Overwhelmed by the leaning tower...

The leaning tower of pallets! I have been considering a plethora of options for Harvest Gardens' compost system over the past month or two. A few weeks ago Carla provided me with some great links about compost construction. It turns out she is quite the community gardener being a member of the University of Calgary community garden as well. I encourage everyone to check out their Urban Gardener blog and the web site that hosts their very creative how to video "How We Built Our Community Garden's Compost Bin".

I really liked the idea of reusing pallets. And having heard some other positive comments from people that had re-purposed pallets I was raring to go. I knew that there were a few hanging around my office and after checking around I found out that the company I work for would be overjoyed if we found another purpose for their slightly worn pallets. So I decided last week that on the following Monday I would take my lunch and pull some pallets apart salvaging some wood for our compost project. The pictures below are what I  found as I walked in with a little claw hammer that I borrowed from the receptionist (it was included in an Ikea picture hanging kit, apparently the hammer couldn't even handle tapping tacks into drywall either).

Needless to say I will be bringing some other tools and scheduling some extra time for this one. I couldn't even reach the top of the stacks to pull a pallet down to try and work on it. But there is definitely some great wood to be had.

Anyway I have reset my fear-o-meter and will strive to tackle this one on Wednesday. There will definitely be pictures for proof, and more than likely a splinter or two.

Freshening up...

It seems that fall is upon us, but we have had some outstanding weather in the past few weeks. With that heat comes the need for water, lots of water. Harvest Gardens is lucky to have such devoted caretakers. Heid beats the heat with all three sprinklers going full boar on our only 30+ degree day to date. With the wind sprinkler combination there were certainly some extra refreshing moments. It was great while it lasted, bring on the fall and harvest season.

Another word on dirt (that's right, DIRT)...

In case anyone doubts the importance of good dirt (or quality soil) check out the effect that bad dirt has on potato growth. The dirt in the picture below has very little water retention and from what I can figure is too sandy, I think it also has too much peat moss. It grows flowers and kale really well, but my poor potatoes are a bust this year.

It might also be the tight space. Either way I think I found the imperfect way to grow a potato. I also started a potato plant in a clay pot with similar dirt and noticed a similar yellowing (picture below). I have since amended the dirt and will see if this makes a difference. If it doesn't I guess I can chalk it up to the tight space.

Dirty or soiled...

There are a few things an aspiring gardener should know. I think the first is the difference between soil and dirt. Until recently I really had no definite ideas on what the difference is, though I had a few thoughts floating around in my head. What I have learned the more I poke around is that it really depends what your perspective on the subject is that decides how you see the difference between the two.

Some take the position of place. Soil is what you find under your feet, dirt is what you find under your fingernails. It seems that the displacement of tiny morsels of soil, little runaway renegades are relegated to the status of dirt. While as long as there is a giant party going on, it can be considered a soil party.

There are those more partial to the scientific disposition who speak of the layers or horizons that make up the earth. The first layer is top soil, followed by subsoil, then weathered parent material, and finally bedrock. The first two layers are the only ones that support plant life. Apparently dirt does not enter the equation here.

I personally like dirt better than soil because I think soil sounds pretentious. However I did find one explanation I found helpful, and is probably the most commonly adopted by gardeners. Soil holds all of the key ingredients to providing life. These important ingredients are classified in three ways: texture, structure, and tilth. As well as innumerable nutrients and organic happenings going on inside like decomposition and microbial life.

• Texture refers to the relative percentage of sand, silt and clay within the dirt. Ideally you want an equal mixture of the three to have healthy soil. 
• Structure is how sand, silt and clay fit together. Good structure is evident when the soil holds together if squeezed, but breaks apart or crumbles easily when disturbed.
• Tilth has to do with how well soil drains. Ideal tilth is loose enough to allow for adequate drainage, yet dense enough to retain moisture long enough for plant roots to utilize it.

Now that I have expounded on a few different ways to differentiate between soil and dirt I will give you mine. It's all dirt, it's more a matter of good dirt or bad dirt, healthy dirt or dirt in need of help. And the main reason I side with dirt is when I think about applying the monichers to myself I would always rather be dirty than soiled.

To sprinkler or hose, that is the question...

So Heidi was down at the garden and was nice enough to sprinkle for everyone. She said it was great minus the changes in wind that left her book, dog and self a little wet. I myself have sprinkled once but find it very cathartic to hose water every bed individually; this might be because I'm too disorganised to get a book and chair in order to enjoy sprinkle time. It turns out Joanne is also a sprinkle supporter. Which led the 3 of us to wonder, or atleast Heidi and I, what the preference is out there? Sprinkler or hose? Leave your comments below and we'll take an informal poll. Don't worry I won't have hurt feelings if we only get results for the three that have already put in their 2 cents, I'll use my tears to water the beds in any event. Of course we probably all prefer the good old fashion rain method.

Time to get your harvest on...

In case anyone has been too busy to hit the old garden lately I highly recommend bringing a large bucket with you to collect your produce on your next visit. Some may even need a wheel barrow. It looks like everyones peas are exploding, the lettuce hasn't slowed since late spring, beans are showing all over, onions are looking prime all over, the tomatoes are growing by the second and within a few weeks carrots will probably be ready. Try not to let your veggies go to waste, if you are going to be away let a fellow gardener know and they can probably help you out while you're gone. I myself would be happy to lend a hand, especially since I've got the taste for peas now.

An aside, if you have the giant zucchini plant you may want to bring a truck. I think that it is one of the coolest plants in the garden this year; and it has done so well to recover from the crazy hails storms of July.

Good Harvesting!

Some intersting favourites of mine...

Check out some pics from Harvest Gardens. Some of these favourites are just great looking plants, some are prolific producers, others are things I didn't think could grow here, and some I have no idea what they are which makes them all the better.

Fancy grass cutting...

Deanna certainly has taken our garden up a notch. Pretty soon there's going to be a dress code. Check out the pictures of our H H  (harvest hills) community garden. I think it's snazzy!

Serenity now...

Things have been rather busy this summer. Today was the first day I had a chance to get to the garden in the last two or three weeks, for more than a peek. It's days like today that help remind me why community gardens are so great. Let me recount why I love Harvest Gardens.

First, the exercise. Though mostly from trying to avoid the mosquitoes, which usually then leads to me going crazy and trying to squash as many as possible. Some watering, weeding and harvesting always works up a good sweat. Nothing is a better stress reliever, the exercise that is not the mosquitoes, though maybe I should sell mosquitoes as a workout.

Second, the atmosphere. I think within about 5 minutes of watering and picking and weeding I was completely engulfed by the garden and everything it brings. I didn't think about anything else except whether I was picking the peas properly or not. Do you leave the little flowery part on the vine or break it off with the peas? Regardless the flowers and greenery have an amazing calming effect.

Third, the veggies. So I picked some peas, about 3 carrots, and maybe 20 odd lbs. of lettuce. What does that get you? With a glass of cool water to relieve the heat caused by running away from the mosquitoes, it gets you the best dinner ever. I think somehow my carrots are sneaking into the grocery store and stealing all the flavour from those carrots, with the peas as their accomplice. Unfortunately, to avoid detection by the carrot flavour police, my little orange friends are staying remarkably small.

Fourth and finally, the people. About one hour at the garden gets you a chat with two great garden members, a chance to meet a few neighbors, and helps you see what actually goes on in the neighborhood. Unknown to myself we have quite the bustling community on nice summer afternoons.

So if "the man" has got you down or if you're feeling a little blahhh remember to visit Harvest Gardens. It certainly did the job for me today. And thank you a boat load to whoever keeps replenishing the mosquito spray, I owe you about a pint of blood.

Resurgent centrepiece...

Here are some great pics of the transformation from a slightly wilted flower salad to our current splendiferous flower centrepiece.

Composting anyone...

As the summer moves on and more and more veggies are finding their way into our mouths many of us are also finding that there is a noticleble amount of compostable material as a by product of our gardening adventures. It has always been a plan to implement a compost system for Harvest Gardens, it seems however that it is needed sooner rather than later.

Currently I am looking into a bunch of designs with key features being: strong construction (so that it can withstand the rigours of park life), large enough to accomodate all our organic would-be wastes, looks great (after all our garden is a masterpiece so far, why ugly it up if we don't have to), low maitenance (no one wants more to take care of), and if possible cheap to construct. There are a million different plans for composters out there, here is one site I have found helpful. I'm leaning towards something similar to the picture below, but would love input from anyone who has experience or is interested in being part of this little composter project. If you are such a person email cmroy@yahoo.com with the subject: COMPOST.

Canadian Tire to the rescue...

A few weeks ago Harvest Gardens had a wee set back as the centre piece flower bed had some unwanted visitors. Consensus is that vandals decided to pick a few flowers and toss them on the ground. I have a different theory, where by the flowers had a housewarming party to celebrate their new digs and had a few too many cocktails. Slightly dazed and confused from all the party excitement they lost their way on a walk about the garden and never found their way home (flowers aren't known for their sense of direction, but have you ever known a potato to get lost).

Regardless of the cause, we were a little short on flowers for the centre bed despite some great neighbors who did their best to replant the hungover flowers. It was a little demoralizing after all the work that had gone into the planting and care of the garden.

But I'm very happy to communicate that Canadian Tire heard our story and immediately stepped in providing us any plant material that we required. A few flats of petunias, some succulents for the edge, some really neat grass and giant marigolds for the centre and we're back in business. The business of looking awesome that is. I can't say enough about Canadian Tire stepping up for the community. They didn't bat a lash when asked to help out and even provided someone to help plan the replacement flowers. They helped turn my frown upside down. They made replanting a wonderful experience and I was glad to meet some really wonderful people at Canadian Tire.

Thanks you so much Canadian Tire! Please stop by for a visit.