Shannon G was kind enough to write some words on a event the WCL had in June 2024!
On Sunday, June 9, 2024, the Peace Garden Park Community Garden was lucky
enough to hear renowned horticulturist, author, and scientist Jim Hole share his insight
as the voice of Alberta gardening. This event, organized with the help of the
Wîhkwêntôwin Community League, brought together about 40 dedicated gardeners,
eager to grow their green thumbs.
The chilly winds and spitting rains delayed the event 24 hours. Fortunately, Sunday
graced us with beautiful weather—blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and a gentle
breeze—setting the perfect stage for a memorable gathering. The Peace Garden Park, nestled in the heart of Wîhkwêntôwin has 87 garden plots, most planted by individual gardeners or families who each tend to their respective crops. Many were in attendance, eager to glean wisdom from the gardening guru. The session started with a discussion on one of the most common gardening challenges:
weed elimination. The crowd leaned in, eager for a miracle cure for the dreaded
dandelion or the chaotic chive. Jim’s advice was simple yet powerful: “Dig deep, do it
often, and then do it more.” He recommended tools like the Lee Valley crack weeder
and a sharp scythe to tackle the persistent invaders.
The conversation naturally flowed to the ongoing battle with weeds in the pathways. Jim
discussed permanent solutions such as paved walkways and the pros and cons of
landscape fabric, offering practical tips that resonated with many gardeners facing
similar issues. Our garden has recently faced new challenges due to the shade cast by our new
neighbour, the 8-story Abbey Lane development. Jim addressed questions about
shade-tolerant crops and high-yield vegetables, recommending the Piccolino cucumber
for its impressive calorie yield per square foot and noting that corn, despite its
popularity, produces the fewest calories per square foot. Jim’s endorsement of the
Sungold cherry tomato sparked wholehearted agreement among a couple of gardeners.
One enthusiastic attendee exclaimed, “Come try my tomatoes—you’ll never have a
better tomato!”
On the subject of companion planting, Jim explained that while marigolds are excellent
for repelling garden pests like snails and slugs, they also repel beneficial insects like
hoverflies, which eat aphids and serve as pollinators. “It’s not about how many
marigolds you plant, but what you want them to do,” Jim advised, emphasizing the
importance of strategic planting.
Reflecting on Alberta’s notorious “fake Spring”, which teased us with warm weather in
April and May, only to turn cold again, then warm, then unseasonably cold again; Jim
reassured those who had started planting early. He shared a comforting piece of
wisdom from his mother, Lois Hole: “Mom always said, ‘Live dangerously, plant early!'”
And seed often, what’s the worst that can happen, you lose a couple of bucks of seeds!
West Coast Seeds contributed to the event by providing seed packets and WCL Vice-
President Phil Wilson brought along hot coffee leading to much conversation, seed
sharing, passionate planning and great story-telling. As the event concluded, the
gardeners left with newfound knowledge, a renewed sense of community, and
inspiration to tackle their plots with vigour. This gathering reflected the connection and
unity of our community (a Circle of Friends, if you will) and we look forward to many
more such events in the future.
By Shannon G.