A Different Approach to Community Gardens

This is a neat Peak Moment episode featuring an interview with Judy Alexander {she was in another episode a few years back called How Much Food Can I Grow Around My House? which is definitely worth a watch also} from the Local 2020 Food Resiliency Action Group in Port Townsend Washington, US.

Her organization's approach to community gardens is probably a little different to the ones we generally think of here in North America. It seems to work quite well, and being so hooked on the idea of community, I really dig this "model".

Sláinte!

Laurel

Quite Verdant

I am finally getting around to updating on how our garden is growing. Overall things are doing well and the last couple of weeks has involved plenty of harvesting and fertilizing with comfrey.

We usually make comfrey fertilizer the old fashioned way, but discovered this quicker method about a month ago and have used it a few times. I think we are going to retire the longer, stinkier method.

We have yet another volunteer tomato that has popped up, this time it is growing out of our compost bin. :D


The flowers have been going ape shit...

{daylily}

{devon sweet peas}

{more devon sweet peas}

{yes, even more devon sweet peas}

{burbank russet tatter flowers}

{norland tatter flowers}

{tatter flowers are a great addition to a bouquet!}

One of the few disappointments so far this year is our cantaloup not germinating and just having a couple melon plants pop up. They are still rather puny and I don't know if we will get anything off of them.

However, the winter squashes, pumpkins, and zucchinis are all flowering and getting some assistance in the pollinating department.

And even though we have been getting so many hot days, the peas are still happy.

{a perfect pea for peace}

{beautiful purple devon pea}

We've harvested our first tatters!!!

{squash, zucchini & pumpkin blossoms. contender bush beans. norland & burbank russet tatters}

Here are a few more random shots...

{beets, carrots, turnips, nasturtiums, pole beans, potatoes, and wild tobacco in this bed}

{purple mustache pole beans}

{french climbing pole beans}

{tomatoes, zucchinis, winter squashes, sunflowers, and wild tobacco pictured}

That is all from our little patch of dirt for now. :)

Sláinte!

Laurel

Toronto's Mayor is Flushing the City Down the Shitter

{artwork source}

A little while back I heard that the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford was proposing to cut funding to Riverdale Farm. My heart sank because I know the value of this place and I have a bit of a personal attachment to it and its surroundings.

I used to go to the Market there regularly and I would go to the Farm for a myriad of reasons...whether it was because I was feeling down, needed to be around the critters, or just to pass through while I was going to another place up the way for more "esoteric" purposes.

Then I began to hear of other cuts he intends to make. Some of these things include HIV/AIDS prevention projects, school breakfast programs, libraries, day care subsidies, drug prevention programs, public parks, fire and police services, snow removal, affordable housing, and other important services.

What really pisses me off is that he promised that no services would be cut while he was seeking election, AND he is couching these cuts as simple "efficiencies". He has talked about some fucking "gravy train" all this time, but the truth is that if there was any gravy to begin with, it was rid of thanks to Mike Harris and Mel Lastman in the '90s.

I have no intention of living in Toronto again, but it is my home town and many people I care about still live there. And it looks to me that Rob Ford wants to placate the fat cats and let the middle and lower classes sink. The thing is though, these cuts will make Toronto a real shithole for rich and poor alike.

He should be tarred and feathered.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Luverly of the Week: Amanda Palmer

{photo source}

Amanda Palmer is one cheeky lass and I love her for it. Check out some of her stuff on YouTube and I think you will love her too. :)

Sláinte!

Laurel

Urban Cheesecraft

I saw this on Etsy. I hope you enjoy watching! :)

Sláinte!

Laurel

Urban Cheesecraft from Etsy on Vimeo.

Back

Hi folks! Sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I went away for most of last week and this week I haven't felt much like sitting in front of the puter.

I ran away to the woods to hang out with family last week, and besides the mosquitoes, and deer & horse flies it was very nice.


This is Ernest Grey {Ernie for short, of course}. He is a rescue from All Heart Pet Rescue in Powassan, where my Aunt got him last year. He is one of the coolest cats I have ever met and I was trying to plot with him on how I could sneak him home with me. I don't think he was too interested though...he has it awesome where he is. Besides, I don't think Ellios would appreciate it too much.

{he is a rather smug looking fellow...}

{...but his heart is really as soft as his paws.}

{Ernie & Niko relaxing on a warm afternoon}

There are a lot of beautiful gardens in the area and I was smitten with one place in particular {a friend of my Aunt's, who is one of the Master Gardeners in the area}...

{the sign has been partially blurred for privacy}

My Aunt's gardens are beautiful too, but I spent more time exploring the forest on her land and came across a few old faces ;)

{an old corn grinder?}

Not too far of a walk from my Aunt's there is an old logging shoot. A local told me that some folks go down it in rubber tubes. I don't know if he was pulling my leg or not, but I am pretty sure I wouldn't.

I will have garden updates and other stuff posted soon.

Sláinte!

Laurel