Hello fellow gardeners,

It is hot out there! And while lawns and soccer pitches struggle through the heat, well watered garden beds are bursting with colour and bounty: tomatoes, peppers, beans, kale, lettuces. We hope the harvest is filling the fridge!

Here are a few garden updates for August:

HIGH HEAT

We're well into hot, drought-like weather––beautiful beach conditions, but a real strain on our plants and the watering system at large. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you encounter any leaks or busted nozzles.

High heat also increases the need for thorough, deep-down watering. Try testing how deep the water has penetrated the soil by digging down a bit after watering; it may surprise you how much watering it takes to get down to those roots.

WATER OFF BEFORE YOU LEAVE?

A reminder to always shut off the main water source after you've finished watering and are set to leave the garden. This ensures that water (and pressure) are not building up in the hoses, minimizing strain and the risk of leaks.

BROADWAY GATE ACCESS

For folks looking to make use of the Broadway Ave entrance, the combo on the big lock is 0000. Please close the gate/lock when you're done. We still want to keep most of the traffic coming through the Alma Street gate to prevent the general public cutting through the garden (litter has been an issue). That said, we recognize that it's important to have that second gate as an exit option, for the sake of safety. Feedback encouraged.

GARDEN TIPS: PLANNING FOR FALL

Even though Halloween and first frost feels far away, August is actually the time to start seeding for late season crops like spinach, chard, beets, kale and other cool-season salad greens like arugula, mache and certain mesclun blends. Use this handy chart from Farmer's Almanac to find out seeding dates for specific plants. Note that Vancouver's first frost date tends to come in early November, so the October 30th column is a pretty accurate bet for our climate.