April 14th 2012 - Garden Meeting Notes

The meeting started at 2 pm - Susan B. introduced the garden, and we circled around for introductions - there were approximately 22 people in attendance.

In 2005 the garden was installed, then in 2006 it became a community garden. Now it is the centre for urban agriculture for the neighborhood.

On the garden shed is posted a list of rules for community gardens from Parks, Forestry and Recreation. In addition we have created Guidelines for our own garden, and they were passed out.

Guideline Observations and highlights:

• Guideline #8 - Because of the Tomato Tobacco Virus, no smoking is allowed in the garden. No one indicated that they smoked.

• Guideline #6: Plot 19 is the sharing garden - the one with white pots - The food grown in this plot is for donation, not the gardeners. All the food grown there is donated to the Stop Community Food Centre, located at 1884 Davenport Road. The Stop phone number is listed in the guidelines; the extension for their garden coordinator may have changed. The Stop is who you call to donate any garden excess to their food bank or soup kitchen.

• Guideline # 11 - Susan described how Teams will be set up - for the maintenance of the garden area and the smooth running of the community group. It is expected that gardeners will join a team, and she made reference to the teams in the description of the guidelines.

• Item # 12 - The 3rd page of the handout has a list of materials to compost. The note at the bottom indicates that if you can't chop your garden greens (woody things link sunflower stalks and tomato vines) small enough to compost, put it in a yard waste bag and bring it to Susan's house.

• Conflict resolution - If you have a problem with a neighbour gardener which you can not resolve, let Susan know. Her phone number is in the handout.

• There are also the phone numbers for the police and CP Police (train tracks).

Team captains will be chosen by the Communications Team, from the list of people that have volunteered to take on this responsibility. The lists of teams and their captains will be posted inside the garden shed.

It was asked that Susan should post when the street yard waste is picked up by the city, so that it can be brought down to the street before pick up day. As in - which Fridays are the pick up dates.

We were asked to fill out forms indicating our interests in specific assigned tasks. The forms are on the last page of the guidelines and we are asked to read the guidelines before signing the forms.

Registration forms and one copy of the signature page, will be collected by Susan and the copy of the guidelines is for our records.

Part 2 - Walking Tour

In the past, the Community Garden tried to organize one day for a spring Clean Up - but this year specific details will be organized for volunteer groups that will select specific tasks. This is so smaller groups can meet to complete these tasks at a time they can arrange on their own.

• Task 1) Raspberries need to be caned and trimmed back to 18" high to enhance the plants and enable them to grow. The certified organic fertilizer that we use in the garden - Susan suggested that the Spanish River Carbonatite should be used on them.

We have 2 varieties, an heirloom variety that was donated and originally belonged to the donor's great grandmother. Several generation old. These are irregular in size and shape. The second variety - a modern variety are more uniform in size and shape.

Andrea, Barb and Michelle volunteered to look after trimming and caning the raspberries.

Task 2a) The use of the shed and organization. Inside the shed on the North wall there are 3 photographs illustrating how the shed is to be organized. The cupboard inside the shed will be moved to the cement bunker for little plant pots and seedling trays they are available to the gardeners who wish to start some seeds indoors, the rest can be taken to the Stop.

As well, the Stop will be having a seedling give away (they have set aside a collection of seedling for us they will be ready in May for pick up) and we can donate the rest of the trays to them.

Claudine and Steve volunteered to clean out the shed.

A question was asked about cleaning tools if they need to be sterilized. If there is a virus problem you notice, let Susan know. The tools will then be cleaned at her house.

• Task 2b) Steve and Claudine also volunteered to organize the cement bunker with the wheel barrow. The contents will need to be edited by them. The red wagons will be left out for gardeners to use to transport items or dirt into the garden - at this point - Rule 11 from the Parks & Rec. guidelines was brought up - it states that vehicles (other than the city's delivery of compost) can't be driven into the garden. As well, Susan has a proper steel trolley she is willing to loan to the individual gardeners to transport heavy or awkward items to or from the garden. There are exceptions when a delivery needs to be made for community garden business.

The Certified Organic fertilizer - Spanish River Carbonatite that we use, is stored in the cement bunker. It is $20 for a 30 pound bag, it is also used for our composting and for the common area gardens. We are the distribution center of it for the city . One bag will suffice for a 10' by 20' plot and can be purchased by the gardeners.

• Task 3) We were shown the compost coral and it has wood-chips on a tarp that need to be moved.

- This Task still needs volunteers to reorganize it.

This is where we keep the finished compost that we make. the city will also bring us more compost. Gardeners can help themselves to this.

• Task 4) Plot 14 - the Gardener is not available for half of the growing season this year, but will come back next year. Her plot needs to be cleaned, and Susan has leftover Garlic that can be planted there.

- Sarah volunteered to help Susan clear the garden and plant the garlic. Kristin, the original gardener will help out when she is around.

• Task 5) We have a new composter (donated by FoodCycles) The old one will be used for leaves and storage.

To install the composter and relocate the old one, a pile of dirt and bricks was created on plot 13, it needs to be moved and a plan needs to be formulated to use these. Sifting the rich soil and moving it and the bricks are required.

Kelly volunteered herself and Naz for this.

• Task 6) The existing two half wine barrels that are near the composting area need to be moved to the new flower garden in the park.

- This Task still needs volunteers to relocate them, and assist with the soil and planting them.

• Task 7) There is a need for general tidying of the garden area, raking the debris from the grass and picking up garbage etc. as well things deemed no longer necessary for the garden can be left at the main gate, and Susan will make arrangements for Parks & Rec. to pick it up. As well, the garden hoses need to be connected to the taps.

- This Task still needs volunteers.

Main Project for the Year

Last year we had too many major projects, so this year, we will have one - designing and placing the donated flagstones near the compost area to make it easier to maintain.

This will be handled mainly by the Building Team.

Plot 9 had been planted with garlic. It will be reassigned to someone on the waiting list. Plot 5 is also available.

The herb garden needs attention and it was decided it would become a summer minor project.

Stewardship of the Symington Avenue Playground Park

Since the community garden was installed in the Park in 2005, it has changed the use of and profile of the park. The tennis courts which had been mostly abandoned are now in constant use. The park is also now used by parents playing with their children in the grass. We have been given stewardship of the park.

The Water has been turned on. In the main garden area there are four taps, however in the park area the city uses what they call “rain-birds”. We have the special hoses that it requires. we will use that system for watering the Communal plot, the flower bed with the trees, and the park grassy area when it is really hot out.

Right – the new Flower Bed with five fruit trees.

This flower garden was created with five fruit trees, there are one each - Yellow Delicious & Northern Spy Apple trees, Stanley & Italian Plum trees, and a Bosc Pear tree. this little garden also provides some seating to watch the tennis or activities in the main part of the park.

Left – The communal Plot – it has a gate to keep the dogs out.

Susan Showed everyone the communal Plot that is located on the south side of the park next to the tennis court. In this garden are 9 varieties of garlic, samples of which will be made available for the gardeners, and there is part of the communal garden where those on the waiting list can plant a few things.

As a final note, Susan explained that the Perth Dupont Community Garden is part of the Toronto Community Garden Network (TCGN), in fact many cities in Ontario, and across Canada have started to create networks of their community gardens. The TCGN website is written by Susan and contributed to by a variety of writers in the community and garden scene. The TCGN has become a leading edge website that is has now become a world model for community garden networks. www.tcgn.ca She also writes our Perth Dupont C.G. Website.

It is expected everyone will help out in Spring clean up.

New member will be assigned gardens based on order of their contacting Susan. They will also be assigned their garden tasks at the same time. The people on the waiting list will also be notified. There are 24 plots. The donation fee is $10 that goes to the community garden. So $240 annually is available for the garden upgrading.

We look forward to having a great growing season.