At our first Grow Regina Board Meeting held on February 1st, the following Executive positions were filled:

Chairperson – Yvette Crane

2012 Treasurer – Duane Haave

Secretary – Robert Wuschenny

Vice President – John Fagan

Louise Arndt

Don Fenwick

The above Board members will participate on one or more committees below to deliver all our programs.

The Communications Committee is responsible for newsletters, web updates, and Facebook administration. Submissions of photos, stories, videos and recipes to the committee are welcome.

The Construction and Maintenance Committee is responsible for coordinating construction projects in the garden.  Front entrance signage, composting stations and raised beds are examples of the project coming this year. Anyone with carpentry or construction experience is welcome!

The Fundraising, Planning and Development Committee is responsible for developing a master garden plan and nurturing sponsor partnerships.  To facilitate this goal, Grow Regina is seeking professional design assistance to develop a Master Site Plan and architectural theme, to complement the existing garden layout, pathway, and irrigation infrastructure. This will be the blueprint for future garden development and will be used to support necessary and an aggressive fundraising campaign.

The newly formed Governance Committee has a considerable task ahead of them as we move toward incorporation as a non-profit association separating us from our past relationship with the Regina Food Bank.  It is our goal to submit application for incorporation by March 1st, 2012.

The Garden Operations Committee is responsible for the daily garden/compost maintenance activities and coordinating the care of the Food Bank plots including planting, watering and harvesting. The committee is developing a long term plan to ensure the garden maintenance procedures are adequate and that the fee structure covers the operating costs and provides for any contingencies. Grow Regina has reserved up to 15% of the YARA-Grow Regina Community Garden to grow crops for donation to the Food Bank. Everyone with a ‘green thumb’ is encouraged to participate!

The Membership Committee is responsible for garden plot application and allotment management. This committee is restricted to Board member participation.

The Orchard Committee is responsible for approving species selection and assumes operational management of the orchard. The committee is developing a long term plan to ensure the orchard maintenance procedures are adequate and that the fee structure covers the operating costs and provides for any contingencies. Planning for orchard expansion is occurring in conjunction with the development of a long range master plan for the garden as a whole.

The Social and Education Committee is responsible for education programs like Plant a Row • Grow a Row, garden tours, workshops and the summer/fall BBQs, plus much more.

People are encouraged to bring their open-pollinated garden seeds to trade at our community garden seed exchange table.  Also, gardeners are invited to bring their unwanted gardening magazines and books for our gardener’s swap table.

Eat Healthy Foods organic grocery store will have lunch and snacks available for purchase.

When: March 3, 2012, 10am – 2pm
Where: St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 3337 15th Ave, Regina

Sponsored by: The Weston Price Foundation, Regina chapter, The Regina Horticultural Society, and Seeds of Diversity Canada admission by donation– all proceeds donated to Seeds of Diversity Canada (www.seeds.ca) call (306) 586-0887 for more information.

Can you hang up a copy of our poster at your workplace or in your neighbourhood?  Our poster is available for download at this web site:

http://wapfregina.wordpress.com/

You can also help by inviting people on Facebook.  The event page is here:

http://www.facebook.com/events/353852671308366/

Free talk : Fri Feb 24 ,7-9 pm, Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, 2900 – 13th Avenue, Regina

Workshop : Sat Feb 25 , 9 am – 4 pm, Room 106, U of R College Avenue bldg., 2100 block College Ave., Regina

See our Facebook page: “Permaculture Regina”

Workshop Fees

Before Feb  10: Student – $50, Regular – $90

After Feb 10: Student – $75, Regular – $115

Register by Feb 21 to ensure your spot.

By phone: (306) 535-9570

By e-mail: permaregina@gmail.com

In-person at: Eat Healthy Foods, 3030 12th Ave, Regina (306) 522-4167

Is cost an issue? Don’t let that stop you – we’d love to talk to you about  ways to make this work for you.

PERMACULTURE: A FAST GROWING MOVEMENT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

Many people today are keenly aware of a need for change and care deeply about the planet and their communities but feel powerless to do anything to make a difference. However, when informed about a diverse and deepening scope of positive, practical & effective solutions people become inspired and empowered change-makers in their communities.

Permaculture Regina is pleased to present  Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture. He will discuss the fundamentals of permaculture ethics, principles and design methodology and how it can be applied to:

- improve your home & backyard while saving resources and building a healthy place for family, friends and community;

- build resilient communities patterned after ecological principles; and

- assemble landscapes that clean water, use less energy, provide healthy organic food, save money and contribute to a healthy ecology.

Whether your interest is gardening, building homes, community work, economic regeneration, education, health, planning, business or green lifestyles, the application of permaculture design provides positive solutions towards a sustainable future.

Rob Avis

Rob Avis and his wife Michelle run the Calgary-based consulting & education company, Verge Permaculture which specializes in creating sustainable human environments using whole-systems philosophies and working with nature.

For more information about permaculture please visit:  http://www.vergepermaculture.ca

WHAT IS PERMACULTURE?

(from Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Slay)

“Permaculture is about designing sustainable human settlements. It is a philosophy and approach to land use which weaves together microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water management, and human needs into intricately connected, productive communities.” (cover)

“Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The word itself is a contraction of permanent agriculture but also of permanent culture, as cultures cannot survive for long without a sustainable agricultural base and land use ethic. On one level, permaculture deals with plants, animals, buildings and infrastructures (water, energy, communications). However, permaculture is not about these elements themselves, but rather about the relationships we can create between them by the way we place them in the landscape.

The aim is to create systems that are ecologically-sound and economically viable, which provide for their own needs, do not exploit or pollute, and are therefore sustainable in the long term. Permaculture uses the inherent qualities of plants and animals combined with the natural characteristics of landscapes and structures to produce a life-supporting system for city and country, using the smallest practical area.

Permaculture is based on the observation of natural systems, the wisdom contained in traditional farming systems, and modern scientific and technological knowledge. Although based on good ecological models, permaculture creates a cultivated ecology, which is designed to produce more human and animal food than in generally found in nature.

Permaculture is a system by which we can exist on the earth by using energy that is naturally in flux and relatively harmless, and by using food and natural resources that are abundant in such a way that we don’t continually destroy life on earth. (page 1)

Permaculture Ethic: Care of Earth, Care of People, Return of Surplus

Permaculture at home: Situating homes and buildings to make use of solar energy and provide protection from winds, storms and fires. Using rain barrels, cisterns and grading land so that water is retained for productive use. Reducing water and energy consumption. Turning lawns into gardens. Planting perennials that provide food for humans and/or animals. Composting. Using mulch to retain moisture and prevent erosion. Using foods grown locally.

Permaculture on the farm: Using landscaping techniques such as swales, dams and ponds to retain water for multiple productive uses. Incorporating animals and aquaculture into the landscape to contribute to the nutrient cycle. Using perennial plants and agricultural crops in a way that improves the health of soils. Planting orchards, woodlots, and shelterbelts.

Permaculture, nature and community: Planning land use in zones that place resources used most frequently closest to home. Making the best use of areas already inhabited by humans and leaving natural areas alone. In city parks plant edible understorey species and useful pine-nut and fruit species. Creating community gardens. Planning new suburban subdivisions for food production and energy self-reliance. Setting up recycling programs. Using systems that support individual livelihoods and community economies. Investing ethically. Engaging in cooperative productivity and community responsibility.

Thursday, 26 January 2012 : 07:30 PM – 08:30 PM (UTC-06:00) Saskatchewan

For more information: http://reginahortsociety.com

Join us in Regina on Agribition weekend (Nov. 26 and 27th), join CBC’s fabulous Lyndon Penner for educational and entertaining workshops sponsored by the U of S Master Gardener Program. The workshops are listed below; all courses in Regina are $64 plus GST. If you’re interested in registering for any, we now have online registration at http://ccde.usask.ca/mastergardener/workshops or you can call us at 306.966.5539.

Nov. 26 at 9-12
Proper Use of Color in the Garden
Does your garden look like a circus? Is there color everywhere? Does your garden feel too “dark”? Too bright? The use of color in the garden is of the utmost importance- Lyndon will teach you how colors create moods and feelings, and how to use colors wisely and appropriately. Bold, bright strokes of colors might be just what you need- or maybe you have too much going on? Lyndon will teach you how to be ruthless with color and how to use color like an artist! (*This class is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to go home and yank out anything that is ruining your color scheme!)

Nov. 26 at 1-4
Overlooked & Underused Perennials
Are you sick and tired of the same old perennials? Are you bored to death with columbines? Are lilies and monkshood just not doing it for you anymore? Peonies make you puke? Well, this is the class for you! Lyndon is going to reacquaint you with a host of old fashioned plants that you may have neglected, as well as new takes on old favorites! Maybe you hate Dianthus…but have you tried THIS one? Or maybe you thought if you’d seen one Shasta daisy you’ve seen them…not true, says Lyndon! This should be a fun and invigorating class for gardeners of all skill levels!

Nov 27 at 9-12
Berries & Small Fruits
Everyone wants fresh fruit from the garden, but have you considered the ornamental qualities of fruit producing plants? There are a number of trees, shrubs, and perennials that produce beautiful (and frequently delicious!) berries! Join Lyndon as he introduces you to currants, gooseberries, sea buckthorns, haskap and more! Sure to be an inspirational and fun class!

Nov 27 at 1-4
What’s New?
2012 is going to be the year your garden is the most awesome it’s ever been, right? Lyndon will get you ready for the new year by introducing you to new varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bedding plants! Brand new, never before offered introductions will soon be hitting the shelves at your favorite garden center and Lyndon wants to explore those new possibilities with you! Likely to be a highly opinionated and very colorful class!
_____

Vanessa Ross Young
PHC Applied Botany Instructor: Students, please use contact information provided to you as the information below will not reach me directly!
Coordinator: University of Saskatchewan Master Gardener Program

Centre for Continuing and Distance Education
477 Williams Bldg.
221 Cumberland Avenue North
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1M3
Phone (306) 966-5546
Fax (306) 966-5590

Please click on the image to view or download a printable PDF version of the Grow Regina 2011 Fall Newsletter.

Adobe Reader is required to open, read and/or print the Garden Guidelines. You can download Adobe Reader, free of charge, by clicking this link: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Are you missing the gardens already ?? I know I am! Well, here’s your chance to come back for an hour or two!

We have decided to try and get some work done on the problematic “wetland” that is the North-West corner of the gardens. As you may know, we had to move many gardeners out of that area this past growing season due to ‘flooded out’ gardens.

Now we have the solution — a survey has been done — and we are ready to begin the work of stringing & defining the slope, installing cribbing, shovelling gravel … if you can hold a measuring tape, record the measurements, or pound a stake,  run a string, or mark the levels — then We Need YOU! We will also require some workers who can rake, shovel and push a wheel barrow …

(I’ve included John Fagan’s excellent & detailed description of the work that needs to be done below, for your reading (and, hopefully, working) pleasure.. Please join us this Saturday, 10am to noon, and/or Sunday, 1pm to 3pm.

From John:

“Finally, we  have the survey of the northwest corner. Its what  we sort of suspected;  the entire area is almost completely level with a few high spots which hold the excess water, instead of running into the storm channel or into the service access lane.

The solution is relatively simple: raise  some of the paths, add some top soil, cut  a couple of swales into the bank of the storm channel(being careful to rescue the newly  planted trees.)

We should ask the city to cut down the Manchurian elms growing  in the  access lane – which  have been allowed to clump there, blocking access to the west end of the service ally , and blocking drainage to a storm sewer drain.

There are two stages to the reclamation of this section.  On the pathways we need to raise, we need to string  and define the slope, and install cribbing to the correct height, then fill with crushed gravel.   Cut the swales, which correspond to the north-west paths. The second stage is to bring the gardens up to the new level of the paths.

As well as the north-west section  there are several spots in the garden which are obviously low.  These need to have some top soil added. Most are located near the access lane along the west side. We have a path allocation and the bushes planted along this area and can cut down some of the humps which block the drainage of excess waters.

(We will need to hire bobcat service to cut the swales, move the gravel and top soil.)

Naturally, your comments and suggestions are always welcome .  Anyone wants to see the surveyor’s map, come and visit me. If you have some able bodied souls, send them over to the gardens. They are welcome if they can hold a tape, record the measurements, or pound a stake,  or run a string, or  mark the levels. We will also require some workers who can rake, shove land push a wheel barrow.

We may also do some rototilling in to work this land up and chew up a few weeds.”

To view a printable PDF file version for the

• Minutes of 2011 Fall Gardeners’ Meeting, please click here..
• Draft Bylaws – October 2011, please click here.
• Minutes of 2011 Spring Gardeners’ Meeting, please click here.

Adobe Reader is required to open, read and/or print the Garden Guidelines. You can download Adobe Reader, free of charge, by clicking this link: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

If you’re interested in registering for any, we now have online registration at http://ccde.usask.ca/mastergardener/workshops or you can call us at 306.966.5539.

Nov. 26 at 9-12

Proper Use of Color in the Garden
Does your garden look like a circus? Is there color everywhere? Does your garden feel too “dark”? Too bright? The use of color in the garden is of the utmost importance- Lyndon will teach you how colors create moods and feelings, and how to use colors wisely and appropriately. Bold, bright strokes of colors might be just what you need- or maybe you have too much going on? Lyndon will teach you how to be ruthless with color and how to use color like an artist! (*This class is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to go home and yank out anything that is ruining your color scheme!)

Nov. 26 at 1-4

Overlooked & Underused Perennials
Are you sick and tired of the same old perennials? Are you bored to death with colombines? Are lilies and monkshood just not doing it for you anymore? Peonies make you puke? Well, this is the class for you! Lyndon is going to reacquaint you with a host of old fashioned plants that you may have neglected, as well as new takes on old favorites! Maybe you hate Dianthus…but have you tried THIS one? Or maybe you thought if you’d seen one Shasta daisy you’ve seen them…not true, says Lyndon! This should be a fun and invigorating class for gardeners of all skill levels!

Nov 27 at 9-12

Berries & Small Fruits
Everyone wants fresh fruit from the garden, but have you considered the ornamental qualities of fruit producing plants? There are a number of trees, shrubs, and perennials that produce beautiful (and frequently delicious!) berries! Join Lyndon as he introduces you to currants, gooseberries, sea buckthorns, haskap and more! Sure to be an inspirational and fun class!

Nov 27 at 1-4

What’s New?
2012 is going to be the year your garden is the most awesome it’s ever been, right? Lyndon will get you ready for the new year by introducing you to new varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bedding plants! Brand new, never before offered introductions will soon be hitting the shelves at your favorite garden center and Lyndon wants to explore those new possibilities with you! Likely to be a highly opinionated and very colorful class!
_____

Vanessa Ross Young
PHC Applied Botany Instructor: Students, please use contact information provided to you as the information below will not reach me directly!
Coordinator: University of Saskatchewan Master Gardener Program

Centre for Continuing and Distance Education
477 Williams Bldg.
221 Cumberland Avenue North
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK  S7N 1M3
Phone (306) 966-5546
Fax (306) 966-5590

October 22 & 23 – Garden Fundamentals – 9 am to 4 pm

Instructor: Vanessa Ross Young, U of S Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Fee:  $88.20 (includes gst)

Also available in distance education format.

Learn the science of gardening! Understanding basic horticulture will help answer many common gardening problems and will help you to become a better gardener. Learn the basics of soils, climate, plant nutrition, botany, mulches and watering. The Garden Fundamentals classes include lecture, discussion, slide shows as well as hands-on activities to aid student understanding and give practical skills to use outside of the classroom. This two day course is broken into two parts:

Day 1: Soils for Horticulture – Students will learn about how soil is formed with a focus on Prairie geological history and climate, how plants use the nutrients in soil, and how to improve soils through basic composting.

Day 2: Applied Botany for Gardeners – Students will get a basic understanding of horticultural botany including plant anatomy and function with an emphasis on why the science of horticulture is important to our garden.

NOTE: This course is a prerequisite for other core courses

November 5 – Botanical Latin – 9 am to 12 Noon

Instructor: Vanessa Ross Young, U of S Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Fee:  $40.95 (includes gst)

Also available in distance education format.

What’s in a plant name? Understanding Botanical Latin is a useful tool when selecting plants for your landscape. This is a half day course.

NOTE: This course is a prerequisite for other core courses

November 5 – Residential Landscape Design Part 2 – 1 to 4 pm

Instructor: Mary Campbell of Erickson Design

Fee $40.95 (includes gst)

Learn the basic principles and practices of landscape design. Participants

will develop the skills required to draw and design a landscape. Emphasis

will be placed on residential landscapes. Participants must have completed

Part 1. Part 3, bringing in your completed landscapes to be critiqued, will be offered at Spring Renewal 2012.

November 5 – Garden Focal Points – 7 to 9:30 pm

Instructor: Lyndon Penner, CBC Horticulturalist

Fee:  $40.95 (includes gst)

Is your yard lacking something? Does your garden appear too “busy”? Are there garden gnomes everywhere along your pathways? Join Lyndon as he takes you on a journey through garden decor and art. Do you really NEED a $700 fountain? Maybe you just need to move that giant turtle to a new spot? Are those boulders working the way they should? Lyndon will explain what a focal point is, how to use it, and how to correct those mistakes you may not know that you are making!

November 5 – Rural Landscape Design Part 2 – 7 to 9:30 pm

Instructor: Mary Campbell of Erickson Design

Fee:  $40.95 (includes gst)

Learn the basic principles of landscape design. Participants will develop the skills required to draw and design a landscape. Emphasis will be placed on rural landscapes. Participants must have completed Part 1. During the latter half of the course, students will be given to time to work on their landscape plans and ask questions so make sure you bring in scale drawings and measurements!

November 6 – Best Trees & Shrubs – 9 am to 4 pm

Instructor: Lyndon Penner, CBC Horticulturalist

Fee:  $61.95 (includes gst)

Join Lyndon for an entertaining class that will help you make informed, educated decisions about what to grow and where to grow it! Lyndon will take you through trees and shrubs he loves, trees and shrubs he loathes, and the how & why of both. You’ll learn what makes a good shrub good, and what traits are undesirable and possibly problematic. Come and find out why gardening on the prairies is dynamic, exciting, and occasionally very frustrating!
_____

Vanessa Ross Young
PHC Applied Botany Instructor: Students, please use contact information provided to you as the information below will not reach me directly!
Coordinator: University of Saskatchewan Master Gardener Program

Centre for Continuing and Distance Education
477 Williams Bldg.
221 Cumberland Avenue North
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK  S7N 1M3
Phone (306) 966-5546
Fax (306) 966-5590

One of the final event of the Grow Regina gardening season is nearly upon us

The Gardeners’ Fall Meeting

7pm, Tuesday October 18^th at St. Mark’s Church (the big building to the south of gardens!)

We will be reviewing “the garden season that was”;

Your Board will let you know “what’s coming up”;

And

You will have the opportunity to ratify the Slate of Officers for the upcoming gardening season.

And of course it is always good to meet with your fellow gardeners — thus putting the “Community” in “Community gardening” ! 

(Also, my dear volunteers, I plan to post some sign-up sheets around the room where those who are interested in a particular committee or project can sign up to indicate their interest! For example, “Garden Operations”; “Accessible Gardens”; “Composting Committee”; and there may be others … )

AND == rumour has it that there MAY be refreshments!  (feel free to bring some along to share if you like!)

We look forward to seeing you all there,

Yvette

Along with the rest of your Grow Regina Board:  John Fagan, Cameron Ulledal, Gene Lauman, Robert Wuschenny, Duane Haave, Patti Walker, Don Fenwick and Louise Arndt !

NOTE : GARDEN CLEAN UP

All gardens were to have been cleaned out as of Mon Oct 10^th. Final Inspections will take place this weekend; gardeners of “abandoned” weedy plots will receive a phone call and may not be eligible to garden next year. Please don’t let this be you!

Also, now the “nasty weather” is upon us, any of you who have root crops remaining in your gardens, please plan to remove those on the next nice day. It is important we get all the plots cleaned out before snow flies! (and yes it will come eventually)

The Loraas bin will be removed after next weekend. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

Posting Courtesy of allrecipes.com:  http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Roasting-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

When you’re carving your Halloween pumpkin, don’t just throw away the seeds, roast them in the oven! In this video (video link below), you’ll learn how to roast pumpkin seeds. After you’ve removed the seeds, you’ll learn how to wash and dry them. We’ll show you how to wash and dry your pumpkin seeds before preparing them with oil, salt, and seasonings. You’ll learn how to keep pumpkin seeds from over-browning on the roasting pan. Loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals, roasted pumpkin seeds are delicious sprinkled over salads, sautéed with vegetables, or simply eaten out of hand.

Video Link:  http://allrecipes.com/Video/139/Roast-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

1.  Rinse pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. (This is easiest just after you’ve removed the seeds from the pumpkin, before the pulp has dried.)

2.  Place the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet, stirring to coat. If you prefer, omit the oil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.

3.  Sprinkle with salt and bake at 325 degrees F until toasted, about 25 minutes, checking and stirring after 10 minutes.

4.   Let cool and store in an air-tight container.

• Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Why Carve Pumpkins?

The story of the Jack o’Lantern comes from Irish folklore. Jack was a crafty farmer who tricked the Devil into climbing a tall tree. When the Devil reached the highest branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk, making it impossible for the Devil to climb down.

In exchange for help getting out of the tree, the Devil promised never to tempt Jack with evil again. When Jack died, he was turned away from Heaven for his sins and turned away from Hell because of his trickery. Condemned to wander the earth without rest, Jack carved out one of his turnips, took an ember from the devil, and used it for a lantern to light his way. He became known as “Jack of the Lantern.”

Choose sugar pie pumpkins or other flavorful varieties. Small and sweet, with dark orange-colored flesh, they’re perfect for pies, soups, muffins and breads.

A medium-sized (4-pound) sugar pumpkin should yield around 1½ cups of mashed pumpkin. This puree can be used in all your recipes calling for canned pumpkin.

Field pumpkins, which are bred for perfect jack-o’-lanterns, tend to be too large and stringy for baking.

Choose Your Method

There are three ways to transform an uncooked pumpkin into the puree used in baking:

Baking Method

• Cut the pumpkin in half and discard the stem section and stringy pulp. Save the seeds to dry and roast
• In a shallow baking dish, place the two halves face down and cover with foil
• Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for about 1½ hours for a medium-sized sugar pumpkin, or until tender
• Once the baked pumpkin has cooled, scoop out the flesh and puree or mash it
• For silky smooth custards or soups, press the pumpkin puree through a sieve

Boiling Method

• Cut the pumpkin in half, discarding the stringy insides
• Peel the pumpkin and cut it into chunks
• Place in a saucepan and cover with water
• Bring to a boil and cook until the pumpkin chunks are tender
• Let the chunks cool, and then puree the flesh in a food processor or mash it with a potato masher or food mill

Microwave Method

• Cut the pumpkin in half, discarding the stringy insides
• Microwave on high power for seven minutes per pound, turning pieces every few minutes to promote even cooking. Process as above
• You can refrigerate your fresh pumpkin puree for up to three days, or store it in the freezer up to six months, enabling you to enjoy fall pumpkins for months to come

Posting Courtesy of allrecipes.com:  http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Pumpkin-Recipes/Detail.aspx

Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin, whether fresh or canned, is terrific in more than just pies. Try it in pancakes, soups, chili–even lasagna.

Posting Courtesy of  http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Baking-with-Fresh-Pumpkin/Detail.aspx

Well the gardens are slowly being cleared out for the season and we wanted to let you know about a few Very Important Dates coming up!

September 28 / 29 Water will be shut off

Saturday October 1^st,  11am – 2pm — Gardener’s Fall BBQ. Please join us in the Gardens for a BBQ. Bring a twonie and we will provide hamburger/hotdog and drink. Some always bring along vegies, salads, sides or desserts to share and that is welcome if you feel so inclined! Be environmentally friendly and bring your own plate & cutlery! This is a nice time to visit with your fellow gardeners and say ‘goodbye’ to the gardens until next season – Hope to see you all there.

October 10^th — (Thanksgiving Monday) is the deadline to have gardens cleaned up. Please remove all weeds and garden debris. (We will have a Loraas bin available for those who cannot compost or garbage their own garden waste at home – I will send another note along when we know the dates that will be available). Please pay particular attention to the paths adjacent to your garden and get those weeds cleaned up as well. If you have produce you cannot use, you are encouraged to take that to the Food Bank, Carmichael Outreach, or a neighbour-gardener!

October 18^th, 7pm– Fall Gardener’s Meeting. Please join us at St Mark’s church for our Fall Meeting/AGM and Election of Officers

Thanks all for being part of Grow Regina this gardening season! And thanks to the many, many of you who volunteered.

See you at the BBQ and AGM!

- Yvette

Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of Mother Nature and improve our garden soil. As we reap the harvest of the vegetable garden, we need to consider how to give back nutrients to the soil for the following spring. After adding compost, manure and store-bought soil amendments, the next step is to sow a cover crop, sometimes called green manure.

While a cover crop improves the soil in many ways, a primary benefit is the addition of nitrogen, allowing the plants to make good growth in the absence of nitrogen fertilizer and in cold soil. Many cover crops are from the legume family, which have roots that are colonized by rhizobia bacteria that extract atmospheric nitrogen from the air and “fix” it into the usable nitrogen required for their own growth.

When the bacteria are done with this nitrogen, it becomes available to the host plant. Typically legumes with these nitrogen-fixing bacteria have swellings or nodules on the roots that are soft. Leaving these roots in the soil will also leave a population of the bacteria for the next crop of legumes. Some soil may lack these beneficial rhizobia bacteria and may benefit from the addition of “inoculants,” commercially prepared rhizobia bacteria, available for purchase from cover-crop seed suppliers.

Each legume species requires a specific species of rhizobia. Cover crops also build up organic matter when tilled or dug in at the end of the growing season, or make great compost or mulch if pulled from the soil or cut and harvested.

Finally, a cover crop offers soil protection from winter weather; stabilizing it and preventing wind and rain erosion, nutrient leaching and compaction. With all these advantages, it is easy to see why growing a cover crop is much preferable to leaving the soil bare.

Cover crops may be sown on vacant soil, seeded between rows of winter veggies, or transplanted as seedlings into the empty areas of perennial or shrub borders. The crop you choose to grow depends on how early and harsh your winter is, what nutrients you are most in need of and, most importantly, whether you want to till in your green manure or simply cut it down to use as compost or mulch.

All green manures will add valuable nutrients to the compost; so if you choose not to dig it in, simply cut and toss, leaving the roots in the garden bed.

Sow cover crops as soon as the soil is bare. Although they are primarily planted in the spring or fall, you can germinate cover crops at any frost-free time of the year. For fall choose a winter-hardy grower, such as vetch or peas. It is miraculous how these cool-season growers can trap the energy of our winter sun and turn it into nutrients for our gardens.

Best Cover Crops

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) – hardy to zone 5
Winter-hardy, short-lived and a superb nitrogen fixer – this is considered one of the best green manures. Sow it in early spring through September. Attractive with its traditional cloverleaf and honey-scented flowers, it reaches a mature height of only 30 cm (12 in.), with a taproot three times as long. A food source for bees and shelter for beneficial ground beetles. This clover is a useful cover crop in summer or winter. If grown in an apple orchard, farmers report the trees will produce tastier fruit.

Fall Rye (Secale cereale) – hardy to zone 3
This cover crop suppresses weeds and prevents erosion and soil compaction. It grows well from fall through spring, when it should be tilled in. It is quite fibrous and should be tilled in at least three weeks before planting. It is an excellent soil amender and supplier of nutrients, particularly phosphorus.

Fava Bean (Vicia faba) – hardy to zone 7 or 8
This is an excellent nitrogen fixer with an extraordinarily long taproot useful for breaking up clay or compacted soils. When tilled in, the leaves decompose rapidly; however, the fibrous stem will loosen heavy soils. It may also be cut and composted, leaving the nitrogen-fixing roots in the soil. Plant in early fall or early spring, as it thrives in cooler temperatures. For extra winter hardiness, seek out the Banner variety. As with all legumes, be sure to rotate crops within the garden. Pull the plants or till them in before they form pods.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) – hardy to zone 5
Alfalfa fixes nitrogen and is an excellent weed suppressor. Its roots can go down 1.2 m (4 ft.) to reach nutrients deep in the earth and break up the subsoil. It can be grown year-round; it will die back in severely cold winters but should resprout in spring, when it can grow until it is time to till it in. It should be double-tilled to prevent resprouting. Alfalfa does not like water-logged or acidic soil.

Tips for Planting a Cover Crop

• Decide in fall where you will plant the following spring’s root crops and sow a cover crop with a large taproot to help break up the soil. The root crops will appreciate the open soil texture and added phosphorus.
• Never let green manures go to seed.
• Grow a crop of buckwheat during the summer, cut it down and mulch it into next season’s tomato, cucumber and squash beds. Sow a winter cover crop over top. The calcium lovers will reward you next season with a bumper crop.
• For next summer, consider covering any bare areas with buckwheat. This green manure not only attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies and bumblebees, it also is an excellent source of phosphorus and calcium. It helps to break up compacted soil, prevents wind erosion and will compete with weeds. This one can be left to flower for one week, and then it should be tilled in.

IMPORTANT: If you are planning to arrange your own rototilling, please note that Grow Regina does not permit tractor rototilling units on the site.

Starting at $15.00 per 10′x10′ plot

$20 per 10′x20′ plot
$30 per 20′x20′ plot
$40 per 20′x30′ plot

(Rates above quoted per season.)

Please make your cheque payable to: Plowing for People

Mailing address is:

Plowing for People | 73 Crystal Drive | Coppersands | SK | S4L 1B3

Contact Shirley at 781-2888 or email sneuls@accesscomm.ca to schedule your rototilling request.

Did you know?

Pathway Plowing for People Corp. donated a garden shed to Grow Regina. For more information, click here.

We had a great turn out at Saturdays; work bee – BIG THANKS to all  who came out – Several of our ‘lowest’ pathways through the garden are now much improved!

We did have to clear some masses of weeds in some pathways — So just a reminder that the pathways adjacent to your garden are yours to keep clear of weeds and debris – thank you!

We do have two little piles of crusher dust left. Pleas feel free to build up any low spots you are aware of.

If there is any crusher dust left over, a few of us can work together on Saturday (August 27^th) at 1pm to find the last places where it is needed.

Thanks again,

- Yvette

Grow Regina Community Garden