UPDATE: Excavation is Complete!
A HUGE thank you to Van Dusen excavation for donating their services to remove all of the old gravel on their Saturday off! All of the gravel was kept on site and will be used to build up a low area that floods after heavy rains.
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The Parking Lot Project
The Parking Lot Project is converting about 7000 square feet of under-utilized parking lot into a community orchard and demonstration site. Most of the food grown on the property will be given to those in need. Some food will be sold to cover basic operating costs (mulch, repairs from vandalism, etc), or sold so the proceeds can be donated to food banks.
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This demonstration site will show what is possible so we can establish additional projects in other communities in the coming years to fight food insecurity issues. It will also host lessons and workshops to empower others to plant public-access fruit and nut trees in their own yards!
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We will need help with funding and some hands on help as well!
Step 01
Excavation
The existing gravel has been removed, it will be used elsewhere on the property, solving existing properties for the church that is hosting the orchard!​
COMPLETED
Step 02
New Earth!
We will fill the space with new growing medium, primarily wood chips. Nearly 300 yards of material will need to be brought in (more if it's fresh wood chips!).
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Composted wood chips will be planted into this spring, fresh woodchips will be inoculated with mushrooms and bacteria to expedite the decomposition process.
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We have a few arborists who can drop fresh chips and have a few businesses who are willing to transport old ones for us!
Step 03
Fencing
Deer and rabbits are a major threat to young trees, they will chew them to the ground in their first winters. Fencing is a great first line of defence.
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T posts, a few cedar corner posts, and some welded wire fencing will surround the garden (about 360' of it), trees will have individual protections as well.
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This step is also necessary to limit vandalism. Thorny plants (raspberries, seaberries, etc) will line the fence as an additional deterrent that provides another yield.
Step 04
Initial Planting
Young trees will be panted in the fall to allow them to get roots established before the summer heat sets in. Eden's Refuge is providing all of these trees, you can donate to help cover some of the costs!
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Most trees will be disease resistant varieties of Apple, Pear, and Plum.
Step 05
Shed Installation
A timber frame will be constructed and donated by Eden's Refuge to house tools (shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow, hoses, etc).
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Metal roofing, cement footings, and some sort of siding will be needed to complete the installation.
Step 06
Additional Plantings
Fruit trees aren't enough to create an ecosystem on their own. Bushes, vines, herbs, and more will grow between the trees and along the fences. This will result in a self-supporting ecosystem that does its own pollination, pest control, and fertilization.
Grapes, berries, kiwis, hazelnuts, and more will be planted, with some annual plants (tomatoes, squash, etc) growing as well to provide a yield in the first year as the permanent plants mature.
Step 07
Rainwater Harvesting
Water will be provided by the church, we will also add a small rainwater harvesting system as a teaching aid for workshops and to provide top-quality water for the garden as the rain provides.
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Either one large water storage tank, or multiple food-grade 1000L IBC totes will store the water that we harvest.
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Rainwater contains essential minrals and nitrogen, making it a free fertilizer (have you noticed how things grow faster after rain than after watering with a hose?).
Step 08
Harvesting
As the garden matures we will need help harvesting, sorting, and delivering the food to the people in our community who need it. Once mature, this garden should yield 3000-5000lbs of nutrient-rich food every year!
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We will post updates on our social media pages and will create a mailing list specifically for the community garden that you can sign up to for updates.
How to get involved
Individuals:
Donate time, materials, or money (we are working on a charitable donation option).
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Reach out on the Contact page to get involved!
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Businesses:
Donate services, materials, or money. You could also sponsor a "work bee" by providing some food/water for the volunteers!
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Reach out on the Contact page to get involved!