Garden Site at High School

Soil and Compost

Tomorrow, Friday, May 30, we will be spreading the soil and compost on top of the cardboard at the high school garden. Photos will follow.

Peas on Balcony- Thunder Bay 2004

Thunder Bay Our Balcony 2005: Basil and Tomato

First Plant at Community Garden

Hand in The Garden

Rainy Day in The Garden

Extending the Gardening Season

Tree Fruit Home Garden Factsheet - Cherries

It looks like we will have a cherry tree at the PRP site, sour cherry.



Tree Fruit Home Garden Factsheet - Cherries

Garden Tourism

Municipal World, May 014 "According to the 2013 book "Garden Tourism" by Dr. Richard Benfield,... "More people visit gardens in America than go to Disneyland and Disney World combined.... making garden tourism one of the largest growing sectors in the tourism market."

so lets get gardening and grow our hometowns.

Beans, corn, squash

One of the more commonly know plant associations is beans, corn and squash. It is a First Nations planting method that goes back for several centuries and is often associated with the Iroquois.

Now corn is not often a crop that a backyard gardener, unless the backyard is a good size will plant but it can be a great community garden crop and the sisters can make an excellent shared garden within a community garden.

However, if you have the space or simply want to experiment then the 3 sisters will increase your yield and reduce your labour.

The three plants work together to help one another grow and help the grower get a healthy crop. The beans grow up the corm stalks and provide the nitrogen that helps the corn grow and the squash is planted between the corn rows and acts as living mulch and thereby reduces the need to weed and water.

High School Permaculture Site

The first steps towards developing a permaculture site at a local high school have been taken. An agreement has been struck with the school to develop this project, working with the students,and providing fresh food for their kitchen. Photos and details will follow. There will be a greenhouse.

Apples most pesticide-laden fruits in the U.S. according to industry report - The Weather Network

Another good reason to grow your own or buy from a local, organic source.



News - Apples most pesticide-laden fruits in the U.S. according to industry report - The Weather Network

Permaculture: Changing the Narrative | Jacob Devaney

It is time for each of us to change the narrative.


Permaculture: Changing the Narrative | Jacob Devaney

Why Do You Garden?

A question for discussion: Why do you garden?

There Is A Garden Under The Snow

Small Space Gardening

Small spaces may present some gardening challenges but with a bit of planning and careful thought you can create a great garden in the tiniest of places. Be it backyard, balcony, or rooftop, the space can be transformed into a green oasis.

To get started ask yourself the following questions:

1. How do you currently use the space? Is it a quiet getaway; a place for you children to play, or pets to roam, for entertaining?
2. What do you want to grow, herbs, flowers, annuals, perennials, shrubs, fruit tees, vegetables?
3. Thinking about a water feature?
4. Do you use it as an outdoor office?

Once you have answered these questions, here are a few more to ponder.

1. How much money are you willing to spend, on hardscaping, plants, watering system and décor, lights, garden art?
2. How much time do you have to look after your garden?
3. What specific challenges do you need to address, sunlight blocked by nearby buildings for example, ugly view?
4. Measure the space and draw a plan. You do not need to be an artist but setting in down on paper will help you focus.

You are now ready to create you garden plan, an of course, there are more questions.

1. Are you growing in containers? If so, you need to select containers that are the appropriate size for the plants you choose and fit in with your overall décor.
2. Is there a view you which to hid? If yes, then you may want to include a trellis and a climbing plant such as English ivy or you could consider ornamental grasses; it depends upon the situation.
3. Do you want to add lighting, furniture, garden art? If you do they must flow with the design.
4. Think up, small spaces are ideal for growing vertically; you can use trellises and other supports or stackable plant holders for herbs, for example.
5. Fill in all the items that will be in your garden on the plan, again, accurate representation is not the goal, only you need to be able to understand it. Label items, such as chair, light rose, peas.