Author Archives: Monika Meulman

LEGS COMMUNITY GARDEN OPEN HOUSE SEPTEMBER 11 2021

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You are invited to:


join us in our first annual September Harvest showcase.

We hope to see you in our community gardens, in the west end of Toronto, South Etobicoke. We have been working very hard to grow an urban farming environment that’s inviting and welcoming to everyone.

Come see our growing gardens, pollinator beds, raised beds, Fruit Orchard and join us in the many activities we have planned for this coming September 11th, 2021.

We support the Daily Bread Food Bank with our produce and our dedicated garden steward volunteers work had weekly to grow food for everyone – growing food security where it is needed the most!

Date: September 11th, Saturday 9-1pm

Location: 191 New Toronto Street, Etobicoke

Daily Bread Food Bank Grounds

Plant Contest

Send us your wackiest plant photos!

We are running a summer garden contest for the oddest, weirdest, funniest, wackiest plants you grew this year!

Send us the photo via email to:

Info@legsetobicoke.ca or dm us on social media at our facebook page, instagram or twitter
@legsetobicoke

Show us your #legswackyplants !!!

Winner gets a $25 Gift Certificate to Sweet Olenka’s Chocolate & Ice Cream & Bragging Rights until next year!

Activities planned for the day:

  • Garden Tours
  • Explore the Fruit Orchard
  • Plant & Seed Exchange
  • Discover our New Pollinator Garden
  • Learn about Composting & see our Compost Structures (thank you to FoodShare!)
  • Find your new favourite Library Garden Book courtesy of the Toronto Public Library
  • Donate non-perishable food for our Food Drive at the Food Bank
  • and more!

need more details? email us at info@legsetobicoke.ca

Tea Fundraiser Update! For fall 2021

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Get set and ready to make tea, for fall.

We are launching our Annual Tea Fundraiser this fall – starting this month. Making blends and custom tea blends. Want to join us? info@legsetobicoke.ca

We will discuss growing, harvesting, drying and storing teas!

In preparation for our tea production we are going to have at least one (or more time permitting) tea blending party.


We will mix herbs and dried fruit and try a few.

We will work on developing our LEGS signature blends among them Summer Berry Tea (name to be chosen).


You are invited to come to the Healing Muse. 
Wed August 11th at 5 p.m.

RSPV REQUIRED! here


We will need a couple of tea kettles and a few, maybe 4-5 teaposts (small) if everybody brings one it should be enough.


If you have already experimented with different blends pls bring your recipes.
We have some recipes from last year and will develop new ones.


I am looking forward to seeing you all at the Healing Muse!

See some sample ideas for recipes from Dorota here:

For those of us who like to experiment I have 3 book recommendations.
 All available at the library.

Lois Hole. Herbs and edibile flowershttps://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM322102&R=322102
– cucumber and lemon balm marmalade (with lemons)- fried sage leaves- tarragon cream pesto- zucchini-rosemary pickles

Tart and Sweet. Kellly Geary and Jessie Knadlerhttps://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/search.jsp?N=4292744803
– sweet apple cider baby beets- pickled baby beets with juniper berries- peach lavender jam- canned hole berries- pickled cauliflower- ginger garlic pickles- zucchini relish

Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavours for a Modern Pantry. Liana Krissoffhttps://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2732960&R=2732960
– pickled asparagus- blackberry jam with lemon zest- apricot halves with honey and ginger- peaches in vanilla syrup- peach jam with lemon thyme- raspberry jam with mint and lavender- roasted peppers with lemon juice- zucchini bread-and-butter pickles with ginger- mint apple jelly

next up: preserves are fun!

Thank you — Midsummer Blessings for our Lead Garden Steward Catherine

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mid July super thank you Catherine!

It’s high time we take a moment to stop and appreciate, applaud, rejoice, and count our blessings for having such an amazing and dedicated, joyful and wonderful lead Garden Stewart as part of our community gardens here at LEGS Etobicoke: Catherine Mayled! She has taken our society of Lakeshore Environmental Gardeners by healthy rain nourishing storm! And, that makes us all grow food! And, we are growing our Community Food Security as a result. Want to join us?

thank you!


The Garlic Harvest Season is in full bloom and Our Garden Steward Lead – Catherine Mayled
Leads us to great success!

We are Thankful!

Are you ready to join us in the garden and grow even more food and community love?
If you are, we are happy to have you join us. The spinach will love you. And, the beans will love you. Of course, the garlic is smiling. Can you see?!?

garlic harvest
garlic harvest is great this season and we are rejoicing!
allium grows
allium grows
harvest time
harvest time

Plants Donated and Our History Honoured

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Our Gardens are Blooming! Here’s what new from the last few weeks

Donations:

We received some wonderful organic vegetables plant donations from Stefan & Lucas at etobiGrow.
They are an amazing company founded by  brothers Stefan and Lukas, please check out their website, it would be great to support them next year, I will be getting my organic potting soil from them.Buy Local and Organic Plants with etobiGrow | See what’s growing!


South Garden – Garden Ongoing Chores!

Harvest fruit
Planting
Pick up fallen cherries/apples

Honouring the North American Way of Planting
Plant up another 3 sisters area for Canada Day


Come and see our new 3 sisters  garden plots:

Background:
The Iroquois (Hodeneshone) were agricultural people who lived along the eastern shores of Lake Ontario in Canada, and in northern New York State below the St. Lawrence River.

Among the good spirits of the Iroquois are the three sisters who reside over their favourite vegetables – corn, beans and squash. They are represented as loving one another very dearly and dwelling together in peace and unity.

The vines of the vegetables grow upon the same soil and cling lovingly to one another. The spirit of corn is draped over the corn with its green leaves and silken tassels which represent a green shawl and long blond hair. The sister who guards the bean has the garments of velvety green pods and delicate tendrils, while the spirit of the squash is clothed with the brilliant yellow blossoms.

On bright nights you may be able to see the spirit of the three sisters flitting about or hear them rustling amongst the tall corn.

We Learn about Gardening & Growing Sustainably All Year Long!

Come Bloom With us: join us at legsetobicoke.ca

Garden Time is rewarding for all Volunteers

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Thank you to Barbara, Dorota, Ewa, Matt, Pete, Cathy, Rene, Marcy for your hard work today…

Dorota – Our Orchard Steward –

She feeds us well. She brought in these delicious beauties for the hard working garden stewards!
See how our community garden is thriving.


Well done – all before the start of June hot days!
Thank you to Dorota for organizing the apple socks and the delicious muffins and Barbara for bringing and making the wooden apples, also Marcy for taking photographs for us.  You are the community in action.


What We accomplished:
• Watering
• Weeding
• Planting
• PruningApple socks and traps. 


Thank you everyone for your time today.
Catherine
LEGS Garden Coordinator

#communitygarden #communitygardening #communitygarden #etobicoke #etobicokelakeshore #etobicokegarden #permaculture #foodjustice #foodsecurity #foodsovereignty #growyourown #growyourownfood #legsetobicoke

Plant Exchange June 1 Update! 1 Week left!

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Our 2021 Spring Plant Exchange was a tremendous success – thank you to all of you! May your gardens and hearts bloom with much love.

Our star Plant Exchange Sharer, Gatherer, Fundraiser Was Julie – Thank you Julie!!!

So far we have raised over $350 and still going strong!

Our Community Garden always needs more volunteers for weeding, watering, and general plant love.
Our Community LEGS garden group always needs more members to create open, accesible events and programs for everyone to learn.

Donate your time or money anytime to help us grow this community one plant at a time!

Support us with your $10 Membership donation now:
eTransfer to: legstreasurer@gmail.com
and notify us if you would like a membership card as well

Image source: https://www.surrey.ca/thank-you-cards

Plants Available for Exchange 1 more week at our ECO HUB

The Healing Muse Apothecary – We love Plants!
2859 Lakeshore Blvd West. Etobicoke ON M8V 1H8

#community #gardens #communitygardens #growfood #foodsecurity #urbanfarming #gardensociety #communitygardening #communitygarden #etobicoke #etobicokelakeshore #etobicokegarden #permaculture #foodjustice #foodsecurity #foodsovereignty #growyourown #growyourownfood #legsetobicoke

Our Community Garden, You, Urban farming, We belong together

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At long last, the weather has turned into warm and sunny support that we need to grow our wonderful plants, to grow our food, to grow our community.

For a while there, the nights turn cold and then the days we get hot and then there was wind and then there was rain and our gardens were all getting a world wind of activity. Did you find that May was quite a disturbance? It was touch and go there for a while wasn’t it? Did you put sheets on top of your raised vegetable beds?

community garden 1

Our garden is flourishing

Have a look at the wonderful work that is growing in our community garden farm, in our community.

Come join us and celebrate and learn and support the earth with us. <– members and volunteers wanted!!!

community garden garlic

#community #gardens #communitygardens #growfood #foodsecurity #urbanfarming #legsetobicoke #gardensociety #etobicoke

Our Spring Plant Exchange is back!

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May 8th to May 30th 2021!

Each week ( or even each day!!!) New plants will be donated by neighbhours and gardeners at these locations and you can come by and pick up your favourites!

First come, first serve.
While quantities last.

5 locations — 3 weeks of plants!

The way it works:
You bring a plant / take a plant! 
The plant varieties will keep changing. 
LEGS Spring Plant Exchange runs from Sat., May 8 till Sunday, May 30
depending on individual locations.
legs logo

Donate to support our Community based group!
Etransfer Donations accepted at: Legstreasurer@gmail.com

If you can: donate a few extra plants to LEGS.  Drop off at a location near you. See Below.
Some people to not have plants to donate, so they make a small donation to LEGS instead. (above) That is why we really need extra plants. 
Please see what you can spare from your garden, to help us out!

If you need plants that you are donating to be picked up, or have any questions, send us an email to info@legsetobicoke.ca and we will make arrangements and answer any questions that you may have.

Where the plants are:

Location 1

The Healing Muse Apothecary – ECO HUB 2859 Lakeshore Blvd West

The Healing Muse Apothecary – ECO HUB 2859 Lakeshore Blvd West

Will have plants sitting outside the shop for daily pick up

Plant drop off times:  
Monday – Saturday 
9.00am – 5.00pm 

Plant Exchange times:

Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm

 Sample plants coming up:
strawberry plants, feverfew, chives, seedling red cabbage, seedling basil.

Location 2

calendula

Plant overnight storage and drop off for LEGS:

The Sanderson’s

76 Hillside Ave, Etobicoke, ON  M8V 1S9
Note:
Plants can be dropped off anytime

Larger donations:

of plants LEAVE AT front door (OF 76 Hillside)
and then WE can gradually put out plants on the church lawn… to spread the love!

Plant Exchange Location:
Picnic Tables @ Mimico Baptist Church
😯 Hillside Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8V1S9

Plant Exchange times:

Monday to Friday -8:30a.m. to sunset

 Sample plants coming up:
TBD

mimico baptist church

Location 3

Longbranch —- Anna

30 Park Blvd, Etobicoke M8W 1G7
Plants drop off: 
on Friday 14th May.

Plant Exchange times:

Saturday start day 15th May – noon to 4.00pm

Location 4

Alderwood — Julie
99 Foch Avenue Etobicoke M8W 3X9

Plant drop off: the week of 3rd of May

Plant Exchange times:

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10-1pm

Early plants up for grabs:
wild columbine, tiger lilies and some sedum.

Location 5

Longbranch —- Gary & Donna
7 Lake Promenade Etobicoke M8V 2G6

Plant drop off:
Any Friday before the Saturday

Plant Exchange times:

Saturday 10.00am – 2.00pm

#legsetobicoke #plantexchange #etobicokegarden #seedlibrary #seedexchange #etobicoke #havelegswillgarden

April Fools Snow has arrived but we still garden!

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You may have noticed April fool’s is late this year: snow fall on the 21st of April!

But alas, we have covered crops, prepared bean poles, moved around mulch and pretty much started gardening weekly, whether mother nature welcomes us or not!

Join us – join LEGS all year long. Support our Society, become a member!
email us at info@legsetobicoke.ca

bean pole teepees
bean pole teepees

We have explored the early bird spring plants in our gardens…

#gardening #gardeningetobicoke #communitygardens #gardensociety #springgardens #sustainablegarden