Growing (Garlic Co-op, Greenhouse, Gleaning Project)

On Sunday March 4, nine participants met at the Food Program Greenhouse to make up a shared starting mix and begin plantings for the 2012 growing season.

After discussing the components of the mix and comparing with other recipes, we made up a large batch of starter mix, washed containers in soap and warm water and began planting. Seeds planted included 3 varieties of yellow storage onions, one type of red storage onions, summer leeks, moss curled parsley, two types of celery and fennel. In addition some previously sprouted red stemmed celery was transplanted into larger pots as well. Some members took the seed trays home to germinate in the warm and will return them once sprouted and the plants will be shared by members of the group. Some trays of starts are for the food program and will be transplanted out at participating farms later in the spring.

Our basic recipe for the seed starting mix was as follows:

1 part coconut coir – presoaked

1 part compost

1 part sand

1 part perlite

We experimented with plantings in both the straight mix and in a mix topped with fine vermiculite to see what the difference might be in terms of germination and surface contamination by algae or mold.

Seedling flat mix

• 2 parts compost or worm castings
• 2 parts peat moss
• 1 part vermiculite, pre-wet

Seed mix

• 2 parts screened compost or worm castings
• 4 parts sphagnum peat
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part vermiculite
• Lime as needed to adjust pH to 6

Seed mix – standard soilless

• 50–75% sphagnum peat
• 25–50% vermiculite
• 5 lbs of ground or superfine dolomitic lime per cubic yard of mix
• Blood meal, rock phosphate, and greensand at 5 to 10 lbs per cubic yard

MAIN INGREDIENT INFO

• Sphagnum peat moss

o Material and Description Peat is a common ingredient in soilless mixes because it is widely available, relatively inexpensive, and has desirable physical characteristics. It holds a lot of water and air and decomposes very slowly. Barks—even aged barks—should be avoided as seedling mix components because they immobilize nitrogen.

o Characteristics Peat is quite acidic (pH of 3.5–4.0); limestone is usually added to the mix to balance the pH. Add about 5–15 lb lime per cubic yard for mixes containing 70% peat. Peat is not a source of plant nutrients. Color varies with extent of decay; lighter-colored peats (grower or professional grade) provide more aeration. Finer, darker peats (retail grade) are used as a soil amendment.

o Common Usage Often makes up 30–80% of the mixes. Blending equal parts peat and compost results in desirable pH range.

• Perlite

o Material and Description Is a silica-based volcanic rock that has been heated using natural gas, causing it to expand and become less dense. It improves aeration and water holding capacity of mixes.

o Characteristics Perlite is sterile and has a neutral pH.

o Common Usage Typically makes up 30–50% of mixes when combined with peat or high C:N compost.

• Vermiculte

o Material and Description Is a micaceous mineral expanded in a furnace using natural gas.

o Characteristics Handled roughly, it can lose its air holding capacity. Vermiculite can supply some K, Mg, and other trace minerals.

o Common Usage Typically makes up 30–50% of mixes when combined with peat or high C:N compost.

• Worm castings

o Material and Description Produced by red worms as they breakdown organic wastes. Inconsistent quality makes custom mixes necessary.

o Characteristics Castings are nutrient rich and claimed to have growth promoting attributes. The amount of available P and N varies with bedding materials.

o Common Usage Often makes up 10–40% of mixes; the proportion varies with composition in the same way as other composts or manures.

COME SATISFY YOUR APPETITE….

– to grow food for yourself, your family and your community

– to work with others

– to learn about soil, planting and harvesting techniques and orchard care

Cable Bay and Sunshine Farms are offering to collaborate in creative and innovative ways

– 50 foot irrigated allotment beds

– forming a potato coop

– growing community crops

– learning, labour and food exchanges

BRING YOUR IDEAS OF HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

Let’s Occupy our Food System !

Come be part of the Spring Fever to take some control of our own food production as well as working amongst friends of all ages.

Explore these ideas with community, Food Program coordinators and the farmers

THURSDAY , MARCH 22 @ 7 pm at the Community Hall

The focus of the Community Greenhouse is to promote social and environmental sustainability. The project allows community members to grow their own organic herbs and vegetables 12 months of the year while engaging in a welcoming community environment. A portion of the greenhouse is used by the school children for their purposes from September through June though there is lots of room for sharing.

The greenhouse project was initiated in 2010 by the Galiano Community Food Program through the Galiano Club who is responsible ultimately for its upkeep and use. After repeatedly hearing that the community was interested in growing year-round, the Food Program was successful in receiving a VanCity grant to fund the project.

Today there is a 20′ by 16′ poly greenhouse located on the grounds of the Galiano Community School. The greenhouse contains a large U-shaped raised bed, a large work bench and a shelving unit.. The beds are fitted with an in-ground drip irrigation system to minimize water consumption as the crops mature. The Greenhouse Project is divided into the Spring Starts group and the year round group. There is a cost of participating which has been $20 per person but could be revisited each year. This is used to purchase organic seeds, tools, etc. all at the groups discretion. If desired, the group can elect to pool extra funds for special projects.

Guidelines and Rules

* The Community greenhouse is a teaching and learning facility first and foremost and is secondarily about production. The Galiano Community School also uses the greenhouse for their teaching purposes.

* The greenhouse is a SHARED facility and must be used respectfully. Participants are encouraged to look after each other’s crops and report anything unusual or any problems to a Food Program representative.

* Given the size of the greenhouse, a limit of eight people per season is recommended. Two participants from a previous year will be encouraged to stay on in order to ensure continuity and the rest of the group will be determined by lottery, if there is more interest than spaces available. There will be a waiting list in order to ensure continued participation, should some participants be unable to complete their growing season. People can participate fully or partially depending on life schedules.

* SECURITY: Right now, we are not using a key system, but this policy may be revisited as required.

* The Food Program promotes organic methods of gardening. Use of herbicides and chemical pesticides are strictly prohibited.

* All plant waste to be deposited outside of the Greenhouse in the appropriate compost.

* No pets are permitted in the Greenhouse.

*No Smoking inside the Greenhouse or on school ground.

* No GMO Seeds

Starts Group: Get a jump on the growing season ! Learn what to start and when as well as how to make great potting mixes. Planning meeting Sun. Feb 26, 11 am @ the greenhouse.

First plantings Sunday, March 4 @ 11 am

Due to bad weather, the meeting will be postponed one week. We will now be meeting on the 26th.

Believe it or not we will have our first greenhouse gathering this month to begin planning what to grow and to order seeds. The fact that we can begin the process so early in the new year is a glorious aspect of our west coast climate.

We will meet Thurs. Jan 26 at 1 pm at the Activity Centre meeting room to plan this year’s permanent plantings while the Starts Group, where people come to simply use the bright warm greenhouse facility to seed starts for their home gardens, will meet in February; date to be announced.

If you would like to be participate in the Galiano Community Food Program’s Community Greenhouse this year – be sure to come to the meeting.

The harvest is my favourite time of year and so are the spring sowings and the summer warmth when the greens are growing so fast. And then its winter! Mild winters might be what we pray for and we are fortunate to live in a climate that allows outdoor work any month of the year so for this article I will share with you my joys of the winter season. Apart from drawing up garden plans to make next year the best yet and drooling over seed catalogs there are many garden tasks that keep me active and upbeat. To get a jump on spring plantings I have already gathered material for making potting mixes. The garden has been dug over and mulched and my compost is perking slowly with all the remaining weeds from the garden. The heap shouldn’t be ignored for long periods because they could be a warm home for rats and mice.

We need a cold season to freeze out some of the worst pests. Climate change means a proliferation of nasty pests which are not dying over the winter months. For that reason I turn my compost heaps and remove clutter that would give shelter to slugs and bugs. A good freeze would decimate a bad slug population and likewise aphids that would otherwise be a problem. Traditionally the autumn fires served the purpose of clearing dead wood which can also harbour disease. Fire also has another benefit of releasing the nutrients in the ash for a soil improver. (Ash is also a good additive for clay and acidic soils.) Winter is when the excess livestock is culled to preserve food stocks. We fatten up, tell stories to comfort the children and celebrate the Solstice; the turning point of the year where it all starts over again

As part of the ongoing fruit tree project a wonderful opportunity has come our way: the chance to learn about planting fruit trees and bushes up at Sunshine Farm.

This coming week both Wed 26th and Thurs 27th we will explore:

• choosing the right site
• what to bring together to mix to encourage rooting and growth
• suitable varieties
• aspects of pruning

With the help of a backhoe we will be planting Chinese pears, walnut, olive, chestnut, grapes, Saskatoon berry, blueberry and apples. We will also get a chance to help pick apples.

We will meet at the Hall at 12:30 to carpool up or if you are already up island we will meet you there at 1:00.

PLEASE RSVP as we can only accommodate a maximum of 8 people.

For decades now Galiano residents have relied on regular transportation of food if not by our own steam than one of the storeowners here. But like most other places in North America both urban and rural there has been an awakening to the prospect of rekindling our agri CULTURE. It’s not just that we are preparing for the oil situation to force us in to local production; it’s much richer than that…. It seems to me that humans actually not only enjoy watching the fruits of our labour, but that we like to do it in a group !

The willingness of the growers in the community to put time in to teaching us how to lay irrigation, pick seed and sites as well as understanding harvesting techniques saves us the overwhelming heartbreak of failed crops. This sharing is going on all over the island and I hear of fresh approaches every week. As well, working in a group or in partnerships allows us to come and go a bit depending on work and other responsibilities. The comraderie in the field has been a real delight and I don’t think I’ve laughed as hard at my own misconceptions and mistakes ever. There is truly a gentle generosity in what has been happening between growers of all stripes here. One of the new parents on the island announced the other day that they chose Galiano over another home because of the fact that we have a greenhouse and garden at the school. Whoa !

The harvest is coming fast in these last weeks of October and already innovative ideas are flowing about various partnerships and commitments to each other towards health and community for the new year’s crops. It is wonderful to connect on such an important but uncomplicated issue as FOOD. Admittedly, I am looking forward to the brief pause in growing that we have here on the west coast and dreaming of the seed catalogues and inspiring plans that Galianoites always come up with. Until then, don’t hesitate to join us picking and processing the end of the season’s bounty. Just email or phone Alison or me. Always a pleasure …..