One day this week the tractor from the campus farm will arrive to plough and till the land ready for us to move in next Saturday. But the creeping charley and the dandelions and their friends are invading already and it would good if as few of them as possible could be removed so there are few roots left after the ploughing to re-sprout and cause mischief.
PLEASE feel free to drop down and do some freelance lifting of weeds any time from today (Sunday) onwards. There are wheelbarrows in the north-west corner to help. Bring a spade or digging fork to make to job go fast.
Every little will help and as the ground is very soft the job should be easy. Thanks.
THE FUTURE TOMATO PATCH PARTIALLY PREPAREDA ROW OF WEEDS READY FOR REMOVALAN EASY TEN MINUTES LATER
Given some nice weather in the next couple of weeks so that the site can be ploughed and tilled we plan to hold our first volunteer work party on Saturday 15 May starting at 9am.
The opening season dates are as follows – if you have given us your name as a volunteer or would just like to help anyway, please come along. There will something for everyone to contribute.
Opening Schedule ** Start at 9am each day unless told otherwise
Wet Weather Alternative Dates
Sat 15 May – “Opening Day” – set out geotex and stakes. Clear any weeds that have survived the ploughing. Erect rabbit fence around bean patch if we have enough volunteers.
Sat 22 May
Wed 19 May – (and any other day that week people are free) – start to install irrigation lines. Erect Gazebo if not already done.. Erect rabbit fence if not already installed.
Wed 26 May
Sat 22 May – continue as above. Put up bean-pole towers.
Sat 29 May
Wed 26 May – continue as above
Sat 29 May – first planting of seedlings that are mature enough plus complete unfinished tasks.
Wed 2 June – continue planting and sowing etc
Thereafter – regular work sessions each Saturday and Wednesday starting at 9am
** Any changes to the schedule, need for additional jobs on other days etc will be published here and on our Facebook page. Major news items will also be distributed by email to those on our address list.
The 2019 season was a huge success with a 26% increase in the weight of produce over 2018 … which itself was a record.
We have written an illustrated summary of the seasn if you would like to know more – the summary also includes information abot the new Orchard at Fritz which we are now looking after. Click on the image/link below.
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.
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)
Our thanks to everyone who took part – and we look forward to trying to beat this record in 2018.
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.
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 🙂
Most of the regular volunteers paused for coffee
Picking beans
Butternut squash will be ready soon
Are these the winning pumpkins in this year’s contest?
