Newsletter Summer 2018

SPIRAL BED
The spiral bed was built by Peter and Chris Murray of Yhcrana Organics, using old logs, brush, compost, wood chips, and soil, that eliminates any need to apply chemically synthesized fertilizers.

2018
2018 is providing weather extremes of temperatures and drought conditions are proving challenging for our food growing. However, faithful volunteers and plot renters are keeping things green and flowering, harvesting rave comments from visitors - especially for the beautiful blue false indigo flowers and now the prolific daisies.

.


 
PLOTS
Determined plot renters are seeing plants taking hold thanks to regular watering. It’s getting late to start a bed now, but unrented beds will be rested or green-manured for the future. The former lasagna bed is ‘under construction’. Contact Julie at 705-526–0740 or jwb@bellnet.ca for rental information.


.

SHARE THE WORK, SHARE THE HARVEST.
The central herb and salad beds are underway and the Parks Dept has topped up the north pile for path-mulching around the rental plots. We certainly invite sharing of our prolific mint and oregano!

.

.

WORKNIGHTS – WEATHER PERMITTING
Julie will be in the garden from 7–8 pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings. These nights encourage meet-up with MCG gardeners.  Sunday nights include music to weed by as we are within earshot of the Sunday evening concerts. Julie will try to meet needs for tools, etc, at other times. 705-526–0740 or jwb@bellnet to make arrangements.
 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT TUESDAYS – WEATHER PERMITTING
Meet at the Gardens, 7-8pm.

July 3 – Watering; compost tea for plants; mint infusion for us!

July 10 - Herbs

Please bring questions and suggestions for more Tuesday nights.  Or send to Susan at s.hirst@rogers.com.
 
SOIL FERTILITY BUILDING – aka COMPOSTING

We now have some of our very own MCG compost for garden use.  Pat’s family has again provided leadership in the north compost bins. Peter D brought bags of leaves last fall for the south bin.  Jean is spearheading our new partnership with Operation Grow and bringing us compost from that indoor growing facility every Friday.

FRUIT TREES AND BUSHES
The trees survived the  winter, and the apple trees have set fruit. We would love to have a volunteer who would make weekly visits and advise on the care of the trees. The cherry tree has been planted in the centre of the children’s garden. The fruit bushes have fruited but not showing signs of filling out yet.

GARDEN TOUR
Always worthwhile. Organized by the Midland Horticultural Society. Saturday, July 14.