Author Archives: The Author

2018 Harvest Summary

2018 proved to have been the best harvest since the garden started. Our backs certainly feel as if that is the case …

In particular the various cucurbitae (squash, cucumbers, courgettes) were increased by almost 90% despite the presence of various insect pests that we have not seen in previous years … and the squirrels found some of the ripening fruits. Beans were up by 55% … we had increased the number of rows planted this season and we also had a longer picking season than in earlier years as a result of the weather. Tomatoes, as usual, were our biggest crop.

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2018 Pumpkin Contest

The winning pumpkin was grown by Annika Peschlow with a circumference of 62 inches.

Other, almost as large, pumpkins were grown by young gardeners Julien Rosu, Mia Brady, Kristjan Peschlow and Giulia Peltier.

Thanks to everyone who planted a seed back in the spring.

2017 Pumpkin Contest Winner

This morning was the weigh-in for the 2017 Giant Pumpkin Contest. Each spring we give special seeds to young members of our community which they can grow on in part of the Garden at Fritz. Unlike last year, the weather was glorious this October morning. After the warm and wet summer we have enjoyed, the pumpkins have grown mightily and we have set a new record.

The winning pumpkin was grown by Thomas and Julianne Thierry and it weighed an amazing 180lbs (82 kg)

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Our thanks to everyone who took part – and we look forward to trying to beat this record in 2018.

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Appreciation

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We have just received this letter from the West Island Assistance Fund Foodbank that receives vegetables from the Garden:
 
Dear Sirs,
 
On behalf of the West Island Assistance Fund we thank you for your donation of fresh vegetables.
 
We are grateful for your interest in our work. With donations such as yours, we can continue to offer assistance, help and support to families experiencing a crisis. Up to now we have helped hundreds of families and we can accomplish more.
 
In the name of all the people that we help, our volunteers, our employees and in my own name I thank you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Claudine S. Campeau, B.A.A., ll.b
Executive Director

Press Day at the Garden

Saturday morning is a regular opportunity for the volunteers to harvest vegetables. Today we invited the Montreal press to come along and watch us at work … one or two made it 🙂

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Most of the regular volunteers paused for coffee

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Picking beans

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Butternut squash will be ready soon

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Are these the winning pumpkins in this year’s contest?

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A new recruit to the team

Wonderful Harvest (and tiny visitors)

The harvest we are gathering at the Fritz Garden this summer is simply wonderful. We have been gathering boxes and boxes of beans, cucumbers, celery, aubergines, beets, cilantro, zucchini/courgettes etc and our expansive rows of tomatoes are starting to ripen. All of this goes to local food banks and is gathered and distributed by our dedicated volunteers.

Earlier this week one of our volunteers, Claudia, was delighted to welcome a visit by the young people from the Whiteside-Taylor Garderie. They learned about what we do, saw vegetables being grown and helped a bit with the harvesting. Later Claudia received a thank-you card from the children.