gardens4everybody
We are sharing information about gardening in the Ottawa area. We use sustainable organic practices, focusing on permaculture, native plants for pollinators, and fruits and vegetables. Ultimately this encourages spaces that are habitats for small animals such as birds, bees and bugs, creating beauty and capturing carbon. We base episodes on our experiences working in the Barrhaven Food Cupboard garden and pollinator gardens.Our goal is to encourage and empower people to enjoy gardening using methods which result in less work. Permaculture, Organic gardening, you can do it, we can help.
Growing glorious garlic and scrumptious scapes.
Maryanne and I discuss how to grow garlic starting from selecting the cloves to plant in October to harvesting the following July. The process starts with the correct depth of planting, and protecting the planted cloves over winter. In Spring the protection is removed and the plants are monitored. Around June scapes are harvested and in July the bulbs can be lifted. Then its time to store and eat them - delicious.
Don't forget to listen to the complementary podcast with dietitian Danielle about the nutritional benefits and uses of garlic.
Hale Kale! The green that is good for you but has an image problem. Dietitian Danielle helps us appreciate Kale and gives tips on how to use it so the whole family will learn to love it.
Danielle explains why Kale is so good for us and also helps us to understand how to prepare it so the whole family will enjoy it. She even gets her teens to eat it so she knows what she's talking about.
Try this wonderful Kale salad for yourself and fall in love with this under appreciated green.
from leafwmc.com
Southwestern Kale Salad
Garlic, Onions and Scapes. The flavour powerhouse . Dietitian Danielle Shares information, tips and recipes you'll love.
Danielle shares her nutritional knowledge of these essential flavour builders. We all love garlic but do you know why its so good for you as well as being delicious? She also shares great recipes you may never have tried.
recipes from the Ontario garlic growers can be found at
https://www.garlicgrowersofontario.com/recipes
What we've been doing this Spring in the Barrhaven Food Cupboard Garden
We review the work we have been doing so far - clean up. repairs, planting and harvesting.
How to start a new garden bed
We discuss several easy ways to make a new garden bed.
Featuring Rhubarb
Our third discussion with registered dietitian Danielle Aldous. We explore some of the ways to use rhubarb. Danielle shares a strawberry rhubarb cobbler recipe form the dairy farmers of Canada.
We also discuss that Rhubarb is a vegetable and is very versatile and can be used in savoury recipes. Check out this link below for 18 surprisingly savoury recipes
https://simplyfamilyrecipes.com/savory-rhubarb-recipes/
Herbs - dietary information and uses
The second in our series with dietitian Danielle Aldous. This episode features cilantro, dill, basil and parsley. The feature recipe is from Canadian Living and is a Cilantro-Jalapeno sauce
https://www.canadianliving.com/food/appetizers-snacks/recipe/cilantro-jalapeno-sauce
Asparagus - dietary information and a great recipe.
This is the first of a series of talks on nutrition related to the plants we can grow in Ontario. We are delighted to share the expertise of Danielle Aldous a registered dietitian. In this episode we discuss the uses and benefits of Asparagus. Danielle also gives an excellent explanation of prebiotics. Danielle shares recipes in each of her episodes and the link to Spring Goddess Salad from the Asparagus Growers Ontario is below.
https://ontarioasparagus.ca/spring-goddess-salad/
I can't wait to try it.
Spring cleanup Pruning - basics only
This episode discusses removing dead branches only. We plan a more in depth series on pruning in the Winter.
Managing pests in the garden
We discuss how to manage pests without pesticides.
Spring Cleanup 4 - garden tools
preparing garden tools for the new season
Spring Clean up 2 Plant stalks and stems
what to do with the dead plant stalks and stems
Spring cleanup 5 lawn repair
How to care for the lawn in Spring
Spring Clean up 3 Mow or No Mow?
we discuss the pros and cons of whether to "No Mow" in the Spring.
Spring Garden clean up - raking leaves
We discuss what to do with the fall leaves
Why worry about pollinators?
e discuss the value of attracting pollinators to our gardens.
Composting
We discuss composting in the City, a large community garden and in the backyard.
The Garden Climate
Here we discuss how the climate we live in affects how we plant.
Planting out
Whether you started plants from seed or bought from the store , its time to plant outside. We focus on peppers , eggplant and tomatoes because we love them , but a lot of the principals apply to all plants.
Hardening off seedlings to prepare for planting out
This episode s should follow on from a recording we made about seed starting. Unfortunately the audio on that was poor and so were jumping in at Hardening off.
Basics of Soil structure
Maryanne shares her knowledge of soil structure. We explain that Organic matter is derived from living organisms that decay and add nutrients to the soil.
An introduction to permaculture
We talk about the history and touch on principals of permaculture
Soil Basics 1- Soil texture
We discuss the texture of soil. What that means and how to find out what texture your soil is and how to improve your soil. Maryanne also adds some interesting facts about the soils in our Ottawa area.
Introducing the podcast plan - finally!
I explain that this podcast is aimed at anyone hoping to gain confidence gardening in the Ottawa area. Each episode has a different topic ranging from some gardening basics and specific advice growing different plants as the season progresses.
Interview with Dawn Lily, President of the Barrhaven Food Cupboard.
This podcast series is in support of the Barrhaven Food Cupboard. Dawn explains how the BFC operates to help our neighbours. We welcome volunteers in the BFC garden. It's a great place to meet friends and learn about gardening.
Donations to BFC can be sent by e transfer to donations@barrhavenfoodcupboard.ca
Introducing Mary Anne and Elizabeth- our gardening experience
In this introduction we explain how we started gardening and discuss the Barrhaven Food Cupboard Garden.
