Due to February's snowstorm, the frequent below 0° temperatures and some infrastructure upgrades on site, we have temporarily put our Nursery work parties on hold.

Now that the snow is gone we're in the process of installing a new work shelter that will make future work parties more comfortable and efficient.

We will recommence work parties shortly, though we don't have a date set yet. There are a few different consideration to take into account as we plan for our next volunteer event at the Nursery. As summarized by our resident forestry expert:

"I see no need to hasten work parties for other than weed removal. Cold weather can return at nearly any time, compromising the benefit of re-potting any of the 2018 germinants in the small cavities.  I suggest mid-late April as a better time. By then warmer temps will favour root development into the new soil material and larger cavity size. Leaf emergence likely will need more time – likely a month later.
Assuming we do not have such a heat blast as last May’s, we should have top growth regulated by the healthy roots and our tending: weeding, watering and fertilizing."

What that means for us is that we likely won't be planting acorns or repotting our oaks until the weather warms up enough. Weeding can still happen in the meantime, so that might mean work parties will start again pretty soon once the new shelter is up and ready.

Stay tuned as we'll be back soon with more info!

Hello Garry oak growers,

I am sad to say that our first Saturday work party of the new year has to be cancelled to due unfavorable weather. The Saturday, February 9th 1pm to 4pm work party will therefore be rescheduled. Our resident forestry expert has warned us against re-potting our oaks during this freezing weather, so we will abide by his recommendations. We don't yet have a date set to recommence the work parties, but I will keep you informed!

I look forward to seeing you at the Nursery again soon!

Please email the volunteer coordinator at jenny.gomps@gmail.com for more information.

Hello volunteers,

This is a reminder of our upcoming work party this Saturday, February 9th from 1pm to 4pm. I will finally be back out getting my hands dirty on the Saturday. I hope to see you there!

Last Sunday we had brave volunteers out in the cold to pot up our sweet little 4" Garry oaks into roomier 1-gallon pots. Thank you for your hard work and chilly fingers - we have purchased lined gloves for the upcoming work parties to keep our hands nice and toasty!

We are still in the process of replacing our shelter, but we have plans for something new and improved. Stay tuned to fine out more..

As a reminder, there is a proper toilet (porta-potty type) on the premises.  Gloves, tools & refreshments are provided. Weather appropriate clothing & good work boots are recommended.

Please email the volunteer coordinator at jenny.gomps@gmail.com for more information.

At this work party we had four volunteers contribute 13.5 hours of work.

What we accomplished:

• We did 6 flats today, so 90 x 4" seedlings potted up into 1 gallon pots. Only 14 flats left to do!
  

Hello Garry oak growers and welcome to new volunteers!


The next two Garry Oak Nursery work parties will be

• Sunday, February 3rd, 10am to 1pm
• Saturday, February 9th, 1pm to 4pm

Our covered work area is still sadly departed, blown apart during the December windstorm, so these work parties will be weather dependent. This means that Judith, Judy or myself will be present on site on these dates and if it starts to pour we'll call it a day and go home. Fortunately, we've nearly decided on a new, more durable shelter so we can have our regular work parties again, rain or shine.

As a reminder, there is a proper toilet (porta-potty type) on the premises.  Gloves, tools & refreshments are provided. Weather appropriate clothing & good work boots are recommended!

Please email the volunteer coordinator at jenny.gomps@gmail.com for more information.

Hello Garry oak growers,

Judith will be hosting a work party tomorrow, Sunday, January 20th, 10am to 1pm, weather permitting! These work parties will continue every other Sunday going forward, unless there's rain, as we still do not have a covered shelter.

These dates are:

• February 3
• February 17
• March 3
• March 17

Saturday work parties will start back up again once we have a shelter installed.

Please email the volunteer coordinator at jenny.gomps@gmail.com for more information.

At this work party two contributed 6 hours of volunteer work.

What we accomplished:

• 90 4" seedlings were re-potted into 1 gallon pots.
  

At this work party two volunteers contributed 6 hours between them.

What was accomplished:

• They fixed wind damage to the work area and located the work shelter in the neighbouring yard.
  
• 60 4" seedlings were potted up into 1-gallon pots.