Come help install Red Deer's largest edible forest garden - aka a "Food Forest" and be part of an organic "barn raising" like Red Deer has never seen!
The Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project located at the Piper Creek Community Gardens will soon be home to an over 11,000sq. ft. cold temperate food forest!
But before the food forest can be planted (est. fall 2016), the planting area must be prepped to create the conditions for the plants to thrive with minimal artificial inputs.
This work bee will start with a contour-surveyed and freshly-mown "sun trap" - a south facing planting area that is 80m long, 15m wide and changes in elevation by approximately 3m. Together, we will:
- Rake clear all vegetation on the planting area
- Help guide the commercial BCS tiller to turn up the surveyed (staked) lines into "swales" (water harvesting ditches on contour)
- Rake even the swale mounds (soil from the contour lines) with the help of a bobcat or small tractor
- Spread and secure black plastic mulch over the planting area to prevent weeds from growing in over the next growing season
- Review the proposed planting diagram for the food forest and answer questions about the project
The work bee will run from 1:30pm to 8:00pm on Saturday (29), and from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday (30). Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Please dress for the weather. Some tools will be provided but you are encouraged to bring a bow rake or landscaping rake. Also, if you have any connections to a bobcat and qualified operator, please let us know!
Please spread the word and take lots of photos to share on social media!
You can RSVP and find more information by contacting Project Lead, Rene Michalak at [email protected]
Also, check out the film "Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic"
This event was made possible thanks to funding from Environment Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.