June @ The West 10th Garden!

Hello West 10th Gardeners,

We have finally reached some longer days and hopefully with this new month, we will be getting some more sunshine for our plants.

Here are a few important updates for June:

UNUSED BEDS

We are passing the deadline for planting / making use of your garden beds. 

We will be making note of all empty and unused beds and beginning the process of removing gardeners who are not actively participating in the garden.

Demand for growing space is so high right now, and we want to put each and every bed to use. 

If you haven’t started gardening yet, consider this your final notice. And if you’re not able to make use of your bed(s), please let us know ASAP so we can bring in a new gardener from our immense wait list. 

GET WATERING

Temperatures will slowly be climbing, and as we get deeper into summer, watering becomes a bigger priority. Regular, thorough watering is your best defense against upcoming heat. 

We have had the landowners do an update on the watering system, and the water pressure has been improved, which is great.

If you can’t make it to the garden every 2-3 days, consider asking a neighbour to help out!

Please note: Not everyone in the garden is completely able bodied or super strong, please remember to put the hoses away neatly, so people do not have to pull the hose nozzles out of a mess of hose :)


VEGGIE THEFT

Plant theft is something that happens every season and throughout all community gardens across the city. This is an unfortunate thing about community gardens and it tends to happen more so at the time of year when plants are beginning to mature and become ready for harvest.  

A few tips and advice for reducing theft:

  1. Plant less desirable "shiny" crops:  e.g. Leafy greens and root vegetables are the most recommended for a strong harvest. Things like strawberries, tomatoes, peppers or fruiting veggies tend to be first targets.

  2. Harvest fast: Once your veggies are ready to be eaten, pick them!! The longer you wait the more likely someone will nab your yield

  3. Grow more than you need: Consider growing more than you'll expect to eat, so if/when a thief swoops in you will still have a yield to harvest

  4. Talk with other gardeners: Get to know your neighbors. If we all keep an eye on each other's beds and know who's meant to be gardening where, the more likely we'll be able to call out a thief in the act or at least give them the eyes of disapproval.


Enjoy your harvests!