Did you know that the scarecrow was used by the Egyptians 3,000 years ago in their wheat fields to scare away birds? I don’t think we will see scarecrows in the prairie wheat fields but it is amazing that we still see them in gardens guarding over our fruit of labour. Sometimes, as an additional guard, silver tin foil plates or old CDs will hang from their arms too. I do wonder now, after 3,000 years, if the birds are wiser and know that the scarecrow is not human but a fun way to decorate our gardens and provide them with a perch so that they can sit and watch us toiling away in our garden which sometimes benefits them.
There are no scarecrows in the RCG but even without this garden guardian, RCG has had successful harvests. RCG has designated two garden beds this year that will be nurtured by volunteers and the fruit of this labour will be donated to the Calgary Food Bank in the fall. In 2024, RCG donation beds donated 34 pounds of carrots and beets and in 2023 greens, garlic, radishes, potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots were donated. A big thank you to our donation bed volunteers!
As summer starts to wind down and we are planning our last summer getaways we are also planning the harvest of your gardens. Fresh produce is delicious. As you gather and pick your vegetable crop, you may want to consider letting some of your plants go to seed. Ensure the seed is mature prior to picking and let dry. Store in an airtight container for your 2026 garden or a gift for your fellow gardener.
Happy harvest Renfrew!
The Smiling Gardeners
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