I will be at the West Meadowlark Community Garden Seed Swap & Garden Talk today November 23rd, 2024.

The event will run from 12pm – 3pm 

Address is on the Facebook page here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/westmeadowlarkcommunitygarden
https://www.facebook.com/groups/westmeadowlarkcommunitygarden

Address is https://www.google.com/maps/search/9311+165st+NW+Edmonton?entry=gmail&source=g

As you know our seeds are on Sale so come out and get $1.00 per packet! If you can make it, see you there!

Our strawberries are gearing up for an abundant fall harvest.

September 4,

We have lots and they are still producing. Book now by calling 780-785-262 two.

$5.50 a pound or if you pick 40 lbs or more – $3.75 a pound

Was looking for a raspberry UPick, as ours will not be ready for a year and came across these ladies who put a great list together. They did not have us yet so I wrote to them. But if you are looking for berry picking, see their site. And kudos to them!

https://www.albertamamas.com/u-pick-farms-in-alberta/

The berries are a bit ahead of schedule and should be ready to pick starting Tuesday of next week. June 17. Call to book a picking spot please.

780-785-262 two

We are picking! Lots and big and tasty berries! $5.50 a pound UPick price or $8 picked a pound. Let me know your interest! You can also find us on Facebook!

For sale now – $1.00 each. Bundles of 25 only.

Seascape everbearing.

You must pick them up. I cannot ship.

Email us abunadhseeds@gmail.com or call 780-785-26 two two

Also you may come dig runners from old plants Monday May 5. Call ahead first come first serve. Absolutely no entry to the field without prior notice. Thank you for understanding.

See you then.

After a brief return to winter, the buds are finally opening on the poplars. The bees are flying, collecting that fresh pollen as an important first meal after a long winter. Shoots of green grass are already starting to show and the leftover weeds that overwintered in the garden are greening up also! It is all good to see.

There is some ancient lore about poplar buds and garden timing.

Homesteaders survived the winter on stores of root vegetables, cured meats, fresh baking and milk as most had a dairy cow to milk in the winter. When spring came they were hungry for the first shoots of spring and dandelion was one they sought. Fresh leaves were harvested sometimes off plants that were deprived of sunlight so they were more yellow than green and less bitter. But bitter is great for our digestive system and gall bladder. I would say in our modern world I don’t see many people adding butter in to their diets. Except maybe Eastern European descent folks. Did you know that dandelion roots are one of the best things to stop cancer? They are best harvested spring and late fall when all the nutrients are store in the roots. Dig, wash, cut in slivered rounds and dry or consume roasted. The dried and roasted roots have been used as a coffee substitute for many cultures. I put about 10 slivers of dried roots in with any tea I am making and steep.

The leftover weeds in the garden will provide good green manure for the upcoming plant starts. Turning the soil once with a shovel will help with that. Don’t work clay soil when wet as it creates a monster of compacted clumps that you will curse later plus creates that hardpan layer that eventually will stop water flow. If you want to plant early in the spring and the dirt is still wet, lay a board down beside the row and walk along that and lightly sow the seeds either on top and top dress with compost or if dry enough, lightly cover the seeds. Things that can be early planted this way are beets, carrots, radishes, onions, celery, parsley, cilantro, dill, parsnip, lettuces, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips and rutabagas. You can plants any of the greens also for early eating. When a little warmer you can even do peas. The seeds will come when conditions are right and sooner than you would think. The seeds that do sprout will be able to withstand a few cold nights when temperatures dip without harm. You may also do any of the cole crops or brassicas.

It is April 12, and I have finished planting all these early crops. Let’s see what happens. Pics to follow

Thinking of growing your own seeds? Here is a great review of the information and tools you might need.

Happy growing! 😊

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1252274409469?aff=oddtdtcreator

We are helping you grow! Literally. We have created an event series about growing food in our climate and have broken it down to even more specifics about each vegetable group. Join if you can and learn how to grow even better!

We will be attending the following in person seed sales this spring.

St. Albert

Calgary Seedy Saturday 2025.  The event will be held on Saturday, March 22 from 10am to 3pm at the Bowness Community Association.  This is the same venue as 2024 with a large gym, and is located at 7904 43 Ave NW, Calgary

Edmonton Seedy Sunday – Sunday March 23, 2025 from 11 to 4 – at Alberta Avenue Community Hall, 9210  118 Avenue, Edmonton. Parking is limited so please carpool or plan on walking if space is not available.

We do not think we will attend Cochrane’s event on the 27th of April this year so if you can, catch us at the Calgary seedy Saturday event for all your potatoes and other things you will want to plant in spring.

There is also this event April 5 in Stony Plain. Hope to see you all there, and as always, place your spud orders with us now for pickup at any of the above events.