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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