By Jasmine Shi

After the work party, we had our long-anticipated gardener recognition event for Selina, one of the significant founding figures of Riley Park Garden, who will sadly be moving away.

So many people came out to give good wishes. Volunteers, old and new, and representatives from various organizations that have collaborated with Selina in the making of RPG. I'd say there were close to 40 people, or even 50!

We enjoyed delicious food made by our very lovely Catherine. Many people came to the front to give testimonials of Selina's great contribution and to give her gifts.

I learned that it was mostly the work of Art, Angela and Selina who built the garden over the past six years. I can’t believe that it was all through volunteer work, and that Selina had put in a good 20 hours a week in those years. The amount of love and motivation it must have taken to be so selflessly dedicated is very inspiring to me.

Ed, who started the original community garden in front of the fieldhouse, attended too. The space has since become the Children’s Learning Garden. Ed still likes to come by most weeks to see how we’re getting on!

The garden is such a great success, and what a legacy to leave behind! It has become the space for so much community engagement and even pollinator engagement. Apart from hosting volunteer work parties and community events, everyday there are community members who walk by and sit on the benches and just enjoy the beauty of the garden. I’m sure the insect community feels the same way since there is abundant plant diversity to host a wide range of pollinator species.

Thank you so much for all that you’ve given us, Selina! We will enjoy the fruits of your work and try our best to do the work that you have done with the same selfless dedication. You will be missed.

Our first fall harvest

At the work party, we harvested some vegetables. As the weather gets colder, the leafy greens are starting to grow bigger. We got our first fall harvest of bok choy and collard greens, which was exciting as many of us have not eaten collard greens before. Still, the tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis need picking before they disappear!

Shauna and I investigated the irrigation system. We have been noticing for a few weeks that the vegetable beds at the far end are quite dry and some plants were having a hard time as a result. So far, we’ve found two leaks in the main pipe, which could mean that water is running out before it reaches the far end.

Art led a group of people to tend to the raspberry bushes, removing old branches that have already fruited and died. And Amy harvested more myoga!

Sign up to join a guided work party here! No experience necessary and all are welcome.