Up and Coming Events

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Spring is (supposedly) here in Toronto, which means it’s time to start talking about gardening! As a result, I’ve got a bunch of confirmed events on the roster in Toronto over the next few weeks.

Seed-Starting Plant-Along:

Saturday, March 28, 2009. 1:30 pm

I’m calling this a plant-along rather than a workshop since the aim of this workshop is primarily to walk members of our Seedling Growing Collective as well as members of the greenhouse we are sharing through the ins and outs of starting seeds and caring for seedlings. I will be starting my own seeds as well, so in that sense it is not a workshop but more of a communal effort with some discussion and instruction added on.

I’m not yet sure if this is only open to our group and greenhouse members, but I will confirm for future dates. However, if you are curious about the greenhouse, it will be open to the public that evening at 8:30pm in celebration of Earth Hour.

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Toronto Horticultural Society: Small, Urban Potager
Monday, March 30, 2009. 7pm

I’ll be speaking about growing beautiful food gardens in small and difficult spaces. I’ve been told that non-members are welcome to come out for this event and it is free to attend.

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Seeds of Diversity 25 Year Celebration:

Sunday, April 5, 2009. 9am-4pm

I’ll be talking about growing urban food gardens, telling stories, and showing photographs of my own gardens as well as other urban food gardens I have visited.

This talk is a part of a larger event with other speakers and costs $35 to attend (includes lunch).

You’ll need to register ahead of time with Seeds of Diversity in order to attend.

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You Grow Girl Seedling Growing Collective

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Hey Toronto! Let’s grow some seedlings together!

I posted about this in the forums but wanted to push it here as well since seed starting season in Toronto is happening NOW.

So here’s the deal: I’ve managed to secure shelving space in a local, community greenhouse to grow seedlings this spring. Because You Grow Girl is also a community, I’ve wrangled enough space for more than just myself to grow. Many of you are also living in small apartments without the space, money, or supplies to grow healthy seedlings, so I thought this was a good opportunity to share in.

This has come about quickly so I haven’t had much time to work through the logistics; however, what I am thinking is that a few of us share the shelf space and in turn share the daily workload of planting, watering, checking up on seedlings, etc. We can arrange a day to work together to get seeds started so if you are a new seed starter, no worries, I’m happy to walk you through the process.

The greenhouse itself also has some expectations as far as membership goes but they are around volunteering time to the park and greenhouse, not payment.

Seed growers always overdo it so I figure that in addition to growing for ourselves we could also grow some that can be donated to a charity that needs transplants. I have some ideas of those in need, but we can decide on a charity collectively.

Are you interested? The greenhouse is in Trinity Bellwoods Park.

I’d like to get an idea of interest and then decide how to proceed from there. We don’t have much time so if you’re in please comment in the forums and we can continue to work this out together.

Update: Just wanted to let everyone know that the space is filled up now.

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Seedy Saturday Toronto 2009

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

The best gardening event of the year, Seedy Saturday Toronto is coming up this week! This year it’s in a new venue and at a new time, which should be interesting. Once again I will have a table and will be selling my wares. We’ll be debuting a new t-shirt that I know you’ll love. I’ll also have some of my own surplus seeds to trade.

See you there!

When: Saturday February 28, 2009

from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm

Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns (Barn #2), 601 Christie St., Toronto

If you’re looking for a Seedy Saturday in your area check out the listings on the Seeds of Diversity site.

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Warm Winter Wear Drive 2008 Reminder

Photo by Gayla Trail  All Rights Reserved

Just a reminder that the date to get your items shipped out is approaching. I originally said Dec 1 but have decided to give it until Dec 5 because I have been so behind in answering my emails. I’ve got a P.O. Box that you can send it to now, but please do email me (gaylaatyougrowgirldotcom) so I know how many packages to wait for. I don’t want to miss any.

Gayla Trail
Toronto Postal Station C.
Box 561
1117 Queen Street W.
Toronto ON M6J 3P6
Canada

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Food for Freedom

I’m going to be giving another presentation on Guerrilla Gardening tomorrow at the Style at Home Show as a part of Eco Day. The gardening presentations start at noon. Mine will be at 2pm.

Here’s the write-up:

    Learn about the many ways that people are “greening the city” by planting small gardens in out-of-the-way corners and abandoned lots, beautifying the community for everyone.

While looking around online at vintage Victory Gardens posters I came upon this film on the City Farmer website. While the film does present some rather unhealthy gardening practices the tone is excellent, your classic 40s era voice of authority enthusiastically encouraging everyone to do their part for the war effort.

While I’m at it, here’s a poster that links the war on garden pests with the War itself in a somewhat disturbing way.

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