The Beetles (not the good ones)

This is from Gord Androsoff at CHEP regarding the dreaded Colorado Potato Beetle:

Hello everyone,

A couple of gardens have reported damage by Colorado potato beetle. 

When it comes to organic control options the best is to pick off the adult beetles, larvae and eggs.  They should be disposed of in a container of soapy water to ensure they are terminated.  Squishing the beetles is also an option but a bit more icky.

Other information indicates the use of neem oil or vacuuming them off plants with a dustbuster.  Another local gardener has suggested wetting down the plants and then spreading flour (through a cloth bag or cheese cloth) on the plants as this may prevent the beetles from finding the leaf surface a place they want to be.  Be sure you let other gardeners know this is flour and not an insecticide treatment.

There is alot of information on the web.  I have included a document titled Colorado Potato Betle-Organic Control Options that gives a fair bit of detail.  It is 6 pages but the last 2 are a list of references.

6:00pm Garden Tour

Darren Hill, the city councilor for North Park/Richmond Heights would like a tour of the community garden.  If you're interested in speaking with him or showing off your plot, please meet us at the Common Ground Community Garden at 6:00pm.

Jay

The garden is looking great!

Great work everyone!  Rylan and I finally got out tonight and planted our raised beds.  We really want to thank Lois so much for the inspiration and lots of ideas and help.

Deb mentioned that her granddaughter and Danae's daughter would like to plant some vegetables.  I know Rylan and I would love to see some kids out there growing plants, but if you have anything to say, please make some comments over on the Message Board (on the right of the blog ------>)

If anyone would like some help on using the blog message board, please phone me.  I am willing to come to you and your computer to show you how you can add your voice to our blog.  It will only take a few minutes!

At the garden today:

All used plots in the garden have been marked off.  Carol purchased some raised beds but had already planted so she placed them on some unused space, planted potatoes, and plans to keep the sections weed free this growing season.  Alex and Lois have pumpkins and other vining plants and will plant through some of the black plastic.  If anyone has any comments about this, please use the message board on the right-hand side of the blog. -------->

A big thanks goes to Cindy and all the folks at Novatex Graphics who have supplied enough corrugated plastic to edge 512 feet of the garden.  Rylan and I have cut all of the 8" pieces.  The plan is to dig around the perimeter of the garden and create a root barrier from the quackgrass.  We tried to get started but the ground is like digging through wet clay, because, well...it IS wet clay.  I am gone until Sunday with grads, bowling playoffs, and a camping trip with my students.  If any gardener would like to start edging the outer perimeter of the garden, the pre-cut pieces are in our raised bed shown in the image below. The pieces can be placed about a 1/2 inch above ground level, so it doesn't become a tripping hazard. You will need a good shovel!

Deb commented that when she went to the garden yesterday there were five seniors from Luther Height having a walk through the garden.  It's good to see them enjoying it with us.  When I return I will get in touch with Alex to get moving on the raised beds for Luther Heights.

Have a great weekend, I hope to make it out to the garden in the sunshine on Sunday!!!

Jay

Sunday, rainy Sunday!

There are still 8 4x8 raised beds available for $5 a piece.  Please help yourself and see Alex to pay for them afterwards.

Please read the minutes from the meeting on Saturday, June 16 - there is a lot of important information and updates.

Jay

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Thanks to everyone who came to the meeting and the garden today.  A lot was accomplished today and there's still lots to do...IF it stops raining.

Meeting Minutes

Garden Pictures - Jay has added all of the pictures to his online photo album for Common Ground Community Garden.  Click here to see the CGCG Photo Album.  Feel free to email Jay (jaykennard@gmail.com) if you have any pictures you would like to add to our photo album.

New Blog Message Board - On the main page of the blog (to the right) there is now a place that ANYONE can post comments, questions, or suggestions.  Please use it!

Topsoil and Compost - Alex is still bringing some top soil, but because of the weather it is just not possible to get a load to the garden.  We will let everyone know when the topsoil and compost are available.

Raised beds for Seniors - We are going to go ahead with the plan to use 10 former city garbage bins to make raised beds for Luther Heights.  There is still lots of support and interest in gardening, especially from one special woman who came by to say that she wished she could garden but her back just can't take it.  She is very excited to know she might be able to get her fingers dirty!  Alex and Jay will work on getting these picked up and installed.

Raised beds for Gardeners - There are currently 10 4x8 raised beds, available for $5 a piece.  Right now they are resting on black plastic to help kill off weeds in non-gardened areas.  If you would like one, please help yourself.  You can see the raised beds and how you could use them on the new Raised Beds page.  Click here to learn more.

Mulch - Alex has a connection that will deliver mulch for the cost of the delivery.  We will use some CGCG funds to pay for it.  Once it arrives we will give everyone at least a weeks notice for a work bee to lay down weed blocker and mulch.  Jay will look into the weed blocker from a few places, including the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.

Shelter/Storage - Danae will contact Sharon at Saskatoon Parks to find out what regulations might be involved in making a simple shelter.  Alex would like to sink 4 4x6 posts into the ground and make a sloped metal roof.  This would give us something to start locking up garden tools for everyone's use. We will wait to hear back from someone at the city before we proceed with this.

Time to Get Planting - There were lots of people out working the land today.  We'd like to remind everyone who has a plot to try to get out and begin in some way.  The battle with grass and weeds has begun, so it's important we all stay on top of this.  Jay is going to email several local sign companies to see if they have any scraps of plastic signs that could be used for edging around the entire garden.  The grass is already trying to encroach back into the garden so we'll try to bury an edge at least 6 inches all the way around the garden.

Donations - If you would like to approach local business for donation for the garden, you may choose to use the generic request letter created by Danae.  You can download it on the Documents Page of the blog.  Please email Danae at danae.tlr@gmail.com if you use the letter so we can keep track of donation requests.


Happy Gardening!
Jay

Improving clay soil

I found a pretty good article about clay soil.  It's a good read and might start some discussion.

Improving Clay Soils - Fine Gardening Article

Our Garden Plots

Danae sent this drawing of our garden plots with all the names on them. Looking good!

Garden Meeting Saturday

For everyone who is able to make it, please come to a garden meeting at:

9am Saturday, June 16

(at Common Ground Community Garden)

We will discuss our progress and discuss what remains to be done.

Update from Luther Heights

From Deb:

 

On Wednesday June 13^th I met with Lynn Szuba, Manager at Luther Heights.  Lynn has been very supportive of our project and tells us that the majority of the residents at Luther Heights are positive about it!  Several residents have expressed interest in having raised beds (or plots) in the garden when these are ready.  Lynn was also very impressed with the trenching work done by our volunteers – the careful way the work was done and the fact that it left no mark on the lawn when the work was done (well done Alex, Jay and Rylan).  Thanks to Luther Heights for partnering with us!  Cheers, Deb

(From Jay & Rylan - Alex is a pro, we learned lots from him!)

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

There are two posts today - please read both!


From Danae:

 

The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan is currently offering My Healthy Community Grants up to $4000.  The focus is on supporting individuals, groups and organizations which are planning or already at work in areas related to healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco reduction.  Read more here http://www.heartandstroke.sk.ca/site/c.inKMILNlEmG/b.6723065/k.4164/Heart_Healthy_Children__Youth.htm?src=vnt

 

The deadline for this grant is June 30th, 2012.  If anyone thinks we should apply for this grant and is interested in taking this on, please contact Danae.

 

From Alex:

Hi NPRH Community Gardeners, I was able to finish burying the water line and hooking up the water to the Luther Heights building. We now have water to the garden, Presently, I have turned off the water valve at the building, just in the event there should be a leak, but I am sure it will be fine. There is provision to attach a garden hose in the garden area. I'll install a post with a locking cap, when I figure out the best way to proceed. I was in contact with the fellow with the mulch, nothing confirmed yet. I have dropped off the raised beds at the hill. If anyone needs help, let me know, so I can help. I have a donation of topsoil from the business I deal with, but with the rain as of late, it will be a while. Hoping for sunnier days ahead.



Sunday, June 10, 2012

From Danae:

Despite the rain, some people managed to get out to the garden this weekend.  Congratulations Lindsay, Susan, Deb and Audrey & Denis.  You are officially the most determined of the bunch!!

Signage

I've started a new page to show any signage estimates that come up in the next week.  If you have anything to add, comments, suggestions, etc. please email me directly - jaykennard@gmail.com.

http://commongroundcg.blogspot.ca/p/signage.html

Rain, rain, go away.....

Click here for the Saskatoon weather forecast

I'm sure everyone is chomping at the bit, but try not to get too anxious.  Three years ago I wasn't even able to get in to my garden until June 3 because it was under water.  And my friend's grandmother swears she never once planted before June 10 to make sure she never got hit by frost.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  The rain isn't too bad, I hope you can get out for some fresh air!

Jay

New Garden Plants

From Jay:

Rylan and I purchased some new plants for the north side of the community garden today.  We now have four Red Mammoth Raspberries, and 3 Haskaps (Borealis, Indigo Gem and a Pollinizer).  Once the compost is ready we will make a new spot for them. 

I will be working on report cards so will be out of commission for most of the weekend.  Please continue to take pictures and send me updates! 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

From Danae:

Click here to view all Common Ground Photos

  

Christine and I were at the garden this evening.  We staked out and labeled plots for everyone who has signed up.  Feel free to go check it out.  If you have any questions you can contact me by email or phone.

A few familiar faces showed up to say hello at various times throughout the evening, Tina and her son, Susan and Deb, all members of the garden collective.  We also had visits from several curious but friendly neighbours.

We still have a lot of work ahead of us.  Plots and raised beds still need to be prepared for the residents of Luther Heights, the water needs to complete its journey to the garden, compost, top soil and mulch need to be delivered. 

Christine and I plan to be at the garden on Saturday morning, weather permitting.  Hope to see you there.

Common Ground Sign Design

Calling all Local Artists, Designers, and Creative Types

Common Ground Community Garden is calling for design proposals for the permanent sign that will be erected on the site. The sign should be of durable and long-standing materials and contain the following text:

Common Ground Community Garden

-where everyone has a view-

Your proposal should include:

• Dimensions
• Building materials
• Detailed drawing of the sign-face and lettering (doesn’t have to be to scale)
• Indicate if the sign is free-standing and one or two-sided, or a ground, or affixed sign
• Space to incorporate or allow for the logos of the City of Saskatoon and/or other funders

You should also indicate in your proposal if you can make/build the sign yourself, or if you are just submitting the design.

Be wildly creative, innovative and fun!

Deadline for submissions is July 16^th, 2012

Final selection will be made by consensus by voting on the blog site. Email blog site for more details or questions (jaykennard@gmail.com)

UofS Fruit Program Plant Sale

Sorry I didnt get this up sooner.

The 2012 UofS Fruit Program Plant Sale is tomorrow, Friday, June 8, from 9am-3pm.  Every year they sell hundreds of cherry, plum, raspberry, and haskap trees, as well as lots of ornamentals and indoor plants. 

Click here to view the Sale Poster

I still have a possible lead on some raspberry bushes from a friend, and I will be picking up a few from the plant sale for the community garden.

http://www.fruit.usask.ca/

Jay

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Hello everyone.  Today has been a busy day for the community garden.  Here are three posts from our gardeners!  -Jay

From Deb:

On Wednesday evening, Denis, Audrey and Jeff took up the shovels and continued trenching to the end of the remaining water line. The end of that line is now only about 20 feet from our garden site.  Thanks folks!

Also, if anyone wants about 2 pounds of seed potatoes, please contact me by email or at 664-3623. Variety is AC Ptarmigan, which I just Googled to find that its a Saskatchewan cultivar!  It's described as 'extremely early maturing (55-70 days), smooth buff skin, cream flesh, high yielding, and good for cooking (boiling, frying)'.


 From Alex:

Hi Jay, I picked up the rest of the raised beds from Fran's Herbs, Some boards will need to be replaced, but they will still work out. My trailer fits thru the service opening to the hill, so I'll be able to dump onto the garden directly. As far as the shed design, I'll make up a couple possible suggestions, and let the collective decide.  I'll look into the tiller at Wilson's. The caretaker at Luther Heights already cut the grass where we laid the pipe. Looks good!


From Danae:

Danae and Christine will be in the garden staking plots this evening (around 7ish).  If you're around the garden,  stop by and say hello.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

 

During and after images above.

Alex, Rylan and I (Jay) trenched the water hose on the Luther property today.  It has been patched and repaired.  You can see the rest of the images by clicking here (once there, hit next to see the rest).

Alex is hoping he will be able to get the remaining distance, or at least some water running close to the garden by the weekend.  He was also going to speak to the community association about building a shelter rather than a shed after seeing what happened to the City Park Community Garden.  It's important that we get something out there for shelter and to store tools, hoses, etc.

I hope to have more information for everyone very soon.

Garden Plot Update

From Danae:

As far as I know, the plots are not all staked (unless someone has done it between Sunday afternoon and now). Unfortunately, I am not able to tell you your plot number at this time. As soon as the plots are staked I will let everyone know. Sorry everyone :o( 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tonight at 5:45, Rylan, Alex and I (Jay) will be heading out to the garden to start digging the trench for the water lines from Luther Heights to the garden.  We are not able to use a trencher as the site has not been surveyed for water lines, etc.  If you would like to dig for a couple hours please join us at the garden tonight.

I will be posting an update after tonight to keep everyone updated on the water, compost, and mulch situation.

If you would like to know which plot is yours, please contact Danae directly - you should all have her phone number.  Information will come soon about plots, please do not contact Danae yet.


We have already had a donation of some landscape fabric.  If you have any extra laying around, I am willing to store it at my house until the mulch is ready to lay down at the garden.  Please phone or text me (717-0952) to drop off anything that might be of use.

I am still working on raspberry bushes.  The woman I thought had a bunch had a rough winter and many of the canes did not come up.  I am also willing to water and maintain and berry bush donations that come in so please phone or text me (717-0952).

June 3, 2012

A few of the community garden members met today to discuss what has been happening at the garden and what needs to be done to get things rolling.
 

• The garden has been delayed due to some issues with a very few number of residents at Luther Heights.  Changed had to be made to the original plans which has caused some serious delays in getting started.  The concerns about a good looking, attractive garden are the same concerns we all have and reminds us all of the responsibility to create something beautiful.  We will continue to work with all residents of Luther Heights and hope that over the years we will build something we can all be proud of
• We have opened a bank account and have about $610, a $30 credit from Canadian Tire, $1000 from the NPRH Community Association,  and will be receiving a $1500 grant from CHEP.  Some of this money will be used to pay for trenching the water lines and paying for deliveries to the site (as described below)
• This year will definitely be a building and planning year.  With the late start it will be difficult for all gardeners to do everything they had originally intended.   These first few years, it will take lots of effort to battle weeds and pests so it's VERY important that everyone get out and work their plot as soon as possible.
• Alex, Jay, and Rylan will be working to trench the water lines from Luther Heights to the garden on Tuesday, June 5, starting at about 4pm
• Many of the plots were staked out today making it a lot easier to see where the paths and plots are.  Alex is working to arrange delivery of 60cubic yards of compost to be delivered as soon as possible. The soil contains a lot of clay and will need to be worked with compost and peat/coco husks OR many people may prefer to do raised beds or container gardens.  I know I learned a lot talking to Lois
• With the City Park Community Garden shed burning down, many of us are concerned about the costs and consequences of building a shed.  Alex has proposed building a shelter with a roof where we can attached and lock our tools in cabinets instead.  For the first while it may require gardeners to bring their own tools.
• Alex is working on getting mulch and compost delivered to the site.  The compost will be each individual gardener's responsibility once it's delivered, but the mulch will require a work bee.  The residents of Luther Heights are very concerned about the asthetics of the garden so it would be nice if we could get enough people out to help out once the mulch arrives.  Jay is working on locating landscaping fabric and/or cardboard to protect against weed under the mulch
• Jay is also inquiring about raspberry bushes.  The northern edge of the garden is a bit lower and some bushes to help shelter from wind would be helpful.  (I'll keep you all posted once I know more).
• Please email me (Jay Kennard - jaykennard@gmail.com) if there's anything you'd like me to add to this site.  I just wanted to get something up so everyone knows what's going on.  I hope to have a page on gardening information, workshops, a garden calendar, etc. for everyone to access. I hope this gets the ball rolling!