A new Community Garden

Now that I live in an apartment my love of Gardening is facing a new challenge, no land.  We have put our names in for plots at two nearby Community Gardens, though I am sure the list is long and not many people are giving up the plots they have. 

In the meantime I am dabbling with container gardening, so far with just a few plots and some of the plants I did not want to part with.  There will be more on that in the future.

Recently my new Strata Council had hired  some people to clean up the garden.  The gardens here were pretty full but balanced.  Just in need of a little weeding.  The first step the gardener took was to level the garden with a weed waker.  I mean the entire garden, gone to the ground.  blooms, stocks, even a rose.  And man was it left a mess.  It was a little shocking.  Then a week or so later a small backhoe showed up.  I had read in the council minutes that a backhoe was coming in to fix up the retaining wall.  Well when he was gone so was almost all the plant life in the garden.  The garden is now bare except three heather, which have dried up and died, and a couple other bushes.  They did spread a soil amender, I think it is most likely from the District of North Vancouver dump, a good product using green waste to compost and sell back at a good rate as soil amender.

I believe that the work to the gardens was not only totally unnecessary but also a complete waste of money.  It has opened an opportunity however.  I have written a letter to the Strata Council about turning the murdered garden into a community garden for the residence of the building.  If approved and there is enough interest I am offering my time and service to create a committee to outline the guidelines and such a garden and then get it underway.  I am hoping that this can become one of the main themes of my blog and help landless gardeners to do the same thing.

I will print off the letter and deliver it to the council tonight.  Wish me luck.

Old Man Cherry

When we first moved into our last home it was Sept 2006. In the back corner of our yard stood a great old cherry cherry. In a neighborhood where cherry trees line the streets, this was the grand daddy of the all, spending his retirement creating the cool shade of my back yard. He must stand 25 - 30 feet tall with a wide reach. This tree may not live much longer and the year we moved in there did not appear to have been much of a crop. There were no pits or stems on the ground or in the alley way under his stretched out limbs. The next year was much the same, no crop. In the summer of 07 I added some composted top soil underneath to start a small garden, and started a compost bin underneath as well. (Side note, a compost bin under a tree is not usually a good idea, but with the age of this cherry I don't expect its roots to grow up into the bin.)

I think that with those two steps combined with the dry spring and early summer, which allowed for more pollen to float around and find its way into the cherry blossoms, this year we got a bumper crop of delicious dark red cherries.The challenge of harvesting a cherry tree this age is the height. There are no branches low enough to reach the ground and I do not own a step ladder. I started on the roof of our carport the first day. The second day I tried to get a ladder in the alley before the neighboring produce store's multitude of delivery trucks started their daily pilgrimage of keeping the store stocked with fresh produce and clogging my alleyway. When the first truck did arrive I was up an extension ladder resting on an old tired arm that swayed with my every movement, with my wife holding the base and trying to maintain control over our 2 year old running around the hood in a diaper. The drivers offer their assistance.
Being able to get up on the truck gave me access to many branches with have to move a ladder around and I was able to fill two containers within 30 minutes.
We snacked on some, a pie was made and the rest went into the freezer to be enjoyed in the winter.

Our new home, an apartment you will learn more about in future posts, does not present the opportunity to pick cherries right in the back yard, but it did come with a deep freeze, so we have been making more trips to the farmers markets and u-pick berry farms and filling the freezer for winter. The next few years will bring a chance to learn many new things, like the art of freezing and container gardening. We are also gearing up to learn more about canning and preserving.

I hope you will continue to read and learn along with us.

Here today

Look at the size of this Cherry Laurel Hedge, Prunus laurocerasus. She stands proudly at about 12-ft and provides privacy and protection from the busy alley way behind this house.

Here it is from the alley. Other than needing a little trimming on the top nothing wrong with this old girl right?

Have a look at the side view. Nice and full, lush, think. A good sound barrier. Do you see the post of the carport on the right side? That represents the property line and here in lies the problem. The city has ordered it to be removed! I hated to do it, but when asked to quote the job I jumped right in. Most conventional companies would have brought in a backhoe and some chain saws and had that sucker down in a matter of a couple hours. Is this really the most cost efficient way. For the company yes, they can have the job done and move on to the next, completing 4 or 5 small jobs like this in a day.

But what about the cost on the environment. Those small little two stroke chainsaw motors give off more emissions then a mid sized car. Most backhoes are not much better.

Besides that, the equipment and operator could cost you between $1500 and $2000. The manual labour doesn't cost that much.

With those facts in mind, these are the tools that I brought to the job site. Saws, pruners, loppers, shovels, picks, and brooms.

No time to waste. We got right to it cutting back the branches and dragging them away.

We left a couple feet of trunk so we could have the leverage to remove the stumps. If most of the root ball is not removed the hedge will grow back, and very quickly.

After seeing this gnarly, twisted trunk one has to wonder if the hedge had been cut to the ground once before and this is shoot. That could be why the hedge itself is growing off the property.

The extensive roots made this job very challenging. One can certainly see the draw to use heavy equipment. But this is a choice of what's better for everyone, not just one person.

Besides reducing the carbon footprint that could have been made to remove this hedge, we wanted to make a difference another way as well. We wanted to reduce the impact this job would have on the local landfill. The city have Vancouver does have a good green waste program where materials are chipped and/or composted and used in local parks. But there is still a great burden put on the system not to mention the carbon foot print of the process. Trimmings are delivered to the transfer station, then pushed into a tractor trailer by a large loader, haul to the facility, chipped, loaded again, and hauled into the parks. The more material that we can keep on the property for reuse the better. We removed as many leaves as was possible in the time allotted. We filled this wheelbarrow and container as well as a black garbage can. These leaves can be saved and distributed into the compost through the year. We also cut any stocks that were straight enough and thick enough to be burnt in the fireplace for winter warmth. The ashes can then be mixed into the garden in the spring as a good source of potassium in the form of pot ash. These methods of reusing materials is the essence of sustainability.

By doing this we managed to reduce that 12 ft by 10 ft long Cherry Laurel hedge enough to fit into this trailer. I use a uHaul trailer instead of buying my own for 2 reasons. First, I do not yet need a trailer and the additional cost that goes with it, storage, insurance, repair etc. Not to mention the waste of materials that goes into making a new trailer. And a uHaul trailer is very affordable, $20 per day flat rate. When the time comes I will buy a used trailer to reduce my impact.

After a few weeks the owner decided to replace the Laurel with a Cedar Hedge, Thuja occidentalis, but not add any soil. The existing soil is not to bad after removing the Laurel, except it is loose and doesn't hold water very well.

We planted six Cedar about 2-ft apart stock to stock as the roots of the Cherry tree would allow. I then spread some of the leaves over the ground to protect from water evaporation in the soil and to add nutrients. We kept them wet for the first couple weeks, watering in the evening after the heat of the day. My son is seen here helping with the process.

A week or so after the Cedars where in the ground, Vancouver was hit with a heat wave and heavy water restrictions. I did my best to adhere to the restrictions and give the hedge ample water. I think two of them will need to be replaced but I will give them every chance to bounce back.

Sneak peak

Now that the main computer has finally been put back into order after the keyboard met its match with a glass of water, I can get back into the blogging.  Now some of the pictures I need are on the main and others on the laptop so I have some coordinating to do.  But here is a sneak peak.  

This Hedge had to come down and it was tackled with only...

These tools, and some brawl from their operators.

Coming soon.

Main Computer Down

As the title indicates, my main computer is down.  I am working on a couple different blogs but can't get at any of my pictures.  I hope to having it going soon.  

Its nothing to serious, just an incident with a glass of water and the keyboard.

Container Food Gardening

Last weekend was a busy one, as has been the week so far hence I'm not getting to writing this blog until Wednesday.

I had Friday off work, I have been working late hours so having the Friday off gave me a chance to catch up on sleep so I could spend Saturday with the family instead of taking up temporary residence in snoozeville.

So Saturday morning we got up and headed out to the Trout Lake Farmers Market.  Our Kits market doesn't open until this Sunday, but the Trout Lake Market is a great market and arguably the most popular in Metro Vancouver.  Lots of Fruits and Veggies for Suzanne to pick from and plenty of flowers and other plants for me.  One vendor was selling Corn and lettuce plants.  I picked up 5 corn stocks, 3 red leaf lettuce and 3 green leaf lettuce for $4.

Next it was off to 2 and half hours of house hunting.  With the down turn in real estate in Vancouver and the low interest rates its a pretty good time to buy if you can manage it.  We have been looking since January.

Once back home it was time to get my corn and lettuce into the soil.

As we are hoping to move sooner than later I have taken up container gardening.  I already have three tomatoes in containers, the aphids are gone by the way, and as we are on a tight budget these days anything I can find to use as a container, is a container.  
I started with a trip to my favorite local garden center David Hunter.  I picked out a bag of stones and a bag of outdoor soil mix for under $10.  
I started with a couple inches of stone at the bottom of the pot.  This will weigh down the pots so they don't fall over from the weight of the top heavy corn.  It also helps with drainage.  The soil on top will hold moister until ever particle is wet.  After that the soil becomes too saturated, like my tomato.  The water will then filter into the stone and then out the bottom of the pot.

Next I mixed the garden soil with some of Keefer Soil Energizer that I had left over.  About 4 scoops of soil per scoop of Energizer.  I planted each corn to its crown and the lettuces I just covered the roots.

I lined the corn up in a row and put the lettuce between to shade them a little.  I moved the strawberry and tomatoes out front, the corn will protect the tomatoes from direct rainfall and the tomatoes will further shade the lettuce.  I am happy to report that after only a couple days the lettuces have almost doubled in size and the corn has grown as well.  A couple of the corn stocks starting to lean over so I added a stick into the soil to hold them up until the roots get a better footing.

Once all this was done, my realtor called to let me know that we had bought a house!  Soon these little guys will have a permanent home in the raised bed of my south facing back yard.  Still getting the financing straight and we have an inspection tomorrow, but I am considering myself, a home owner!

Newest Innovative Technology in Renewable Resources

I know this is supposed to be a gardening blog, not some techie outpost where I compete with other Tech Nerds to be the most in tune with the latest version of the coolest software, or show off my knowledge of obscure gadgets that no one will actually need or be able to afford.  But when I came across this, well I just had to share it.  This new technology is so revolutionary, so innovative, so controversial I had to write about it.  The world must know.

This is the first time the great power of two renewable resources have been combined together to create an energy savings of such magnitude!  This product utilizes both Wind and Solar energy, but the best part is, it doesn't need full exposure to either to work.  It works best in full sun, but on a cloudy day, or in the shade it is still effective, and even just a small breeze is all that is needed.

It is rumored that Hypo Manufacturing Inc bought the patent for this product in the 70s and has suppressed it over the years in order to maintain profits in its appliance division.  But plans and details on how to build one yourself have been leaked over the years and have seen a resurgence as of late with the popularity of the internet.  I built my own last year, and it works great, and it was easy!

Without further ado, I give the latest and greatest, the one and only...

Clothesline!

(Does not work in the rain!)

TLC Tomato Loving Care

Yesterday the boy and I got to spend a big chunk of time in the garden.  It wasn't enough but there were jobs that needed doing ASAP.  As mention in my last Blog, I bought 3 tomato plants from the VanDusen Plant Sale a couple weeks ago and transplanted them into these pots.  

The cooking style pot was bought at the SPCA Thrift store for about a buck for this purpose.  I couldn't find any other so the other two went into regular reused nursery pots.

I didn't drill any holes in the new pot hoping that the sun would keep the soil from becoming too saturated, but I failed!  I thought about it instead of doing it.  I've been reading the Organic Sister blog and I am learning from her policy of Doing not Thinking!  You can't see it in this photo the the poor tomato became very water logged, very quickly.  And it became sick, which weakened its immune and made it prone to...

APHIDS!  

Although these three plants are next to each other, only the one has been attacked!  To me this is proof that better gardening methods are a better way to keep away pests then chemical spraying!

These little guys have been feasting, enjoying my tomatoes before I even had a chance.

I drilled three holes into the bottom of the pot and let it drain.

I then topped up the pot with Keefer's Soil Energizer to make up for the loss of soil through the holes, and to compensate for soil compaction cause from the flooding.  

I added a small layer of organic matter, dried leaves, to cover the soil so as to protect from further soil damage from rain, and to reduce evaporation.  I maybe should have waited on this stage until the soil had dried out, but I'd hate to waste more water. 

I will add an organic layer to the other Tomatoes as well as the azalea's to protect the soil from the elements.  This may be another good example of a time to use Organic Sister's Doing not Thinking.

I think that I read somewhere that Marigolds detract pests like Aphids.  I know that cats don't like them but I will try and confirm that.  So I bought a small 2X4" tray from Choices and placed it next to the Pot of Tomatoes.  Until the plant is healthy again I am leaving it in isolation so that the aphids stay off the other tomatoes.  Once they are gone I will return the little guy with his friends and repot the Marigolds into separate smaller pots and boarder the Tomatoes with them.

I miss my Garden

I really do miss my garden.  I have been giving it 10 - 15 minutes of attention at a time maybe 2 or 3 times a week.  Not enough, but time well enjoyed.  I was at the VanDusen plant sale a couple weeks back.  Just me and the boy, no pictures.  Here is the plant sale in a nut shell.  Terrible parking, HUGE lines, awesome selection, and great prices.  

Because I am planing on moving I am not doing anymore planting in the ground.  I'm a container man for now. 

Two Azaleas on the rim of my fire pit.  These are the pots I transplanted them into.  Cheap!

When we moved to our present place in Sept 07 we brought this hanging Strawberry with us.  I hung it from the north side of the carport roof to get it up and out of the way.  There it sat and did next to nothing.  I took 2 minutes on my way out the door to move it into the sun.  That should help.

These three pots represent my food crop this year.  Two Beefy and one striped Tomato.  I received a recipe for catchup and was looking forward to trying it out this fall.  I bought these at VanDusen at a moment when Cillian was attempting to run away from me.  I asked the ladies for a couple Beefeaters and they handed them over.  I got home, read the tag and thought to myself, "Taxi" is a funny name for a tomato...  Opps, yellow catchup it is!

The neglectful gardener

This should be the title of my blog.  My day job is eating up all my time right now.  I'm at work right now, on a Sunday, as I write this blog.

The garden is doing pretty good without though.  When I leave for work on time and the sun is up I take a moment to look over the garden.  It is my 20 seconds of relaxation and reflection.  Most of the daffodils are up and my minds tendency to unknowingly organize thing amazes me again.  I planted the daffodils randomly, but somehow they are mostly in a straight row like little yellow soldiers.  I don't know how I do it.  

The blue bells are ready to burst open.  The cherry and plum have blossomed and leaved and now dropping like a peddle snow storm.  Everything is growing bigger everyday, even my son.  

I am due for some time off, and it is happening starting tomorrow.  I am taking Monday and Tuesday off.  Monday so I can do my late taxes, oops, and Tuesday so we can go house hunting.  That counts as time off right?

Sorry, no photos, no time.

What is this?

Last year I stuck some cut-offs that I found on a couple different jobs I worked on in a pot and left them over the winter.  This is the only one that grew this spring.  I don't remember what it is.  I know its a ground cover but thats it.  Can anyone help me?

Alpine Garden Club of BC Spring Show

What?!  Two Blog posts in one day?  It must be all the free time I found by giving up on Facebook.  Try it, it's very liberating.  Anyway, I'll keep this short.

VanDusen Gardens holds many different events over the calendar year, and this weekend was the Alpine Garden Club of BC's Spring Show.  I went on the second day at about noon and it was not too busy.  I brought Cillian so I had to make it a quick visit, here are some of the highlights that caught my eye in the short time I was there.

Floral Room and VanDusen Gardens

Primula Denticulata

Some ribbon winners

Tulipa Turkestanico

Ribbon winner for best Deciduous Bonsai

Fritilaria Meleagris

Philip MacDougal's 1st place Rhododendron 

Abutelon Suntense Hybrid

I forgot to get the info for this one, but it sure is beautiful.

Happy Easter

What an Easter weekend so far.  My wife Suzanne is an active Raw Foodist and she has spent the weekend at a Seminar put on by Victoria and Velva Boutenko, mother and daughter of the "Raw Family."  Check out more details on Suzanne's Blog.

With her out of the picture that left Cillian and I to set up our first Easter Egg Hunt.  Cillian is over 2 but we haven't done a hunt before.

I started by boiling the Eggs.  There are a couple ways to hard boil an egg, and its been so long since I've done it that I had to look it up.  I put the eggs into a pot and covered them with an inch of cold tap water.  I turned the heat up to full and brought the eggs to a boil.  As soon as they started to boil I removed them from the heat, but left them in the pot.  Worked great. 

I set out four bowl and Cillian added the dye.

We then added the eggs and turned them once and awhile to insure good coverage.

I used eggs we had in the fridge.  Brown, free range, and organic.  In retrospect I should have gone to the store across the alley and picked up some cheapy white eggs, they would have taken the colour better.  Some of these eggs where in the day for more than 4 hours.

This morning I hid the eggs while Cillian got his morning dose of Mama's milk.  We did the hunt before Mama had to take off to her seminar so she could take part in the family fun.  

Some eggs where pretty tricky to find.

But once we got the hang of it, it was easy.

Except for the ones just out of reach.

In the end Cillian found them all.

And then he learnt the best part, how to peal and eat them.

This afternoon we are going to go to VanDusen Gardens for the Alpine Garden Club of BC Spring Show.  I'll share some pictures later.  Then its off to Mission for dinner with my oldest friend and his family.

Happy Easter Everyone!