Community Gardens - Open Houses

The following information was sent from CHEP.  Click on the images to view full screen.

Fungus problems

Because of the extreme moisture this year, some of the plants are being affected by powdery mildew or bortritis.  Humid, wet weather and already infected plants can spread the spores from this nasty fungus.  Since our garden is supposed to use organic methods, sprays are not recommended.  Removal of the plant or treatment is advised to make sure it doesn't spread.  There are organic methods available. You can google and see what might work for you.

DO NOT COMPOST PLANTS WITH DISEASES.  They can get into the compost and spread even worse next year! Please throw them in the garbage.

From Jay and Lois

UPDATE - Christine suggests this link - http://organicgardening.about.com/od/diseases/p/PowderyMildew.htm

Painted Raised Beds!

The raised beds have been painted!  Thanks to Christine and all of the kids for their hard work.  They certainly look more interesting than those drab dark bins.  Great work!

Just a reminder that if you haven't yet RSVP's for the Potluck, please CLICK HERE!

Common Ground Potluck and Meeting

Before it gets too late to organize, I would like to have a potluck at the garden one evening in August.  If everyone brings something to eat (possibly from their garden) we can have a chance  to say hi and catch up.  It will also be a good opportunity to make some decisions about the direction of the garden so we have a "To Do List" for the fall.  It's been a tough growing season and it will be great to reconnect with everyone!

We will meet at 6:30pm for supper at the Common Ground Community Garden, enjoy a meal on picnic blankets or on chairs, then have a short 45 minute meeting to discuss future plans.  I will choose a date based on the responses I get here.  Please respond as soon as possible so we can all set aside a date that works.  After that, I am willing to organize the potluck, too!  Can't wait to see everyone!

--***--

Please click here to choose a date for our Potluck

--***-- 

Update - Jay, Danae, Rylan, Alex, Lois, Janet, Tina, Denis, Audrey, Christine, Carol, Florence have now responded.

Garden Locks

Allan Cushon, the Manager of Burnett's Key Shop Ltd. has generously donated four locks for our garden.  Once the stock arrives later this week, we will have four combination locks!  Thanks to Allan and everyone over at Burnett's Key Shop!

Click to learn more about the lock.

I have also started a Supporters Page to thank any businesses or individuals that contribute to the garden.  I thought this might make it easier to keep track of all the help we get.

Be Pesticide Free - Pesticides and Human Health

What is a Pesticide?

A pesticide is a chemical or microbiological substance that is designed to kill pests. Pesticides are by definition are toxic because they poison the pest. Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides.  Common examples are RoundUp, Killex, Weed and Feed, and 2,4-D.  Lawn pesticides do not prevent pest problems, they only try to control them once they are present.

 

Exposure

Pesticides are all around us. They can be found in our soil, air, food, and even mother’s breast milk.  If a pesticide is being applied to a lawn, it can be detected 15 metres away. Anyone living in an urban area in Saskatchewan breathes air with measurable quantities of 15-19 herbicides in late spring. Pesticides are also found in water. Drinking water in six Saskatchewan communities was tested and found to be contaminated with an average of seven pesticides.

 

Human Health

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has identified acute health effects in humans including nausea, eye, skin, respiratory and throat irritation, muscle spasms, and even death. Repeated exposure to pesticides has been linked to neurological problems, brain and lung cancer, immune suppression (which creates environmental hypersensitivity), leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, kidney damage, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and reproductive disorders, including endocrine disruption, low sperm count, and sterility. Children are most at risk as they typically play in grass and dirt, and put toys and hands in their mouths, activities that significantly increase their exposure to pesticides.

 

How to Protect You and Your Family

·        Do not use pesticides on your lawn and garden.

·        Pesticides are toxic. Be aware when they are being sprayed in your neighbourhood.

·        Keep kids and their toys indoors when pesticides are being applied and afterward, clean exposed surfaces.

·        Do not spray your pets (flea powder).

·        Use pesticide-free insect repellent like citronella.

·        Buy local organic food.

·        Wash all produce with a mild detergent.

·        Work with local school boards, daycares and sporting complexes to go pesticide-free.

·        Avoid pressure-treated wood.

 

To learn more about alternatives to using pesticides, please visit:

http://www.environmentalsociety.ca/main/resources/publication/pesticide-publications/

Mulching Needed

The garden is looking good, despite the extreme heat.  I hope everyone is finding ways to keep cool.

The mulch pile is still quite high, and the cardboard has been replenished.  Please take some time to do some mulching around your own plots and around the remaining bare paths ans other spots.  We really shouldn't be leaving the mulch pile in the heat for too long, so if you can get out for a bit in the evening it would be great for the garden.

Stay cool!

Jay

Thanks again, Alex!!

From Alex:

The water is back on. I think the leak was caused by the city lawn mower driving over the connection. If you notice water pooling about 20' front the garden, let me know. Thanks.

Looking Good!!!

Everyone's plots are looking great!  Well done everyone! 

If anyone has some large boxes, we will be running out soon and will have nothing to put under the mulch.

Alex and Jay cut the raised beds, drilled holes in the bottoms, and delivered them to the community garden.  Alex says he has some extra soil for the raised beds coming soon.  This is very exciting!

There is a leak in part of the water hose.  There is no water line at the garden right now, but Alex is working on a repair.  For now, there is a bucket by Alex and Lois' raised beds - you will have to haul by hand.  There will be a notice once it is repaired.

Hope everyone is enjoying summer!

Jay