Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Goldenrod Community Garden acknowledges that our location is on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. We are grateful to have the opportunity to be present, garden and gather in this territory.
Greetings Fellow Gardeners!
We are all excited and delighted to see our new Goldenrod Community Garden sign! A photo of the sign acts as the banner at the top of this week’s newsletter (.pdf). This feels like a big moment and we applaud the Communications committee for the beautiful design!
And permanent plot number markers have been installed. Garden foliage is so large and lush that you may have to lift zucchini leaves or peek under tomato branches to find yours.
People are discovering Goldenrod. Early Saturday morning there was someone doing yoga on the cut-grass-empty-space. And a couple of local ladies have become regular visitors; they sit on chairs and chat in the shade near the edge of the garden. Cyclists wander through heading to-and-from the SJAM. Friends of members show up to water and weed. It’s a peaceful place to just be.
In other news, we ran out of water last Friday and tanks were refilled on Tuesday.
Last week’s update from the Build team is still valid: we have been busy building the shed and the screen fences that will be used to hide the water tanks. Three compost bins are nearing completion. Some build projects are still works in progress. Please take care around them. We'll be sending more information about the use of the shed and the compost area when each one is 'ready to roll’.
An Official Opening of the Goldenrod Community Garden is coming soon. Because of Covid restrictions, the format will be video. Stay tuned for more details and links.
Susan Harvey, the President of Goldenrod Community Garden’s interim Board, has resigned effective July 5. She will be missed.
Farewell Susan Harvey! A note from our Interim Board
Susan Harvey has served as President of the interim Board of Directors since May 2020 but has been involved with the Goldenrod Community Garden for much longer. Balancing work and family life while leading the building of a community garden under Covid restrictions would have been challenging for anyone. Despite this, she managed to keep the team focussed on the goal with great efficiency and professionalism. Under her leadership the garden was built and various committees were established to meet rising needs as the development of the garden progressed.
Goldenrod finally opened, to much acclaim, on June 5, 2021. While there is still a lot of work to be done, it is evident that the garden is being put to good use by members and feedback has been very positive.
Susan resigned from her position after Canada Day, to devote more time to her demanding profession and to her family. The Board members wish to express their heartfelt thanks for her leadership, her friendship and for all the work she has done to get the garden established.
We wish Susan well and look forward to seeing her wander through the garden to tend her plot without having to worry about the logistics.
Thank you Susan!
Getting to know you
Brigit planted a “mystery garden” in plot 21. She was gifted a number of unlabeled tomato seedlings so she has been watering and weeding, anxious to see what the harvest will be; Beefsteak? Roma? Heirloom? Who knows? Brigit is passionate about alternative food networks so she’s excited to be involved in a community food program that will (she hopes) keep striving to adhere to principles of sustainability. And she loves that Goldenrod is a healthy and fun place to meet neighbours!
The Donor Corner: ASL Contractors, Sandro Ricci
ASL Contractors (Ottawa) is regarded as the pre-eminent local earthworks expert and a leading landscape contractor. This combination of earthworks and landscaping capacities is unique in their market and, coupled with their innovative, service centric, employee focused culture, makes them an industry leader. Company President, Sandro Ricci, is passionate about supporting the building of community gardens across this city!
Goldenrod is grateful for Sandro’s generous donation to the Phase 1 Build Fund.
Sandro serves his community, whether that is supporting Goldenrod Community Garden or Nanny Goat Community Garden or acting as Director of the NCHCA. In 2018, a huge in-kind effort by ASL resulted in the restoration of the pond at the Baxter Conservation area. It is now know as the Baxter ASL Pond where over 4,000 fish, frogs, tadpoles and turtles thrive.
Sandro Ricci is a proud recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal’s 2021 Forty Under 40 Award, which recognizes professional achievement, expertise and community service. Congratulation, Sandro!
Read more about Sandro Ricci and ASL here and here. More about the Baxter ASL Pond restoration here.
Please Donate
Goldenrod Community Garden exists because of the generous support of people like you. Please consider donating funds to our Phase 2 Build and to our ongoing maintenance costs. (Water, water, water…)
Reminders
Remember to visit the Kitchissippi outdoor Community Fridge. The rules of community fridges are simple: take what you need, leave what you can. Please find more information here.
Add your name to the Plot Waitlist for 2022
Please find further details here
Become a Friend of the Goldenrod Community Garden
Anyone can become a Friend; you don’t have to have a plot or even live in Kitchissippi. Please find more information here.
Member Engagement Committee
Interested in helping to plan and execute events and activities at Goldenrod? There’s still time to join! We ask you to please complete this form