Sunday, March 8, 2009

Tricycle Gardens Gears Up...

Just your regular Tricycle Gardens update...

Ron and I attended the volunteer orientation meeting on Saturday, where we found out about lots of exciting projects going on this year at Tricycle Gardens. More volunteers are always welcome, especially those who are interested in helping out at TG's various learning gardens throughout the city...Allison, the children's program horticulturist, noted the importance of a constant mentoring presence in the lives of kids who rarely eat fresh produce and have never been in or worked on a garden. If you're looking to make a difference, the time is now -- you can contact Tricycle here. Watering help is also always needed for the greenhouse, where volunteers and staff are busy growing plants to sell at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden plant sale (slated for March 30th-April 2nd) as a major fundraising effort.

Workshops are also coming up! I plan to attend Lisa Taranto's lecture on 'The Nitty-Gritty on Community Gardens,' described on the TG website as follows:

"What is the story about community gardening and the local agriculture movement? Learn about the history of community gardens in America, and the nuts & bolts of what it really takes to create and sustain a garden in your community. Learn about the work of Tricycle Gardens, and what they are doing to make community gardens a part of the story of Richmond. Lively discussion encouraged."

The class will be held this Thursday the 12th, from 7-9pm. If you're looking to learn more about rain barrels, and hopefully construct one of your own, check out the 'Build Your Own Rain Barrel' class on Sunday, April 5th...."Participants will receive a 55 gallon #2 plastic food grade barrel with all the necessary components to make a usable rain collector. Tools and helpers will be on hand to assist in the assembling. We will discuss and explain set up and maintenance of your rain barrel as well as offering a few suggestions for the more adventurous DIYers for converting heavy duty plastic garbage cans into functional rain collectors. We will discuss how the use of rain barrels can be a component in reducing our negative impact on our local waterways and help foster a stronger connection with the health and well being of our diverse and complex ecology." Check out the programs listing on the TG website for more information on how to register for these courses.

More workshops will be held as the season continues. There are also several workdays coming up, which will inevitably require lots of manpower and willing individuals...I heard something about trench digging. Again, contact TG if you're interested in volunteering in the new community garden at the corner of Patterson and Thompson (inside Humphrey Calder recreation center), or at any of the other existing gardens! Tricycle Gardens and the Richmond community will really appreciate your help!

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