Composting 101

April 30, 2008

As part of theOwen’s urban gardening initiative, we bring you a selection of resources on composting for everyone from the absolute beginner to the more seasoned composter who wishes to learn more.

The Composting Council of Canada has a wealth of resources available, including articles such as an overview of what composting is, a guide to composting at home, and how to use compost.

There are many composters available for purchase at a retail level, but you can also choose from a number of designs and detailed plans to build your own.

Garden Girl’s Urban Sustainable Living has a number of urban gardening resources including the following video on composting and vermiculture.

Compost Guide, “a complete guide to composting”, details how to make compost. It also features a page of composting tips and a compost blog.HowtToCompost.org is a comprehensive composting resource. It features an overview of composting as well as a directory of general information.

There will be a composting gathering held on Saturday May 24th 2008 at 11 o’clock am!

Interested in local gardening initiatives? Subscribe in order to recieve more information about this, or if you may have something to contribute, get in touch.

Written by Lauren · Filed Under Community, Conservation, Features, Gardening, Owen Sound, Participation, The Area, The City, The Environment, theOwen

Paradise Garden: the Urban Gardening Experience in Hamilton

April 22, 2008

The idea of Urban Agriculture has been on my mind a great deal as of late. Certainly this is in part due to the warming weather of spring. My thoughts of Urban gardening have also been greatly influenced by our recent move. Our new home (pretty much smack dab in the center of downtown) came with 1) a dedicated room in the basement dedicated to storage of preserves and 2) a good sized yard with a great solar profile and a good mix of sun/shade throughout the day.

So these two elements of our new home have really got the sustainability nut in me thinking? How much food can I produce and preserve in this small plot of land downtown. Can I feed my family? Can I share with friends? Might the bounty be so great I can share with strangers too? (from what I can tell from last summer no one is a stranger if you have Zuccini in the garden)

Obviously we are talking long term goals here. I have no expectation that I will be filling my cellar with super local food stuffs this fall. So while I may not be able in the short run to fulfill my goal of the 100 ft diet it is definitely the time to get started.

Which brings me back to why I decided to write this post. I have been doing a bit of gardening / urban agriculture / food production research lately. As I find good resources I intend to share them here (if you have any good ones to share use the comment section below to share!).

Today’s link, Paradise Garden: Urban Gardening in Hamilton by Maggie Hughes, a Citizen Shift podcast I found while Googling last night.

“

Sometimes a garden is not just a garden. Sometimes it is the meeting point for a whole community and the things that grow in the garden can tell us a lot about the people that live there.

”

To download the podcast visit the site or have a listen with the player below.

Written by Ryan · Filed Under Gardening, Podcast, The Area, The Environment, theOwen

HICK Tech 2008

April 10, 2008

Following great success in 2007, HICK Tech returns in April 2008 for another year of enlightenment, inspiration, and networking. HICK Tech is a one-day conference in Owen Sound. In 2008 it will feature a keynote presentation by Heather Champ (Community Manager for Flickr) wrap-up session moderated by CBC personality Nora Young and twenty sessions under the topics of Business, Community, Food & Agriculture and Technology.

The event will take place, April 30, 2008 at the Bayshore community Centre in Owen Sound from 8AM-5PM.

For all the details be sure to drop by HickTech.com

Written by Ryan · Filed Under Community, Internet, Tech + Life, Web Tools, theOwen Features

a songsational afternoon with david sereda, Lauren Best and the Renegade Company, and Tyler Wagler

April 2, 2008

Poster

Veteran songwriter david sereda and up-and-coming artist Lauren Best are teaming up to offer a special afternoon of music at Mudtown Pottery Studio on Sunday April 6th at 2 pm. Featuring Owen Sound native and bassist extraordinaire Tyler Wagler, the afternoon promises to generate some heat to melt away winter in this sugar shack of song. Keira McArthur will be joining The Renegade Company on cello and vocals. Tickets can be purchased in advance at The Downtown Bookstore; be sure to avoid disappointment and get yours today. For more information email renegadecompany@gmail.com or call 519 372 6431.

Written by Lauren · Filed Under Community, Concerts, Events, Get Out, Guest Post, Music, Owen Sound, Participation, The Arts, Youth