And then there was green...

I guess it is a good thing when life is so busy you don't have time to blog about it. And in the case of the garden it would be a full time job trying to keep up with all that has happened this year. As a quick run down here are some of the exciting things:

• fresh compost arrived to top up everyone's beds this spring;
• new ornamental beds were carved out and planted (they look fantastic);
• a raspberry bed also made its way into the garden, let hope for some berries;
• we were lucky enough to be able to capitalize on the City of Calgary's Neighborwoods Program and now have some fantastic tree groves (I can see stretching out in the shade reading a book in a few years);
• our compost bin was relocated and stirred;
• we have a wonderful new shed built and painted (what a world of difference);
• our centre piece was planted and continues to look amazing;
• we've had a few battles with the water system (it wouldn't be any fun without challenges);
• and last but not least the veggies are prolific, I know I am seeing considerable improvement from last year.

I haven't been able to get many pictures (included a few below) but it has been great seeing so many fellow gardeners tending their plots. Looking forward to running into you while trying to keep the lettuce under control. I feel a bumper potatoe crop coming on.

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!