Maple Community Garden

1) This is the time of year to start thinking about bulbs for spring if you wish.  Choose healthy, firm bulbs and store in a cool, dry place [then plant according to the directions for each type of bulb] over the next couple months. Adding a small amount of bone meal in each hole when planting will help establish the root system and promote flowering.  Here are planting levels, heights and bloom times for common bulbs:

2) Keep weeding and deadheading, and keep grass trimmed in and around your plot as usual.

3) Keep picking produce regularly, and also herbs for drying so you can have a little taste of summer later in the year!

4) When summer veggies and flowers are finished, remove the spent plants and compost healthy parts of the plants.

5)  Please do not compost diseased leaves, shoots and plants.  If disease-causing spores, fungus or viruses are present, they will survive in compost.  Information on Club Root, recently discovered in Section 3, will be posted soon.  The principles to avoid the spread of Club Root disease are the same as Rust and Blight.  Please take a moment to review the information and photos about disease management to help keep all Maple Community Garden plots healthy http://maplecommunitygarden.ca/gardening-resources/disease-management/

6) It’s also a good time to harvest seeds from flowers in your gardens to save for next year. If you’re inspired, throw some over the North fence so we can create a bit of a wildflower garden out there and provide more food for the bees too J

7) Begin Fall garden cleanup of your plot.  All plots must be cleared of summer/fall weed growth and all finished plants by November 1 (per Annual Contract).

8) You can amend your soil with Dolomite lime (1 cup for each of our small beds should do) and then one week later add mushroom manure or compost.  Dig in some organic fertilizer as well (see recipe below) and you are ready to plant fall veggies.

9) Maple Community Garden is an organic gardening area, and organic fertilizer contains many micronutrients of value for plants which release slowly without washing away as quickly as chemical fertilizers.  

Recipe for Homemade Organic Fertilizer

2 parts Blood meal           Nitrogen (N)  

3 parts Bone meal           Phosphorus (P)

1 part Kelp meal              Potassium (K)

The above ingredients are found at most garden centres and feed stores, and this recipe provides an N-P-K ratio of approximately 4-5-4 to 5-8-5.  Nitrogen promotes vigorous growth, phosphorus improves flowering and root system growth, and potassium assists with fruit quality, root growth and reduction of disease.

10) Set out transplants and seedlings of Fall/Winter vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, purple flowering broccoli, chard and kale in September and then plant garlic later in October – have fun!

 

One of our fellow gardeners was injured last year when sap got in his eye while pruning a Euphorbia during a work party, so some background information is being provided here to help people take proper precautions when handling plants from this family.

There are over 2000 species of Euphorbia including very common houseplants like crown of thorns and poinsettia. Their beauty, hardiness and ease of growing are making a lot of the varieties popular. However, with increased use of these plants, there are more people being exposed to the potential of an allergic reaction.

Euphorbia plants bleed a milky sap or latex which is highly toxic.  This sap is an irritant to the skin, nose, mouth and eyes, and can also cause severe discomfort if eaten.  If you have children of ages where all the world is a “tasting” opportunity, it may be safer not to grow euphorbia.

Many common plants like wisteria, hydrangeas, mums, English ivy, oleander and azaleas are toxic as well, but only if they are eaten. Since it the sap of the euphorbia which is toxic, people are much more likely to come in contact with it.  If you have ever had a poinsettia, you know that even breaking a single leaf off results in the milky sap gushing out from the stem.

 

Here are a few of the most common euphorbias:

Safe handling when pruning

• wear gloves and preferably a long sleeve shirt [the sap can stain clothing, so don’t wear your favourite one!]
• wear eye protection
• make sure your pruners are clean and sharp
• have a rag or paper towel in hand to catch and help stop the flow of the sap, can take 3-4 minutes
• dispose of the rag/paper towel carefully and quickly
• the sap leaves a sticky residue, so be sure to clean clothing, gloves and tools thoroughly after pruning

Please treat Euphorbia plants with a healthy respect, and keep the sap away from your skin, eyes, nose and mouth.

 

 

 

A quick but urgent reminder that one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species – European Fire Ants [Myrmica rubra] were discovered at VanDusen Garden a few years ago.  Some areas along the Arbutus corridor are already infested. These ants are aggressive and can deliver a painful sting when disturbed, though this rarely leads to allergic reaction needing medical treatment. They establish and spread colonies rapidly, and do not have obvious mounded nests, which makes them difficult to control.

European Fire Ants can be easily transferred through the movement of infested garden material. To help prevent the spread of these ants, avoid sharing soil, mulch or plants with others. Thoroughly check newly purchased plants and soil before introducing them to your garden and if there is any ant activity in it at all, do not put it in your garden.

If you are stung or uncover what may be a European Fire Ant colony in your plot:

– notify the MCG Executive immediately by emailing info@maplecommunitygarden.ca
– collect some ants in a sealed container, if possible, so the City of Vancouver IPM Coordinator can verify whether they are European Fire Ants and discuss the appropriate next steps with the Executive.

Please take a moment to read this fact sheet produced by VanDusen Botanical Garden, Bloedel Conservatory and Vancouver Parks and Recreation which gives detailed information on how to identify and prevent further spread of European Fire Ants.

Thank you! In February 2017, we asked you about your vision and values for the Arbutus Greenway. We heard from you through open houses, Pop-Up City Halls, stakeholder meetings, advisory committee meetings and an online survey. Thank you for taking the time to be part of the conversation. A few key themes emerged during our conversations. These include: Provide a high-quality, accessible public space for walking and cycling. Create a safe, comfortable, and welcoming destination with places for gathering, socializing, and relaxing. Connect to neighbourhoods, parks, and other points of interest along the greenway, as well as the broader transportation network. Keep green spaces: places for tranquility, to reconnect with nature, to grow food, and nurture ecosystems and biodiversity. The project team will use what we heard to develop a vision for the future Arbutus Greenway, which will guide our design process over the coming months. To learn more, the full Consultation Summary Report and a video of what we heard are available at vancouver.ca/arbutusgreenway You can also subscribe to the newsletter by filling out the ‘Get Project Updates’ box at the bottom of their website.

 

1. Continue watering veggies regularly – Every two days or so if it’s hot and dry.  Veggies like tomatoes are heavier water users and need regular fertilizing too.
2. Fertilize veggies – About once a week with diluted fish fertilizer (approximately 1/2 the recommended dose on label)
3. Fertilize container plants – Every two weeks only until the end of August. You don’t want to encourage new growth that may freeze in the cooler fall/winter temperatures.
4. Harvest ripe produce often – Make sure you get to enjoy the fruits and veggies of your labour!  This also helps reduce rodent and harmful insect activity, as well as some plant disease.
5. Mulch plants around their base with compost, dry grass – To conserve water when the weather gets hot.
6. Monitor for insects – Use organic methods for removal (e.g. strong water spray will remove aphids). Learn about the difference between bad and good bugs! Here’s a link to an article we posted earlier in the year that provides some good info on garden allies, as well as do-it-yourself methods to avoid insect damage to your garden.   Important Note:  Please do not use Diatomaceous earth (DE) powder in Maple Community Garden as it is too difficult to control where the powder goes, and DE will also kill bees.    DIY Garden Pest Control
7. Remove weeds regularly – This keeps soil energy going into your plants instead.
8. Collect perennial seeds – For future use or plant in fall.

SUMMER PLANTING FOR FALL AND WINTER HARVESTS

Veggies planted throughout the summer have many advantages. You can tap into the sun’s warmth to help grow strong mature plants which withstand the cold of fall and winter.  Here are some great choices:

Turnips – Sow seeds from May – August for harvest through to Spring

Kale and Collards – Seeds best started early in May so transplants could be used in the summer. Taste improves after a frost, and most kale and collards make it through the winter here.

Carrots – Sow seeds for “Bolero” or “Royal Chantenay” through July for a late fall harvest

Leeks – Choose winter hardy varieties such as “Siegfried Frost”.  Plant mid-June for harvest through to Spring.

Swiss Chard – Plant mid-June for harvest through to Spring.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli – Gets to be a large plant so don’t start too many! Plant the end of June/early July for harvest the following Spring.

Spinach – Plant seeds throughout the summer and fall for harvest through to Spring.

May 2016

1. Set out heat loving plants – such as Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash, and Aubergines (Eggplant) when night time temperatures are at least 10C. Because of our earlier growing season it should be safe to start bush beans and climbing beans now too.

2. Plant bedding plants – Marigolds (which keep insects at bay when grown with veggies), Alyssum, Geraniums, Petunias and other flowering bedding plants are safe to plant now as well as most perennials. 

3. Start bee friendly plants – Bee Balm, Cosmos, Lavender, Heather, Bachelor Buttons, Campanula and Borage all provide food for the bees. The space on the south side of the fence could be used for some of these plants, but please do not disturb existing patches of clover patches, tansy and borage.  This website provides a great overview of many bee-friendly plants by season, with great colour photos:  Feed The Bees

4. Plant fruit – such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Use Rhododendron fertilizer for blueberries, as they are acid loving plants. 

5. ‘Feed’ spring bulbs – with diluted fish fertilizer and remove the foliage as the plant dies down. You can remove bulbs if space is needed for new plants, and store them off-site until the fall. Just dig up the bulbs, put them in a box, cover lightly with soil and store them in a cool, dry place over the summer. Then they’ll be ready for planting in the fall, and to bring back some colour to your garden again in the spring! 

6. Stop the spread of aphids – they can be hosed off plants with fine strong spray of water or removed by hand.

June 2016

1. Continue to plant – most seeds and/or veggie transplants can be planted successively for continuous crops until the summer heat of late June, July & August is too much.

2. Continue garden tending – regular weeding, removing morning glory, and clipping grass around your plot [including the North/street-side fence line, inside and out].

3. Remember to fertilize – use diluted Fish Fertilizer during growing season following instructions on container.

4. Prevent mildew problems – with plants like squash, zucchini, tomatoes and dahlias it’s a good practice to:

• water from underneath
• keep water off leaves if possible
• water early in the morning rather than in the evening, so that leaves don’t become damp
• try to keep good air circulation between plants (hard to do in our small spaces!)
• always remove leaves affected by mildew and put them in the garbage, not the compost.

Here’s an example of powdery mildew on squash leaves:

 

ediblegardenproject.com

 

                         Organic Remedy for Mildew

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda [sodium bicarbonate]
• 3-4 drops vegetable oil
• 3-4 drops liquid dish soap [not laundry detergent)
• 1 liter of water
• Dissolve baking soda in the water, add oil and soap, put in a spray bottle. Spray on plants early in the morning every one to two weeks throughout the season.  This remedy works well if applied in the early stages of mildew, or before an outbreak occurs.

5. Enjoy playing in the dirt and tasting the fruits and vegetables of your labour 🙂

We were recently contacted by Regina Joseph who complimented us on the Gardening Resources section of our website – check it out if you haven’t already 🙂  An article she worked on for New York City Pest Control provides some good information on do-it-yourself methods to avoid insect damage to your garden, so we are sharing that link below.

Important Note:  Please do not use Diatomaceous earth (DE) powder in Maple Community Garden as it is too difficult to control where the powder goes, and DE will also kill bees.

DIY Garden Pest Control

 

On March 7, 2016 the City of Vancouver and CP Rail announced that they have come to an agreement on the Arbutus Corridor, and the City will purchase the railway route from CP for $55 million to create the “Arbutus Greenway”.  The deal represents 42 acres of open space, running about 9 kilometres from Milton Street at the south end, to 1st Avenue on the north end.

Despite the City of Vancouver buying the lands, Mayor Gregor Robertson says it will be status quo for gardens right now.  “What we are asking people to do is not encroach while the public planning process happens. There are about 350 plots along the Arbutus corridor that are legitimate. Those obviously remain. It is up to the community engagement to decide whether some more gardening space could be allocated somewhere along the corridor.” [CKNW News]

The City of Vancouver has posted further details, including the full press release and development plans for the Arbutus Greenway. If you’d like to receive updates from the City, you can subscribe here.

European Fire Ants were discovered at VanDusen Garden a few years ago and some areas along the Arbutus corridor are already infested. These ants are aggressive and can deliver a painful sting when disturbed, though this rarely leads to allergic reaction needing medical treatment. They establish and spread colonies rapidly, and do not have obvious mounded nests, which makes them difficult to control.

European Fire Ants can be easily transferred through the movement of infested garden material. To help prevent the spread of these ants, avoid sharing soil, mulch or plants with others. As well, be sure to check newly purchased plants and soil before introducing them to your garden. 

Please take a moment to read this fact sheet produced by VanDusen Botanical Garden, Bloedel Conservatory and Vancouver Parks and Recreation which gives detailed information on how to identify and prevent further spread of European Fire Ants.

a) Winter mulches: Remove in early March and compost them.  See Guidelines For Communal Composting to figure out which composter to use.

b) Garden beds: Prepare for planting. Ideally, lime and manure would have been added to the soil back in the Fall. However, you can also do it in the Spring by working in plenty of compost/mushroom manure/sea soil (one 20kg bag will support our smaller plots), then two weeks later dig in about 1 cup of Dolomite lime. The lime comes in a big bag so it could be shared by a Section or two. Avoid adding lime to areas where you might plant potatoes or blueberries.  Do not plant anything for at least one week after adding the lime, it needs a bit of time to settle into the soil. 

c) Organic fertilizer: Ideally, add to soil a few weeks before you sow seeds or plant seedlings. Maple Community Garden is an organic gardening area, and organic fertilizer contains many micro nutrients of value for plants which release slowly without washing away as fast as chemical fertilizers.

Recipe for Homemade Organic Fertilizer

1 part Blood meal          Nitrogen (N)  

2 parts Bone meal           Phosphorus (P)

1 part Kelp meal            Potassium (K) 

The above ingredients are found at most garden centres and feed stores, and this recipe provides an N-P-K ratio of approximately 4-5-4 to 5-8-5.  Nitrogen promotes vigorous growth, phosphorus improves flowering and root system growth, and potassium assists with fruit quality, root growth and reduction of disease.

d) Planters or pots: If you are using any in your garden, remove the first 4” of old soil and add Sea Soil or Soil Energizer to top up the planters.

e) Perennials: Lift and divide perennials, plant before too much growth starts.

f) Summer flowering plants and bulbs: In garden centres now, here’s a blooming guide for common plants:

g) Bush & cane fruit: Blueberries and raspberries will be in the stores soon for planting. Prune existing blueberries by removing any dead and crossing branches. Cut fall raspberry canes down to the ground, as well as old canes of summer bearing plants. Now is a good time to plan supports for raspberries : )

h) Vegetables: Plan rows going from North to South for the most sun exposure. Be sure that larger plants are at the North end of the plot to prevent shading of smaller plants, and shading plants in your neighbours’ gardens.  If you are interested in practicing companion planting to enhance natural pest control and productivity, here is a simple guide:

Beginning of March: Sow kale and parsley and start successive sowings of peas, spinach, radishes, and lettuces about every 2-3 weeks. Plant veggie seedlings as they become available in garden centres. Safer’s Slug Bait is a good organic choice if you find slugs damaging new shoots and bulbs.

Mid-March: Remove spring bulb flower heads as they mature and let the leaves die down naturally.  Sow sweet pea seeds.

Later in March: Once the danger of frost has passed,

• plant Dahlias, Canna lilies and Gladiolas;
• plant onion sets, turnips, and greens such as bok choy;
• set out new strawberry plants and feed established plants with diluted fish fertilizer;
• sow seeds of annual herbs (except basil, too early to plant yet); and
• prune established herbs such as sage and thyme that have become leggy.

Fertilize garden plants, vegetables, flowers and herbs with diluted fish fertilizer throughout the growing season.  Fertilized blueberries, which are acid lovers, with a Rhododendron or Tree& Shrub fertilizer before buds break and after flowering according to label.

Seems like gardening chores are never done : ) Try to enjoy your garden too and watch as things push through the earth on their way to another great gardening season!