Post edited 12:02 am – September 7, 2009 by michellekirby
Post edited 12:04 am – September 7, 2009 by michellekirby

I'm working on some ideas for the fall. I'd love to hear what you think…

A Community Thanksgiving Feast in late September or October? A potluck for fun, or a catered fundraiser? Scout Hall, or the Windsor Pavillion? Musical friends to play for us, and some kind of inspirational community-focussed activity or talk?

A Tree Planting Day -  This could be Garry Oaks to add to our native tree canopy, or perhaps a Nut tree planting day. I got the nut tree idea from Transition Communities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..GHrWPtCvg0, as a way to build our local food supply.

We could do this on Maple Leaf Day (last wednesday in September, the 30th) or in November as was recommended to me by an Arbourist friend.

Anyone have any feedback to share?

michellekirby said:

Post edited 7:02 pm – September 6, 2009 by michellekirby
Post edited 7:04 pm – September 6, 2009 by michellekirby

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I'm working on some ideas for the fall. I'd love to hear what you think…

A Community Thanksgiving Feast in late September or October? A potluck for fun, or a catered fundraiser? Scout Hall, or the Windsor Pavillion? Musical friends to play for us, and some kind of inspirational community-focussed activity or talk?

A Tree Planting Day -  This could be Garry Oaks to add to our native tree canopy, or perhaps a Nut tree planting day. I got the nut tree idea from Transition Communities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..GHrWPtCvg0, as a way to build our local food supply.

We could do this on Maple Leaf Day (last wednesday in September, the 30th) or in November as was recommended to me by an Arbourist friend.

Anyone have any feedback to share?

Oak Bay was to have organized a Tree Appreciation Day modelled after Saanich and the City. Has there been any word?

As far as timing goes, the first Sunday in November has traditionally been the day for planting native plants in areas that will not receive regular watering. The rationale is that our seasonal monsoons seem to occur during or more often shortly after the event thus assisting with the watering and continuing to water in the plants at such a vulnerable time in their establishment. Also it was after halloween and perhaps less subject to vandalism. The only time it was delayed until the second sunday of Nov. was if it was the first and we thought the kids we relied on for the planting through their service groups would be too hung over from the sweets.

Root development occurs mostly over the cool moist times of the year and the fall is chosen because it provides the longest period of moisture before summer drought sets in. The plants will still require periodic watering but less frequently and the plant survival rate will be higher.

On a nuttier note: If you haven't already heard through one of the groups trying to reach you, we are trying to take advantage of this bumper crop year of Garry oak acorns and are encouraging their collection, sorting and delivering to the drop off spot….my driveway.

973 Falkland Road, two doors down from McNeil on the left.(east)

We are looking for acorns that are plump and brown and free of defects and pass the float test. ie you put the acorns in a deep bucket of water and those that float to the surface are defective and can be composted. the rest should be drained and dried and put in preferably a paper bag to discourage rot.

The acorns will be planted and expertly grown on at the Pacific forestry centre and returned to the community in a few years for growing on by homeowners and other community groups.This is the future generation of our precious oaks. Please help. Get your school kids involved. There are beautiful big oaks at Monterey and close to Willows and at the SMUS junior school.

Thanks

Ron Carter