Victory Gardens Blog

Archive: VICTORY GARDENS in SCOUT MAGAZINE: On Planting...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:30:45 -0700

Archive: VICTORY GARDENS in SCOUT MAGAZINE: On Planting Marigolds & Nasturtiums For Food And Aphid Warefare

OK, so your tomatoes have likely been planted (if not, it’s not too late); salads are abundant; strawberries and garlic scapes are beginning their season (the latter already showing up in our pestos, hummus, frying pans, and pickling jars – more of scapes and what to do with them here); peas are flowering and pods are forming. You’ve surveyed with satisfaction the rapid growth of your veggie garden but forgotten one thing: garden pests.

Yes, the bain of summer gardening is upon us. Aphids are in season; you see ants carrying them around all over the undersides of plant leaves, in plant crevasses, you name it. But what can you do besides spraying the little beasts off repeatedly with a hose? This is where companion planting comes into play in the organic garden. Here, we want to talk about our top two faves that pair well with an array of veggies: two edible flowers, nasturtiums and marigolds. They can be planted at this time to combat pests and bring harmony to the garden. Bee attraction? Check. Warding off pests? Check. Edible, too? Perfect. There absolutely have to be flowers in a veggie garden, too.

Let’s start with nasturtiums. They grow like mad and their leaves and flowers are edible. Harvest for garnish and salads. They have a unique, delicious taste; a tad sour and peppery. They act as aphid “bait” in the garden. Yes, they may attract aphids, but trust us. If you plant them near your tomatoes, peppers, kale, artichokes, and anything else susceptible to an aphid attack, your other crops will remain unscathed. And, if your nasturtium remains relatively unscathed too, all the better. Plant nasturtiums around tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, and under fruit trees where they will battle wooly aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles and other pests of the cucurbit family.

And then there are the miraculous marigolds! Not only are they garden superheroes at fighting off evil, they are also a great addition to salads. They even do well in beer (Marigold IPA anyone?). What’s more, they keep soils free of bad nematodes and discourage many insects from munching on your precious, health-sustaining veggies. Plant them throughout the garden and reap their many gastronomic and medicinal benefits (yup, marigolds are also used in treatments for eczema, rashes, burns, gastric ulcers, fever, and more).

We’ll be at the OLLA flower festival on June 22nd at Victory Square Park from 9am to 4pm and we’ll have enough marigolds and nasturtiums for all your pest control and culinary needs.

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Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:30:37 -0700

I’m not on a diet. I’m eating healthy. ..And Growing...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:30:43 -0700

I’m not on a diet. I’m eating healthy. ..And Growing Veggies!

rainbow of root vegetables from the garden. gorgeous.

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:30:43 -0700

rainbow of root vegetables from the garden. gorgeous.

Archive: VICTORY GARDENS in SCOUT MAGAZINE: On Taking Sweet Care...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:26:34 -0700

Archive: VICTORY GARDENS in SCOUT MAGAZINE: On Taking Sweet Care Of The Awesome Tomatoes In Your Garden

Oh, yes! The time has finally arrived! The sun is shining and the weather is warm, so it’s the day all gardeners dream of and long for, tomato transplant time! Tomatoes are such a fetish fruit in Vancouver since they pose such a challenge to ripen in time. It’s an emotional rollercoaster babysitting the little seedlings from germination to the moment when they are finally ready to be set outdoors. Even if you are starting by transplanting alone it can be a ride. We at VG have a couple of pointers to help ease the tensions associated with growing tomatoes…

We said it in a post last year around the tomato harvest and we’ll say it again: For god’s sake, choose at leastone cherry tomato variety, such as Gold Nugget. They are sure to ripen in our climate. Alternatively, choose a variety that has a shorter maturation time, and one suited to cooler climates, like Early Cascade. And don’t forget that tomatoes are great in containers, too.

Are the night-time temperatures sitting around 13 degrees at night? If they are, it’s a good indication that it’s time for the tomatoes to leave the greenhouse (or nursery) and get into your garden. Remember that tomatoes need full sun exposure, so plant accordingly.

A few planting tips: tomatoes are heavy feeders, so add compost. Mix in a scoop of organic fertilizer into the transplant hole; one that is specific for tomatoes (there will be more Phosphorus, which is associated with fruit development). Bury the stalk up to their first set of true leaves, or even deeper! Yes, that’s right. Tomato roots develop off the stalk, and the bigger the root ball, the bigger the fruit. And, when pruning, pinch off the “suckers” on indeterminate varieties – these types will keep growing and producing fruit until frost. These “suckers” are the offshoots that develop in the “elbow” (or “crotch”) that juts out between the stalk and stem of the plant. This encourages the plant’s energy to focus more on producing juicy tomatoes, not leafy growth.

Your tomatoes will need support, so use a cage for bush (determinate) varieties, and trellis or stakes to tie up vine (indeterminate) varieties as they grow.

And finally, planting under an overhang, on a covered deck, or in a greenhouse (or hoop house) will aid in helping fruit production in our wet climate. That being said, if you set them outside, you’ll be sure to reap rewards, too. If you do cover your tomatoes, remember that they don’t rely on insects for pollination. Vibrating the plant shakes pollen loose within the flowers, which then self-pollinate. Even though the wind does this naturally, just make sure your tomatoes are getting a little extra shake here and there.

Gold Nugget, Green Zebra, Amana Orange, Italian Heart, Sweet 100, Black Krim and Juliet Roma are a few varieties we are featuring this season. And be sure to plant basil alongside your tomatoes! Not only are they a great companion plant for a multitude of reasons, they convene in the best culinary locations: on the top of your pizzas, in Caprese salads, and in your homemade pasta sauces.

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Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:30:53 -0700

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Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:50:07 -0700

The Best! Hey Girl, I grew this kale for you in my organic...

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:30:42 -0700

The Best! Hey Girl, I grew this kale for you in my organic garden.

jodiesg: The time I did a dramatic photo shoot with broccoli.

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:30:34 -0700

jodiesg:

The time I did a dramatic photo shoot with broccoli.

This weekend in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Victory Gardens is...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:30:34 -0700

This weekend in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Victory Gardens is proud to participate in the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market!

Join us on the evening of June 7th, 8th where we’ll be selling veggie starts, seeds, fertilizer AND offer the crowd an ASK THE EXPERT service.

For a list of Seeds and Starters available, click on the “Buy Seeds” and “Buy Veggie Starts” buttons on the right hand side of our SERVICES page:

http://victorygardensvancouver.ca/services

Archive: VICTORY GARDENS in SCOUT MAGAZINE: What To Grow In Your...

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:01:07 -0700

Archive: VICTORY GARDENS in SCOUT MAGAZINE: What To Grow In Your Garden Today? Lots Of Summer Squash!

Late May is a time of getting down to business in the garden – the warmer temperatures allow for plantings of beans, squash/zucchini, and, if the weather allows, EVEN tomatoes – but wait. Be patient with the latter and let the nighttime temperatures reach 13, ideally. As always, being in Vancouver, we should really preface this and many articles with, “Depending on the weather”…

Here we’ll focus on summer squash/zucchini. Last year, we wrote an article on harvesting the stuff and what to do with their delicious blossoms. This time around we’re going to focus on how to grow!

If direct-sowing, late May/early June (when the soil is warmer) is perfect. Optimal soil temperature is 25 Celsius, and a good sunny stretch will yield thereabouts. Your seeds should pop up in a week or two. Sow them about an inch deep, and sow a few to ensure germination. Then, pick the strongest one to be the plant for your chosen spot.

If transplanting, remember a few things: summer squash is both hungry and thirsty. They need plenty of moisture and plenty of nutrients, so when transplanting it’s important to dig in compost or well-rotted manure into the bed, as well as a scoop of organic fertilizer into the transplant hole (as always, if you need any of the above, just give us a call).

When watering in your transplant, avoid overhead watering, as summer squash is exceptionally prone to powdery mildew. Last year was especially prevalent for this fungal issue because it was so rainy!

Where are all the bees? Don’t even get us started. Anyways, sometimes summer squash needs a little help in the pollination department. The plant has both male and female flowers (the fruit forms here), and the female flowers need to be pollinated to form fruit. In the morning, when both male and female flowers are open (sometimes this is fickle, as one may or may not be “in the mood”), take the pollen from the male flower to the pistil of the female flower. Sounds daunting? Just google it! There are plenty of how-to videos on the web.

Remember to harvest regularly, as this will encourage more fruit! Some of our favorite varieties that we are growing this year are Ronde de Nice, Goldie Zucchini, and a little patty pan Scallopini called Bennings Green Tint. Have fun with it!

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Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:30:32 -0700

Thanks to the lovely Farmacie blog for the mention! Inspired...

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:30:34 -0700

Thanks to the lovely Farmacie blog for the mention!

Inspired by WWI and WWII style campaigns and the camaraderie it fostered, Lisa Giroday, Sandra Lopuch and Sam Phillips founded Victory Gardens, a team of farmers and food renegades, that transform and maximize urban space for food production. Intent on ensuring the sustainability of these urban areas, the Victory Garden girls focus on education and providing the associated resources necessary for a successful harvest.

More recently, this trifecta’s work has become “unfenced,” offering consultations to businesses (such as VanCity Credit Union and the lululemon lab) and schools seeking to minimize their environmental impact and support their local economy.

Given the fact that some of us have not picked up a shovel since our sandbox days, the Victory Gardens team offer workshops for all levels. The forecast says sunshine Vancouver so grab a buddy and dig in.

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Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:30:36 -0700

charityssimplejoys: great website.gardening and sustainable...

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:30:36 -0700

charityssimplejoys:

great website.
gardening and sustainable living tips, food related documentaries, and information of food/agriculture injustices.

Eat Your Veggies.

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 10:15:15 -0700

Eat Your Veggies.

You Can’t Buy Happiness, But You Can Buy Local And...

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:30:55 -0700

You Can’t Buy Happiness, But You Can Buy Local And That’s Kind Of The Same Thing.

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Mon, 27 May 2013 14:30:50 -0700

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Sun, 26 May 2013 14:39:56 -0700

Why You Don’t Need Animal Manure in Your Organic Vegetable...

Sun, 26 May 2013 14:30:31 -0700

Why You Don’t Need Animal Manure in Your Organic Vegetable Garden