An adventure in composting...

Sunday we were very lucky to have an expert on composting come and share come valuable information with us. In essence lifting us out of the inactive compost club (basically we were piling up garden waste with nothing happening) and ushering us into the composting elite (or at least capable, in theory). Bert, with a varied resume of composting experience from a multitude of community gardens and other sources cannot be thanked enough. I have a feeling that if one was to map out all the composting done in Calgary he would have had a hand in most of it at some stage.

In all we spent an hour or so delving into the magic of bacteria and other critters recycling our organic wastes. It really is quite amazing what microorganisms can do. Here are some tidbits that I can remember (sorry I'm not one for taking notes):

• try and mix equal parts browns and greens by weight (browns are dried leaves, newspaper, paper egg cartons; greens are your grass and veggies)
• because greens are mostly water when you add them to compost the final mixture ends up being 20 parts browns to 1 part greens once everything has dried and started to mix
• if your compost is starting to smell it is probably too wet and needs to be turned, also add some browns
• if nothing is happening and you are getting pest infestation (ants, wasps, mice) your pile is probably too dry; add water and turn
• if you have a large enough compost pile and it is working properly it will cook some bad things out of the soil (like seeds from weeds); but to be sure you can put your weeds and their seeds in a sealed black garbage bag out in direct sun for 3 days (driveway works well) this will definitely cook those nasty weed seeds
• if you don't get oxygen to the microorganisms that are doing all the work by turning your compost and not over watering the process turns anaerobic and starts producing greenhouse gas bi-products, much like a landfill (best to keep it aerobic and turn your compost when it needs it
• a working compost pile will create temperatures from 30-50 degrees Celsius (I'd recommend gloves)

And of course what would a day at the garden be without a lovely picture (thanks Paul for being our photographer). Ohhhhhh...and also it rained just as we were finishing up so we didn't have a chance to implement any of our new tricks on our pile in waiting, however next weekend our compost pile will be propelled into action by all of us new compost apprentices.

Bert Einsiedel imparting compost wisdom

Mmmmmm, first sprouts showing...

The first tasty signs of veggies to come. In my head I was imagining the wait for germination as Sprout Watch 2011, but upon reflection of the past two years and what I always seem to see first I think Radish Watch 2011 is more fitting. They are so darned fast to germinate, and seem to love our less than stellar spring weather.

On a slightly sadder note my bean plants have succumbed to morning temperatures that must have been darn close to frosting. I guess when every gardener tells me it's to cold to grow beans here, especially down in Harvest Gardens, they are including me; it's not just jaunty banter. Two big lessons thus far and the season is just begun (the radishes having barely popped): don't seed your carrots deep (I only got a handful last year because I can't read seed packaging), and don't try to grow beans in Harvest Gardens (though I managed 7 beans from 4 plants last year).

Below are some pictures of some of our green thumb's planting magic. They are far more encouraging than anything my brown wilting thumb has managed to date.

Herbs and Spices, courtesy of Joanne D.

Love this little touch, now I want one.

Last chance for composting...

We still have some spaces left for the composting class.

Want to learn more about composting and how to incorporate this into your home or community garden plan? Then join us for Composting 101 with Bert.

Composting 101

When: Sunday, June 12 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Where: Harvest Gardens (Harvest Hills Community Garden; from Country Hills Boulevard go south on Harvest Hills Gate, left on to Harvest Hills Drive, right on to Harvest Lake Drive. The garden is located at the west end of Harvest Lake Drive .)
Facilitated by: Bert Einsiedel

Please RSVP to garden@northernhills.ab.ca with name and number of attendees by June 10th.

Brought to you by the Northern Hills Community Gardens .

In order to help defray costs a donation of $5.00 per person is kindly requested at the door. Bring mosquitoe spray and a lawn chair.

Hope to see you there!

Harvest Gardens Kick-Off day photos...

Even more great photos of our busy innaugural work day at Harvest Gardens:

Composting session...

Want to learn more about composting and how to incorporate this into your home or community garden plan? Then join us for Composting 101 with Bert.

Composting 101

When:                         Sunday, June 12 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Where:                        Harvest Gardens       (Harvest Hills Community Garden; from Country Hills Boulevard go south on Harvest Hills Gate, left on to Harvest Hills Drive, right on to Harvest Lake Drive. The garden is located at the west end of Harvest Lake Drive .) 

Facilitated by:            Bert Einsiedel

Please RSVP to garden@northernhills.ab.ca with name and number of attendees by June 10th. 

Brought to you by the Northern Hills Community Gardens .

In order to help defray costs a donation of $5.00 per person is kindly requested at the door.  Bring mosquitoe spray and a lawn chair.

Hope to see you there!

Here we go again...

Oh Mother Nature, what a sense of humour. Last year you throw snow at as, and we chugged on through; this year rain of biblical proportions.

I must say I was feeling a little down in the mouth having seen the lake that was created in Harvest Gardens the day before our scheduled spring planting and work sessions were scheduled. Good thing we have an amazing group of dedicated gardeners, otherwise I would have called it a couch day.

Instead I was able to meet some new people and learn a little bit more about veggies (like everyday when I go to the garden), and the best part of all I got to play in the mud. Sometimes it takes a little rain to bring you back to the good old days of jumping in puddles and making mud pies. It was a day that has energized me for the season. Below are some great pictures of everyone hard at work and play. Looking forward to greening my thumb. See you at the garden.