Update from Alan
The soiree has was done a month ago and my back garden is looking better than I’ve seen it in years. The pelargoniums hanging off the pergola are in full bloom, those in the flower beds are finally taking off and the lawn has got some roots down and it’s lush and green and free of pee spots. The fall fair passed of without rain, sleet or snow. Nothing of ours seems to have been broken or stolen, and the gate receipts on Saturday were greater than for all four days last year, so the fair board might break even for a change. Thanks to a lot of wood chips and an even larger amount of volunteer labour, the display beds looked pretty good for the week of the fair and they drew favourable comments from several individuals including the society president.

With the social events out of the way, if the weather holds we can look forward to a few weeks of harvesting and preparing the gardens for winter and for next spring’s plantings. I don’t know why but it seems to come as a surprise to people that the last volunteer hours of the year are booked in December. Classes start again in January!

So far we have harvested over 950 pounds of produce (700 for the Knights’ Table and 250 for volunteers). Broadly speaking, the regular, main-crop, potatoes are going to the Knights and the specialties are reserved for volunteers. I’m bringing up baskets of all the potatoes we have grown when I go to the garden so there is plenty to go around.

I’ll be at the garden all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. If we can get some trucks to do a straw moving train and a few people for loading and unloading it will help a lot.

I’ve been trying to get this out for weeks so it’s going now ready or not!



Farmers Almanac Weather Predictions

October 2009
1st-3rd. Cold rains across the Great Lakes.
4th-7th. Many showers and a few thunderstorms Great Lakes.
8th-11th. Rains move east of the Great Lakes, then clear and cooler weather moves in from the west.
12th-15th. Generally fair weather prevails.
16th-19th. Humid and rather showery Great Lakes.
20th-23rd. Showers, followed by a mixture of cloud and breaks of sun.
24th-27th. Considerable low cloudiness and areas of fog cover all of Ontario.
28th-31st. Generally dry weather expected for Halloween.

High Temperature:
Actual: 6°C sun and cloud Wind WNW17km/h P.O.P.2%
Average: 17°C
Record: 30°C in 2002
Low Temperature:
Actual: -4°C mostly cloudy Wind NNW12km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: 7°C
Record: -2°C in 1947

Spent a couple of hours clearing weeds in Block B with Teddy. Alan and John were up weed whipping around the blocks and buildings. A few potatoes were lifted and we took home some fingerlings (banana), all reds and russian blues.

Alan will be lifting potatoes whenever up and have a selection to choose from the back of his van. 15kilos have been delivered to Knights Table. Phyllis was also up working in the wedding garden for awhile.

September 2009 Farmers Almanac Predictions
Avg. Temperature: 13.5°C (1°C below avg.)
Precipitation: 55mm (25mm below avg.)
Sep. 1-4: Scattered t-storms, warm
Sep. 5-10: Sunny, cool
Sep. 11-16: Showers, warm
Sep. 17-21: Rainy periods, cool
Sep. 22-24: Sunny, cool
Sep. 25-30: Showers, then flurries, chilly

High Temperature:
Actual: 16°C sunny Wind W12km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: 23°C
Record: 36°C in 1953
Low Temperature:
Actual: 5°C clear Wind N6km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: 12°C
Record: 6°C in 1948

August 2009 Farmers Almanac Predictions
Avg. Temperature: 17°C (2.5°C below avg.)
Precipitation: 115mm (30mm above avg.)
Aug. 1-3: Sunny, cool
Aug. 4-16: Scattered t-storms, cool
Aug. 17-21: Sunny, seasonable
Aug. 22-27: T-storms, then sunny, cool
Aug. 28-31: Showers, then sunny, seasonable

High Temperature:
Actual: 21°C mostly sunny Wind S17km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: 26°C
Record: 37°C in 2006

Low Temperature:
Actual: 10°C mostly cloudy Wind SW22km/h P.O.P.11%
Average: 14°C
Record: 7°C in 1947

Joe began removing the cannas in the corner bed. The first 8 crates of tubers were lifted and put in the milk parlor to dry.


Farmers Almanac Predictions for Temperature and Precipitation
November 2008 to October 2009


Day +4 sun and cloud Winds NE14km/h P.O.P.0%
Night -5 mainly clear Winds N17km/h P.O.P.0%