Join us to build a garden at Burnaby Village Museum & stay for a free lunch! Registration information below:
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Community Garden Planning in Burnaby Takes Root
On Saturday, February 25, Burnaby Food First hosted a Community Garden Planning workshop at Burnaby Village Museum. The idea was to get people thinking about available public land that might be suitable for community gardens. The intention was to plant the seeds of an idea...
Workshop facilitator Grant Rice soon discovered that those seeds had already been planted: many of the Burnaby community members who showed up had already picked out a potential garden site. They had come to find out how to make their gardens a reality.
Presentations by guests Jason Hsieh and Michael Denhamer helped participants look more specifically at opportunities, barriers and ways forward for the development of their imagined community gardens.
Hsieh spoke about his experience with the City of Vancouver, and walked participants through different guidelines and municipal policies that frame the process of establishing a community garden in Vancouver.
Denhamer, who works with Can You Dig It, explained the support that his organization can offer community garden groups in creating sustainable projects that become community assets. Can You Dig It has already helped communities create thriving gardens through 3-year commitments that aid in: navigating application processes and grant applications, locating infrastructure (such as water sources), licensing and insuring the garden, and helping new community gardeners establish governance.
This process was discussed at length in the small groups that formed following the presentations. Grant Rice, events and conference coordinator for Burnaby Food First, passed around maps of Burnaby and encouraged people to identify sites with the potential to become garden spaces. Working with Burnaby's website and maps, he helped participants examine the zoning and context of the sites.
Community gardens are more than communal green spaces. As Denhamer remarked, "community gardens grow food and cultivate community." Many of those who came would like to meet further to discuss future projects and next steps. Rev Kunz, who manages the Gathering Burnaby Gardeners Facebook group hopes that interested community members will get in touch through her page.
The afternoon was an exciting opportunity for Burnaby Food First to meet with local citizens who are spearheading gardening projects in their neighbourhoods. We hope this will become the next step of a greener Burnaby that provides greater food security within our municipality.
Many thanks to the United Way Lower Mainland for their continued support of Burnaby Food First initiatives, and to Burnaby Village Museum for the use of their facilities for our community workshop last weekend.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Feb 25 - Come Imagine Community Gardens in Burnaby
It might be difficult to imagine spring gardens with all the snow we've had. But beneath the snow, is there land that could be used for community gardening?
On February 25, join us for an afternoon at Burnaby Village Museum to find spaces in Burnaby that might be used to plan community gardens. Local experts from "Can You Dig It" and Vancouver community gardens will lead this conversation on planning spaces where community members can come together to cultivate food and flowers.
This is a free event, open to all. Register here.
On February 25, join us for an afternoon at Burnaby Village Museum to find spaces in Burnaby that might be used to plan community gardens. Local experts from "Can You Dig It" and Vancouver community gardens will lead this conversation on planning spaces where community members can come together to cultivate food and flowers.
This is a free event, open to all. Register here.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
April 7th - World Health Day!
Diabetes Awareness - April 7, 2016!
Today is World Health Day and the focus is on Diabetes. Did you know that there are an estimated 11 million people who are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes in Canada? There are over 420 million people in the world who have diabetes and that number is projected to double within the next 20 years...
This year, the World Health Organization's theme is diabetes. It is a disease that impacts millions of people globally.
Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot produce insulin or use the insulin it produces to control sugar. Every three minutes, a Canadian is diagnosed with this disease.
Disease Prevention
The WHO is looking to highlight beating diabetes through:
We support this as we believe that everyone should have access to local nutritious foods that they can prepare for themselves at home. Which is why we have local workshops focused on healthy eating or preparing nutritious foods.
Gardening is exercise - both mentally and physically. You are moving, digging, dragging and in some cases lifting (or carting) heavy soil. It is also great to get outside (patio container gardens count too) and connect with mother nature. At Burnaby Food First, we promote community gardens as well as learning to grow your own veggies in containers through our workshops as well.
By cooking and preparing your own food as well as gardening, you are avoiding excessive weight gain. Eating healthier and gardening helps to create a healthier environment. Through gardening, you also benefit from homegrown foods!
So, today let's help beat diabetes - either by cooking nutritious food at home or getting outside in your gardens (in your backyard, on your balcony, within your community or through sharing backyards)!
Today is World Health Day and the focus is on Diabetes. Did you know that there are an estimated 11 million people who are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes in Canada? There are over 420 million people in the world who have diabetes and that number is projected to double within the next 20 years...
This year, the World Health Organization's theme is diabetes. It is a disease that impacts millions of people globally.
Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot produce insulin or use the insulin it produces to control sugar. Every three minutes, a Canadian is diagnosed with this disease.
Disease Prevention
The WHO is looking to highlight beating diabetes through:
- Healthy eating
- Exercise, and
- Avoiding excessive weight gain.
We support this as we believe that everyone should have access to local nutritious foods that they can prepare for themselves at home. Which is why we have local workshops focused on healthy eating or preparing nutritious foods.
Gardening is exercise - both mentally and physically. You are moving, digging, dragging and in some cases lifting (or carting) heavy soil. It is also great to get outside (patio container gardens count too) and connect with mother nature. At Burnaby Food First, we promote community gardens as well as learning to grow your own veggies in containers through our workshops as well.
By cooking and preparing your own food as well as gardening, you are avoiding excessive weight gain. Eating healthier and gardening helps to create a healthier environment. Through gardening, you also benefit from homegrown foods!
So, today let's help beat diabetes - either by cooking nutritious food at home or getting outside in your gardens (in your backyard, on your balcony, within your community or through sharing backyards)!
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Water Management and Conservation
Sunny days seem to be here to stay. This summer particularly gardeners may welcome the following information about Water Conservation Kits. This is because of the current dry weather threatening a more severe drought and more expected water supply shortages going forward.
Water Conservation Kits
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| Source: City of Burnaby |
Some people question the need to conserve water in parts of the world where we see so much rainfall but in the face of the changing climate and scarcity of resources, the sustainable use of water is in fact a priority these days for all cities. The BC Government has informed that the Water Sustainability Act coming into effect in 2016 will enable better management of all water resources. Surface water and Ground water will be managed as one resource.
This will hopefully help to also ensure that all users of water resources including businesses, farms, fisheries and home-owners can manage the impact of dry weather conditions and respond to the water supply shortages appropriately. Metro Vancouver has recently restricted water use for discretionary purposes such as lawn sprinkling due to the unreasonably hot and dry weather.
If you're interested in home water conservation, check out the outdoor and indoor water conservation kits offered to Burnaby residents at Burnaby City Hall. The components of these kits can help you save thousands of litres of water year-round and provide more ideas for conservation. For more information, please visit their web page.
Conserving water is for our own good. After all, there is no life without water...because water is needed to garden -- and to make coffee!
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We want to know what you think! Write to us and let us know your experiences as well as your tips for saving water at home.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Get Ready to Garden!
The trees are in bloom and flowers are peeking their heads out! With spring around the corner, it's time to get ready to garden!
Sharing Backyards Burnaby
One of the biggest barriers
to growing food in the city is access to land -- but many people with
yards, lawns, and backyards have plenty of room to spare! Sharing Backyards links
people with unused yard space with those looking for a place to grow
food. If you have a garden and want to share it with someone, or if you
are looking for a space to garden, Sharing Backyards is for you.
How do I register for the program?
Our Sharing Backyards program, in its second year, is now underway!
Head to our Sharing Backyards page for more details on the program and registration process. To register, send us an email to get started!
Get Started
Want to get an idea of how our program works? Check out our feature post (leaflet, PDF). We also have a number of available gardens that we're currently looking to connect gardeners with!
North Burnaby: Two yards (one gardener each)
Burnaby Heights: One yard (one gardener)
Cariboo Hill: One yard (one gardener)
Edmonds (Goodlad Garden): Two to three plots
If you're looking for space or want to offer space in other parts of Burnaby, give us a shout!
Volunteer School Garden Mentors
Looking to share your gardening experience?
We are looking for School Garden Mentors for the Youth Connection Project (funded by VanCity), a partnership between Burnaby Food First and Green Your City.
Garden mentors will work hands-on with Burnaby high school students in their school gardens to help make the gardens a success.
Burnaby Food First is looking for volunteers who are experienced gardeners and enjoy working with youth. Time commitment is flexible. A criminal record check is required.
For more information or to apply to volunteer, send us an email.
Sharing Backyards Burnaby
One of the biggest barriers
to growing food in the city is access to land -- but many people with
yards, lawns, and backyards have plenty of room to spare! Sharing Backyards links
people with unused yard space with those looking for a place to grow
food. If you have a garden and want to share it with someone, or if you
are looking for a space to garden, Sharing Backyards is for you.
How do I register for the program?
Our Sharing Backyards program, in its second year, is now underway!
Head to our Sharing Backyards page for more details on the program and registration process. To register, send us an email to get started!
Get Started
Want to get an idea of how our program works? Check out our feature post (leaflet, PDF). We also have a number of available gardens that we're currently looking to connect gardeners with!
North Burnaby: Two yards (one gardener each)
Burnaby Heights: One yard (one gardener)
Cariboo Hill: One yard (one gardener)
Edmonds (Goodlad Garden): Two to three plots
If you're looking for space or want to offer space in other parts of Burnaby, give us a shout!
Volunteer School Garden Mentors
Looking to share your gardening experience?
We are looking for School Garden Mentors for the Youth Connection Project (funded by VanCity), a partnership between Burnaby Food First and Green Your City.
Garden mentors will work hands-on with Burnaby high school students in their school gardens to help make the gardens a success.
Burnaby Food First is looking for volunteers who are experienced gardeners and enjoy working with youth. Time commitment is flexible. A criminal record check is required.
For more information or to apply to volunteer, send us an email.
Friday, March 6, 2015
The Happy Gardener: Beating the Blues with a Green Thumb
Talk to some gardeners, and they may tell you how time with their plants eases stress and lifts their mood. Even if gardening isn't a strong suit, having plants around seems to improve people's mental well-being. Whether your gardening thumb is green or black, or somewhere in between, many of us like being around plants.
But wait! Did you know? There is actually science that backs this up!
A prescription may not be the only way to get rid of the blues. Soil microbes have been found to have similar effects on the brain as antidepressants but are without the potential side effects and chemical dependency risk.
The bacterium in soil responsible for its natural antidepressant properties is called Mycobacterium vaccae. It effects neurons in similar ways to drugs and may actually stimulate serotonin production, making you more relaxed and happier.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affect mood balance and social behaviour, sleep, memory, and reproduction. An imbalance of this chemical has also been linked to depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
When we come into contact with soil, the microbes cause cytokine levels to rise and stimulate production of serotonin. Gardeners might inhale the bacteria, have skin contact with it, or accidentally get soil in a cut.
But hey, what's this all mean? The science aside, short of rolling in soil -- which, although funny, may be rather impractical, honestly -- we can all benefit from some heart-to-heart time with our plants, whether in a full-fledged garden or with that little fern on our office desk. So, this spring, do your body some good and flex that gardening thumb of yours!
(Source: Gardening Know How)
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The information provided in this article is for general use only; it does not represent medical or health advice nor substitute for advice or diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional. If you feel that you or someone else may require medical advice, please consult a qualified professional. Always consult a physician or mental health professional before making decisions regarding treatment of yourself or others or considering changes in your schedule of treatment.
But wait! Did you know? There is actually science that backs this up!
.jpg) | |
| Psst... Finally, a reason to play in the dirt! Credit: Sofi Martinez |
A prescription may not be the only way to get rid of the blues. Soil microbes have been found to have similar effects on the brain as antidepressants but are without the potential side effects and chemical dependency risk.
The bacterium in soil responsible for its natural antidepressant properties is called Mycobacterium vaccae. It effects neurons in similar ways to drugs and may actually stimulate serotonin production, making you more relaxed and happier.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affect mood balance and social behaviour, sleep, memory, and reproduction. An imbalance of this chemical has also been linked to depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
.jpg) |
| Credit: Magnolia Lim |
When we come into contact with soil, the microbes cause cytokine levels to rise and stimulate production of serotonin. Gardeners might inhale the bacteria, have skin contact with it, or accidentally get soil in a cut.
But hey, what's this all mean? The science aside, short of rolling in soil -- which, although funny, may be rather impractical, honestly -- we can all benefit from some heart-to-heart time with our plants, whether in a full-fledged garden or with that little fern on our office desk. So, this spring, do your body some good and flex that gardening thumb of yours!
(Source: Gardening Know How)
---
The information provided in this article is for general use only; it does not represent medical or health advice nor substitute for advice or diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional. If you feel that you or someone else may require medical advice, please consult a qualified professional. Always consult a physician or mental health professional before making decisions regarding treatment of yourself or others or considering changes in your schedule of treatment.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
EPIC Gardening Information Evening
Dear Food First-ers,
We wanted to let you know about an interesting community meeting coming up, hosted by EPIC (Edmonds People in Community Association).
The meeting will discuss community-based gardening opportunities in the Edmonds area. We'll be there as part of our Sharing Backyards project!
Wednesday, February 18
From 7:00 pm
Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway / Burnaby - map)
See you there!
We wanted to let you know about an interesting community meeting coming up, hosted by EPIC (Edmonds People in Community Association).
The meeting will discuss community-based gardening opportunities in the Edmonds area. We'll be there as part of our Sharing Backyards project!
Wednesday, February 18
From 7:00 pm
Tommy Douglas Library (7311 Kingsway / Burnaby - map)
See you there!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Garden Update: A Banner Year
Things are warming up here in Seattle and the flowers are blooming. I just planted my first crops of the year-- potatoes and strawberries.
2013 was a banner year for my 500-square-foot urban vegetable garden, including my first experience growing and processing a grain. I never got around to posting about it last year-- so here it is.
Interbay mulch technique
In the fall of 2012, I tried a new technique for improving the soil called "Interbay mulching". This is a variation on sheet mulching, which involves placing uncomposted organic matter directly onto the garden soil in fall and letting it compost until the next growing season. To Interbay mulch, you simply cover your sheet mulch with burlap. This keeps everything moist, protects earthworms from bird predation so they can munch freely, and suppresses weeds. I used leaves (carbon) and spent coffee grounds from a local coffee shop (nitrogen) for my organic matter.
When I pulled back the burlap last spring, I was initially disappointed. The coffee grounds had disappeared completely, but there was still a lot of leaf matter left on the soil, indicating that it had only partially composted. However, I later decided that it had worked well, because the soil structure underneath was improved and it seemed to be enriched with significant organic matter as well as a large population of fat earthworms. The mulch suppressed weeds remarkably well, and the beds remained mostly clean for the rest of the season.
Those observations, combined with huge yields from the mulched beds, convinced me that it was worthwhile.
New tools
Read more �
2013 was a banner year for my 500-square-foot urban vegetable garden, including my first experience growing and processing a grain. I never got around to posting about it last year-- so here it is.
Interbay mulch technique
.JPG) |
| The bed on the right has been mulched with leaves, spent coffee grounds, and burlap sacks ($1/sack at the local hardware store). The beds on the left were planted with a rye-clover-vetch-pea cover crop. Paths are mulched with wood chips. |
When I pulled back the burlap last spring, I was initially disappointed. The coffee grounds had disappeared completely, but there was still a lot of leaf matter left on the soil, indicating that it had only partially composted. However, I later decided that it had worked well, because the soil structure underneath was improved and it seemed to be enriched with significant organic matter as well as a large population of fat earthworms. The mulch suppressed weeds remarkably well, and the beds remained mostly clean for the rest of the season.
Those observations, combined with huge yields from the mulched beds, convinced me that it was worthwhile.
New tools
Read more �
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Zucchini: The Home Gardener's Worst Friend? With bonus garden-related rambling.
One of my main gardening goals has been to harvest more of something than I can eat, despite my limited gardening space here in the Emerald City. I want the feeling of abundance that comes with having to preserve and give away food because I can't eat it all.
Enter zucchini. My grandfather used to say that in New Jersey in summertime, you'd have to keep your car doors locked, otherwise the car would be full of zucchini the next time you got in! In mid-May, I planted two starts from my local grocery store labeled "green zucchini", with no further information. I put them in a bed that used to be a pile of composted horse manure, and that I had also cover cropped, mulched, fertilized, and loosened deeply with my broadfork. They look pleased.
.JPG)
Read more �
Enter zucchini. My grandfather used to say that in New Jersey in summertime, you'd have to keep your car doors locked, otherwise the car would be full of zucchini the next time you got in! In mid-May, I planted two starts from my local grocery store labeled "green zucchini", with no further information. I put them in a bed that used to be a pile of composted horse manure, and that I had also cover cropped, mulched, fertilized, and loosened deeply with my broadfork. They look pleased.
.JPG)
Read more �
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