We are changing the world...

Maybe not all at once, but as they say 'baby steps'. My wife was kind enough to point out an article in Alberta Views magazine July/August issue entitled "The Farm Next Door: Why local food - really local - is back on Alberta's political menu". It does a really good job articulating many reasons people have for getting involved with a community garden and local food.

There is also a great local food guide. I always like to take advantage of the summer to explore, trying to find unique local options for food. With this guide you have access to a "cornucopia of options for local fare, including farms, farmers markets, grocers and restaurants". Lots of the places they mention are great, and those that I haven't experienced I'm eager to give a shot.

Reflecting upon how far we have come with our little garden project, and then reading an article like this; I can't help but feeling all warm and fuzzy that we are part of something bigger , something beyond our little garden project; we are contributing to a political/social movement. But hey, if thinking about it that way doesn't float your boat, and in no way shape or form do you ever feel warm and fuzzy; then at least you can say that you're trendy, people are taking notice and writing about your actions, and you're a mere breath away from becoming famous!

Either way our garden rocks! I'm having a blast so far, and hope you are too. Catch you lake side.

Ohhh my aching back...

I think we've covered the notion of relaxing in a lawn chair while enjoying the fruits of our labour, but that requires lugging chairs down to the garden. So much hard work gardening, and weeding, and watering, and, and , and. What more work do we need?  Carrying chairs equals more work. Well we've remedied that, no more carrying chairs around. Thanks to the Devonian Gardens' recent renovation and a few volunteers' efforts (thanks to Deanna for the use of her truck, and Michael and Joanne's muscles) we were able to pick up a pair of beautiful benches for a steal. Check'em out, and better yet try them out. Solid as rocks and a perfect addition to our blossoming garden. They may look a little rough around the edges now but wait a few weeks and you'll see a magnificent transformation. Hmmm...ended up binging a little more work in the end anyway, funny how life is like that. I know a bench for my weary bones will be totally worth it in the end, I'm rather tired of sharing the grass with the mosquitoes. Besides I don't think they like to share.

Time for a little veggie thinning...

No your veggies are not too fat! In fact, the fatter the better I say. But to get them that way you often need to thin out what you have planted. Tightly bunched seedlings don't produce big juicy carrots because there is too much plant competing for too little space, water, and nutrients. I found some helpful information on desired veggie spacing (the Thinning Table below) and also some helpful hints on how to go about the thinning process (a two step thinning hints based on carrots).

A warning; I am not an experienced thinnerer (that is not a real word) so you may want to run these distances by an experienced gardener before you start pulling. But as far as I can tell the spacing distances make sense and the hints on thinning are what I sometimes use when pulling weeds (as far as the watering goes) so I assume they'll work on veggies as well.

Thinning Table

Thinning Hints
The Hints are done for carrots but I think you should be able to apply them to any veggie if you cross reference the Thinning Table.

Step #1
Water carrot seedlings well before thinning. This will allow you to pull them out without breaking the roots, the smell of which attracts carrot root fly. Simply grip the seedling to be removed between thumb and forefinger and pull. Aim to leave seedlings at 1" spacings.

Step #2
After three to four weeks, repeat the thinning procedure to leave the seedling at a spacing of 2" apart. This second thinning usually produces tiny carrots that can be trimmed for use in salads or as a garnish (thats right, eat'em don't toss'em).

One week and our name will be born...

Submissions have been flowing in for potential names to our garden. With only one week remaing until the June 30th deadline we have over 20 entries. I have a feeling it will be a difficult vote to win as there are some terrific names floating around. There is still time for everyone's ideas to be heard, email your best to cmroy@yahoo.com with Garden Name as the subject.