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!

Tomatoes...

Nothing gets a veggie gardener's attention more than that.

I’m starting to think about what to plant this in my garden, and year after year I always arrive at tomatoes as a good starting point. Part of the reason I think is that there is such a wide variety of plants you can experiment with, which always seems to peak my interest (check this tomato link out if you are interested, Casey’s Heirloom Tomatoes of Airdrie; that’s right they’re local and have an amazing seed catalogue). And also if you’re a bit of a scatter brain like me you are bound to miss some watering days, which tomatoes seem to be somewhat forgiving of in my experience, or lack there of. They are a great looking plant when they start to flower and develop fruit, and have an amazing smell that just screams summer.

 

 Following the scatter brain mindset it seems that every year I have to at minimum refresh my growing acumen, but more realistically re-learn how to do all things gardening; from holding a trowel to turning on the hose.  In this vein I searched out and found an amazing link for growing tomatoes online, it is a free e-book that has all the A-Z’s of tomatoeness, A Rough Guide to Growing Tomatoes. Enjoy, it has really helped me get ready for my great tomato quest. Hopefully this helps get you geared up for spring tomato season.

As winter’s end approaches...

at least according to local groundhogs, people are starting to shift their minds towards spring and summer. Hopefully being outdoors is somewhere near the tops of your spring to do list. One of the best ways to get outdoors in the spring is to dabble in some gardening. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who would just appreciate another seasoned gardener’s opinion there is a number of educational workshops that the community garden group wants to offer to their members this year and if there is interest expand this to all members of the community.

Workshops may include subjects such as:

• Composting Basics
• Starting Plants from Seed
• Food for Small Places
• Growing Food for the First Time
• Vegetable Gardening for Zone Three

Any other ideas would be appreciated and can be sent to garden@northernhills.ab.ca.

If you are interested in vegetable gardening and want to participate in these workshops keep watching the community garden blog or follow the Community Garden link at http://www.northernhills.ab.ca for more information and updates.

There are also some other great local educational opportunities offered by The Calgary Horticultural Society and Green Calgary, being but a few. Below is a great example of a fast approaching event, it looks like a lot of fun.

Time to start getting excited...

The initial plan for the Coventry Community Garden was revealed in a sneak peak tonight. It looks amazing and is the culmination of many hours of surveying and visualizing, all towards finding what will work best for this particular location. Thanks Adrianne, I think everyone is really impressed.

Large Garden Overview (North is the top)

Closer up view of the Community Garden.