Notes From April, 2008 Meeting

Meeting chaired by Garden co-ordinator Susan Berman in attendance: Phung, Ywette, Kevin, Alison, Nello, Kanthialal, Amar, Katia, James H., Tim, Marcel, Anik, May, Jamie C. Jordan, Kristin, Afroza, Indra.

1) Tennis court repairs Tennis court repairs may endanger the plantings closest to the asphalt pad. Plants may need to be moved. There is a clump of daffodils and scilla planted at the western end of the fence run that surrounds the tennis court and the perennial herbs planted in a row along the north edge of the tennis court. Susan has pointed out our plants to the contractors. However there are limits to what they can avoid due to their heavy equipment. Group agrees that each of us should take a look at the present state of work and voice their opinions to Susan. Agreed that daffodil/scilla clump may have to endure it’s damage this year, sustaining a year setback.

2} April 19, Saturday, from 12 – 2 is Community clean up day. Recommended we turn out to clean up area and to strengthen our profile and connections with the community,

3) Garden construction

• A second shed is needed to house garden equipment.

possibilities are:

• we may receive a free concrete bunker type shed from City. City would donate shed and cost of moving it from its present position to our garden. Susan is working on this.

• building a shed – would require a design, also calculate the cost of materials and fundraising

• having a shed built – would require fundraising

• Artist’s rendering shown of decorative support posts at each tap to support the watering hoses. Agreed this is a good idea

• Artist's rendering of "porch" for existing Garden Shed. Would be a shelter for people and 2 disability scooters during a sudden cloud burst rain. Would give the shed a 'cottage' appearance.

4) Need for fund raising committee discussed. Five members suggested to begin researching fund raising possibilities. Susan will assist these members in getting in contact with each other.

April 7, 2008

5) Labour for common areas. Susan gave a statement on the need for labour and/or funding to help sustain the common areas of the garden. This brought forth the need to account for those of us who garden for solitude and those of us who prefer social settings; and made suggestions on how these could be accommodated; such as work parties that end in barbecues and/or visits to other community gardens. Following points raised:

• Not always understood what is required to maintain common areas. Clarification is needed

• not always agreed what is needed in common areas. Requests for work for common areas may be larger than group can sustain. Some members may prefer to donate funds instead of time.

6) Seedy Saturday Susan decorated and manned a booth for our garden assisted by Kevin, Edward (not present) and Alison. The hundreds of packets of seed wrapped by our members raised $137.in donations for our garden. Susan Handed out samples of seed packs that were for sale at Seedy Saturday. The gardeners donated $12.75 towards the seeds.

7) Plot allocations. There are 7 people on the waiting list for plots. The 2 that attended this meeting have been accommodated. Still some room to accommodate one or 2 more. Following points raised:

• some larger plots could be divided (more recent community gardens have an average size of 5'x10', plots, The average size of plots in our garden are 10'x20', The small ones are 10'x10' and some are larger)

• A home owner in the area has offered her yard as an additional gardening space estimated to provide room for two plots.

• An allotment garden in the junction (north of St. Clair on Weston Rd. - we think are the directions given) area has nine plots still on offer

8) Kevin reported that the roof structure he obtained for the present garden shed’s roof will be transported Saturday.

Meeting adjourned around 8pm. Kevin and Susan then went to look at the garden. The workmen have piled up poles on one end of the herb garden. Metal pieces scattered across the ground.

We did not have a good fall clean up. There is a lot of stuff that was left out, the wind has blown around. Many gardens were not cleaned at the end of the season. There is more to report, but will save for another day.

Action Plan:

• get a fund raising committee formed and communication established.

• Susan will clarify the common area duty chart. and a project 'wish list' of things that should be done but only if people have energy for it.

• Susan would like people to come forward to say if they would like to volunteer or make a donation.

• Every one is encouraged to walk through the garden to see the progress of the tennis court repairs and report to Susan their opinions of the amount of damage they think the herb garden can sustain.

• Community Clean Up April 19 12 - 2pm meet at the water fountain. Work gloves and garbage bags will be provided.

Computer support: James Hilke and Tim Berman are available for free computer consultation and repair (except parts). Contact Susan for more details.