The Community Garden

One of the many aspects I like about living in Renfrew On. is its community garden. I am not a member because my osteoarthritis makes trips back and forth, difficult, but just knowing the garden is there is a feel-good reality.

If you want to garden and grow and maintain your own food, flowers or herbs but do not have a space suitable at home then a community garden can be the place where you can set your gardening passion free.

A community garden is a plot of land that is usually divided into subplots with each gardener having their own plot. You can grow herbs flowers or vegetables or a mix of all three.

There may be a communal plot where you grow corn or squash which is then shared.

Each gardener tends their own plot according to whatever rules the group has set.

For example, you may want to grow organically and in order to do this then all the gardeners would need to agree.

Terms such as whether the garden is organic or not are best set out in a contract which each gardener agrees to and signs before the season gets underway.

There may be communal workdays. Especially at the beginning and the ending of the season to take care of site preparation and clean up as well as putting the plots to bed for the season.

There may be chores that all share. When I was in Saint John, New Brunswick, for example, I belonged to a large community garden and there were chores such as cutting the lawn in the common areas and doing a bit of weeding and composting. Each gardener signed up for a shift.

First Short Road Trip

Tuesday we drove around the back roads of Renfrew County and along the Madawaska

How to Start a Vegetable Garden

Bob Ewing 

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How to start the vegetable garden

. There are three things that you must consider if the garden is to be successful; sun, soil and water. The garden will need six to eight hours of sunlight per day in order to produce vegetables or flowers.

Soil comes in three basic types, clay, sand or loan. The ideal soil is a sandy loam. There is a simple way to determine the type of soil in your garden. Pick up some soil with one hand, roll it into a ball. If it forms a ball that break apart readily it is loam. If a ball does not form, it is sand. If a ball forms but does not break apart easily, it is clay.

This primer will help you plan and design your first garden; it does not matter what you decide to grow, vegetables, flower, herbs or all three, the steps are the same.

Step One:

There are two questions you need to answer at this point.

1- What do you want to grow?

2- How much time to you have to garden, each day, and week?

It is important to match your schedule to your interests; you do not want to start a garden that is too big, as it is likely to become a burden and that will take all the fun out of the project.

It is equally important not to put in a garden that is too small as your yield, what you get back for your labour, will be smaller than you expected and you will be disappointed and perhaps discouraged.

Step Two:

Now is the time for the garden plan. Don’t panic, this is simple; a plan helps you stay on track, makes maximum use of your gardening time, is fun and can be changed whenever you desire.

You now know what you want to grow and how much time you are willing to commit to the growing and maintenance. Now you must determine:

1- Where will your garden grow? The backyard, most likely, but where, well for most cut flowers, herbs and vegetables you want a spot that gets full sun for 5-6 hours a day, minimum.

2- How big will it be? The size depends upon what you want to grow and how much. A good cut flower garden can be fairly small in feet 6x6 will do; same for a herb garden. Now unless you are prepared to convert your whole backyard into a vegetable garden and even then, you are not going to grow all the food your family needs, so pick you 3-5 favourite vegetables and focus on them.

3- Homework time. You need to know the plants you plant to grow, the public library can be a great source of information as can the Internet. You can also visit a local plant nursery and have a chat with the manager.

4- Put the right plant in the right place and it will thrive.

Read this hub, for details on building the garden bed. Speaking of reading, if you are planting seeds read the seed package. The information there is meant to be followed, so do so. If you are using plants then read the tag that should be in the pot with the plant, the same story; if it is, not then ask.

Gardening is a rewarding activity that does not have to be difficult or time-consuming, just be sure to build the garden that matches your needs, wants and schedule.

Consider keeping a journal. Record what you planted, how it fared and anything else that you notice. This information will be valuable when planning next year's garden.

Annuals Can Add Value to the Garden

An annual plant is a plant that usually germinates, flowers and dies in one year. 

Some love annuals because they make excellent cut flowers; some because annuals are easy to grow; some love them for their brilliant colours while others just love to create a new garden every spring. 

The reasons do not matter as they are all sound; if you love to garden and enjoy bright vivid colours then annuals will satisfy your needs. I am very fond of annuals and cannot imagine a garden that does not have a few. 

They enlarge the palette but perhaps, more importantly, they enable me to make simple but noticeable changes to my garden and perhaps even better, they give me a reason to get out in the garden.

You can add annuals to your garden, throughout the growing season.

Annuals bloom continuously and produce prolific amounts of seed and this requires the production of many flowers; all making a win-win situation for any gardener.

The choice you have when selecting annuals is quite large so you will need a plan. The first step is to consider your climate, the soil and the amount of sunshine available. Now if you have been gardening for some time, you will have these answers. So the next step is to answer this question; what function will the annuals serve? Are you creating a cutting bed or adding a splash of colour to the border.

Annuals not only come in many different colours but heights and their foliage will have different textures and shades so if you have an existing garden and want to add some annuals to your perennial border make sure what you add is a comfortable fit with what is already there.

When you visit the plant centre you may become overwhelmed by the rows of annuals stretched out before you so get a plan before you go. Let's take a look at one of m favourite annuals the cosmos.

Cosmos:

The cosmos is a rapidly growing plant with delicate and graceful flowers. They will grow to between 4 and 6 feet tall. Some years back we had cosmos planted across the front edge of the front yard, creating a lace-like fence between our yard and the sidewalk.

Cosmos will grow well in full sun in most soils. You can start them indoors five to six weeks before the last frost date or you can sow them directly after the danger of frost has passed. The plants should be 12 inches apart and the seedlings will transplant easily. If the location is very windy you may need to stake them.

Worm Composting

An indoor worm composting bin will turn your kitchen scraps into odour free nutrient-rich organic material that you can use in your garden or in small amounts add now and then to your houseplants.

You can buy a ready-made composter or build one. To build your own you will need, a worm box, redworms, bedding material and kitchen scraps.

Worm box:

You can use a wooden or plastic garbage can or storage box. Be sure to drill 3 holes (1/4”) in the bottom for drainage. As the worms eat your garbage, moisture is produced so you will need to place a container to catch this liquid, or one morning you will find an unpleasant puddle needing your attention.

This liquid is great for your houseplants so do not toss it away.

Cover the drainage holes with small rocks or gravel, about one inch of gravel at the bottom of the box will do the trick. Cover the gravel with a screen.

Moisten the bedding material. This can be shredded leaves, sawdust, newspapers or peat moss and fill the box about 2/3 full. You can add a ½ cup of finished compost to speed the process along at this point, if you wish.

Now it is time to add the worms which you can order from a number of sources. Red worms are what you need not earthworms. There are a number of good online red worm suppliers out there, and if you do not want to build your own composter they can sell you worms and worm bins.

Cucumber peel, melon rinds, lettuce and coffee grounds are favourite foods.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to bury the scraps in the bedding in order to avid attracting fruit flies.

Over time the bedding will disappear, and the box will become full of worm castings. You can harvest the casting by placing fresh bedding and fresh scraps in just one spot, and when the worms move in you can remove some of the castings, which you can then use on your houseplants or out in your garden.

Be sure to keep the worm box 2/3 full and your worms and your plants will be very happy.

Tulip in Rain

Small Space Gardening

Small spaces may present some gardening challenges but with a bit of planning and careful thought, you can create a great garden in the tiniest of places. Be it backyard, balcony, or rooftop, the space can be transformed into a green oasis.

To get started ask yourself the following questions:

1. How do you currently use the space? Is it a quiet getaway; a place for you children to play, or pets to roam, for entertaining?
2. What do you want to grow, herbs, flowers, annuals, perennials, shrubs, fruit trees, vegetables?
3. Thinking about a water feature?
4. Do you use it as an outdoor office?

Once you have answered these questions, here are a few more to ponder.

1. How much money are you willing to spend, on hardscaping, plants, watering system and décor, lights, garden art?
2. How much time do you have to look after your garden?
3. What specific challenges do you need to address, sunlight blocked by nearby buildings for example, ugly view?
4. Measure the space and draw a plan. You do not need to be an artist but setting in down on paper will help you focus.

You are now ready to create your garden plan, and, of course, there are more questions.

1. Are you growing in containers? If so, you need to select containers that are the appropriate size for the plants you choose and fit in with your overall décor.
2. Is there a view you which to hide? If yes, then you may want to include a trellis and a climbing plant such as English ivy or you could consider ornamental grasses; it depends upon the situation.
3. Do you want to add lighting, furniture, garden art? If you do they must flow with the design.
4. Think up, small spaces are ideal for growing vertically; you can use trellises and other supports or stackable plant holders for herbs, for example.
5. Fill in all the items that will be in your garden on the plan, again, accurate representation is not the goal, only you need to be able to understand it. Label items, such as a chair, light rose, peas.

We grow beans and peas vertically so why not expand that list. When you make the choice to grow vertical your small space expands, growing up means growing more.

Look to miniature varieties when selecting plants, the popularity of container and balcony gardening has lead to the development of a number of plants that work very well in a small space.

Above all, have fun; this is your space, design it your way.

Planting Bulbs in Brief

Remember right plant right place will help you grow beautiful flowers. Most spring-flowering bulbs will need a highly organic, well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 6-7) soil in a sunny location(6 to 8 hours of sunlight.)

When it comes to planting bulbs there is a second rule in addition to the right plant, right place rule and that is to plant bulbs root side down. If you do not you will be wondering where the bulbs are.

You plant spring bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulbs are tall. For example, two of the most popular plants tulips and daffodils will be planted approximately eight inches deep. Smaller bulbs, such as crocus and snowdrops (Galanthus) will be planted three to four inches deep.

You measure the planting depth from the bottom of the bulb; this applies to spring bulbs.

To plant you will dig and loosen the entire bed (where the bulbs will go) to the proper depth.

Next, you plant the bulbs into the soil in the bed and press them down and cover with soil. Do not press too hard you do not want to compact the soil.

This process is a faster means of getting your bulbs planted than using a bulb planter to do them one by one. Although, the one at a time method can be useful if you are only adding a few bulbs to an already existing bed or another spot where you need a bit of early colour.

Once the bulbs are planted, water them. This will provide the moisture that the bulbs need to start the rooting process and will assist the soil to settle.

If you are planting bulbs in the fall, they will need to root before the weather gets too cold. It is vital that you do not overwater in the fall as the bulbs may rot and once again you will be wondering where the bulbs come up in spring.

When you first see the flower buds appear it is time to water as long as the soil is dry.

You must water, when it is time, deeply. The bulbs can be planted six to eight inches below the ground and you want the water to reach them.

A soaker hose is an efficient way to make sure that your bulbs get the water they need so that they can produce the brilliant colours that you are eager to see at winter’s end and as spring blossoms.

Triple Bypass

Good day, just over two weeks ago I suddenly found myself in the early hours of the day, unable to breathe. My wonderful wife, Jocelyn, called 911, quickly the paramedics arrived and applied oxygen.
Off to the hospital, then an air ambulance to Ottawa to the Heart Institute.


Great care, nothing but admiration for the staff. I was discharged a few days back and am home typing this, prognosis good. Cost to me $0.

Sure I pay taxes but this is one of the reasons why. More to follow.

Flower Photos

Flowers for an icy day 

MOOF Africa

Located in Nanyuki, Kenya MOOF AFRICA is an NGO working with sustainable development where eco-village concepts are used to address challenges by offering local solutions to the community making an overall global impact. Making information on ecological technologies available to farmers and international communities where this information is appropriate to meet the basic needs of humanity to enable us to conserve our mother Earth.  

https://moofafrica.com/

The SLOPES GREENS ORGANIC VEGETABLES “KIKAPU” ENTERPRISE

Used with Permission.

INTRODUCTION

MOOF-Africa is located in the outskirts South of cosmopolitan  Nanyuki town approximately 3.5 Kms. MOOF is a professional Social Enterprise  Agricultural Non –Governmental Organization, NGO, working with smallholder farmers on sustainable food security, nutrition, income generation and environmental conservation for  rural development. Regenerative Permaculture and Agro-ecological concepts are used to address food insecurity and malnutrition challenges by offering local solutions to the community making an overall  well fed and wealthy communities in Kenya. Making information on Agro-ecological Technologies and Regenerative Permaculture available to farmers, students and international communities where this information is appropriate to meet the basic needs of humanity to enable us achieve a more balanced food source with high nutrition grown   without hazardous pesticides.

Food consumers desires for fresh nutritious food information on the following:

Transparency and Traceability of food: Customers desires to know:

-Where food comes from- from MOOF farm grown through organic technology.

-When food was produced – dated

-How good is the food? - Fresh and packaged by well trained and healthy food handlers with medical certificates from government hospitals. .

- Impacts to the environment – Organic foods taking care of the environment and workers health –no pesticides used.

-Packaging of food – locally made and biodegradable baskets made of materials from swamps.

OBJECTIVES

1. Produce Organic high value crops (Herbs, vegetables, Leafy range veggies and fruits) through Permaculture and agro ecological technologies.

2. Uniquely package (“Kikapu”) Basket, and distribute the organically produced harvest to high niche end customers in their homes door steps within Nanyuki town and environs.

3. Market the organic produce targeting high niche customer base including; British army (BATUK- Brattish Army Training Unit in Kenya) families, residential white westerners and supermarkets, hotels, Lodge and Eco-Camps in the wildlife conservancies and middle-class locals’ sensitive of healthy eating habits in Nanyuki town.

4. Establish a sustainable water management system so as to efficiently use the scarce water resource for vegetable production.

5. Permaculture Designs Training:  Actively engage Permaculture and Organic growing in MOOF-Africa farm as a demonstration and training centre for organic production to young girls, (e.g. Baraka Academy and girls from other academies in Nanyuki region), women and youth in Laikipia County.

For more information please visit     
                                               
Website: www.moofafrica.com

                    Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/MOOFAfrica/

Excerpt from Book

I am working on a novel. This is an excerpt.

"

At the family dinner, the following Sunday, Ellie recounted the discussion she and Jake had shared while watching Madmen.

“Since that night, I’ve been rolling this thought around in the back of my mind.” Ellie began.

“Now, listen before reacting, ok?” She added.

“OK.” The three replied simultaneously.

“What if, just what if, human evolution has been stalled because we spend much of our time surrounded by images, videos, songs and so on, that portray a reality, one we have all bought into, but a reality that isn’t real?” She spoke quietly.

The looks on her family’s faces gave her pause. Jake began to slowly nod his head but the siblings seemed a bit, maybe not doubtful, but wary.

Cathy spoke first. “Mom, I see what you are saying. But it sounds like the beginnings of a fascinating conspiracy story, intriguing but impossible.”

Nate added. “The coordination it would take to achieve this would be massive. How could it be done?”

“Well, that I don’t know, but feel it is worth giving some deeper thought to this.” Ellie said."

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