More ways to learn...

Here is another great opportunity before the season gets fully underway. It is offered by Green Calgary. Here are the details:

Organic Veggie Gardening for Beginners

April 19, 2011   7:00pm - 9:00pm

Hillhurst United Church
1227 Kensington Close, N.W
Calgary, Alberta T2N 3J6
Canada

The Details:
Planning your first vegetable garden this summer and wondering about how to get started?

Green Calgary's Healthy Homes program has teamed up with Kathleen Van Ihinger from Harmonic Herbs Farm to bring you an evening of Organic Veggie Gardening for Beginners.
Learn about choosing seeds, planting, site and soil preparation, and about vegetable varieties that thrive in Calgary.
Kathleen is co-owner of Harmonic Herbs Farm where she strives to grow and raise the majority of her family's food organically on 12 acres in central Alberta. Harmonic Herbs provides open-pollinated, short-seasoned seeds and niche herbal teas for Albertans. Kathleen is former Acting Director of Green Calgary and former Cooking Class Director and Buyer for Community Natural Foods.
We know Kathleen's passion for plants and enthusiasm for all things seedy will leave you feeling inspired!
Tickets are $10 in advance (through Eventbrite).

Milk Jug Planting...

One of our more experienced gardeners has tried Milk Jug Planting in the past (it was recently mentioned in the Calgary Horticultural Society article on February 25th) and says it works great. Brenda does it slightly differently and has outlined her process below. Thanks for the tips Brenda.

Sowing in milk jugs definitely works.  I had great success last year with a couple of differences from the article. 

1.  A starter mix tends to work better than potting soil -- less damage to roots when transplanted.

2.  Don't keep the lids on the jugs -- moisture builds up and can cause mold/rot the plants.

3.  Don't worry about punching holes in the bottom - the slits and open top are plenty of ventilation and you don't want roots to grow outside the container or your new plants may be damaged when transplanting.

4.  I use packing tape rather than duct tape -- easier to open when ready to transplant.

5.  Be sure to label the jugs -- a black felt marker worked fine for me.

6.  Place jugs in the snow in any area of the yard that gets the most sunshine.  I put these along a fence or building (protected area) rather than out in the middle of the yard.

7.  Sow seeds as suggested on packages (ie. some take 6 weeks to germinate and some take longer) so bear in mind when you want to plant these out. 

8.  Don't worry too much about checking for moisture.  The jugs are unlikely to need additional water for 6 weeks or so unless the weather gets unusually warm.

9.  Use a utility knife to cut the jugs -- easier than a kitchen knife.

10.  Milk jugs work great but you can use other plastic jug as long are they aren't opaque.  For instance, I use windshield fluid jugs too.  Rinse all jugs well.

More great offerings from the Calgary Horticultural Society...

If you don't get the regular Calgary Horticultural society Newsletter you may be missing out. Below is an excerpt from their most recent online newsletter. If it interests you I would definitely subscribe.

PINING TO GROW SOMETHING? ANYTHING AT ALL? Join the fun by taking in a special talk this Friday, February 25th "ALL ABOUT SEEDS" All you need to know about seeds from ordering catalogues through to transplanting them into the garden once the warmth of spring is here. For more information and to reserve your seat click here:  WE HOPE TO SEE YOU!! New talk: March 25th- 'Growing Food for the First Time'

SEEDY SATURDAY Mark your calendars, put on your gardening shoes, get ready set go! Seedy Saturday in 2011 is bigger, better and more exciting! When: MARCH 19TH from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Where: Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall  (NEW LOCATION!!)            1320-5 Ave. N.W. Parking and Transit: limited parking on site, but lots of street parking and Transit routes What: exhibitors, presentations,seed exchanges, kid's corner and much more Cost: Just $2 (accepting Calgary Dollars too) Sponsored by: The Calgary Horticultural Society and your Community Garden Resource Network For more information check the Seedy Saturday website.

WHAT DO MILK JUGS AND SEEDS HAVE IN COMMON? Milk jugs are perfect for community gardeners that don't have space indoors to start seeds! All you need is a supply of 4L milk jugs (Starbucks has lots), potting soil, seeds and enthusiasm. Drill some holes in the bottom of the jug, a couple of slits near the top for ventilation, then make a horizontal cut about 4" from the bottom around 3 sides of the jug. Fill the jug with 3" of potting soil, thoroughly moisten and allow to drain. Sow the seeds according to the directions on the packages. Lower the lid back down and seal with duct tape to keep closed. Set outside in the snow. The seeds will germinate nicely when the sun provides enough light and heat. Monitor to make sure the soil stays moist but not wet, and as the days grow warmer take the cap off to let the heat out or make bigger holes for ventilation. When the time is right transplant out into the garden plot, and you will have climate hardened seedlings ready to take off this summer. It is a perfect way to get the whole family involved. The only word of caution....it is addictive!