slow beginnings

Despite a cold start, we have hope that spring is coming soon! Below are some pictures from our recent meetings.

NEXT MEETING IS SUNDAY, MARCH 25 AT 10AM! EVERYONE WELCOME!

Last week we planted Space Spinach, Tyee Spinach, Radishes, and Arugula (along with red Fife Wheat in another bed)
Next time we will cover this with plastic to warm the soil for our warm crops.
there is not much left from last year, but this black tuscan kale is alive and well, and delicious to boot!

weeding...an endless task....

strawberry and blueberry patch.
this is our attempt to prevent dogs and other animals from going through the beds.
same day as above, Feb 24th after the soil was delivered.

John from West Creek Farms delivering soil.

We were thrilled to receive much needed soil for the garden this morning. A big shout out to Denise, Manuel, and Tracey for coming to help out - your support is very much appreciated!! Through quick work, we were even able to get done before the snow fell - whew! Thanks also to Catriona and Carole for organizing, and of course to SPEC for financial support. We look forward to working with this (mostly) blank canvas!!

Winter Green - February 19, 2012

So good to get back to the garden - and the rain let up long enough to do some planting - a new blueberry bush - Patriot - an early one with excellent taste, also did a block of Sugar Sprint and Sugar Lace II snap peas and two rows of purple pod snow peas .... and two rows of small seeded Lorane favas - a good start to the season - pea and bean seeds were treated with inoculant to help the plants grow better

A great harvest of parsnips (delicious roasted with a wee bit of salt and olive oil) - and have a look at the potato onions - came through the winter and thriving ........

Putting the Garden to Bed - November 16, 2011

Just to complete 2011 - a few final pics .... lots of leaves to feed earthworms and beneficial microbes and enrich the soil

a compost story

Sept 18 Fall Clean Up Begins

Look at the length of this spaghetti squash vine!! Mildew had taken over the leaves and no more fruit visible - so out it comes

Compost in our three bins has really worked down over the hot weather - this is the second full bin that has been emptied into our beds - lots of eggshells, fruit and veggie peelings mixed with dry leaves saved from last autumn and dry straw .... the best amendment for your garden

Cherry tomatoes are producing well now, although we did lose a good part of our crop to unidentified taste testers, and the red mustard keeps on growing and growing

Almost time to start saving leaves again ......

Sept 11 - Flowers Aplenty - Red Mustard Takes Over

What spectacular end of summer weather we have been enjoying -

bouquets of flowers from the garden

and the red mustard planted for winter harvest has taken over its bed ... this bed was amended with a whole composter worth of compost just prior to planting seeds; the brussels sprouts transplants are also growing well, although suffering somewhat from pest damage

Sept 4 - No Glut of Squash - Winter Garden Progressing

We managed to harvest another spaghetti squash - three in total out of the original 15 or more that disappeared

And look at our winter veggies - turnips are growing well

The beans continue to provide a bountiful harvest and the sunflowers are at their best as the end of summer approaches ........

Aug 28 - Purple Beans and Yellow Tomatoes

The last weekend in August - and the beans and tomatoes are producing ........

Weather has been amazing and the warmth is just what we needed to give the tomatoes their final boost toward ripening

August 21 - First Ripe Tomatoes! and More

First Ripe Tomatoes - Sungold!!

Dahlias continue to provide colour - look at this split colour

The bean teepee is taking off, the late sown veggies (turnips and Asian greens) are sprouting and the garden is looking good in its summer spender

More to Harvest More to Sow - August 14

Another Sunday at the SPEC Cambie Garden - rather disheartened that five of our spaghetti squash have disappeared - but we did manage a rather fine harvest of potatoes

We are also trying out some seed tape - no need for thinning - hopefully we will have some lovely Little Finger carrots by mid-October

Dahlias are looking lovely and we have baby beans on our purple pole beans

More radish (China Rose) and Chinese Greens (Tah Tsai) were also seeded in hope of a bountiful fall/winter harvest

Harvest at Kitsilano School Garden

Yesterday morning we had a bountiful harvest of garlic at the Kitsilano Secondary garden. Twenty kids from Kicks for Kids Daycamp (ages 6 and 7) came by to pull up the pungent bulbs. There was a brief demonstration on garlic braiding and we discussed the importance of storing our summer crops for use throughout the year. In a couple of weeks when the garlic has cured the kids will bring their own bulbs home for planting, cooking, and amateur vampire hunting.

After the harvest, we reseeded the beds with some hardy vegetables. The kids chose turnips and spinach from the seeds provided. We then watered the garden and spent a bit of time looking at insects.

It's truly inspiring to spend time in the garden with such animated and inquisitive children. Many of whom were excited about the idea of planting their garlic bulbs and watching them grow over the fall, winter, and spring. Thanks again to Kicks for Kids for all your enthusiasm. Hope to see you all gardening again soon!