Boulevard Boxes Going Viral

Math question: 2, 3, 4, 6...what number comes next in this sequence?  I came across these two sturdy raised beds, newly built on the boulevard, and the gardener couple said that neighbours told them that they were watching the development and considering having their own boulevard boxes.  Marigolds guard the chard plants in these neat beds.

In the same block, I came across three more newly built boxes along a sunny side of the street.  The boxes still were pretty bare, but those pumpkins will claim some space.

Turning the corner onto Collingwood Street, I saw four boxes, which I have seen before and included in an earlier blog (see blog of September 16, 2010).  This north south street has large trees, so these boxes are often in shade.  The sunniest box has admirable carrot plants.  Another box has potatoes and (probably) volunteer poppy plants.

Going back to the east-west street I came across six boxes!  Two of them have mini greenhouses that fit cleverly onto them and help to extend our cool growing season.  The open beds looked empty...until I spotted some wheat.  Perhaps this was part of last season's wheat growing project in Vancouver.  Note the attractive new garden shed in the background.

So, with four instances of boulevard boxes within a block of each other, two of which are new this year, there seems to be a little movement in that area of Dunbar.  2, 3, 4, 6... what comes next?

Converting Lawns to Edible Gardening--Some Resources

Landscape architect, Senga Lindsay, is launching her new book, Edible Landscaping: Urban Food Gardens That Look Great, at Barbara Jo's Books to Cooks, on Saturday, June 9, 1-3 pm.  RSVP 604-688-6755.

During Salmonberry Days I attended a presentation at the Dunbar Community Centre by Camil Dumont, head farmer at Inner City Farms. Although Inner City Farms is a business venture, their web site is of interest to anyone considering converting their front yard into a vegetable garden.  There is a recent article about the farm in the Vancouver Courier, too. Here are the links.


Inner City Farms
Vancouver Courier article

School Children & School Gardens

An entrepreneur urban farmer friend of mine has a contract to create school gardens at several Vancouver schools, one of which, Queen Elizabeth Annex, is in my neighbourhood. In fact this is where my children attended. The students planted the first seeds on March 29.

Gathering around the farmer to collect the seeds--

Everyone was eager to use the wheelbarrow to bring soil to the raised beds.

Some children did not want to get their hands dirty--others were keen to get into the soil. (Apologies for the bad focus job.)

The children were fascinated with the planting.
Four of the beds are actually raised tables, constructed locally.

The gardener created two more beds; these are "lasgna" beds.

Ten days later on Easter, some of the seeds had sprouted!