Upcoming News
The Common Ground Garden Annual General Meeting and Spring Garden Registration are coming up soon. Keep an eye on your email for information.
In the Garden
Thank you!
Thank you to the members who helped distribute the mulch in the garden in the fall of 2021.
Thank you, Dave, Doris, Jayne, Jenny, Jim, Joyce, Mark, Maureen, Nancy, Penny, Shirley, Stephanie, and Suzanne! Kudos to Katie for pulling the pathway weeds in advance. An extra big acknowledgment to Jenny and Jayne for coordinating.
“Three Sisters” Follow-up
Everything worked just like they said it would. My corn stalks grew and then my pole beans wrapped their tender tendrils around the corn stalks. My acorn squash leaves were so huge that they definitely provided cover and prevented weeds and bug infestations. So far I have harvested three corn cobs, with two more on the way and plenty of beans. My plot was awash in bright yellow squash blossoms but the acorn squashes themselves—not so much! I have some babies, which still have a long way to go, baby. It will definitely be a race between them and the frost. It was a fun experiment but would actually need to be carried out and planted on a much grander scale to be sustainable but for little old me; it was a win-win!
Chrysalis in the Garden
This summer Chrysalis: An Alberta Society For Citizens With Disabilities had a chance to rent a garden plot from the Common Ground garden. Chrysalis is a community day program designed to meet the needs of adults with disabilities while providing meaningful opportunities for growth and community inclusion.
Our individuals learned a lot about caring for a garden, teamwork, communication and the value of hard work. They took charge in every part of the process, planting seeds in the ground, transplanting seedlings into the garden, watering and harvesting. We all loved having a chance to get outside, work in the garden, and enjoy the beauty of the garden as well.
We grew beets, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, and zucchini. Our individuals were then able to learn healthy recipes and how to cook these vegetables back at our site.
Thank you Common Ground Garden for having us and we hope to see you next year!
Planning for Spring
While we count down the 48 or so days to March 20 and the Spring Equinox, here are some things a gardener can do.
- Plan your garden for 2022
- Peruse seed catalogues or seed supplier websites (list of prairie suppliers below)
- Start seeds that have long growth periods and require indoor starts
- Start cold weather seeds in plastic milk jugs and set them outside to await warmer weather
- Check out the offerings from the Calgary Horticultural Society (https://www.calhort.org/society-bulletin/) or Gardening at USask (https://gardening.usask.ca/public-workshops/live-workshops-events.php#OncampusSaskatoonSKworkshopsandevents)
Prairie Seed Suppliers (source: Gardening at USask)
Prairie Garden Seeds (onlyflowers, grains and other vegetable seeds this year)
Wildrose Heritage Seed Company
Blazing Star Wildflower Seed Company
For more lists of seed companies, check out: Canadian Seed Catalogue Index
Safety
Common Ground is a public space. We occasionally have vandalism in our garden. If you see vandalism, report it to plots@cggs.ca.
If you find drug paraphernalia in the garden please contact the police non-emergency line (403-266-1234) or DOAP Needle Response Team (403-796-7388). The DOAP Needle Response Team has a trained crew that will come to collect used needles and other items on public and private property.
Covid-19 continues to require that gardeners observe provincial health protocols. Use of garden gloves, hand hygiene on high touch areas (taps, hose nozzles, locks and shed tools) is encouraged and please have someone else help if you are feeling unwell.
Communication
Members wishing to send information for list-wide distribution can send an email to hellocggs@gmail.com which will be forwarded to all members. Questions, comments and concerns in and about the garden can also be sent.
Common Ground Garden Society 