Hello Acadia! – June 2021

BASICS OF COMPOSTING


Compost, Garbage, Biological, Waste, Fruit, Vegetables

Hello Acadia Neighborhood!

As we become more environmentally minded, perhaps composting comes to the minds of many.  Last year Acadia Community Art and Garden Society started composting in our rotating compost tumblers which were generously donated to our garden.  (A huge thankyou goes out to our valuable donators!) 

It was the year of the learning curve – wrong things and some things right.  We have since visited other community gardens who have been composting, watching composting webinars and YouTube videos and are learning lots! We hope to have a lovely pile of finished compost by the Fall for use in our garden!

Here are a few of the basics we have gleaned.  

  • The perfect compost ingredients are 1) greens, 2) browns, 3) air and 4) moisture.
  • Ratio of 2 browns to 1 green seem to work well.
  • Greens are the nitrogen part which help heat up the pile as they aid the microorganisms in the pile to grow and multiply quickly.  
  • Greens include grass clippings, fruit and vegetables peels and scraps, weeds (without the seeds), plants, tea leaves and tea bags, coffee grounds, and chicken manure (excellent compost ‘activator’).  Do NOT use diseased plants.
  • Browns are the carbon part whose main job is to be a food source for all the soil-dwelling organisms that work with the microbes. They also add bulk and allow air to filter through the pile.  
  • Browns include woods materials (wood chips, etc.), straw, sawdust, corn cobs, cardboard, and shredded paper.  This is the biggest challenge – finding enough browns.
  • All ingredients added need to be broken or cut into small pieces so there is more surface area subjected to air and moisture.
  • Do NOT add meat, dairy, cooked items, fats and oils (which would cause the compost to smell) or evergreen tree parts. Also, avoid twigs and pieces of bigger wood as they take too long to break down.
  • If your mixture smells sour or rotten, you have added too many greens or it is too wet.  The compost should not be “stinky” smelly but should have a slightly sweet smell! (Who would have thought that!)
  • Turning your ingredients often introduces more air and speeds up the decomposition.
  • Add some water every few layers.  You want moist – NOT soggy.
  • As the microbes break the matter down, they give off heat. Temperatures can reach up to 65 degrees C.  After the mixture cools, worms will move in to finish the process.
  • Any large bits when composting is near finished can be sifted out and put in your next compost mixture.
  • Composting can be done on the ground in a 3’ x 3’ space or using the rotating compost tumblers.

Composting is fun and the satisfaction of turning table scraps, grass clippings, and fall leaves into something which looks like amazing nutritious soil is well worth the effort.   If anyone would like to join our composting committee, please contact one of the following emails:  secretary@growingacadia.ca  OR treasurer@growingacadia.ca.  We would love to have you on our team!

Melody Plummer
Secretary of ACGAS


Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.  If you experience any discrimination or harassment, please contact us on our phone or media sites.

RAIN BARREL FUNDRAISER

RAIN BARREL FUNDRAISER

Upto May 16th 2021

Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is pleased to announce that we have partnered with RainBarrel.ca!

Rain barrels are $80 each and must be pre-ordered online at https://rainbarrel.ca/acadiagarden

 

Each rain barrel includes a leaf and mosquito filter basket, an overflow adaptor, a spigot and an overflow hose.

Orders are due Sunday, May 16th and pre-ordered rain barrels and accessories will be delivered to your home beginning Friday, May 28th

Help support the construction of barrier free garden beds at the community garden

You can help us meet our goal by forwarding this email to local family, friends and others.

For more information, contact us at events@growingacadia.ca

Hello Acadia! – May 2021

Hello neighbours

Joanne Klein is President of the Acadia Community Garden & Art Society and a 9-year resident of Acadia. Following is story about what attracted her to our Garden:

“The funny thing is, I thought I didn’t like politics.

That’s what I always said, anyway. 

I didn’t want to get into the mix.

I didn’t want to do the homework.

I didn’t want to have another debate, argument, or fight.

From the sideline, those negatives outshone any positives.

So, I didn’t get involved. In anything. And it stayed that way until I moved to Acadia.

When I arrived in 2012, I had a three-week-old baby that required all my energy. My milk had come in sparingly and I struggled to get him fed adequately. He didn’t want the bottle, I couldn’t pump, and as a result, I spent the better part of the year rocking in my chair with a dozy baby who needed to feed for hours at a time. For someone who liked to be busy, I finally learned how to relax.

I noticed the movement of light through the days and nights. 

The wind rocked the spruces across the street and the flickers found the ants in the yard.

Neighbours walked their dogs, rode their bikes, and took up jogging.

Still I rocked. And I rocked. And I rocked.

Maybe I was lonely, though I don’t remember feeling that way. What I do remember was the feeling of connection that was created that year. Connection to my child; connection to the neighbourhood I was becoming a part of. The baby, the neighbourhood, and I all changed and grew together.

When I finally left my rocking chair, we strolled through the streets we’d communed with all those days and nights. My molecules mixed with my neighbours. We shared a pulse. We’d become intertwined. There’s an alchemy that takes place in meditation and without anticipating it, my new neighbourhood and I were one.

I joined the Acadia Community Garden & Art Society because I’m a gardener and an artist. It’s a vibrant organization full of passionate people with whom I share interests. They’ve become my friends and together, we move mountains. 

All community organizations have the power to move mountains. It’s their superpower. When you gather a group of committed and spirited people who share goals and are willing to organise, their power transforms. Alchemy! 

And suddenly that word, the one people say with a sour face, the one I disdained…politics…resolved itself into the ‘relationship between people’ and I fell in love.

Building community is an act of love.

Participating in the community is an act of love.

I love my community.

And I love my role within it.”

 – Joanne Klein
Vice President
Acadia Community Garden and Art Society, Calgary

………………………………………

Upcoming: 

Please note: Events are subject to change and will be held according to Covid safety guidelines and restrictions.

  • Garden & Art Tour – Saturday, August 14
    • Unfortunately, we had to cancel this event last year. We are hopeful that we will be able to go ahead this summer.  Everything will be outside, and all safety precautions will be implemented. If you’re interested in getting involved or being a host, please see below for our contact information.

Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.  If you experience any discrimination or harassment, please contact us on our phone or media sites.

Hello Acadia! – April 2021

Hello neighbours,

As our AGM approaches, I am reflecting on why we volunteer at our Garden. For some it is to improve their resume, or they’re new to the community and want to get to know others, some wish to share their gifts of skill and knowledge, or maybe they just want to get out and do something interesting or fulfilling.  I think most volunteers will agree that whatever the reason, the rewards have been greater than the effort.

For myself, I grew up in a small town in the interior of BC called Nakusp.  As much as I love the vibrancy and choice that comes with living in Calgary, I miss that tight sense of community. So, when my wonderful friend, Corinne Sandhurst told me that she and small group of people wanted to start a Community Garden, I thought it sounded interesting.  It combined my love of gardening and my desire to be part of a small community.  In 2012, we started with seven beds and around 10 people (including some sympathetic friends and partners!) Corinne’s husband, Geoff is a talented artist and we observed that there weren’t a lot of connections for artists in our area. Why not combine them? Gardening is an artform – right? 

Even though we didn’t have a lot of people, we were definitely not short on ideas.  It seemed that when one idea popped up, it naturally led to the next. Let’s… paint the murals on the bench and the shed, have a community event to paint a street mural, lawn chair theatre, Free Little Library, start a fruit forest, plant pollinator attracting native flowers and mason bee homes, build a community bulletin board, get involved in supporting the needs of our community – oh and did I mention build more raised beds? We now have 42 raised beds, a strawberry planter, raspberry beds and the permaculture-based food forest in progress, not to mention all the artsy things on the go.

Now in 2021, I look back and am amazed how much has been accomplished at our little community garden. It has been so fulfilling and inspiring to see how other people have added new and exciting dimensions to what has already been done. There is a sense of family, friendship, joy, and FUN that has come our way. The vision has taken on a life of its own that has an energy that I have rarely found elsewhere. The depth of knowledge and skill within our organization is breathtaking. We now have 15 Board members, each of whom brings a different perspective or expertise. (Hint – you don’t have to rent a raised garden bed to get involved).

Perhaps you would like to join this synergetic community?  We love to welcome new people and one thing we really love is trying out new ideas and activities!

If this appeals to you, feel free to join us at our AGM or contact us. See details below: 

Upcoming: 

Please note: Events are subject to change and will be held according to Covid safety guidelines and restrictions.

  • AGM – Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:30
    • This will be held via Zoom. You don’t need to be a gardener or member to attend. If you’re curious about what we do, you are most welcome to join us. Contact us at info@growingacadia.ca for the Zoom link. 
  • Garden & Art Tour – Saturday, August 14
    • Unfortunately, we had to cancel this event last year. We are hopeful that we will be able to go ahead this summer.  Everything will be outside, and all safety precautions will be implemented. If you’re interested in getting involved or being a host, please see below for our contact information.
  • May 11 – Growing Great Garden Soil at Acadia Community Garden – $25
  • What is soil?; physical, chemical, biological properties; soil food web- what it is and the critters that we need; our native soil; what annual vegetable gardens need for soil; what perennial gardens require in their soil; soil amendments and fertilizers; growing medium for containers; cultural methods to improve soil- no till, mulching, weeding, cover cropping, composting; when to do what to your soil.
    • Everyone is welcome – For more details and to register for a class either search for Garden On! at Eventbrite or use the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/garden-on-19273168358?fbclid=IwAR22HGJ7ooaof_PY-PSLh8PTswqAw_JcRnPxh4N2CRY_20bAXesC1rM45WA

Laurie Vanderwal
Vice President

Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.  If you experience any discrimination or harassment, please contact us on our phone or media sites.

Hello Acadia!- March 2021

Hello neighbours,

Spring is just around the corner, so we thought I’d share some of our up and coming events:

Please note: Events are subject to change and will be held according to Covid safety guidelines and restrictions.

  • AGM – Tuesday, April 20, 2021
    • This will be held via Zoom. You don’t need to be a gardener or member to attend. If you’re curious about what we do, you are most welcome to join us.
  • Garden & Art Tour – Saturday, August 14
    • Unfortunately, we had to cancel this event last year. We are hopeful that we will be able to go ahead this summer.  Everything will be outside, and all safety precautions will be implemented. If you’re interested in getting involved or being a host, please see below for our contact information.
  • Bird House Making – Date to be determined. 
    • We are still firming up details for this fun family activity.  There will be an online component along with the kit for those who wish to make their bird houses at home.
  • Garden On Events:
    • Feb 21 – ‘Let’s Get Gardening’ Part 1 Online – $15
      • Reflections/lessons from 2021; planning the garden before you sow-what to plant, where and how much; growing requirements for various crops; how to create a planting scheme that works for all that you want to grow; growing seedlings indoors; where to get seeds and seedlings in 2021 
    • Mar 21 – ‘Let’s Get Gardening’ Part 2Online – $15
      • Environmental/climate issues as they affect our gardens; how your soil affects when you can get sowing/planting; sowing/planting by soil temperature; succession planting; watering techniques; early protection from the weather and insects; potting on, hardening off and transplanting seedlings;
    • April 13 – ‘Re-Wilding the Urban Garden’ 
      • Southwood Community Garden – $20
      • What is re-wilding?-principles and objectives; designing your garden to be wild; plant species, combinations and schemes; cultural techniques- soil improvement, mulching, overseeding lawns; providing various types of habitats-shelter, food, water, breeding
    • May 11 – Growing Great Garden Soil –
      • Acadia Community Garden – $25
      • What is soil?; physical, chemical, biological properties; soil food web- what it is and the critters that we need; our native soil; what annual vegetable gardens need for soil; what perennial gardens require in their soil; soil amendments and fertilizers; growing medium for containers; cultural methods to improve soil- no till, mulching, weeding, cover cropping, composting; when to do what to your soil.

Everyone is welcome – For more details and to register for a class either search for Garden On! at Eventbrite or use the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/garden-on-19273168358?fbclid=IwAR22HGJ7ooaof_PY-PSLh8PTswqAw_JcRnPxh4N2CRY_20bAXesC1rM45WA

Laurie Vanderwal
Vice President

Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.  If you experience any discrimination or harassment, please contact us on our phone or media sites.

Hello Acadia – February 2021

Aside from gardening, art, and community building, our Acadia Community Garden considers education a key aspect of our organization.  We have several like-minded community garden neighbours who agree with that view. 

Janet Melrose (Calgary’s Cottage Gardener – calgaryscottagegardener@shaw.ca) is a former member of the Horticulture Society’s Community Garden Program. She’s an author, freelancer in education, designer, and a horticultural therapist. Janet has been an instrumental friend, advisor, supporter, and cheerleader to both our Garden and many other community gardens.  She’s also the one that encouraged us to work together with other community gardens in our area which led us to form the South-Central Garden Coalition. Currently, Cedarbrae, CKE, Common Ground, Haysboro, Southwood, and Acadia are involved. We are looking forward to other local community gardens joining us. 

Our coalition decided it would be great to pool our resources and offer some educational sessions. We called the series ‘Garden On!’. Janet will be our teacher and facilitator. Previous year’s programs were very popular. Attendees spoke about how much they enjoyed the sessions and were excited to experiment with what they learned.

This year, due to Covid, we will be offering our sessions online or outside. If you would like to join us for some fun, mark your calendars with the following dates:

  • Feb 20 – ‘Let’s Get Gardening’ Part 1 
    • Reflections/lessons from 2020; planning the garden before you sow-what to plant, where and how much; growing requirements for various crops; how to create a planting scheme that works for all that you want to grow; growing seedlings indoors; where to get seeds and seedlings in 2021 .
    • – Online – $15
  • Mar 20 – ‘Let’s Get Gardening’ Part 2
    • Environmental/climate issues as they affect our gardens; how your soil affects when you can get sowing/planting; sowing/planting by soil temperature; succession planting; watering techniques; early protection from the weather and insects; potting on, hardening off and transplanting seedlings;
    •  – Online – $15
  • April 13 – ‘Re-Wilding the Urban Garden’
    • What is re-wilding?-principles and objectives; designing your garden to be wild; plant species, combinations and schemes; cultural techniques- soil improvement, mulching, overseeding lawns; providing various types of habitats-shelter, food, water, breeding
    •  – Southwood Community Garden – $20
  • May 11 – Growing Great Garden Soil
    • What is soil?; physical, chemical, biological properties; soil food web- what it is and the critters that we need; our native soil; what annual vegetable gardens need for soil; what perennial gardens require in their soil; soil amendments and fertilizers; growing medium for containers; cultural methods to improve soil- no till, mulching, weeding, cover cropping, composting; when to do what to your soil.
    •  – Acadia Community Garden – $25
  • July 20 – Garden Q & A
    •  – Online – $15

Everyone is welcome – For more details and to register for a class either search for Garden On! at Eventbrite or use the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/garden-on-19273168358?fbclid=IwAR22HGJ7ooaof_PY-PSLh8PTswqAw_JcRnPxh4N2CRY_20bAXesC1rM45WA

Laurie Vanderwal
Vice President

Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.  If you experience any discrimination or harassment, please contact us on our phone or media sites.

Hello Acadia! – January 2021

Whew! 2020 is finally in hindsight!  I know, I know – I can hear the groaning. I just couldn’t resist saying that. 

This past year has definitely been a time of growth. And I’m not just talking about our plants and kids. At the Garden, as in our daily life, we needed to acquire new ways of operating. We learned about sanitizing, social distancing, face masking, and man, we got good at video conferencing! A year ago, most of these terms were not even in our vocabulary. 

One of the ways many of us are coping with being cooped up at home is going back to some simple pleasures. As much as going to the theatre, shopping, hanging out with friends, etc. is missed, there is joy to be found in a lot of low or no cost homebound activities. Still, even these can offer some level of frustration and leave one looking for more satisfaction. Many years ago, I read a great book, that I believe is still relevant today. “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson is a parable about some mice and little people who live in a maze and are searching for the cheese. It’s living in a life of change.

As many gardeners and artists have experienced, often our greatest creativity emerges out of challenges, changes, and obstacles. When I plant something new, I research what amount of light, water, soil type, and space is required. I consider the existing colours and shapes nearby and how it will look all together. Other times, someone may have gifted me a plant or maybe I got an amazing deal but don’t have extra time in my schedule, so I just toss it in the ground and see how it goes. The funny thing is even when I’ve done all the right things, my well thought out plant may still wither from winter kill and amazingly, the tossed in surprise plant flourishes. Who knew? These varying results sharpen our interest and keeps us gardeners planting and experimenting.

I also enjoy card making. This usually involves long hours surfing Pinterest for ideas, looking at all my paper, stamps, embellishments, and thinking about the person who will receive this card. (Speedy card making is not my forte.) Rarely do my cards turn out the same as the example I’ve followed or how I envisioned them. Plus, I quite regularly make boo boos.  The cool thing is that, lots of times, my fixes end up really improving the results.

Then, there’s reading a good book. I will look through the library (currently, that would be the website) reading the summaries to find just what interests me. Recently, I joined a book club. Some of the monthly book choices are ones I would never have chosen on my own. Yet, there has always been something to enjoy in each book I read.

My point in these examples is that my expectations and reality seldom match up. However, through each experience, I have learned or observed something new. I’m using that growth mindset to see the positives in this upside-down time. We are going to grow stronger, brighter, and even more creative.  Look out 2021.

Wishing everyone wonderful wings to carry you through the year! 

Laurie Vanderwal
Vice President

Acadia Community Garden & Art Society is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities.  If you experience any discrimination or harassment, please contact us on our phone or media sites.