End of Season

20 years ago

The first frosts have started hitting us here in Southern Ontario so we've been scrambling to get off the last of the tomatoes, peppers, etc. before they get destroyed.

Despite the late start -- we didn't get into our new community garden until the first weekend of July because of the wet spring weather -- and the early autumn frosts, we really had a good first year in our community garden.

About 20 people had their gardens in an area about 100 feet square. An equal area was set aside for gardens to supply area foodbanks and other charities. Everyone who took part raved about the project and the charities were ecstatic as we sent truckloads of produce to them.

We had some problems with squash bugs and corn borers, but for the most part it was a rather trouble-free gardening endeavor.

We expect the demand to be much greater next year because of the success we had this summer. We may have to double the area set aside for the community garden.

How did everybody else do this year?

Jim

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

jimcall
20 years ago
Jim,
Sounds very upbeat considering a short growing season. On Friday, we will be harvesting our first Turnips for the season. We harvested our sweet potatoes last week. Got over 600 lbs from 3 rows (40 ft per row). Not bad! Check out our harvest totals on my personal web site dedicated to this community garden... see www.casagarden.com

Keep up the good works,

Jim Call, CASA Community Garden Volunteer Director

Here is a link that might be useful: CASA Community Garden
niagara_jim
Original Author
20 years ago
Wow! Am I impressed. CASA is one marvellous operation. Someday perhaps, we here at WeCan will be able to boast such wonderful accomplishments.

Its funny how the same ideas spring up so far apart. We have even been talking about having school kids produce scarecrows for the garden. Now, I see its already been done.

Your CASA website is also great. Somebody is obviously putting a lot of hours into your operation down there in the sunny south.

Congratulations! You certainly set the standard.

Jim, who wishes he had your climate to garden in.
Related Professionals
Wrentham Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mount Wilson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Waterbury Landscape Contractors · Ashburn Landscape Contractors · Burlington Landscape Contractors · Clark Landscape Contractors · Lantana Landscape Contractors · Greenfield Landscape Contractors · Hawaiian Gardens Landscape Contractors · San Pablo Landscape Contractors · Fountain Hills Outdoor Lighting & Audio Visual Systems · La Puente Outdoor Lighting & Audio Visual Systems · Kennewick Siding & Exteriors · Sacramento Siding & Exteriors · San Antonio Siding & Exteriors
jimcall
20 years ago
Jim,
If you are considering the scarecrows, make it simple. I built the T frames from 2 by 4s. Next, we have a simple face template that is screwed on the top. At the end of the season (late fall), we take off all the clothes, hats, etc and repaint the frames (gray).

The kids from 3 different schools make their creations each spring from these "reformatted" frames. They supply all the materials. We have 2 Middle Schools (12, 13 and 14 year olds) involved as well as one private high school.

On our offical "Plant Day", we not only plant our vegetables, we also "plant" our new scarecrows. These kids are encouraged to participate.

This project helps make us a true "community" garden.

Good luck with your garden,

Jim
wayner2000
20 years ago
Hi Jim, I don't belong to a community garden however my own garden did very well this year. My tomatoes and peppers did extremely well and the cucumbers not so well. As you mentioned it was a very wet spring and early fall. I am in Southern Ontario as well and today I pulled some of my last annuals out before the frost makes them mush. Take care.....Wayne