Herbs growing on a deck (Photo: Evergreen)
Urban agriculture may sound a little strange and daunting but it has become an important part of living in the city. It allows us to be more self-sufficient and puts fresh, healthy food at our fingertips. Not to mention the satisfaction you get from knowing that the vegetables and herbs you’re eating are cut from plants grown and tended by you!
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Posted by jessicamnagy
Tree Tenders ecard, Photo: L.E.A.F
Are you interested in looking after your trees but not sure where to start? Trees are a great way to beautify a neighbourhood and a little care will go a long way. Our friends at L.E.A.F. are hosting their Tree Tenders Training Course in Markham, September 2, 5, 7, and 11. Many Evergreen staff and dedicated volunteers have attended and successfully completed the course.
“I have taken the course myself and highly recommend it. We are pleased to be a partner in such a great learning opportunity!” – Lisa Fisk, Program Manager, Richmond Hill Stewardship.
“Informative, practical, great instructors and I am consistently using the information and resources I received in the course.” – Kim Sellers, Program Manager, Mississauga Stewardship.
Learn more and register for the Tree Tenders Training course at L.E.A.F!
Comments Off | Events, Green Tips, In the Field, Native Species, Stewardship and Planting, Uncategorized, Volunteer | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds
Fall tree planting event Photo: Evergreen
Get a jump on plating in your local area and join Evergreen and our community partners at fall events! We have many early autumn events planned for the first week of September and many more to come throughout the season across the GTA.
Join us to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers on Saturday September 11, 10 am-12 noon in Mississauga at Shelby Park and in Scarborough at Morningside Park . Check out our online event calendar for more on event details.
Comments Off | Events, Green Tips, In the Field, Native Species, Staff, Stewardship and Planting, Toronto, Uncategorized, Volunteer | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds
Students using their outdoor classroom at Cassandra PS, Toronto. (Photo: Cam Collyer)
With summer almost behind us (*sniff*) and September fast approaching, let’s look to the school year ahead. Have you been giving some thought to your school ground? Does it need a little green?
The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds grant applications are now available online and will be accepted starting September 7. We are excited to say that we have been offering this program with Toyota’s support for over a decade! Since 2000, the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program has distributed $2.1 million to over 1,700 schools across Canada. In 2009/2010 alone, we awarded $260,000 in grants to 158 schools.
Join the hundreds of schools across Canada who have taken part in this program and start filling out your application today!
For more information on deadlines, eligibility and to access your application, click here.
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Posted by Sarah from Learning Grounds
Beaver Lodge Fort provides a shady nook for little ones at Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto, ON. (Photo: Lyle Sadavoy)
Here in Learning Grounds, we work hard to get kids outside, and shade is a big part of keeping them safe while they’re there. Escaping to shade not only feels good, it is becoming increasingly important for children’s health. According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, people born in the 1990s have a 2 to 3 times higher lifetime risk of skin cancer than those born in the 1960′s. To put it a different way, if you’re currently between 11 and 20 years old, you have a 1 in 6 lifetime risk of skin cancer, compared to those between 41 and 50 years old, whose lifetime risk is 1 in 20.
The good news is that anyone can create shade at home and or on school grounds. Shade structures can range in price and complexity, from a straight-forward tarp or tent to a vine-covered pergola or gazebo. Read on for inspiration and links to our free shade resources.
3 Comments | Art, Gardening, Green Tips, School Ground Greening, Transformations, Vancouver | Permalink
Posted by Anne from Learning Grounds
Healthy food grows in healthy soil. (Photo: Melissa Yu)
Looking for a summer project that will have rewards all year-long? Start your own backyard composter!
We all know the benefits: Composting creates a nutritious soil supplement while reducing the amount of kitchen waste that goes into landfill or your green bin. But where to start?
There are all kinds of books, reports, and articles that provide abundant detail. To get you on your way, we’ve put together a quick and easy Guide to Backyard Composting (PDF, 451 kB) that will have you playing in the dirt in no time.
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Posted by Kim from Common Grounds
Pathways weave through Westwood's school ground. (Photo: Diane Sales)
Meandering pathways can bring a welcoming dimension to a green space. They can provide access to nooks and crannies that you may not otherwise notice–a secret haven! But designing these features can be a daunting task. Where should they go? What type of materials should be used? Do we really need pathways? In this post we will attempt to give you the answers, ideas and detailed instructions to help you on your way.
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Posted by Sarah from Learning Grounds
Protect biodiversity by collecting seeds. (Photo: Evergreen)
Save your spot in our Seed Collecting Certification workshop on August 26 and 27. For more information, visit Evergreen’s online event calendar or download our flyer.
Johnny Appleseed, American folk legend, may have had the right idea in collecting and planting apple seeds all across the landscape. Today, certified seed collectors assist in tracking seed availability for future planting use. Information about seed availability, location, type and quantity enables these trained individuals to collect and store seed and helps ensure that the appropriate stock is available to meet long term demands. Whether plants are for community restoration, outdoor classrooms or you own native plant backyard oasis, using plants sourced from certified seed grown in a local nursery is a great start to any project.
1 Comment | Events, Gardening, Green Tips, In the Field, Issues, Native Species, Stewardship and Planting, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds
Purple Blooms of a large leaf lupine. (Photo: Copyright (c) by Gary A. Monroe. USDA @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database)
Happy International Pollinator Week!
Introducing a native plant that is also friendly to birds and bees. Lupinus polyphyllus, as it’s scientifically known, is a wildflower native to much of Canada, excluding the prairies and territories. Lupine flowers bloom in brilliant blues, purples, and pinks in long dense clusters along the plant’s stem. They can be spotted in moist and open habitats from June to September and attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making them a great choice for your bird and butterfly gardens.
Are you in or around Toronto? Join Evergreen for the Pollinator Festival at Evergreen Brick Works this Sunday.
Learn more about the large leaf lupine and other native wildflowers from Evergreen’s Native Plant Database.
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Posted by Allison from Evergreen British Columbia
What's a green and leak-free way to 500 gardening gloves on a budget? (Photos: Laura Smit)
Everyone is welcome to take part in Evergreen’s stewardship and planting events. You bring the cheery attitude and we’ll bring everything you need, from the trees and tools to the gloves. And here in Evergreen BC, sometimes this means bringing up to 500 gloves, so all of our volunteers can get their hands in the dirt and keep their fingernails clean. It makes it easy for everyone to take part, but it also means we have a lot of laundry.
We knew there had to be a greener way than sending the soiled gloves out for dry-cleaning. It seemed to fit into Evergreen BC’s green office policy (and budget) to just wash them ourselves in the office.
8 Comments | Events, Green Tips, Issues, Stewardship and Planting, Vancouver | Permalink
Posted by Laura from Common Grounds Vancouver
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