A spirited group of Maple Ridge citizens have embarked on the search for that giant pumpkin. After wise words from Heather aka. the Pumpkin Queen of the “Pumpkin Patch , the excitement has started.
Requirements: Special Seeds Soil of any type plus lots of good ole manure. Water. Laughter and smiles.
Pumpkin progress will be reported over the next several months with the Big Day - October 23, 2010 at the Thornhill Hall for the “Roll the Hill” event plus carving and family fun.
If you want to join the fun, let me know! Ken Hemminger 604-463-9221
Latest Update: July 24 2010: The male flower has arrived and so the next step was pollinating the female flower. Everything looks like we’re on track for a pumpkin - apparently, once the flower comes off and the little pumpkin enlarges - that’s when you know! July 22 2010 The first female flower is in bloom, but the real challenge is waiting for the male flower to bloom before the the female flower withers away! The male flower or the potential male flower is in the top right of the photo. July 15 2010: The pumpkins free spirit is now coming to light with the main stem approx 6 ft long and several side shoots…. so I’ve been busy with secondary roots [carefully anchoring them in the soil ] and as a reward the flowers are starting to form. Below you can see the start of a female flower. And , yes, some of the grand kids lawn area will have to sacrificed
July 2 2010
Secondary roots are now forming along the main vine and I’ve anchored these with soil. June 23 2010:
Yes, finally an update of the pumpkin plantation. The following photo demonstrates the level of encouragement you must take!
Both plants have been planted in a mixture of compost and manure, aside from that not much else. I did build a plastic tent to cover one of them and will monitor the result.
Happy pumpkining… Ken
May 5 2010 Day 21. The secondary leaves have now emerged and for a little encouragement I have found a pumpkin tutor that will sleep with my plants. In the mean time I have been preparing the future pumpkin beds with heart warming manure and compost.
April 26 2010. This is Day 12, with the exterior of the seed still attached [the townie, shows the size…. so far!
What is the value of the Albion Flats and the agricultural land?
Is this where the “BIG BOX” stores should be?
What is the bigger picture? Environmentally and economically.
I hope to explore these questions and find the pros and cons of land use in the Albion Flats
Photo taken Nov 10 2008.
During the last Municipal election, there was a great deal of conversation about a brandable identity which would create opportunties to develope an integrated strategy to attract and enhance business and new residents. Why not “Maple Ridge - the Emerald City” Green and Growing Greener Everyday!
In 2007, the Mayor and Councillors of Maple Ridge created the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC). According to text on the website of the District of Maple Ridge (DMR), the purpose of the AAC was to review and develop an Agricultural Plan that would help conserve the area’s agricultural land base and promote local agricultural opportunities. Such a plan would recognize the cultural significance of agriculture and identify the industry as a viable contributing factor to the local economy.
Despite the sensibility of this methodical approach to developing recommendations for land use and the fact that the AAC’s work has not been completed or released, recent comments by some of our councillors suggest that these individuals have already made a decision about the viability of our agriculturally zoned land. In short, certain councillors feel sections of ALR-designated land should be stripped of its status and turned over to developers.
Instead of doing this, however, Maple Ridge has a great opportunity to show leadership, follow due political process and do its own due diligence, and stress the importance of our community’s agricultural land base. Currently, the District owns some agricultural land that is not being used for agricultural purposes, and it would be great to see an endorsement from Council that shows its dedication both to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and its work.
It’s time for our entire Council to “get serious” about the importance of the agricultural land base and to show our active agricultural community how significant its contributions are to the people of Maple Ridge, who will undoubtedly appreciate this approach when they recognize the value of this land fifty years from now, when it’s still being used for agricultural activities.
