On July 30, gardeners, volunteers, and community partners came together at the Joslin Community Garden for a Sustainable Gardening Workshop and hands-on work day. Fifteen participants joined us for an afternoon of learning, problem-solving, and caring for this important neighborhood green space.
Learning to Manage Garden Pests Sustainably
The day began with a workshop led by Charlotte Canner, who introduced gardeners to the basics of integrated pest management (IPM). Rather than immediately reaching for a quick fix when a pest or disease appears, IPM encourages gardeners to identify the problem, understand what may be causing it, and choose effective solutions that minimize impacts on people and the environment.
The group discussed some of the common challenges gardeners encounter, from plant diseases and unwanted insects to larger concerns like rats in the garden.
One pest received plenty of attention: spotted lanternflies. With so many making themselves at home in the garden, participants talked about ways to manage them—and even put one creative solution into action. Shoutout to Tonay, who brought along a portable vacuum and got to work vacuuming up some of those suckers!
Putting Our Learning Into Action
After the workshop, everyone rolled up their sleeves for a garden work day. Together, volunteers and gardeners weeded communal areas, laid down cardboard to help suppress weeds, and added mulch throughout the garden.
The group also helped Tonay from PNPP care for a special garden plot containing around 20 Saskatoon serviceberry saplings. The young trees are being cared for by gardeners as part of PNPP’s Sapling Stewards program, which gives community members a role in nurturing trees before they’re ready to be planted elsewhere across Providence.
Gardeners will continue looking after the serviceberries as they grow. Eventually, many will find new homes throughout the city—and a few may get to put down permanent roots right at Joslin Community Garden.
Growing a Healthier Community
Thank you to Charlotte for sharing her knowledge, to Tonay and PNPP for their work with the Sapling Stewards program, and to all 15 gardeners and volunteers who spent the day learning and working alongside us. And, of course, an extra thank-you to everyone doing their part in the ongoing battle against the spotted lanternflies!