Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Workshop: Microgreens

On Nov. 24 we were lucky enough to have Krysta Glovasky-Ridsdale conduct our "Microgreens" workshop at the Windsor Public Library's Central branch.



Please take a look at a companion PDF "Growing Sprouts and Seedlings" here

Monday, November 7, 2016

Film Screening: INHABIT: A Permaculture Perspective

For more information about this film,
On November 25, the public is welcome to a screening of the award-winning documentary, "INHABIT" in Room 110 at the downtown school of social work.

Inhabit explores environmental issues facing us today and solutions for these issues being found in the ecological design process called "Permaculture". The film is 1h 32m.

After the film is finished, there will be a 15 minute break. A discussion will follow, led by a panel of members from the Windsor/Essex County Community Gardening Collective.

Water as well as local fruits & veggies and snacks will be provided.

If you would like to attend this screening, please register here.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Workshop: What To Grow When It's Cold Outside

Join Windsor/ Essex County Community Garden Collective Coordinator Steve Green (@urbnfrmrgreen) as he walks us through what we as gardeners can do to make our gardens productive through winter.

Wednesday, Nov. 2
Windsor Public Library
Central Branch

Steve shared a recent blog post of his that features some notes from this workshop:


Believe it or not, this is November 1st in Windsor Ontario Canada. It was an unseasonably warm 25C today. We've had a few very cold days and maybe a bit of frost here and there, but over all, the Southwestern Ontario tip experiences quite a few of these very warm days.

In my garden outside today I harvested peppers, parsley, tomatoes, Cape Gooseberries (like a ground cherry), and a few other things. I still have some tomatoes growing, carrots, among other finds.
Days like these are made for our greens and lettuces, our broccoli and kale, Brussels sprouts, lots of perennial herbs, and so much more. (See above list)

As they say in Game of Thrones, "Winter Is Coming!" and the warm weather won't last long. Soon the frost will be every night and the snows will come.

Don't let this be the end of your outdoor gardening! There are lots of ways to keep up the good work.



Here's an example of how this gardener had got things ready for winter. Some of the stuff they have already used a low hoop with 4 mm plastic, other stuff is still OK even with a bit of frost. The important part is you can see they have prepared.

Here's a larger garden all set up with the hoop house frames. I have used these types of frames and I have one complaint about them: THEY RUST REALLY QUICK! Just a few seasons and ours were trashed. That's why I prefer a coated or stainless option, a 4 x 8 ft. sheet of steel fencing (like hog fencing) with small squares that will never rust through or break, OR the PVC plastic tubing (it's great- just don't work with it when it's super cold out or you will snap it). The plastic conduit PVC tubing stuff is dirt cheap too (which I really like).

Most of the time I use old windows for raised cold frames like the ones below which is great re-purposing for our garden projects.








Even in the dead of winter when you think nothing is growing, your spinach will slowly grow. Here's a great example from the East Coast. Down in Windsor we have no problem growing greens right through the winter. The kale and many brassicas don't seem to mind our mild winters at all.





Plants that can overwinter for early spring harvest:


  • alliacea (garlic, leeks, onions)
  • herbs (thyme, oregano, sage, chives)
  • root vegetables (turnips, carrots, parsnips)
  • greens (spinach, kale)

Plants for late-fall/winter harvest:


  • brassicas (broccoli, rapini, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, kohl rabi)
  • root vegetables (turnips, rutabaga, carrots, beets, radishes, parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes)
  • greens (kale, bok choy, collards, swiss chard, spinach, arugula)

Growing tips


  • Pick varieties that grow to maturity in short time periods.
  • Water less in the late fall to prevent freeze/thaw cycles from splitting vegetables.
  • Plant greens, lettuces and herbs every few weeks to ensure continuous harvest throughout the season, including late into fall.

During the Q & A at the end of the workshop, Steve answered some questions about preparing strawberry plants for the winter. This page expounds upon those points.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Seed Saving workshop

Steve detailed several methods
for harvesting, drying, storing and using
seeds of varying sorts.
On September 29 Steve Green conducted a workshop at the Windsor Public Library's Central Branch. (We would like to thank those that attended despite the workshop being scheduled in the middle of several days of heavy rainfall!)

Although the workshop itself did not involve handouts or supporting literature, we thought it would be nice to include with this post a few documents that touch on most of Steve's main points:



Please check in with our calendar of events to see when and where our next workshops are. We would love to see you there!

Friday, October 7, 2016

How to Start a Farm Co-op


If you're thinking about developing a farm co-op or interested in working with others on a farm enterprise then come to learn how to start a farm co-op!

This hands-on workshop explores the range of farm co-op models and applications. Topics include co-op structures and activities, planning for development, financing, land issues and resources for farm co-op development.

Are you currently farming and wanting to work with others?
Do you currently run a CSA and looking to expand?

This workshop will teach you how to explore the farm co-op opportunity with others.

Brought to you in partnership with Libro Credit Union and the EFAO.


Please join us on Thursday, October 20 at the United Way building in Windsor, located at
300 Giles Blvd. East from 1 - 4pm. You can register here:

http://cultivatingfoodcoops.net/events/start-farm-co-op/

Friday, September 9, 2016

Funding for Growing Food in Community Gardens!

As our community gardens start to share the last of their bountiful harvest, it’s time to start thinking of next season. There are two great granting opportunities with deadlines approaching in September and October!

TD’s Friends of the Environment Foundation


According to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), it has a long history of supporting green spaces across the country. TD recently announced a special round of funding for next year’s 150th celebration in Canada with focus on revitalization, animation, and stewardship of public green spaces.

Timeline:

September, 19, 2016: Deadline for submission of Expression of Interest.
October 17, 2016: Applicants will be notified of decisions regarding the Expression of Interest. Successful applicants. will be invited to submit a Grant Application.
November 21, 2016: Deadline for submission of Grant Application.
February 2017: Applicants will be notified of grant decisions.
More information online in the FAQ. Applications must be completed online.


The Aviva Community Fund


Aviva Community Fund says that it helps people make positive change in their communities. For the last seven years, it has invested more than $6.5 million in project funding to charitable communities, with another $1 million for this year.

Timeline:

September 19, 2016: Submissions Open
October 6, 2016: Submissions Due
October 11, 2016: Voting Opens
October 28, 2016: Voting Closes
November 7, 2016: Finalists Announced
December 6, 2016: Winners Announced
More information regarding the grants, eligibility, submission guide, and more can be found on their website.

Free Gardening Workshop Series


Garden collective builds communities at grass-roots level

"The seeds of change are sowed among the rows of tomatoes and corn and peppers grown in 45 community gardens throughout Windsor/Essex County Community Garden Collective. On a daily basis, volunteers weed and water and harvest an abundance of fruits and vegetables and flowers — nourishing not only their bodies but their souls as well."

Check out the rest of the story at The Windsor Star here!

Garden theft!

There have been reports recently of two women (and a male driver in some cases) moving from garden to garden taking everything that is ready to be harvested. They are in a black SUV. One woman is reported as being around 40 with short blonde hair and approximately 5'7". The other has shoulder-length darker hair and stands roughly 5'4". If you see these people taking items from any of our gardens, please get the license number of the vehicle.