GRASS TO GARDEN
With her encouragement, the transformation began. As I dug, grass gave way to garlic. When I got tired of removing sod, lasagne-like layers of cardboard and compost hid the remaining patches of turf. For aesthetics, I added a flagstone pathway, boulders, and some split-rail fence … wouldn’ t want the neighbors to mistake me for a hipster.
The grass-to-garden transformation didn’ t cause a single complaint, at least not to my face. Passersby stopped to look. The garden thrived. We sautéed the Trombetta summer squash that slithered up the spruce tree, munched on Malabar spinach and snacked on sunflower seeds. And you already know about our encounter with the cardoon.
There were people on my street with whom I had never chatted, people reluctant to make eye contact and stop and yak. Yet, while I was out front gardening, they stopped and we chatted.
CARDOON LEGACY
I have grown cardoon every year since. I often mention it in my talks. Once, after a talk, a man came up to me and said,“ I’ m a chef— I can help you!” He advised changing the water part way through boiling— and salting the water to pull out bitterness. I still don’ t care for boiled cardoon.
However, deep frying remedies many foul flavors. I’ ve found that serving it along with a garlicky dip helps cardoon.
That vacant, overgrown, city-owned lot became the Parkview Neighborhood Garden, a neighborhood market garden. The City of Toronto and the community worked together to nurture involvement, and a volunteer board soon took over. The gardeners sell produce to themselves and to neighbors. Proceeds go toward garden expenses, with remaining money and produce going to charity.
Have values changed since that initial, opposition-tinged meeting about the community vegetable garden? I suspect they have, because in 2013 the city bought an adjacent house on that not-so-inexpensive street. Once the house was demolished, the Parkview Neighborhood Garden doubled in size.
Steven Biggs is a writer, journalist and speaker who explores the food chain: farm, food and garden.
Garden writers receive special benefits at Farwest Show
The GWA Outreach Task Force has an exciting lineup of special offers and events at the Farwest Show, Aug. 25-27 in Portland, Oregon. GWA members receive special access to the trade show, education sessions and other valuable networking opportunities. For more information about the show, please visit www. farwestshow. com.
KEY TIMES AND DATES
• Thursday, Aug. 25: Tradeshow, 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.
• Friday, Aug. 26: Garden Writers Day. Tradeshow, 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.
• Saturday, Aug. 27: Tradeshow, 10 a. m. to 2 p. m.
REGISTRATION Expo: All GWA members receive a complimentary three-day Expo Pass code. Please visit gardenwriters. org for discount code. Press Pass: Press Passes will be available to all qualified media. The Press Pass is our All Access Pass, which provides entrance into the Expo, all seminars and pesticide classes.( Does not include bus tours). Qualified media can contact Allan Niemi at OAN( aniemi @ oan. org) to submit a request.
HOTEL Attendees can reserve rooms through the Farwest housing portal.
EXPO FLOOR GWA will have a booth on the trade show floor, and anyone willing to volunteer to work the booth for an hour or two should email Diane Blazek by August 15 with your schedule of availability. Working the booth is a great way to meet growers, garden centers and others who could use your skills.
The presence of GWA at the Farwest Show will serve two primary purposes: # 1. Expose our members and their talents to potential clients. # 2. Explain the value of GWA membership to potential new members.
This is an extremely valuable networking opportunity that you should not miss.
GARDEN WRITERS DAY In honor of GWA, OAN and the Farwest Show have declared Friday, August 26 as“ Garden Writers Day.” Join us for GWA-tastic activities and events, culminating in the GWA Connect meeting following the trade show.
GWA CONNECT MEETING The GWA Connect meeting immediately follows the tradeshow, Friday, August 26, 5PM-6PM. Registration is free; nonmembers and visitors are welcome to attend! Location and additional details information will be coming soon.
The GWA AOTF Committee and the Farwest Show are proud to provide you with one of the best educational and networking opportunities in the country— a value of $ 199( including the educational sessions and trade show).
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