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Your Parkallen Community Garden Update: What’s Growing in the Parkallen Community Garden this year?
By Brent Flesher and Marlene Wurfel
“Lasagna Gardening”
The plot thickens! We are rebuilding the west end of the community garden using a “Lasagna Gardening” strategy, where there is a ‘noodle’ layer of cardboard that acts as a decomposable weed barrier with a filling of straw, and topped with fresh compost.
A Shift in Direction
The Parkallen Community Garden follows a collective gardening model. Some community gardens have designated plots that people sign up for, plant and harvest. The collective model avoids the “your zucchini is invading my lettuce” type of conflict. The garden is planted, watered, weeded, and harvested as a community resource. New this year is the concept of “Plot Captains” who steward a plot: deciding what to plant and making sure that the plot is tended.
New Garden Director!
The Parkallen Community Garden is pleased to announce a new Garden Director in 2023; Brent Flesher has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Conservation Biology. He’s one of Edmonton & Area Land Trust’s stewards and has been a Parkallen resident since 2003.
Dawning of the Age of Asparagus
New this year is an asparagus forest that should be ready for spring 2026!
Volunteers Needed!
New volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome throughout the growing season. Learn more and sign up for our mailing list at: parkallendiggers.org
Or email us: garden@parkallen.ca
Community Memberships are Required
Need compost? Parkallen Community League members are welcome to our community compost pile, provided your league membership is up to date.
Need to purchase a Community League Membership? efcl.org/membership-purchase/ or, email membership@parkallen.ca
Mark Your Calendar for these FREE Garden Events:
Yoga in the Garden Saturday, June 24, 2023 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
*class will be cancelled if it rains* Cost: Free!
Join Tira Mills for a fun and energizing practice. Learn about Katonah Yoga® themes (metaphor, maps, geometry, archetypal form, measure, and more!). All levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat!
Tira Mills is a registered Doctor of Acupuncture, certified Katonah Yoga instructor, and co-founder of The Origami Yogis. Visit theorigamiyogis.ca
Fairy Door Workshop in the Garden Saturday, July 8 at 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Parkallen Community Garden
Rainy day location: Ellingson Park Gazebo
Construct a fairy door. Cost: free. Materials supplied. Register to reserve a spot: garden@parkallen.ca
All ages and abilities welcome!
