Vert-à-Go

The Saskatchewan Perennial Society will hold its spring plant exchange on 19 May. Admission to this event is for SPS members only (see below to find out how to join, or pick up your membership at the door). Attendees are asked to bring along a dessert to share.

When we think of prairie-hardy perennials, most of us usually think of flowers and foliage. But there are a number of food-bearing perennials as well: how about strawberries, rhubarb, or chives? To take part in the plant exchange, bring extra plants, properly labeled with preferred growing conditions, colour and height. Everyone will get several plants each to take home.  But don’t worry if you don’t have plants to share–just a dessert will be fine!

The SPS promotes the use of perennial plants by hosting spring and autumn plant exchanges, as well as holding garden tours during the summer so members can show their yards. It has helped create the Robin Smith Meditation Garden at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park, and also has a new test border of plants on display at the park. The SPS also has an excellent members-only library, whose books can be borrowed at the meetings and plant trades.

Saskatchewan Perennial Society spring plant exchange

When: Tuesday 19 May, doors open 6:30pm, exchange starts 7pm

Where: Forestry Farm Park Hall, Saskatoon Zoo, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

Admission: Saskatchewan Perennial Society members ONLY–to join, get the mail-in membership form here ($10 basic annual membership/$25 membership includes 1-year subscription to Gardener for the Prairies magazine–a great deal!). You can also buy a membership at the door. The $2 park entry fee is also in effect.

For more information: Saskatchewan Perennial Society web site, or email

The Rights and Democracy delegation at the University of Saskatchewan presents its second annual forum entitled “Fair Trade Forum: Producers, Consumers and Social Change” tonight at the Frances Morrison Library Theatre.

This forum will address questions such as “Why fair trade? What are the goals of fair trade? What are the benefits of fair trade? And how does fair trade relate to issues of human rights and development?” from both a global and local perspective. Speakers will include STM sociology professor Dr Darrell McLaughlin, Marla Carlson of the organic prairie farm co-op Farmer Direct, and Carole Samdup (Rights & Democracy).

When: Thursday 23 April 2009, 7-9pm

Where: Frances Morrison Library Theatre (basement), Saskatoon (Google map)

Admission: FREE (refreshments will be served)

For more information: Facebook event page, or email rightsdemocracy.uofs@gmail.com or stan.yu@usask.ca

I confess that I do struggle against climate dread. Any new news about the environment is very seldom good news, and it is demoralising beyond belief to walk home from the farmers’ market with a bag of locally-grown organic food, only to be blown past by someone chucking a McDonald’s wrapper out of the window of their Hummer.

But we can’t sit around and do nothing, even if somewhere out there our evil twin is itching to replace every ounce of carbon that we struggle not to emit. And the food that we choose to eat can make a real and instant difference to our ecological impact. It’s important to educate yourself about what is in the food you eat, where it comes from, how it is produced, and what impact it has on your health, the people who grow it, the animals who provide it, and the environment. As Wendell Barry puts it, “Eating is an agricultural act.” We need to pay attention to our food, not just be mindless consumers.

Here are a dozen things you can do right now to radically reduce your food footprint. Most of them will save you money and improve your health, too!

1. Eat less meat

2. Grow some food to eat this year

3. Eat seasonal, locally-produced food

4. Eat organic food, preferably locally-produced

5. Choose fair trade food products

6. Only eat fish and seafood from safe and sustainable fisheries

8. Reduce your consumption of industrially-produced/processed/fast food

7. Walk, bike, bus or carpool to the store, market, or restaurant

9. Plan your meals ahead and keep track of leftovers to avoid food waste

10. Drink tap water, not bottled water, and don’t forget the carbon/water footprint of other drinks too

11. Compost your food waste

12. Use more energy-efficient ways to cook your food

…and check out Reiko’s Bento Lab–-just because I guarantee it will make you smile!

(this post is mostly a rerun–but it still says everything that I want to say. Happy Earth Day!)

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will be hosting two mini-classes on composting at the beginning of May. Whether you’re new to composting and want to find out how to get started, or whether you need some advice on your current composting setup, this crash course will help you out!

Composting mini-class

When: Thursday 7 May,  7-8pm

Where: Lower Auditorium, J S Wood Library, 1801 Lansdowne Avenue, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

Admission: free, no need to pre-register, just turn up!

For more information: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will be hosting two mini-classes on composting at the beginning of May. Whether you’re new to composting and want to find out how to get started, or whether you need some advice on your current composting setup, this crash course will help you out!

Composting mini-class

When: Tuesday 5 May,  7-8pm

Where: Mayfair Library, 602 33rd Street West, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

Admission: free, no need to pre-register, just turn up!

For more information: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council

The City of Saskatoon’s two free compost depots reopen today. The first depot is located on McOrmond Drive just north of 8th St E, and the other on Highway 7 across from 11th Street. The depots will be open from 11am-7pm on weekdays, and from 9am to 5pm on weekends.

As of this year, the landfill will no longer accept loads of unbagged leaves and grass. All clean loads of leaves and grass must be taken to the compost depots. The depots will also accept tree and shrub material this year. You must cut branches and tree trunks that are greater than 4 inches in diameter into sections no longer than 24 inches before drop-off. Due to the threat of Dutch Elm Disease, elm tree cuttings/branches cannot be accepted and must be disposed of at the landfill.

You can get more information on the city’s composting programs on their web site (search under “c” for compost depots) or by calling 975-2486.

‘Compost bin’ by Daryl Mitchell

A master composting class is being offered next weekend, 25-26 April. This class will cover everything you ever wanted to know about composting, including what to compost, how to compost, how to build a composting system in your yard or garden, and will also deal with other topics related to gardening. Part of the class will include a a field trip to the City of Saskatoon’s compost depot on McOrmand Drive.

Participants in the class will receive a manual, reference book, DVD, and the master composter certificate. Tuition is free, but in return you will be expected to share your newfound knowledge in your community or through community events (generally, you’re asked to volunteer for the Saskatchewan Waste Reducation Council). This class is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge, obtain a valuable qualification, and then pass on your knowledge to others. Don’t miss it!

Master Composting class

When: Saturday 25 April - Sunday 26 April

Where: TBA (likely U of S campus), Saskatoon, SK

Cost: free–City of Saskatoon will pay tuition, with expectation of future volunteer hours

For more information: Call Dana at CHEP on 655-5322

Hi, I am very eager to find a community gardening opportunity in Saskatoon. Can you point me in the right direction?

- J

There’s still a few bits of snow lingering on the ground, but already I’m seeing a lot of interest from people who want to start growing some of their own food this year. Many people are planning on digging up part of their own yard (or lawn!), but many others are looking for a community garden plot–an excellent alternative for apartment or condo-dwellers, house renters with unsympathetic landlords, and those with shady home lots. It can be hard to find a space, though. Where to start?

1. Join the Saskatoon Community Gardening Network. This group meets every month or two to discuss issues related to gardening and community gardening in particular. It’s a great chance meet fellow gardeners and find out more about what’s going on across the city. To get on the contact list and find out the next meeting time (May, likely) call Dana at CHEP (Child Hunger & Education Program) or email dana@chep.org. You can also join the Facebook group here.
2. Apply to join an established garden. There are a number of established community gardens in the city, but spaces can be at a premium and there are often waiting lists. City Park CG will be back in business this spring after having extensive work done last autumn to improve drainage/flooding problems, but it cannot take any more gardeners this year. The Nutana CG (which lost some plots because of an electrical box installation) is also already full. Sadly, it will only be at its current home near Broadway for one more growing season, as a building is being planned for the site. We’re working with the city to find a suitable new site in the area. If I hear of any individual gardens that are accepting new gardeners directly, I will post about it immediately.
3. Help start a new garden. There is a group of people trying to get a CG established in Caswell right now, but finding a suitable site has caused delays.  You can join the Caswell Community Garden Facebook group here to get updates. Another group is trying to get set up in Eastview. Again, I’ll be posting more info about how you can help soon.
4. Get in on the ground floor with a new garden. St. Martin’s United Church (Wilson Crescent & Clarence Avenue) is creating a community garden on the church grounds and is now taking applications for this summer. You can pick one up at the church office or call 343-7101 to get one mailed/emailed to you.
5. Get in touch with CHEP. CHEP has been very involved with supporting community gardening and finding places for people to garden for years. It has a number of garden sites and is always looking for ways to expand the number of plots available. You can have a look at its community gardening brochure (somewhat out of date, but which will give you a general idea of how things work) here. Dana can help you apply to get a plot at the various CHEP community gardens and also has up-to-date info on other gardening options throughout the city. Phone her on 655-5322 for an application (the deadline is coming up fast–20 April) or email her at dana@chep.org.
   
6. Let your city councillor know that community garden access is a priority. The City of Saskatoon is quite supportive of community garden initiatives in theory, but there are currently some logistical and organisational challenges which I’ll be writing about in detail soon. Another major challenge is finding a suitable permanent space that also has easily available water for irrigation. In the older neighbourhoods in particular, there is less green space available than one would think.

I’ll be posting more information on specific gardening opportunities, and will also have advice on finding alternatives to a community garden plot soon.

(Thursday: I’ve edited this post to reflect the conversation I had with Dana from CHEP this morning)

The 4th annual fundraising gala for CHEP (Child Hunger and Education Program) will be held this Saturday, 4 April. Entitled “Think Global: Eat Local”, this lively gala will include a delicious dinner featuring unique international cuisine, live music, student entertainment, door prizes, and silent auction. In keeping with the global theme of the event, the dress code is creative international or business casual–prizes will be given out for Best Dressed attendees.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards programs helping to break the cycle of poverty and fight root causes of hunger. CHEP’s programming includes Children’s Food & Nutrition Programs and Family Food Security Initiatives such as collective kitchens, the Good Food Box, community gardening, and senior stores.

This is a great opportunity to support CHEP and its vital work in helping people living in Saskatoon. I would be there in a flash if I wasn’t completely flattened by the flu right now!

When: Saturday, 4 April, 6pm (reception, cash bar, silent auction), 7pm (dinner and wine bar), 8pm (program, music & dancing)

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 90 22nd St E, Saskatoon (Google map)

Cost: $50 (including $15 tax receipt), or $35 for students (with no tax receipt)

For more information: CHEP web site, or call Dana on 655-5322 or email dana@chep.org

This event is presented by Health Everywhere, students from the College of Medicine, and CHEP.

Photo by Danny Pederson-Bradbury

Steep Hill Food Co-op’s next no-markup day is Thursday, 2 April. This means non-working members save 13% and non-members save 25% off their bills. Working members will get a further 10% off shelf prices. It’s a great chance to stock up.

Steep Hill carries:

• Bulk organic grains, flours, cereals, nuts, seeds and beans (some locally-grown)
• Organically-grown fruits, vegetables and juices
• Locally-baked goods and baking needs
• Organic/free-range eggs
• Organic beef, naturally-raised chicken and pork, and Saskatchewan fish
• Herbs, spices, coffees and herbal teas
• Special dietary needs
• Personal care and household items

No-markup day at Steep Hill Food Co-op

When: Thursday 2 April, 11:00am-6:30pm

Where: Steep Hill Food Co-op, 730 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

For more information: Steep Hill Co-op, (306) 664-4455