If you have any questions about our program or would like to put your name on the waitlist for a garden plot, please contact Hunger in Moose Jaw at 692-1916.
Growing together since 2006
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Hibernating
Well, we're packing it in for the winter. It's been an especially fruitful year - two farmer's markets, lunch workshops, pumpkin festival and a membership numbering over 125. I've thoroughly enjoyed the season and look forward to next April when we'll start up again. Have a wonderful winter!
If you have any questions about our program or would like to put your name on the waitlist for a garden plot, please contact Hunger in Moose Jaw at 692-1916.
If you have any questions about our program or would like to put your name on the waitlist for a garden plot, please contact Hunger in Moose Jaw at 692-1916.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Wrapping up the Garden Season
Thanksgiving is this coming weekend which means the garden season is almost at an end. It's time to dig those last potatoes and carrots, save your seeds and start preparing for winter.
It's been a very bountiful season this year, especially with our two farmer's markets and pumpkin festival, and I think we can all feel very proud of our achievements. The community gardens have been in Moose Jaw now for seven seasons and with each year our gardens gains momentum, becomes more self-sustaining and the community is knitted together. Truly, our project is a fantastic success. Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers - the gardeners, steering committee, neighbours - and to our generous sponsors - Yara Belle Plaine and our community partners.
The final work bee of the season is scheduled for Saturday October 13. We're meeting 10 - 12noon at Home Street and 1 - 3pm on Grey Ave. The deadline to have your garden cleaned up is October 15th.
Any questions as the season wraps up, give me a call or send me an email. See you at the work bee!
It's been a very bountiful season this year, especially with our two farmer's markets and pumpkin festival, and I think we can all feel very proud of our achievements. The community gardens have been in Moose Jaw now for seven seasons and with each year our gardens gains momentum, becomes more self-sustaining and the community is knitted together. Truly, our project is a fantastic success. Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers - the gardeners, steering committee, neighbours - and to our generous sponsors - Yara Belle Plaine and our community partners.
The final work bee of the season is scheduled for Saturday October 13. We're meeting 10 - 12noon at Home Street and 1 - 3pm on Grey Ave. The deadline to have your garden cleaned up is October 15th.
Any questions as the season wraps up, give me a call or send me an email. See you at the work bee!
Pumpkin Festival Success
Last Saturday, we welcomed over 400 people to the Grey Avenue Gardens for our first ever Pumpkin Harvest Festival. Between the 350 pumpkins (harvested with the help of our friends at Peacock Collegiate) and the abundance of straw bales, the event was cozy, welcoming and a whole lot of fun.
We served 300 bowls of chili, listened to wonderful music by Just the Two of Us, Doug Shepard and Megan Nash and made good use of the many fun kids activities. It was so great to see the community come together, young and old, to celebrate the harvest with us. Thanks for coming!
Between the sale of our pumpkins and your donations we were able to raise over $2200.00 at this event. Wow! All the funds raised will go directly back into the garden.
We still have a few pumpkins left here at the office. If you want an extra one, drop by today or Tuesday.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Pumpkin Harvest Festival
This Saturday, September 29th, swing by the Grey Avenue Community Gardens for our 1st Annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival! The event runs 11 - 2pm.
We've invited the neighbourhood (and you too!) for live music, chili lunch, harvest kid's games, crafts, hot drinks and of course - PUMPKINS! The event will be relaxed, folky and fun, so stop by with your family for a lovely afternoon. But remember - the lunch is first come, first serve, so I'd come early!
All proceeds raised from pumpkin sales will go directly back into the community gardens project.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Newspaper Digging in to Community Gardens
On Monday, this wonderful article was published in the Moose Jaw Times Herald. It really highlights the impact and importance of urban community gardens - both locally and elsewhere. Thank you, Times Herald and Reporter Brigid McNutt, for your support of projects like ours.
Inspired by community gardens
Published on September 17, 2012, Moose Jaw Times Herald
Brigid McNutt
I would like to commend the community garden projects for food banks as the growing season comes to an end. Over the past few years, community gardens designed to produce food for those who need it in the community have been increasingly springing up — here in Moose Jaw with Grow-a-Row program, throughout the province and around the world.
Maintained by volunteers, community members and organizations, these gardens offer increased food security while promoting community involvement and sustainable development. The nutritious produce is available for anyone, often donated to food banks and organizations.
Summertime is often a slow period for food banks. With people away on holidays and busy with summer plans, food banks often experience a reduction in donations until people are back to their normal routines in fall.
In addition, such gardens can beautify communities, adding lush greens where bland, empty lots once existed. Though vandalism is a natural fear, these gardens can often create the opposite effect. For example, further down my alley there were frequent acts of vandalism. The people living in the area got together and made a plan to fix up the back alley. They transformed the area by adding flowers, bright colours, and painted signs. The plan worked, deterring people from harming their property. The gardens can give people something to be proud of in their community.
I was also impressed to discover the Farmers Market for Charity put on twice a year here in Moose Jaw. With a portion of the proceeds going to community organizations, this is another great use of the land and an inspiring effort in supporting food security.
I think it’s great to see the wide demographic that contributes to these gardens. From veteran gardeners sharing their wisdom and teaching others how to sustain their own gardens, or university students setting up gardens on campus, there is a place for everyone to contribute.
It means time in the sun, being a part of a community, and the rewarding end result of tasty fruits and veggies. I hope these gardens will continue to generate momentum. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these gardens this year. Cheers to lush gardens and full tummies for all.
Maintained by volunteers, community members and organizations, these gardens offer increased food security while promoting community involvement and sustainable development. The nutritious produce is available for anyone, often donated to food banks and organizations.
Summertime is often a slow period for food banks. With people away on holidays and busy with summer plans, food banks often experience a reduction in donations until people are back to their normal routines in fall.
In addition, such gardens can beautify communities, adding lush greens where bland, empty lots once existed. Though vandalism is a natural fear, these gardens can often create the opposite effect. For example, further down my alley there were frequent acts of vandalism. The people living in the area got together and made a plan to fix up the back alley. They transformed the area by adding flowers, bright colours, and painted signs. The plan worked, deterring people from harming their property. The gardens can give people something to be proud of in their community.
I was also impressed to discover the Farmers Market for Charity put on twice a year here in Moose Jaw. With a portion of the proceeds going to community organizations, this is another great use of the land and an inspiring effort in supporting food security.
I think it’s great to see the wide demographic that contributes to these gardens. From veteran gardeners sharing their wisdom and teaching others how to sustain their own gardens, or university students setting up gardens on campus, there is a place for everyone to contribute.
It means time in the sun, being a part of a community, and the rewarding end result of tasty fruits and veggies. I hope these gardens will continue to generate momentum. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these gardens this year. Cheers to lush gardens and full tummies for all.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Last Membership Meeting of the Season
Where has the summer gone? The first mild frost hit last night, the leaves are turning and we've all eaten more than our share of tomatoes. It's been a rich summer and now, autumn is here.
With autumn comes the end to the gardening season. We're starting to wrap-up and it's time for the last Gardener Membership Meeting of the year. It's at an odd day and time though, so please double check the details below.Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 20th
7PM
Hunger in Moose Jaw office
(269 Stadacona St. W)
We'll be voting on the steering committee reps, talking about our upcoming Pumpkin Harvest Festival (on September 29th) and clean-up.
This is an important meeting, so please plan on being there! See you soon!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Gearing up for our Fall Farmer's Market for Charity
Last month our neighbours, friends and family gathered on Home Street for our August Farmer's Market for Charity. We had so much support, in fact, that we were able to raise more money at a single market than ever before. Together, we raised $3485 by selling our produce, baking, preserves and art - wow! Perhaps even more importantly, more people stayed and visited, more kids had their face painted, and more gardeners lent a hand. It was a success on all fronts.
So let's get together again! This Saturday, September 8 is our Fall Farmer's Market for Charity from 8:30 - 12noon on the 200 block of Home Street West. We'll have potatoes and beets, squash and tomatoes (and almost everything else too!). Come early but stay for the coffee, music and a stroll through the garden. See you then!
So let's get together again! This Saturday, September 8 is our Fall Farmer's Market for Charity from 8:30 - 12noon on the 200 block of Home Street West. We'll have potatoes and beets, squash and tomatoes (and almost everything else too!). Come early but stay for the coffee, music and a stroll through the garden. See you then!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Preserving the Harvest: An Introduction in Canning with Kerganos Restaurant
Next Monday, August 27th we are excited to partner with Kerganos Restaurant to offer "Preserving the Harvest: An Introduction in Canning." This informal workshop will be held at the Hunger in Moose Jaw kitchen and has space for 6 participants. The class will run from 7PM - 9PM.Space is filling up - so if you are a community gardener and interested in learning something new, call today!
Kerganos' owner Tim is excited to teach participants how to prepare and preserve beet borscht with ingredients found within our own gardens. Tim is full of fantastic tips and ready to inspire participants towards tastier, fresher food - all winter long. Don't miss out learning from one of Moose Jaw's best local chefs!
Thanks Kerganos for volunteering your time and knowledge to help preserve this age-old craft of canning!
Kerganos' owner Tim is excited to teach participants how to prepare and preserve beet borscht with ingredients found within our own gardens. Tim is full of fantastic tips and ready to inspire participants towards tastier, fresher food - all winter long. Don't miss out learning from one of Moose Jaw's best local chefs!
Thanks Kerganos for volunteering your time and knowledge to help preserve this age-old craft of canning!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Preparing for the Farmer's Market for Charity
The beans are ready to pick, zucchini is plentiful and beets are just perfect for making beet pickles. You know what that means - our fifth annual Farmer's Market is just around the corner.
This annual tradition is a summer highlight for me, and for many gardeners too. In the wee hours of the morning, we close off the street, bring out wheelbarrows of beets, potatoes, carrots and swiss chard, set up table after table of delicious home-made baking and welcome our neighbours to join us. Hundreds of people peruse our markets, chatting over coffee, strolling through the gardens and picking up a zucchini or two.
Our community gardeners love the city of Moose Jaw. That's why all the proceeds go back into our community with 25% going to Riverside Mission, 25% to Hunger in Moose Jaw's Nutrition Program and 50% going back into our gardens program. Other community-minded businesses are getting on board too - in fact our coffee this year is being donated by our very own Java Express.
Come and join us, won't you? The coffee is hot and the cookies are delicious!
August 18, September 8
8:30 - Noon
200 Home Street West
This annual tradition is a summer highlight for me, and for many gardeners too. In the wee hours of the morning, we close off the street, bring out wheelbarrows of beets, potatoes, carrots and swiss chard, set up table after table of delicious home-made baking and welcome our neighbours to join us. Hundreds of people peruse our markets, chatting over coffee, strolling through the gardens and picking up a zucchini or two.
Our community gardeners love the city of Moose Jaw. That's why all the proceeds go back into our community with 25% going to Riverside Mission, 25% to Hunger in Moose Jaw's Nutrition Program and 50% going back into our gardens program. Other community-minded businesses are getting on board too - in fact our coffee this year is being donated by our very own Java Express.
Come and join us, won't you? The coffee is hot and the cookies are delicious!
August 18, September 8
8:30 - Noon
200 Home Street West
Monday, July 16, 2012
The "Curious Cook" speaks in the Park
As part of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, this Saturday July 21st, Moose Jaw will be welcoming the renowned food author - dee Hobsbawn-Smith. To our delight, dee will be speaking in Crescent Park's amphitheatre on local food. The event is free, open to the public, and promises to entice your taste buds. Come on out from 12 - 1:15pm (and feel free to bring your lunch!).
Here's a little bit about dee, to get you acquainted (courtesy of her website):
dee Hobsbawn-Smith is a farmer’s daughter who has cultivated her passion for food into multi-faceted culinary career. Her work as a classically trained chef, caterer, talented baker and restaurateur has been succeeded by a second successful career as a best-selling author, award-winning food writer and popular culinary educator and speaker. dee is a fifth-generation prairie dweller and she has two sons.
See you there!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Update to Event Calendar
Some of the details of the summer events have changed, so I've updated our event calendar for you to save, print off or upload.
Please note there has been quite a few changes in the September/October events. (Most importantly, the introduction of our Harvest Festival on September 29th!).
Hope this helps with your summer vacation planning!
Follow this link to the Updated Summer Event Calendar. See you at the gardens!
Please note there has been quite a few changes in the September/October events. (Most importantly, the introduction of our Harvest Festival on September 29th!).
Hope this helps with your summer vacation planning!
Follow this link to the Updated Summer Event Calendar. See you at the gardens!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Fertilizers and Plant Health Workshop and Lunch Potluck
Join us this Saturday, July 7th at 12 noon for a potluck feast and workshop. We're meeting under the trees at the Grey Avenue Gardens (1000 block Grey Ave - on block east of 7th NE and Oxford), so it's definitely a kid-friendly event. Please bring sandwiches, salad, cut-up veggies or fruit, etc. to share plus your own reusable plate and cutlery. Gail Ennis, a former greenhouse owner and steering member, will be sharing with us about different fertilizers and how to use them for the health of your plants while we eat.
Please note that we are having a gardener membership meeting at 1:30pm (after our lunch event) on Grey Ave. This is for all gardeners, regardless of garden location, and should be about 45 minutes. Please note the change, since the meeting was originally scheduled for next week, July 14th.
Here's the important details:
Lunch Potluck and Fertilizer Workshop
Saturday, July 7
Grey Avenue Gardens
12 noon - 1:30
Bring something to share and your own reusable plate and cutlery
Membership Meeting (for all gardens)
Saturday, July 7
Grey Avenue Gardens
1:30 - 2:30
See you there! (I'll bring some sandwiches and Sophie too!)
Please note that we are having a gardener membership meeting at 1:30pm (after our lunch event) on Grey Ave. This is for all gardeners, regardless of garden location, and should be about 45 minutes. Please note the change, since the meeting was originally scheduled for next week, July 14th.
Here's the important details:
Lunch Potluck and Fertilizer Workshop
Saturday, July 7
Grey Avenue Gardens
12 noon - 1:30
Bring something to share and your own reusable plate and cutlery
Membership Meeting (for all gardens)
Saturday, July 7
Grey Avenue Gardens
1:30 - 2:30
See you there! (I'll bring some sandwiches and Sophie too!)
Friday, June 15, 2012
Creating Healthy Soil Workshop and Lunch Potluck
June 16, 2012
Grey Avenue Community Gardens
12 noon - 1:30pm
Join us under the trees at our upcoming workshop and lunch potluck. Keri Fox, a fellow community gardener, will be sharing with us about how to build healthy soil while we feast on sandwiches, muffins, fruit and veggies at a lunch potluck. Please bring a dish to share and your own reusable dishes and cutlery. This event is free, open to anyone and everyone and will be a lot of fun!
Grey Avenue Community Gardens
12 noon - 1:30pm
Join us under the trees at our upcoming workshop and lunch potluck. Keri Fox, a fellow community gardener, will be sharing with us about how to build healthy soil while we feast on sandwiches, muffins, fruit and veggies at a lunch potluck. Please bring a dish to share and your own reusable dishes and cutlery. This event is free, open to anyone and everyone and will be a lot of fun!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Settling in at the Gardens
We've been cleaning. We've been weeding. We've been grass cutting, plot marking, rototilling, hauling garbage - whew! Spring is such a busy time.
All three gardens are full now. Most people have planted (although the tomatoes did get chilly last week!) and things are settling in. It feels good to get back into the dirt and visit with eachother. Our community truly is a rich place.
See you in the gardens!
All three gardens are full now. Most people have planted (although the tomatoes did get chilly last week!) and things are settling in. It feels good to get back into the dirt and visit with eachother. Our community truly is a rich place.
See you in the gardens!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Membership Meeting Postponed
Just a reminder that tomorrow's membership meeting has been postponed until May 26th, 2012. We'll be meeting at 10AM at Home Street and 1PM on Grey Avenue. See you then!
Introduction to Square Foot Gardening Workshop
Don't forget about our upcoming workshop on Square Foot Gardening!
Join us on:
Monday, May 14 2012
7pm
Moose Jaw Public Library
Presenter: Wanda Smith
Cost: Free!
See you there!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Check out this Online Garden Planner
Here at the office, one of your fellow community gardeners, Kass, has been planning her garden. But she hasn't been planning it with graph paper and a pencil. She found this great website called Grow Veg - the Smart Way to Plan Your Garden and has been planning her garden online.
This website allows you to plug in your garden dimensions, choose your style of planting (row or squares) and even tells you the setting out date for our location. It's easy to use, versitile and when you are done, you can print it out.
You can pay for the full program, but there is a free 30 day trial (just enough time to get everything in order before planting, in my opinion!).
If you are a new gardener or experienced, give it a try.
This website allows you to plug in your garden dimensions, choose your style of planting (row or squares) and even tells you the setting out date for our location. It's easy to use, versitile and when you are done, you can print it out.
You can pay for the full program, but there is a free 30 day trial (just enough time to get everything in order before planting, in my opinion!).
If you are a new gardener or experienced, give it a try.
GrowVeg.comMonday, April 30, 2012
Spring is Here!
All the gardeners have been called, the initial membership meeting has been held and now - Spring!
If you were thinking about gardening with us, it's not too late. Call right away to find out more about our program and get your name on a spot. Come participate in our community and have access to fresh, pesticide-free vegetables grown by you!
If you are interested in finding out more, we are holding a New Gardener Orientation this Wednesday, May 2nd. We're meeting at the Moose Jaw Public Library at 7pm. Anyone can come to this workshop, but it is primarily geared at new gardeners already accepted into the membership. Bring your questions and we'll see you there!
If you were thinking about gardening with us, it's not too late. Call right away to find out more about our program and get your name on a spot. Come participate in our community and have access to fresh, pesticide-free vegetables grown by you!
If you are interested in finding out more, we are holding a New Gardener Orientation this Wednesday, May 2nd. We're meeting at the Moose Jaw Public Library at 7pm. Anyone can come to this workshop, but it is primarily geared at new gardeners already accepted into the membership. Bring your questions and we'll see you there!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Winter at the Community Gardens
We'll be back mid-April and will answer all inquires then. Until then, you can email your questions to gardens.hungermj@sasktel.net or feel free to leave a message at Hunger in Moose Jaw at 692-1916.
Get your seed catalogues out and your garden maps ready - spring is just around the corner!
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