Andy Paskus of the Tabor, Alberta community garden discussed the end of the growing season and preparations for next year. The garden has been “put to bed,” with soil worked and 1,400 garlic cloves planted for harvest next July. A local Grade 5 class helped with the planting. The garden is now in its planning and reporting phase for the winter.
A major focus of the conversation was garlic and asparagus. Puskas explained that garlic must be planted in the fall, overwinters in the ground, and is harvested the following summer. Each clove produces a full bulb, and the garden is growing two varieties this year. Asparagus is entering its fourth year in the ground, and next spring will be the first harvest, likely beginning in late April or early May depending on moisture and weather.
The discussion also touched on the garden’s location and soil history. Puskas said old aerial photos suggest the garden site itself has remained largely untouched since the 1950s and was not reclaimed mining land, though mining occurred nearby. Recent soil testing showed the land is slightly low in nitrogen and phosphorus but otherwise in good condition, needing only minor improvement for next season.
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