HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-05-13, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13,1992.
9-(ome & (jOTcfen 1992
Community gardens, an idea as fresh as veggies
BY LISA BOONSTOPPEL-POT
Community gardening is an idea
as fresh as the vegetables it pro
duces and is evolving right here in
Huron County.
It's an idea so ripe with potential
that people from Blyth, Bayfield,
Goderich and Clinton are getting
involved and reaping the rewards
of bountiful harvests of fresh,
organically grown vegetables.
The concept is simple. People
buy shares in a garden which pays
for a gardener who, in turn, organi
cally grows and harvests vegetables
to be divided equally among the
shareholders.
Yet, there is only one in Ontario,
situated deep in the hills between
Clinton and Goderich. Its gardener
is Bob Bud of RR 2, Goderich who
explains how the whole project
blossomed.
"We went to a meeting about
community gardening hosted by
David Parsons who had just
returned from working on one in
the United States," recalled Mr.
Bud. "I wasn't too sure about the
concept but I really like the people
involved so I decided to offer a
piece of my land as a possible site
for the project."
Three years later, Mr. Bud has
gone from being a doubtful partici
pant to a firm believer and promot
er of the community garden
concept.
At first, Mr. Bud wondered if
enough people would be committed
to the concept to make it work.
Commitment meaning people pay
ing $400 per share (a share is
designed to provide enough pro
duce for four people) in January
and facing the fact that there was
no guarantee on how bountiful the
harvest would be.
"By paying outfront, people
showed they were committed to
sharing if there was an abundant
harvest and if there was a bad year
too," said Mr. Bud.
Last year, 36 shares were avail
able and all were sold.
Peter and Laurel Smith of Blyth
were among those shareholders.
Since she is an actress and he the
Artistic Director of the Blyth Festi
val, their summers are very hectic
and leave little time for gardening.
Last year, they didn't even have a
garden of their own.
Getting involved with the com
munity gardening project seemed
the perfect way to have fresh veg
etables all season.
"It was well-worth the cost," said
Mrs. Smith. "There was such an
abundance I ended up giving a lot
of produce away."
Lack of time wasn’t the only fac
tor in their decision to become
shareholders. The fact that the com
munity gardening project grows
only organic produce was a big
selling factor.
"I don't like the idea of pesti
cides," she admits. "I'm always
apprehensive when buying produce
at the grocery store, especially if it
comes from the States."
Growing food organically is also
important to Mr. Bud and as the
gardener, he sees to it that no syn
thetic fertilizers or chemical pesti
cides are used in the garden,
Instead, vegetables are fertilized
with compost and horse manure.
"Our members want it this way
and are willing to accept less than
perfect appearing vegetables," he
said.
In this project, it seems what
members want is what they usually
get.
When someone buys a member
ship, they fill out an application
listing types of produce they'd like
grown.
If it's possible, Mr. Bud will
grow it. For example, this year, a
shareholder asked for fem-leaf dill
and it's to be planted.
The varieties grown in the garden
far out number what's available in
local grocery stores. For instance,
there are eight different kinds of
lettuce and four species of broccoli
alone.
Peas, leeks and onion are already
emerging from the soil in the com
munity garden and once ripe, Mr.
Bud will begin harvesting for pick
up every Tuesday and Saturday.
This year, he hopes to establish a
delivery system where vegetables
will be dropped off and sharehold
ers' organic waste picked up to be
used for compost in the garden.
"We can use the compost and this
way, it doesn't go to a dump," said
Mr. Bud who admits he's trying to
change people's attitudes to make
them more responsible for their
food supply.
"People really put farmers in a
bad situation because they want
continued on page 17
Creative Backyards
Beautiful wood projects are sure
to enhance your backyard
Bob's 'budding' garden
Bob Bud, the chief gardener for the community gardening project at RR 2, Goderich checks
on some seedlings which he started in this cold frame. Mr. Bud takes care of three acres of
garden which is owned by shareholders who get fresh, organically grown vegetables all
summer. This fresh idea in gardening is catching on with people from Blyth, Goderich,
Bayfield and Clinton.
Tips on
spraying
Dusting is often the most conve
nient and quickest way to control
pests in small gardens. The ready-
to-use plastic squeeze dusters work
well to apply a light, even coating
of dust to control insects and
diseases. Spraying is an economical
method of pest control as one pack
age of a liquid or wettable powder
makes many litres of spray.
A good rule is to spray or dust
when insects or diseases first
appear. Some plants, however,
require regular preventive treat
ments. Well known examples are:
roses, apple trees, cabbage and
broccoli.
Do not apply pesticides under
windy conditions as they will drift.
If you must spray when there is
some wind, use low pressure sprays
with coarse droplets. Never apply
lawn weed killers if rain threatens.
For effective control of weeds there
must be at least six hours between
the spray application and rain or
watering.
Avoid spraying plants when the
temperature is over 26°C (80°F) or
you may injure leaves or fruit.
Don't spray insecticides directly
on open flowers when bees are for
aging Spray in the evening when
the bees are not active.
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