Making Plans for 2022
Gardening may not be top of mind deep in mid-white laden winter, but it is certainly encouraging to envision the greenery we’ll have come spring.
Virtual learning event: Preparing for spring gardening
Saturday, February 12, 2022; 1:30-3:00pm
Members and potential members are invited to participate in a virtual event on planning your plot garden and starting your seedlings indoors for the coming season. This session will cover plot layout, seed selection, seeding basics (what to buy, how to germinate, when to start, etc.), as well as a question-and-answer session at the end. We encourage our membership who are new to gardening to participate as this will set you on a track for great success this coming season. Held using Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/yqm-iccw-djg Or dial: +1 587-786-7689 PIN: 212 989 466#
Grow for Parkdale initiative
Thanks to major donor Greg Strahl, Goldenrod gardeners were able to participate in a weekly harvest donation to the Parkdale Food Centre, a truly remarkable first season contribution to help feed those in need in Kitchissippi. To expand on this successful experience, we are planning an initiative, in which willing gardeners commit 50% of their plot’s harvest this year to the PFC. The PFC is very receptive and appreciative of this idea. What they are looking for is a large quantity of produce: potatoes and tomatoes may be best given their hardiness, and the fact that our problem voles don’t like them.
Anyone interested in planting for “Grow for Parkdale” please contact inbox@goldenrodgarden.org
First Timers: It’s been brought to our attention that a few new committee members would like to get their hands dirty although they don’t have a plot yet and/or need some garden mentoring. Putting them “to work” with maintenance/cleaning of the gardens as well as partnering them with seasoned gardeners who need help and could do some mentoring in the process, can be a benefit for all concerned. Those interested in this initiative, either new or experienced gardeners, please forward your comments/questions to inbox@goldenrodgarden.org
Vole Patrol: Diane Morin is still looking for feedback from gardeners about the uninvited vole visitors at our garden:
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being “extreme”) how much damage did the voles do to your garden this year?
When did you first notice vole activity?
Were any of your plants untouched by the voles?
Did you respond to the vole activity by erecting barriers? By adding malodorous plants? Did anything work?
Have you any strategies in mind for 2022?
Send in your info to inbox@goldenrodgarden.org
In contrast to our lack of success catching voles, our email spam filters seem to have been over-active and caught the December newsletter for many recipients. If you missed it, you can find the newsletter on our website (https://kitchissippi.wixsite.com/goldenrodgarden/post/newsletter-16-december-21
Pollinator Garden Committee: The GCG pollinator garden committee is currently busy:
Researching plants to plant in the garden.
Reaching out to other local pollinator garden groups to learn more about planting a successful pollinator garden.
Calling for volunteers: We are looking to build a team to plan for and build a pollinator garden within the Goldenrod Community Garden space this coming spring. No experience is required. If this is of interest to you, please send an email to inbox@goldenrodgarden.org with “Pollinator Garden” in the subject line.
From the Board
Thank you to all those who participated in our visioning activities. In early January, the Board reviewed the input and outlined a vision which reads:
We envision a garden community in Kitchissippi that:
Supports relationships, mental health and wellbeing; This garden community is supported through a physical space where people can gather, garden together and hold events.
Stewards the environment, provides connection with nature, and restores relationships with the land (birds, flowers, trees, insects); the space is beautiful, operations are sustainable (including water source).
Is inclusive and diverse; Indigenous people and values are included; there is diversity in income, age, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, abilities, gardening approaches
Provides opportunity to educate and learn in community: on gardening, food, and other related topics.
Your comments and input are welcome.
We are now articulating our strategic priorities for this year. Our current priorities include submitting a proposal for funding from the Community Gardening Network for a Phase 2 build, building a pollinator garden and developing seating at the garden. As well, we are working to have space for community garden plots considered in the Tunney's Pasture plan.
We are also looking forward to our first educational event in mid-February. We hope you can join us on google meet to learn from two of our board members as we get ready for spring gardening.