Tuesday 29 April 2014

Sunday 27 April 2014

TOMATO MANIA--tomato seedlings for sale!


Tomato Mania



Tomato seedlings for sale

$1.75 cash

at the Mid Sun Community Garden

May 10, 12:30 - 2:00

·         Varieties available are proven in our challenging Calgary climate.

·         66 seedlings available for sale.

·         More than 32 varieties of early and mid-season tomatoes, most not available in local stores.

·         Many varieties of early heirlooms.

·         Plants have been grown by fellow Mid Sun gardeners.

·         For information on varieties go to  http://mid-suncommunitygarden.blogspot.ca/

 
 

about TOMATO VARIETIES


Wednesday 23 April 2014

TOMATO MANIA!


 
This year we are welcoming more than 10 new gardeners into our community garden. One of these new fellows is a very experienced and avid tomato grower. Last week, this keener turned under his cover crop and prepped his plot soil. He will be growing a number of varieties of cherry tomatoes that do well in the challenging Calgary climate. In fact, he and 2 other veteran gardeners are growing their seedlings right now to sell to you on May 10! Plan to buy several since they are proven varieties which will mature in our climate. Then as the summer progresses, come to the garden for quick coaching on planting, feeding, staking, pruning… all you need to know to easily grow delicious tomatoes!

Wednesday 16 April 2014

SAVE THE DATE! REGISTER TODAY! Mason bee Workshop on April 26, 2014

MASON BEE WORKSHOP
 
*a learning and building workshop* 
with Nathalie Callede
Nathalie Callede is a LEED AP, an interior landscape designer, and a member of the Green Roof for Healthy Cities. She has a strong belief in building a better sustainable world for our children.-
Learn about mason bees - build a mason house to take home

April 26th – Saturday from 1:00-3:00
at Mid-Sun Community Centre 50 Midpark Rise S.E.

Cost - $10.00 per person (cash only)

Register – midsungarden@gmail.com

Space is limited to 18; therefore, honour your registration to attend this workshop.
 
Mason Bees are native bees that can pollinate 100 times more than Honey Bees. Easy to raise in town gardens, Mason Bees are named from their habit of making compartments of mud in their nests, which are made in hollow reeds or holes in wood made by wood-boring insects. Unlike honey bees Mason Bees are solitary; every female is fertile and makes her own nest, and there are no worker bees for these species. Solitary bees produce neither honey nor beeswax. After 4 years of experience with the Native Mason Bee, Nathalie wants to share all the benefits and experiences she has learned from the Bees. Nathalie will show participants how to build native mason bee house and bring a cocoon to show.
 
There will be used garden books and magazines for purchase. 
Books are $1.50  Magazines - .25c
 
 
Not sure about bees? 
Learn more about Mason bees here
















 
 
 
 
 
 
                                   


Tuesday 15 April 2014

...what happened to the garden on Monday night.........

Remember this?..How the garden team applied for a SOUL of the CITY grant...and went Monday night to cheer on our very own Maureen and Dave to do the live pitch for the garden?

Well....It was an interesting evening, we weren't one of the 5 winners of the grant; however, the Calgary Economic Development stepped up to say all of the 8 projects will happen.  We were one of the 3 sad losing teams, but happy winners in the end!  We don't have any details yet, but what a kind gesture.  Looking forward to the garden evolving a lot more this garden season, benefiting the communities.

It was certainly interesting watching and learning about the different groups, community initiatives, and presentation styles that the other groups had.  I think we can all say our presentation was very well done...certainly made me proud!  It's neat to think we got to this point after all this hard work...WOOHOO!

Thank you to everyone for stories, support, smiles, and most of all being part of our garden,

Grateful, relieved, and smidge tired,
The garden team

Sunday 13 April 2014

What new crop will YOU try this year?

to me
Gardeners,
 
Now is the time to be a pioneer! 
Start something new!
One of our intrepid gardeners sent this in...
and we hope for updates along the way.
 
IF you are trying something new, even if it's gardening itself, send in your stories with pictures and we're happy to share. 
 
Please send pictures to the garden email....we prefer pictures without faces since this is a public blog...thank you!
Growing Celery
 
Every year I try something new in the garden. This year I started celery the middle of March. Celery is frequently at the top of the DIRTY DOZEN list. I will grow it without the use of chemicals which may impact health. TALL UTAH is early, disease resistant and slow to bolt. It is said to be sweet, tasty and crunchy.
 
MC900232545[1]

We have "made" it! a good sign for tomorrow...from the garden show


Saturday 5 April 2014

Tomato Seedling Success from one of our gardeners...how are your seedlings?

. Gazania –  Daybreak Mix
2. Gazania – Kiss mix (weak looking compared to Daybreak)
3. Pepper – Kung Pao F1, Early California Wonder, Jalapeno Jalapa F1
 
 
The biggest tomato seedlings so far:
1. Caspian Pink
2. Paul Robeson
3. Pruden’s Purple
 
 

Garden Plant Labels

The creation of low cost labels:
1. Collect lids of white plastic containers.
2. Cut off the outside rim so you are left with a flat plastic disc
3. Cut the disc into strips & use a Sharpie to mark them on the non-printed side. Since I use numbers, mine can be quite small.
all.

Friday 4 April 2014

Not sure if your seeds are viable?

To check seed viability:

Moisten paper towel, spread seeds...




We've been SHORTLISTED!! for the Soul of the City Grant...please join us!



Congratulations to the garden! 

We've been shortlisted for the 2014 Soul of the City grant.


We are in the top 8 of 41 applications. 

 We have a chance at one of 5 grants of 5000 dollars.

On April 14, at 5 pm, please join us at the

Vertigo Theatre for our live presentation.

Buy your tickets here

We hope to see you there!




Thursday 3 April 2014

Some Tomato Inspiration from last fall...

From 3rd week in September, 2013:
1. Big Beef F1
2. Steak Sandwich F1
3. Moskvich
4. Early Girl F1
5. Fourth of July F1
6. Stupice
7. Arctic Fire.