Springtime in Tahsis

Warm spring weather is in the forecast for the next 10 days and gardeners are busy, busy, busy.  Beds are looking good, many already planted, some ready for seeds, and some still resting under their winter mulch.  

Thanks to society directors Kim, Rita, Maureen and Terry - who have all contributed to fixing drip issues at the community garden.  Work has been done on the leaking tap at our main water source, and we are waiting on a part to get the drip irrigation going in the greenhouse.  Sorry for the delay, please continue to hand water greenhouse beds until we get this fixed. 


CMESS students have sown seeds in the Farm to School corner, and students also helped clean up the tabletop beds and one of the raised beds.  Thank you CMESS students, Brooke and Terry for all that you do in support of Farm to School. 

We had a quarrel of gold crown sparrows, and quarrel we did.  The wee monsters stripped leaves off brassicas, peas and even the overwintered kale.  Fast acting gardeners placed protective netting over their seedlings. 

Thankfully, these birds are migratory and just passing through.  And following the theme of man against nature, Kim has placed a temporary cover over the black water barrel beside the greenhouse, as it was full of mosquito larvae.  

The community garden society will have a table at the PAC Bazaar, Sunday May 5 from noon til 3.  Many thanks to Kim who has donated a lovely hanging basket for the raffle, and to Rita who has complemented the raffle item with two potted Bleeding Hearts. Rita and Maureen have stepped up to look after the table, sell raffle tickets and welcome any questions you may have about community gardening here in Tahsis.  

There is one raised bed and two tabletop plots available for purchase, if you need more space, or if you are interested in becoming a community garden member.  

And finally, the next General Meeting will take place on Monday, May 27th @ 7 pm.  Venue to be announced.  Happy Gardening! 

Ideal Islander 'Staycation' June 15-16

We received this message from Katrina over on Denman Island about the upcoming Denman Island Home and Garden Tour June 15-16.  A quick 10 minute ferry ride from Buckley Bay takes you to beautiful Denman Island.  For an overnight adventure, pre-booking accommodation is highly recommended.  Details below:

I am hoping you can help us spread the word to your membership about this great event - an important fundraiser for the Denman Island Conservancy - protecting rare ecosystems on the island since 1991. We welcome garden clubs from all across BC - many choose to carpool or rent a charter bus for the event. Thank you for your consideration!

Denman Island Home and Garden Tour

June 15-16, 2019

Tickets are now on sale for this enchanting Tour, deemed by the Globe & Mail "one of Canada's top six horticultural events."  Every two years this idyllic island throws open its garden gates, inviting the pubic for a rare up-close look at the creativity, skill and passion Denman residents pour into their properties.

The Denman Conservancy has declared 2019 to be The Year of the Wetland, and many of our extraordinary properties offer natural and man-made water features, creating complex, lively ecosystems. The famous Des Kennedy Garden is a major attraction again this year, and other highlights include an organic vineyard (with tasting room), a home build from creatively recycled components, a modern homestead and market garden, a couple of oceanfront west-coast architectural delights, and an island-style chocolate factory. Bloom lovers will not be disappointed, either - roses, lilies, and a whole host of other blossoms will be found in abundance.

This weekend event provides an unforgettable experience for lovers of gardens, homes and rural charm. Many people return year after year, and are never disappointed. Join them! Come for a day trip, or book into a cozy B&B and stay for the weekend.

Early bird tickets are $18, and can be purchased online at http://www.denman-conservancy.org/home-and-garden-tour/.

You can also find us (and Like us) on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DenmanIslandHomeAndGardenTour . Please help us spread the word about this great event.

Spring Fundraiser with West Coast Seeds!

Tahsis Community Garden Society and West Coast Seeds

Spring Fundraiser

February 14 - March 31, 2019

The Tahsis Community Garden Society is happy to announce that it has been approved to sell seeds from West Coast Seeds as a fundraising effort.  Many of you may already be familiar with this family owned company as it has been in operation on the lower mainland since 1983.  They have a great informational gardening guide/seed catalogue with a focus on non-treated, non-GMO and certified organic seeds of outstanding quality.

The fundraising program offers a variety of 65 of West Coast’s most popular seeds, including herbs, vegetables and flowers. The fundraising brochure and order form are available at this link to the participants page.  Click on ‘Download Your Growing Guide’ at the bottom of the webpage for a full colour brochure, and to order, open up the BC XLXS spreadsheet.  The order form lists all the prices and will calculate the total cost, including GST.  Orders must be prepaid (cash preferred).  The Tahsis Community Garden is covering the shipping cost.

Order deadline is March 31^st and seeds will be available for pick up at our Annual General Meeting on April 14^th.  Completed order forms and payment may be dropped off to Silvie at the library during open hours, or to Kim at the school – from 9 til noon, Mon – Thursday only.  

If you have any questions, please speak with Silvie Keen (250.934.7979) or Kim Anderson (250.934.6465). 

PAC Bazaar - Saturday, December 1st

The annual PAC Christmas Bazaar is this Saturday, December 1st in the school gym from noon til three.  

Stop by the Community Garden's table and say hello to Rita and Michelle.  It's a great time to renew memberships before the Dec 31st deadline, and to buy a raffle ticket and/or some wonderful, fresh garden-grown garlic. 
  

Garlic Scapes!

GARLIC SCAPES are available at 'the Local' (beside the Tahsis Post Office) for $4/bunch. These versatile veg can be grilled, roasted, stir fried, added to pesto and even be used as a skewer for a nice garlicky beef sate.  Visit this site for recipes.

PAC Christmas Bazaar

A good time was had by all at the annual Christmas Bazaar organized by Allison of our local Parent Advisory Council.  Many thanks Allison - no small feat!  The Community Garden's Festive Fruit Bowl Raffle was won by Allison's son Seth - so fresh fruit for the whole family!  

Thank you everyone who purchased a ticket and to those members that took care of their membership renewals, and to volunteers Rita, Kim and Silvie who manned the table at the bazaar.  Next meeting is tomorrow night (Nov. 27) 7 pm at the Tahsis Seniors Center.  

PAC Bazaar Sunday, Nov. 26 from 11 til 2

The Community Garden will have a table at the PAC Bazaar on Sunday.  Memberships may be renewed or purchased from Silvie or Rita, and we are raffling off a big, festive bowl filled with fresh fruit.  

Silent Auction Donation

Guess what the Community Garden is donating to this year's Silent Auction.  Hint - is it bigger than a breadbox?  

Answer - it is a breadbox!  And it comes with a matching shelf with hooks for hanging your hat or your garden gloves.  

Sincere thanks to Society Director Rita (aka rockstar volunteer) who made this year's donation on behalf of the Tahsis Community Garden Society.

tiled shelf and bread box

Be sure to visit the Recreation Centre on the weekend to view all kinds of cool items at the Silent Auction and get your bid in on this matching kitchen shelf and breadbox, 

valued at $75 for the set.  

tile detail on breadbox

tile detail on shelf - shelf is approx 3 ft in length

Spring Bazaar - Congratulations Anne!

Congratulations to Anne Cameron, who won our raffle prize at today's PAC Spring Bazaar.  Ms. Cameron will have fresh greens in the coming weeks along with rainbow chard and a few posies to brighten a salad.  

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets,

 and to volunteers

Rita, Kim and Silvie who manned the table.

Kim, Rita and Stephanie

share a laugh at the Community Garden's table.

'Fundraising with Flowers' 

orders must be received by Friday, April 21st.

Ask for a catalogue of summer blooming bulbs, seeds and extras.

And a special thanks to Allison Stiglitz and PAC volunteers who organize the bazaars every spring and winter.  This is a great community event and much appreciated. 

PAC Spring Bazaar: April 8 from 11- 2

We are looking forward to the PAC Spring Bazaar at the school on Saturday.  Come on out and celebrate Spring

in support of your local Parent Advisory Council and the many participating artisans, craftspeople, bakers and community groups from right here in Tahsis. 

Community Garden volunteers will be there with raffle tickets and Vesey 'Fundraising with Flowers' catalogues.  We are raffling off a Ceramic Spring Planter with lettuce, swiss chard and edible pansies.  Raffle tix are $2 each or 3 for $5.  

Vesey's fundraising orders (summer flower bulbs, seeds and edibles) must be prepaid (cash or cheque) 

with the order cut off date of April 21st.  

PAC Christmas Bazaar November 27

Flowers, Fruit & Fundraising

A big thank you to everyone who placed an order for our Garden's fundraising project with Vesey's Bulbs & Seeds.  The order arrived this morning and we got them all delivered this afternoon.  

A very colourful box

Sorting the orders

We found Debbie...

 ....having tea with Janet! 

Kim gets her cookbook

and Val is very happy!

Now let's get planting, eh?