Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening on YouTube
December 3, 2009
July 10, 2009
July 5, 2009
Mid-Summer Kick Start Meeting July 9th!
Hey everyone,
It would appear as though both myself and some Guerrilla activities have all but vanished in the past month. I am, however, done report cards, free from school and have the summer off.
Late in the season it may be, but there are still many things to do. Not the least discussing some changes to the current group structure so that things don't grind to a halt when I'm tending to other commitments. I have 100 native perennial sunflowers sitting on my balcony... with the likely hood of being able to acquire more.
I encourage as many people to come out as possible as I'd like a chance to re-brainstorm the workings, goals, and aspirations of the group.
Dustin
Where: Muddy Waters Cafe (8211 111 Street Nw)
When: Thursday, July 9th from 7pm to 9 pm
R.S.V.P on Facebook
June 3, 2009
Update & Upcoming Events
Hello Guerrillas, I have a few more updates for the moment. There is a potential for a lot of new projects in the near future.
1) First off, we're looking for some more people to help do some watering in the 118th Avenue area. We currently have to sites there are are thinking about maybe doing another. It would, however, be great to have a few extra people (especially those living in the area) to help with the occasional water run.
2) There is an old abandoned planter across from the carrot on 118th that i think would make an interesting vegetable garden, beans, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pears, etc. I'd like to partner with the community on this one as to help provide some regular watering (lest we find some more guerrillas in the area). Potential soil preparation this Friday.
3) The Edible Food Forest Project is soon set to be underway. I'm currently waiting upon a local permaculturalist who has agreed to take a look at the site and help us plan it out a little. Looking to get going sometime in the next week and a half.
4) Native plantings on Whyte. There are a couple of spots that I have in mind but I thought it would be great to take some of the many native perennial sunflowers (and other natives) on my balcony and find a home for them. Sites in mind: abandoned planters near Millcreek Bridge and along the old Esso station. Planting sometime in the next two weeks.
Dustin 780.432.6181
Update & Upcoming Events
Hello Guerrillas, I have a few more updates for the moment. There is a potential for a lot of new projects in the near future. 1) First off, we're looking for some more people to help do some watering in the 118th Avenue area. We currently have to sites there are are thinking about maybe doing another. It would, however, be great to have a few extra people (especially those living in the area) to help with the occasional water run. 2) There is an old abandoned planter across from the carrot on 118th that i think would make an interesting vegetable garden, beans, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pears, etc. I'd like to partner with the community on this one as to help provide some regular watering (lest we find some more guerrillas in the area). Potential soil preparation this Friday. 3) The Edible Food Forest Project is soon set to be underway. I'm currently waiting upon a local permaculturalist who has agreed to take a look at the site and help us plan it out a little. Looking to get going sometime in the next week and a half. 4) Native plantings on Whyte. There are a couple of spots that I have in mind but I thought it would be great to take some of the many native perennial sunflowers (and other natives) on my balcony and find a home for them. Sites in mind: abandoned planters near Millcreek Bridge and along the old Esso station. Planting sometime in the next two weeks. Dustin 780.432.6181
May 30, 2009
Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening in SEE Magazine
It would appear as though we've been getting some good press this spring from some of the local magazines. The newest, by Andrew Paul, shows a softer, more cooperative side of the Guerrilla Gardeners.
To see the whole article click here.
To see past articles about Guerrilla Gardening in Edmonton check out the links under 'Publicity' on the right hand side.
A quick note on the 118th Ave planting. This got off to a rough start with many nights of frost and some snow... it wasn't pretty. Recently, however, we (Dan, Chad, Mac, Tristyn, and I) revisited the site with some of our left over annuals. Many of the damaged plants were replaced and everything was given a good drink of water (Thank you for the extra water Carrot Community Cafe).
May 19, 2009
Nativescape Alberta 'Brings Back The Prairie' With 1 Meter Of Prairie Promotion
I'm not usually into plugging any kind of promotion or company but I had spent a little time at the Strathcona farmers market last Saturday talking with Trace from Bedrock Seeds about bringing back many of the native Alberta plants that we've lost when he started telling me about Nativescape Alberta's 1 Meter of Prairie Promotion. Essentially, a two for one deal on Alberta Native plants whereby if anyone purchasing a square meter worth of native prairie plants (72 plants ~$105) they will receive an additional 72 plants for free. It comes out to about 73 cents per plant.
A Call For Locations!
Hi Guerrillas,
We're planning a Guerrilla Gardening event to celebrate International Biodiversity Day (this Friday, though the actual planting will not fall on the same day). The Edmonton Naturalization Group and Bedrock Seeds have agreed to provide the group with native Alberta perennials. The only thing we need is a currently unloved, publicly visible location.
If you think you might have a location in mind please, please post it in the Facebook discussion board by following the link below or as a comment at the end of this post.
Thanks everyone,
Dustin
In addition, I'm looking for more people interested in taking on more of a leadership role in the group. I'm loving the challenge, and am more then willing but don't want to run the risk of spreading myself thin.
Related links:
International Biodiversity Planting
May 10, 2009
Alberta Avenue Event a Success!!
A big thank you to all the Guerrilla's (not all shown in picture) who helped make yesterday's event on Alberta Avenue a huge success and to the community for helping us out with ten flats of plants! Dare I say our most successful event yet?.
On Saturday May 9th, 2009, the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners ascended upon two locations in the Alberta Avenue area:
First Site:
118th Avenue - 92 Street (South Side of 118th)
- Flower beds (annuals) against a construction site fence planted on either side of a Canada Post mailbox.
Second Site:
118th Avenue - 93 Street (North Side of 118th)
-Flower bed (annuals and native perennials) under a billboard.
To see more picture of the event check out the following links:
In addition, I'd like to welcome our 300th member to the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners Facebook Group!
Happy gardening,
Dustin
May 5, 2009
April 23, 2009
Edmonton GG Featured in View Weekly
So begins the article seen in last week's View Weekly. Overall, I thought it read quite well, though, in the future I'd prefer to not have my name and the words "improvised explosive devices" in the same paragraph. (I'd like to take this moment to reassure the public that we are NOT blowing anything up.)
I much enjoyed the artwork and felt that the article did a decent job at highlighting some of our initiatives and providing a little history on the movement. With the exception of perhaps being overly critical of my own quotes (my doing, not the View's) I feel as though this article provides a great pushing off point for this guerrilla gardening year.
To read the full article click here.
April 5, 2009
Seed Planting Event:
Swing on by, chat, pick up some seeds or start some here. A come when you can, stay for a while if you'd like kind of evening evening. Simply drop by Landen and I's apartment anytime between 5:30pm and 10:30pm this Thursday evening
I would love to opportunity to chat to as many people as possible about the up and coming year, plans, dreams, aspirations, and at the same time start some plants too. I have many seeds but you're always welcome to bring some of your own... we could use a few more sunflowers!
(Optional)
-Seed starting tray/empty egg cartons
-Small amount of potting soil.
-Seeds
Follow the link and request an invite if interested. If you do not have Facebook contact me at 780.432.6181 or send an email to theurbangreening@gmail.com for information.
Facebook Event Link
Dustin
March 17, 2009
Seeds are in! Thank you Bedrock Seeds!
Thanks to a generous donation by Bedrock Seeds the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners are sitting on a nice little pile of native Alberta seeds. With some stratification and a lot of love, these seeds will be beautifying Edmonton's landscape in no time... not to mention increasing biodiversity, providing habitat for insects and animals, and returning a few natives back into the environment.
Here's a list and some information on what we have:
Backyard Gardener.com
Dalea purpurea Vent. (purple prairie clover):
If you would like to help propagate some of the seeds above (or anything else) please contact me.
Dustin Bajer
780.432.6181
theurbangreening@gmail.com
February 28, 2009
The E.G.G 2009 Schedule (Subject to Change)
Project: Edmonton Green Map
The creation of an online, publicly accessible, open-source map of the Edmonton featuring places of natural interest and the location of publicly available food.
Entrails: Finding funding, familiarizing ourselves with Google Maps, canvasing the city for publicly available food sources, networking with other groups and organizations.
Project: Green Roof ???
There should be a large question mark next to this item. There has been some discussion of creating a green roof on top of a prominent Edmonton Business (with owner consent). A lot of things need to line up before this can become a reality (fingers crossed).
Entails: Finding funding, networking with other groups and organizations, further discussions with the business owner.
Project: Native Plant Garden
The continuation of the reclamation of an abandoned home site in the Mill-Creek Ravine area. The site has been abandoned for some time and currently consists of some rubble and a lot of invasive, non-native species. We started cleaning the site up and planting Edmonton native plants last fall and would love to continue improving and learning from the site.
I also see some potential to play around with some permaculture principals and to include many native edible plants.
Entails: Acquiring more native seed and plant material (Bedrock Seeds, Edmonton Naturalization Group).
Project: Monthly Mass Plantings
The original Guerrilla Gardening act; we've decided to concentrate on three of four larger plantings this year as opposed to many sporadic little ones (though we still encourage it). There has been talk about doing one large planting for each of May, June, and July. We are, however, looking to be starting some seeds now.
Entails: Finding three to four suitable locations (publicly accessible, visible, etc), acquiring seeds and plants.
Project: Edible Plant Garden
The returning of the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners to a previous spot and adding more food producing plants. Dare I say edible food forest?
Entails: Learning more about the history of the site, consulting professionals on the creation of edible food forests, acquiring plant material.
Project: Community Garden
Last year, we were able to plant a vegetable garden together as a group. At the end of the summer, the food was collected and donated to the food bank. We would welcome the opportunity to do this again this year.
Entails: Finding a suitable Community Garden within the city (Let's Get Dirty Garden?), starting some vegetables prior to planting.
Project: Edible Plant Propagation
Tying in with the Edmonton Green Map a few of us thought it would be fun to take cuttings from many of Edmonton's Saskatoons (and other food producing plants) then propagate, and replant along the boarder of the river valley.
Entails: Consulting a professional on the propagation of Saskatoons and other edible plants, locate suitable plants for cutting/seed gathering.
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