Growing under black walnut trees

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After meeting with a group looking to expand their garden this morning, I did a little research on growing vegetables near black walnut trees; thought that it might be useful to some other folks!

Voices of community gardeners

The best way to learn about the many far reaching effects that community gardens can have is, to listen to community gardeners themselves! 

Winter days in the lift lock garden

 I dropped by the Lift Lock community garden on the weekend, and as usual the light was gorgeous.  

Now dreaming of Spring and all the possibilities!

Some factsheets on Preserving Food

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drying - 


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January Newsletter

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Great ideas from the American Community Garden Association for Organizing Over the Winter. Read the whole report here. The following is a brief summary: 

 1) Celebrate Your Garden! 

Host a party, preserve potluck or gathering. Document the season with a scrapbook, photo album, website.

 2) Increase Community Connections: 

Does your garden represent the neighbourhood it is in? How can you increase awareness of the garden and get others involved? Can you connect with local food banks or local food distribution centres to get extra food out to community members who may not have access to it? 

3) Teach Yourself Something New: 

Skill share. Encourage each member of the garden to share a skill that they possess. 

4) Reflect on the Past Season: 

What worked? What didn't? Document your findings

5) Get ready for next season: 

Find new gardeners to fill plots. Outreach to community organizations. Plan for inputs such as compost in the spring. Is there room, or desire to expand?

Old Advice, Wisdom for today

 This post is not to be misinterpreted as a political statement on war, on my belief system, but every time I come across these posters in my work, they make me smile. The advice contained in them is still so relevant today. I wish in many ways, that we had heeded it all along!

Edible Trees Fruit Tree Grant

Fruit Trees!

 Would you like to plant some fruit trees in your community garden? Edible Trees is providing funding to 15 projects for up to $4,000. We should try to get some more cherry, peach, nut, ect trees growing in our local community gardens! See below & Go to the Edible Trees website for more information:

Edible Trees

Planting Fruit & Nut Trees for the Community

The purpose of the Edible Trees program is to offer funding of up to $4,000 and other resources for community-based projects that provide residents with access to fresh fruit and nut trees while making a positive difference to the Canadian environment including:

• Provide shade
• Absorb and deflect solar radiation
• Improve air quality
• Absorb and filter water
• Create habitat for wildlife

Funding is available, but not limited to, community gardening groups, community housing projects, schools, parks and arboretums.  Applications are available for download here.
Important Dates
All applications must be received by February 28, 2012.
Final Reports and projects must be completed by September 30, 2012.
Note: The number of projects will be based on available funding. In 2012 it is projected that approximately 15 projects will be funded.
Application Criteria
Tree Canada will consider projects that meet the following criteria:

•  Increases  equitable access to healthy food
• Strengthens communities by empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of city-grown food resources
• Benefits the local community by providing access to the trees and their fruit by the public ( i.e. food banks, volunteers, community kitchens)
• Meets the needs of the community and includes creative plans for the produce grown
• Takes place within a geographic area suitable for growing fruit and nut trees
• Protects and preserves the Canadian environment
• Assists residents in understanding and participating in environmental activities in local communities.

Contributions will not be made towards the following:

• Projects on private residential property;
• Lobbying or advocacy activities;
• Projects completed before the application is reviewed;
• Projects taking place outside of Canada;
• Salaries (where salaries represent a significant proportion of the total amount requested);
• Projects that benefit individuals or businesses.

Eligible Project Costs may include:

• Site preparation
• Calliper tree(s) purchase
• Materials (guards, mulch, stakes, mycorrhizal fungal associate)
• 3-year maintenance fund
• Site supervision and assessments
• Workshop delivery

Application Evaluation
Tree Canada staff review the Edible Trees applications and make recommendations for funding support according to the established guidelines. They are evaluated on the following basis:

• Innovation: Demonstrated understanding of the purpose of the program and in designing a creative program that promotes innovative practice.
• Community Involvement: Demonstrated ability to involve the community, other not-for-profit organizations and volunteers.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated capacity that the expertise is present or can be sought to guide the applicants in its efforts. Grant recipients may be encouraged to use a portion of their funding to include an educational component.
• Promotion: A commitment to publicize the Program, including program partners, Tree Canada and Funders, in a variety of ways that may include a launch event, press release and reaching out to local print media.
• Evaluation: That a system is in place at the community level to evaluate the success of the program 3 years into the future.

Interviews with Community Gardeners in North Carolina

We are continually reminded of the fact that community gardens and their uses are as diverse as the gardeners themselves. here is a video of some community gardeners discussing what being involved means to them. For more information on the project check out the groups blog

We're back

We are back in the office full-time this week. After a relaxing, albeit incredibly quick week off, we are back at our desks working on getting new gardens growing & dreaming of Spring!