postcards! 

Labrynth at George St. United

 

George St. United Church is enjoying their community garden so much that they are spending the Fall building a labrynth to be filled with scented & beautiful plants this Spring. 

Stay tuned .....