Northern Hills to Sprout another Community Garden

Last year I was reminiscing about some of my fondest memories as a child “picking raspberries and pulling carrots in my grandparents’ garden. Nothing tastes as good as a dirty carrot (though my wife insists I say “fresh”), a grubby fistful of juicy raspberries, and a cold drink from the garden hose.” After a long winter and short spring and summer Northern Hills Community members, with their extraordinary efforts, were able to breathe life into a community garden. Harvest Gardens was born; a place to go with friends, family, and neighbors; whether to putter in the dirt or maybe just sit and enjoy.

With such amazing success and exponential growth in community interest there is already talk of a second community garden; this one in Coventry Hills. The accompanying picture has been identified as a potential garden area and is one that many people may be familiar with.

Community gardens offer some great potential benefits for the community; healthier food choices, increased community cohesiveness, reduced vandalism, an inexpensive family activity, increased property values and a better looking neighborhood are just a few.

The positive impacts of community gardens are endless and the individual commitment can vary depending on preference. A community garden can be as diverse as its community of gardeners. Some may choose to grow solely flowers. Others may nurture vegetables and fruits for family consumption, to share or donate. It’s really up to the gardeners to decide what they would like to do in order to make a special place for themselves and the whole community.

If you are looking for a great family outdoor activity – and are interested in getting your hands a little dirty, you are encouraged to email garden@northernhills.ab.ca. You won’t be disappointed. We are trying to gauge interest so please contact us. All questions and ideas are welcome.

Over 1000 visits...

The blog hit over 1000 visits this past weekend. Keep on enjoying the garden, and stop by the blog to check in on things if you can't make it to Harvest Gardens.

Free to compost, at last...

The perfect weekend finally arrived for building the compost bin. Unfortunately for my in-laws I conscripted their talents to help me out. I would like to thank them a bunch because I think I may have been a little overwhelmed if it weren't for their efforts.

Any who, after a beautiful Saturday and a little sweat but no tears (that I'm willing to admit to) Harvest Gardens has been adorned with a two bin compost system. Feel free to open it up and place your garden materials and other appropriate kitchen wastes in the bin. It will soon be in its final resting place, though if it moves I don't think you'll have trouble tracking down its new location. It will soon have a lock attached so that no one is tempted to add creative things to our bin (my mother in-law informed me that Chestermere recently had a dead goat placed in their recycling bins, so I think we'll err on the side of caution). Next year we will set up some learn to compost sessions. The bin is equipped with a rotating brace to keep the lid opened, and the front panels are removable if you need to rotate the compost or dig some out. I think the pictures below will help out more than these words. I also added some building pictures if anyone wanted to check it out.

Maybe no Da Vinci but plans all the same.

The materials.

First wall finished.

Progress.

Compost bin's view of Harvest Gardens.

Removable front panel.

Finished and in place.

Keeps the lid from knocking you on the head.

Thank You...

Thanks to Kate's thoughtful ways we were able to present a very nice thank you card to the children at Ascension of Our Lord elementary junior high school. It was an excellent summer, one in which I think it is safe to say that all our expectations were exceeded where the neighborhood childrens' respect and interest in the garden is concerned. Lets hope their interest grows and along with it their participation.

With the growing season gone...

my imagination is running wild with what next year can bring. Some of this has been inspired by articles that are occasionally forwarded to me. A short one that I really like was sent to me by my wife, it is from one of her favourite websites. Check it out if you're looking for an interesting read, the particular article I was reading 4 Simple Reasons Why You Should Grow Your Own Food.

Harvest Party 2010 a great success...

It was great to see everybody make it out to celebrate our inaugural Harvest Gardens year. True to form, as with all our community garden projects, the weather was a bit chilly. But as you can see from the pictures below everyone was having a great time sharing their gardening experiences from over the summer.

There was no limit of great food. I don't know who brought the watermelon dish but I couldn't stop eating it; it was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and if you know me you can tell I've obviously tasted my fair share of things. I don't think I've ever enjoyed such a variety of salads: from the creamy cucumber dill salad, to the fruit salad, 7 layer (maybe more) salad, I can't keep going on because my mouth is starting to water...But I will...a great rice and bean dish, stir fry, Ok now I have to stop. Well maybe just one last word on food, I think everyone gained a few extra pounds from the amazing spread offered at the dessert table. I'd like to pick a favourite but I think it's pretty hard to narrow down when you have at least two of everything.

Thanks to everyone who came out in our inaugural year, without all of us giving our time and effort projects like this simply wouldn't exist. A special thanks to Kate, Joanne, and Sunny who really put in the extra effort so that we could all enjoy our harvest celebration together. Apologies if I missed anyone (though hopefully you include yourself in everyone).

Any who, let your eyes feast on some of the pics from a great day. Here's looking forward to next year, hopefully the sun will decide to join us.

More great harvest pics...

Here are some more great pictures from our Food Bank harvest. Thanks Sunny.

Food Bank Harvest...

We had a great harvest for the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. 180 pounds of potatoes, carrots, beats and onions. Thanks to all the dedicated volunteers over the summer. Check out some of the pictures below. We even had a special visitor from the Calgary Foundation that came to check out the harvest action. Earlier in the year they contributed $400 to help us get underway, thanks so much Calgary Foundation.

Garden party fever...

I can feel it coming on, and I'm not talking about hay fever. The garden is a buzz with the upcoming party. Inspired by our first ever harvest season it's time for all the gardeners and volunteers to celebrate. And what better way than with a potluck, they make my belly sing. Whenever there's a potluck it's like everyone is sharing something special about them self. Sometimes it's one of those secret family recipes whispering from the past, other times it's that crazy sweet tooth that just can't be satiated; or if you're like me you'll comb the world over (that means the Internet) to find the easiest yet tastiest recipe around. Whatever your recipe, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone together, and hearing your best garden stories.

Epiphany, inspired by frost...

It would seem that Harvest Gardens is a frost magnet. While many yards in the Northern Hills have been chilly lately, it is clear from the pictures below that our little lakeside oasis is getting more than its fair share of the summer cold snap (no that's not a mistake, summer cold snap).

While many of our plants have seen better days it's not all doom and gloom. Joanne informs me veggies such as beets actually get sweeter as their foliage dies off, and a potato's skin toughens up for better storage (hopefully I remembered that right). I guess mother nature has us covered for the most part. The carrots still look great, and there are other plants that seem unscathed by Oldman Winter's foray into the three fairer seasons (yes he makes appearances in all three).

If you have more delicate varieties I highly recommend paying a visit to your plot for an emergency harvest, before it is too late. This is a special warning to the tomato fans out there.

Sad Potatoes (but hopeful)

I would like to offer my condolences to anyone and their beans that have suffered the same fate as my own. Last words, keep sending out good vibes to your potatoes and mine, I know they're going to pull through, they've just got to. Good gardening, and fast harvesting.