The Community Garden organizing group is small (six members) and some of us are new, so we have appreciated the support we have received this year from HCA Board Members Michele del Valle, Laurie Robertson, and Heather Kovach.
All 42 of the garden’s raised beds were in use this year. In addition to renting a bed, each gardener takes on responsibility for one of the communal areas, which include beds around the perimeter of the garden, boxes beside the backstop, and trees and shrubs. Calgary’s water restrictions took effect in June just as plants were getting started. Some gardeners began bringing non-potable water from home, but we were subsequently notified by the City that community gardens are permitted to use City water during restrictions. As requested by the City, we encouraged gardeners to use the minimum required by plants and trees. The restrictions appear to have made many gardeners more conscious of our water use.
The six fruit trees supplied by the City and planted in 2023 seem to be thriving. The cherry and apple trees each produced a small amount of fruit.
We’re happy to welcome students from nearby schools. Classes in grades one, two, and four from Hawkwood School used a total of five raised beds. Several classes from St. Maria Goretti School spent time with one of our volunteers learning about the garden.
The leader of a local Scouting group, Beavers (aged five to seven), contacted us with the offer of a community service project: bee baths, which are now located in several spots. These are shallow containers with rocks where bees can land and safely drink. We love our pollinators!
Additions to the garden this year included the donation of a water barrel which has been placed on a stand near the backstop. We hope the barrel will improve accessibility to water for gardeners who find it challenging to use the hoses. A seed library has been set up to provide for the ongoing exchange of seeds.
Gardeners got together for two work bees–one in spring, and the other on August 24, for weeding, working on the perennial beds, and general cleanup. A group of volunteers also picked up a load of compost from the City of Calgary.
As always, we are happy to have community members visit the garden. All are welcome–whether it’s two friends having a snack at the picnic table, a preschooler looking for ripe strawberries, or a community member making the garden part of their daily stroll. We love it when people ask questions and are always happy to explain how we grow those giant zucchinis!
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