October 16, 2008
2 Comments
Ecology Events

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.

Leave a comment
October 7, 2008
1 Comment
Events Winter

Warm Winter Wear Drive 2008

Winter is approaching (NOOOOOOOOO!!!) and it is actually starting to get cold out there. Real cold. I have worn hand warmers while walking. Soon it will be full mittens or gloves. Biking now requires a woolen hat that can cover the ears. The horror. All of this serves as a strong reminder that winter is not going to magically pass us by this year. It’s time to break out the knitting needles and make something fantastic for the 2008 Warm Winter Wear Drive!!

What: Knit or crochet up beautiful, warm winter gear for The Redwood Shelter for Abused Women. While I know many of you are from all over the globe we’ve decided to continue to support a Toronto-based organization again because 1. They are doing fantastic work and 2. I am in Toronto and a Toronto-based organization means I can collect and distribute the items from here. You are of course more than welcome to keep it local and make something for a shelter in your area.

    Knit, Crochet, or Sew (New items made by you):

  • Long Scarves – They have need of thick, warm scarves that can wrap around twice for bundling up.
  • Women’s Mittens – They receive plenty of mittens for children but need for larger, adult-sized mittens.
  • Baby Blankets – For bundling babies inside strollers. It’s can get cold here in Toronto. This is an awfully tall order for hand-knitting. Sewn blankets or simple square block quilts are a great alternative.
  • Larger Items – If you were planning to make a couple of scarves, make one large item instead. They have a need for shawls and ponchos too.

How: A simple ribbed scarf is probably the best place to start for a beginner. Ribbing is simply going back and forth between the knit and purl stitches (i.e. knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches, and so on). It is a stretchy pattern that makes a nice, thick material. This tutorial will lead you through the process. You can also try free pattern websites like Knitty. If you have any particularly excellent resources to recommend please comment below.

Check out what we sent in 2006 and 2007.

Details: Please mail your items by Dec 1, 2008. Email me at gaylaatyougrowgirldotcom for the address.

Leave a comment
August 20, 2008
6 Comments
Published Stuff

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Community Gardening Guide

Photo by Gayla Trail All Rights Reserved

I’m very proud to have co-produced the cover photograph for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s “Community Gardening” guide alongside my partner Davin Risk. Yep, that’s my soiled hand and a bouquet of sage held up at our own Parkdale Community Beer Garden. There are four varieties of sage in that photo which I continue to harvest in droves this year.

But I digress. You might be familar with the Brooklyn Botanic’s guides on a whole host of gardening topics from growing natives to food gardening. This latest guide provides a closer look at the ins and out of community gardening, including hands-on tips for getting started and a case study section profiling several inspiring urban gardens.

If you’re looking to start a community garden but don’t know where to begin I would also suggest “How Does Our Garden Grow? A Guide to Community Garden Success” written by Laura Berman and published by Foodshare.

Leave a comment
July 10, 2008
4 Comments
Deep Thoughts Ecology Press

Taste T.O. Interview

“What that kind of attitude and approach is saying over and over again is that gardening is not for you; you don’t belong here.”

I met up with Teresa Cheng a few weeks ago for lunch at my favourite long-time local eatery, Cafe Bernate for an in-person interview to talk about urban gardening, growing food, and sustainability. We popped back to my place after the interview to take some quick snaps and of course I sent her off with some extra tomato and anise-hyssop seedlings I had kicking around. I have a tendency to unload plants or herbs onto visitors. I may be a terrible sales person but I know how to “sell” a plant.

The result of that conversation can be found on the Taste T.O site, Talking the Green Revolution with Gayla Trail.

Leave a comment
July 2, 2008
26 Comments
Events Places

Columbus, OHIO

Green Minds Project: Gayla Trail

I will be traveling to Columbus, Ohio next week to be on a panel at the Ohio Floraculture Association’s “Short Course” conference. As a result I have set some time aside to see the city and take in gardening in that area. I am told there is an active community of urban gardeners in Columbus.

I know it is very last minute to ask but I am hoping to find some gardeners who would allow me to come into their space and take some pictures of them for my Green Minds photo project. If you would be willing or know someone who is please go to the site and fill out the form. I’m trying to find a diverse range of people so no gardener is too beginner.

And since I have never been to Ohio I would deeply appreciate any suggestions of things to see and do in Columbus, gardening-related or otherwise. And just in case I don’t bring enough film: Does anyone know of a store in the city that still sells medium format film? I am also looking for a health food store and a cafe that serves good espresso-based coffee beverages.

Leave a comment