Bed Build Work Bee

Bed Build Work Bee, a set on Flickr.

On April 28th, the second key Work Bee of the The Rail Garden start up was completed. Another amazing group of volunteers congregated at The Rail Garden to help us construct our first 10 allotment plot frames. The weather cooperated and we had another superb day in the garden.

It was a more technically challenging work day than digging the plots so we made sure we had a team of knowledgeable carpenters to head our crews. Thanks to Miranda Stone, Jon Harris and Bryce Miranda for your time, tools and experience.

Thanks to the amazing volunteers from the Earth Day Work Bee, the plots were dug and only needed finessing to fit the frames which saved everyone's sanity.

Danforth Lumber delivered our lumber and materials bright and early at 8:00 am so when Jon arrived at 9:00 we were ready to start organizing.

Local resident and realtor, Belynda Blythe donated enough pizza and beer to keep all our volunteers, crew bosses and organizers going all day long.

By 6:00 pm we had assembled, realigned and leveled all 10 frames. Thanks to our enthusiastic and supportive community we are now ready to have our soil delivered in preparation for the big Plant.

Stay tuned for information about our Planting Day when we can plant our portable community gardens and how you might enjoy the day with us!

Bed Build

April 28 -- Bed Build

Located at The Rail Garden

We've done our digging, now it's time to build the raised beds! We plan to get going on the project this coming Saturday (April 28th). We'll start with a small crew at 9:30 in the morning (experienced carpenters, we need you here!) to prep the materials, then get a bigger group working starting at 11am to assemble the beds.

We will need people with building expertise, but there will also be jobs for all skill types, so don't worry if you're not super familiar with a drill. There will also be jobs that kids can help out with. If we have 20-25 people working on this at a time, we may be able to start and finish the project in a single day. We'll do shifts from 11am-1pm, 1-3pm, and 3-5pm, though you're free to stay for more than one shift!

Great food and snacks throughout the day! 

Earth Day Work Bee

Earth Day Work Bee, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
On April 22, 2012 we had our first official Work Bee, sponsored by Public Mobile on Gerrard Street East and by Paula Fletcher.

The neighbourhood and gardeners gathered together to dig the first 10 allotment garden plots.

Over 150 children and adults in the neighbourhood showed up throughout the day to shovel.

Breakfast and lunch were pot luck affairs thanks to our generous volunteers. Coffee was supplied by The Grinder and our end of day bbq by Public Mobile.

It was an amazing day. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Grading at The Rail Garden

G&L Grading at The Rail Garden, a set on Flickr.

Yesterday the G&L Group came with their machinery and expertise and prepared The Rail Garden for our groundbreaking on Earth Day this Sunday.

It was the first real physical change to the space as a result of months of organization, events and community gatherings.

Walking south through the Monarch Park Tunnel I was greeted with the scent of freshly turned soil and the site of a flattened prepared property. It was, to say the least, cathartic.

Please join us on Sunday for our first community work bee. We will be digging the allotment garden plots, sowing clover and drinking coffee together from 10:00 - 4:00 pm at which point we will be hosting a barbecue for the clean up crews in the neighbourhood and our volunteers.

Thank you for all your support.