Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, our Annual Garden & Art Tour, which was to be held on June 20, has been postponed until next year. We would like to thank all those who volunteered to be involved. We are only pausing. Once we have a new date, we’ll be sure to let ya’ll know. Pause…… it’s a great word to describe this very difficult time. We are waiting, sheltering in our homes, for the blizzard of COVID-19 to dissipate. Perhaps….one way to avoid feeling all this uncertainty that is enshrouding us is to think about some of the small things we can accomplish. Like – gardening – especially veggies!
Let’s look back to during the Second World War. One of the ways people could feel empowered was to plant a ‘Victory Garden’. Simply put, it was a vegetable garden planted wherever a person could find a bit of soil. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, “The plots, known as victory gardens, were a form of material mobilization: The more produce that could be grown by Canadians, the more railcars and transport trucks were free to move goods other than food. In 1944, an estimated 209,200 victory gardens were being grown across the country.” https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/victory-gardens-editorial
Maybe you have a flower bed with a bit of extra space? You could add a few vegetables in between the flowers. Carrot tops or Kale can make lovely accents. When you’re planting, think – is there something edible that would work well in your spot? Even people who don’t have yards may have a balcony they can utilize. Planters full of different types of lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, peppers can be lovely. Instead of ornamental vines, you could plant climbing vines of peas or beans? Other veggies and fruit that do well in Calgary are zucchini squash, potatoes, tomatoes, beets, green onions, garlic, chives, and strawberries.
Any questions? Check out our website or social media sites.
Stay well,
Laurie Vanderwal
Vice President
Email: info@growingacadia.ca
General Garden Phone: 403-800-8365
Physical & Mailing Address: 332 – 94th Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2J0E8
Our Social Media:
Facebook: @AcadiaCommunityGarden
Twitter: @acadiagarden
Instagram: @growingacadia
We also have a closed group on Facebook that we use as a forum and which you are welcome to join. Search ‘Friends of Acadia Community Garden & Art Society’ and request to join.