Veg in Feb

 A nice bunch of folk have been coming out Saturday's at 10am for our garden work parties. Sure there's not alot of "Veg in Feb", but we do have some plants ready to take off as soon as the weather warms and the sun is a little higher in the sky. Here they are: Lettuce, Spinach, Broadbeans, Kale, Swiss Chard, and of course, the Garlic is up (it was planted last summer).

A reminder to Kale lovers; please don't pick the leaves from the middle of the plants, but just the very lowest leaves. They do not grow at all in the winter, so there will be no new leaves growing until there's more sunshine.

 The news from the City is that we're in line for a grant to replace the rotting 4x4 wood that comprises the raised beds, and a small grant for a slightly larger greenhouse to sit on the same site as our existing greenhouse. Here are a couple of photos showing the kind of wood rot problem we face (it's natural) and our current "cool" poly greenhouse which is well utilized.

click on photos to enlarge.

Also, last week a team of volunteers cleared a small patch of blackberry, roots and all, in order to re-create a place for the seaweed/leaf corral. This is where we build a bin out of wooden pallets to layer seaweed and mown leaves to create soil. In the coming workparties we'll further this corral and fill it, hopefully.

New Greenhouse Plan

Update: Feb 2024 The City has asked we try 8x12' or 10x10' instead.

 Gothic Arch style - Poly covered - no foundation.

The DIGS members are considering the future of their greenhouse growing at the community garden, and whether to increase the size in order to one day have winter meetings in there. There's also planning for three season vegetables,  and considerations of year round food crops while growing in a cool greenhouse.  

Just in case we decide to upgrade we have obtained a 2021 estimate on a very affordable 20x30 foot poly house in the gothic arch style. Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Update: Note that the site for this NEW greenhouse will be on the exact same site as the existing poly greenhouse. It's just 8 feet wider and 10 feet longer. This location (on the right hand side at the back) is the shortest distance to water and power in the garden.

Antler Swamp Restoration Project

 Dear Garden Lovers,

Just next door to the DIGS garden is a wetlands that is being restored, called "Antler Swamp". The creek that feeds it runs along the back of the Community Garden, deep in the blackberry bushes. Right now the swamp is fairly dry, but with enough winter rains, it will become lake-like, and supports wildlife, birds and an incredible number of plant species. Here it is on the map:

 It's named that because of the antler found stuck in a tree. Nancy also spotted a deer missing an antler of the same vintage a few years ago. Here are those photos!

The Restoration project was begun in 2020 and volunteers removed Himalayan Blackberry and other invasives, and cleared the way to planting species that would have flourished prior to the blackberry tangles. Here are some photos of the various plants that Nancy Turner put together in a pdf handout.

You can click on the photos to make them bigger. One of the things that was noticeable from the aerial views is just how much space is taken up by Himalayan Blackberry to the left of Joyce's Greenhouse. This area might be useful for future greenhouse structures, or storage, or compost making activities if cleared.

The City Parks Dept. has been making suggestions as to how best use our boundaries, so we're all looking forward to that. Meanwhile many thanks to the volunteers saving Antler Swamp. What a fabulous project!

October's Dry Weather

click on photos to enlarge them

Gosh has it ever been the longest, driest, warmest autumn that I've ever experienced here on this small island on the west coast of Canada. Holy unexpected long summer. And it follows on the heels of a protracted cool spring that lasted through July.  Very different outcomes for some of the plants!

 We had some heavy raccoon activity in the Community Garden and there was much evidence of dining and digging. Almost every single apple was eaten (from around thirty dwarf trees with at least two dozen fruit, or more, on each tree) over the course of a week, and that represents at least five full families of raccoons, perhaps more!

click on photos to enlarge them

This photo shows raccoon evidence.

 The garlic was harvested, and the squash was cured in the sun inside the garlic/raspberry cage. The loss of three butternut squashes (not raccoon related) required us to lock the gates at night during one month of harvest.

The squash locked inside a raspberry cage 

Note that thieves take sweet things, like carrots and butternut squash, and not broccoli or kale and chard. Hmmmm. Wonder why it's sweets that appeal?

The City Parks Department once again gave very positive feedback about our boundaries within the park, and all is well with the issue of future green houses and storage sheds. We all agree to utilize the screening cover of foliage for the outbuildings, but we do look forward to planning a new greenhouse and perhaps moving it to the sunnier spot where the raspberry bird-netting cage is now.

The Coleman Project (based on the Eliot Coleman Winter Gardening double-greenhouse idea) continues with some success.

A new kneeling/seating stool was purchased to allow a more restful posture while gardening for those who need to use it. It is a green folding metal stool and has a light blue waterproof cushion attached to it. It is folded and kept next to the filing cabinet in the "social shed" (the coffee-pot and calendar shed in front). Help yourself to using it, or bring your own gardening kneeler or stool to save your back when you work raised beds. 

Harvest continues and the broccoli is amazing this year!

New mesclun, lettuce, spinach and and some other winter vegetables have been planted, and the turnips and rutabega and other crops are looking fine! Kale and Chard are beyond tall and gorgeous; they are stellar. Congrats on a great fall despite the strange weather. :>)

Obviously our friends in Azerbaijan don't have the raccoon problems we have:

Grape Harvest and cooking (video) on the other side of the world where they don't have raccoons (probably because they have a great number of dogs!)

Best, Jen

Cooking over wood fires in Azerbaijan

Dear Garden-lovers,

This is my new favourite show on youtube; and I am in love with this peaceful place! It has fruits and vegetables being picked and prepared freshly every few days, it has the seasons as they change in the garden, and it is full of food and pets!! In Azerbaijan in a small village, the best village cook prepares traditional food for weddings and special events. The cameraman/editor is a professional chef who has come home during lockdown and is filming his Mom. The little house has been built especially for filming. Everything is done without electricity and in the old way. Fabulous, restful, no talking, just beautiful landscapes, food and animals.

Very peaceful. See all their videos on one page here.

Cooking over wood fires in Azerbaijan

Preserving pickled vegetables (video on youtube)

Grilled Chicken with vegetables: (video on youtube)

Enjoy! More gardening news to follow, but this is such a great inspiration!

Gorgeous Garlic Braids

 The DIGS garden will be raffling three garlic braids this year, all of which will be drawn at the Island Christmas craft sale at Beacon House Dec. 3. Tickets for the raffle will go on sale shortly.

 Pricing same as last year — $2 a ticket or three tickets for $5. Proceeds go toward our Community Garden.

 The braids are made from the garden’s finest organic European garlic, each containing 16 bulbs and when hung up at home, should last well into next spring. They make fine Christmas gifts for the gourmand in your life.

Also: If you ever wondered how the community garden’s braids are made, there will be a short, 15-minute, how-to demo at the garden next Saturday morning (Sept. 10) about 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Written by Mike Gillespie

ps. Jen adds: We even have an instructional video of Mike and Andria teaching this skill in 2009 on two computer thumbdrives for those who cannot join us at the demo.  Just ask! Mike and Andria's Garlic Braids use a different technique than those shown on youtube and are truly gorgeous to behold.

Harvest & New Lawnmower

 The summer has been HOT. Some crops have been amazing, and some have had an uphill battle. Every year is different of course. But here are some photos to give a quick glance at what is happening at the garden this past weekend.

click on photos to enlarge

Turnip, Carrot, Green Beans, Blueberries, Zucchini, and more were harvested.

 The carrots were grown under  a floating row cover (a white, polyester horticultural cloth called "Remay") to keep out carrot-fly (who otherwise wreck your carrots here). We planted them super-densely spaced, as part of 'The Coleman Project' where we imitate 1875 Paris Market Gardens, growning plants year round for food in a busy metropolis. What are the secrets? The Coleman Book on Winter Gardening explains all about it brilliantly. It's in the P.I. Library too!

 The Blueberries were grown in large pots, in a cage that was netted against birds. Some unknown children kind of wrecked the raspberries this year by bending the tall canes down to grab the berries. The canes got broken. So if you know any kids who came home with berryjuiced faces, please teach them how to pick gently, without breaking canes (or treading on the lettuce below)! Thanks!

Speaking of lettuce, to my tastebuds, it has all gone bitter (that's what it does when faced with too much sun and heat), however others are happily eating it, and don't think it tastes bitter. That's so surprising! We all have different tolerances for bitterness! Wild!!

Well done to Veronica on her direct seeding this year! All her crops have been great, but the chard and beets that just vigorously arose are very good looking this year!

Note to machine lovers, we've just purchased a new electronic lawnmower. Due to the expense of destroying machines, we've decided to have some learning sessions for new and old mowers.

Allotment members please take note; you will need/want to attend a training session on how to use our new grass cutting machines (please)!! We'll give notice on the ProIs4-email group when we're holding the next grass cutting training session. 

See below for AGM minutes and recipes for zucchini that you least expect! :>)

Zucchini Squash Thai Coconut Curry

 

Everyone wants more recipes for the bountiful veggies we're producing right now! Do you have zucchini/squash, basil, red pepper, onion, garlic and do you love coconut and lime? Here's an asian-flare recipe with coconut milk that is a total winner if every veg is still CRISP at the end. So have everything ready to cook because it comes together very quickly. If you get it just right (I told Jim) the summer squash absorbs the ginger and garlic and tastes just like spiced chicken!

Vegetarian Green Thai Curry (for two)

Shopping list: a jar of green Thai curry paste, can of coconut milk*, 1 fresh lime, basil. 

Pantry: ground coriander, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, (Thai fish sauce).

Vegetables: Pattypan squash or zucchini, red sweet pepper, onion or green onion, bok choi or celery or other green (chard), fresh basil.

Slice attractively:

half a zuccini or small round patty pan squash

one third of an onion and red pepper

two big bok choi stems or other greens

Then: sliver the basil

squeeze the lime

mince garlic, grate the ginger

Saute in oil:

Garlic, ginger and 1/2 Tbsp of green Thai curry paste (or to taste) until fragrant (1 min).

Add: sliced patty pan or zucchini (1 min.). Then: 1/2 tsp ground coriander. (30 seconds) Then add remaining vegetables. Saute until tender/crisp.(1 min)

Add half a can of coconut milk, 1 tbsp of brown sugar, salt to taste.  Bring to a boil briefly. Keep veggies crisp. Add fish sauce to taste (opt), basil, and lime to taste. Serve over rice.

Other complimentary dishes: Cashew or teriaki chicken, sweet & sour chicken balls. (recipes on request)

*freeze left over curry paste and remaining coconut milk for next time.

Annual General Meeting Minutes

 click on any photo to enlarge

DIGS Annual General Meeting Minutes

AUGUST 13, 2022

Number present: 20

    1. Kevin called the meeting to order at 1:30pm. “We acknowledge that we are holding this meeting on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw Nation.

    2. Approval of the Agenda:  moved by Jurgen, seconded by Brenda. Carried.

    3. Minutes of 2021 AGM: read and moved to accept by Margaret, seconded by Lin. Carried.

    4. Correspondence: a letter from Carol Mathews who was grateful for the picture sent to her of Mike’s rhodos, planted in memory of Mike by DIGS.

    5. Business arising from the Minutes:  none

    6. Treasurer’s Annual Report: read by Veronica. Highlights are: Opening balance as of January 31/2021:  $5,518.70    Total Revenue: $12,836.20

Total Expenditures:   $4,093.72   Bank Balance as of January 31, 2022:  $8,742.48     Revenue over expenses:  $3223.78     Jane moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report, Kathleen seconded. Carried.

    7. Allotment Coordinator’s Report: Jurgen took over the position of allotment coordinator in October when Maureen stepped down. The wooden allotment beds are rotting and will need to be replaced. Estimated cost - $2000.00. It was suggested that DIGS could cover 50% and the lease holders would cover the remaining 50% - $100 for a full bed  - $50 for a half bed -$33.30 for a third of a bed.  Lin suggested that all  lease holders should raise the funds to improve the beds. Jurgen will communicate to lease holders re: the need to  repair beds and that a fee may be charged to lease holders. Jurgen also mentioned that there are 3 names on the waiting list and that one lease holder with a full bed has offered these 3 people room in his plot to garden while they are waiting for spots to open up. 

    8. President’s Report: Highlights of Jim’s report:  In spite of a lingering Covid threat DIGS managed to organize a plant sale, a dessert auction and a garlic braid raffle this year. All of which were very successful.   Jen C. introduced a new gardening book and possible future system – Eliot Coleman’s Winter Gardening.  Unfortunately, because of Covid concerns the Little Diggers program and the Fall Fair were cancelled.   A field trip was held to the Beban Park Community Garden which has a large and impressive greenhouse and got several DIGS members obsessed with building a bigger, grander greenhouse for our garden. We also hosted visitors from the Beaufort Park Community Garden who were very impressed with our garden.  One disappointment this past year has been the long wait to hear from the Parks about their promise to let us know how much we can extend the current garden boundaries. This has delayed our future plans for the garden. Jim also made a plea for more men to join the Saturday work party. He concluded by saying that the community garden is a “wonder of varied, cooperative activities” and a mix of “energetic, talented, inquisitive and resourceful people”.

    9. Directors for 2023: President – Jim Harris, Secretary – Margaret Harris, Treasurer – Veronica Z. Directors – Jane F., Mike Gillespie,

David E., Jurgen G.

    10. New Business: a) Brenda stated that it is not fair that the two young boys who have been coming to the Saturday work party to offer their help in the garden should be allowed to do so when children of the cancelled Little Diggers program have not been taking part. Jim will speak to the boys’ parents about this. b) Allotment bed fees. Jurgen moved that as of March 1, 2023 the allotment bed fees be augmented by a levy of a $100 per full bed (prorated) to be directed to material costs for bed replacement. Seconded, Mike.   Discussion pertaining to the motion:  a) Brenda – a few allotment bed holders are helping in the garden and it seems that lease holders who don’t help in the garden will pay the same as those who don’t help. Is this fair?  b) Jim – will go to the City to see if the City will help with the costs to replace the allotment beds.  c) Claire – What about using other material ie corrugated steel to replace the wood?   d) Lin – we should research options for procuring funds to replace beds.  e) Brenda moved to refer the motion to the Directors for this issue that they come back to the 2023 AGM in February with facts and options and a recommendation to the members as to the best way to proceed. Lin seconded the motion. Carried   f) Jurgen presented the following notice of motion that the maximum size allotment bed per household be limited to a ½ bed effective March 1, 2023.

Kathleen seconded.  g) Nancy Turner made a motion that DIGS establish a bed to propagate native plants.  Discussion pertaining to motion. Marla – would it have to be within the fenced area? Saturday work party could decide this. Jim – suggested that we wait until the City decided about the garden boundaries. Kevin – is the plan to solely grow these native plants to sell at the plant sale? Jurgen – Yes.  Nancy asked that the motion be accepted. Jurgen seconded. Carried

    11. Announcements:  none

    12.  Meeting Adjourned: 3:04pm

What is "composted manure"?

 

Today at DIGS we wanted to know what the difference was between "composted manure" and just straight manure? What is aged manure? Why do you age it? And what is "too hot" (nitrogen grabbing) to be applied to plants? So when I got home I googled up some quotes for this blog, so we can see what googles. :>)

__________________

What is the difference between "cold" and "hot" manure?

Or, why does manure have to be aged like a fine wine?

And why does the bag say "composted manure"?

___________________

Answer from:  Choose the best poo for you  - GrowOrganic

https://www.groworganic.com/blogs/articles/choosing-the-best-poo-for-you

Quote: Is Your Animal Manure "Hot"?

One thing you should pay attention to regardless of the type of animal it comes from is whether the manure has been aged or composted. Aged manure has simply been piled up; over time the nitrogen turns to a gaseous form and leaves the manure. This will turn a “hot” manure – one that would burn your plants roots if applied fresh–to a “cool” manure that is safe for your garden. All manures except those from llamas, alpacas and cattle need to be aged at least six months before use to be properly cooled.

---------------------------------

From: Australian Gardening blog:

https://flourishandbloomgardening.com.au/2021/10/the-type-of-manure-compost-for-your-garden/

Quote:

Hot & Cold Manure

Manures are generally put into two categories, hot and cold manure. Both hot and cold manure should be composted and aged first before applying it to your garden (between 3-6 months, the longer the better). Below is an explanation why this is.

Hot manure comes from chickens and horses and if used fresh it can burn plants and veggies as this type of manure is high in nutrients. Cold manure comes from cows, sheep, llamas and alpacas. It is low in nutrients and weeds can germinate if used fresh.

----------------

From: Science Direct

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/composted-manure

Quote: 

Composted manure is preferred by many organic vegetable growers because composting reduces potential health and environmental risks of applying raw manure, and the compost contributes to more long-term soil fertility and health (Buchanan and Gliesmann, 1991). 

According to organic standards (USDA, 2017), “composted plant or animal materials must be produced through a process that establishes an initial carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio between 25:1 and 40:1 and achieves a temperature between 130°F and 168°F” (54.4–75.6°C). The C:N ratio is an important consideration when using various composts; it also is a controlling factor in the composting process itself. Composting operations that utilize windrow composting systems must maintain a temperature within the prescribed range for a minimum of 15 days. During this time materials must be turned four or five times (Fig. 2). Heat generated during the composting process kills most weed seeds and pathogens. 

The microbial-mediated composting process lowers the amount of soluble nitrogen forms by converting animal wastes, bedding, and other raw products into humus—the relatively stable organic fraction found in soil (Tyson and Cabrera, 1993). In stable humus, there is little free ammonia or soluble nitrate; as a large amount of nitrogen is bound as proteins, amino acids, and other biological components (Buchanan and Gliesmann, 1991; He et al., 2003). Other nutrients are stabilized in compost as well. 

________________

Well, now we know the long and the short of it. :>)

Clematis Corner

 click on photo to enlarge

click on drawing to enlarge

Under the shade cloth, and when you first enter the gate, if you turn left, by the blue wheelbarrow, you find a lovely set of raised beds, with herb pots in front of them. These are pictured above. Let's call it "Clematis Corner" (note: the hosta needs to move into the shade next year, doh.)

It is one gorgeous corner of the garden!

Here is some news for those who water those beds in front with the ever-changing veggie crops: Beds 17 and 15. Due to some changes in which bed is which, Jim and Jen are looking after the watering for Bed 15. Jen's got Rutabaga duty, and Jim is super-Dad to those carrots under the white cloth. So no worries.

Anyone sharing the watering of Bed 17 should meet eachother eventually. Just a thought (there might be FOUR of you!)

Here is a peek under the white cloth to see the carrots (click on photo to enlarge)

Happy cooler days after that heat wave! And whoops the raspberry canes got crashed by tiny humans (not just raccoons this year). Doh.

Jen