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Loss in The Garden Form

Crop loss is part of the gardening experience, whether that is bunnies, hail or harvesting by the public.

At Urban Bounty, we want to put the emphasis on the fact that gardening, and gardening in a community garden, is about so much more than just the produce you get at the end. Of course, harvesting the fruit of your labour is much more satisfying than just going to the grocery store (and also a lot more rewarding!), but we want to remind you that gardening is also about the journey. Getting your hands in the soil, learning more about how food is grown, connecting with your community, learning from fellow gardeners, improving your health by connecting to nature, sharing recipes and ways to use your produce is what gardening in a Community Garden is all about! And… you might get some veggies out of it!

That being said, we still understand the feeling of frustration when you have taken so much time to raise a little seedling, only to see it get eaten by a bunny.

Here are some of the things you can expect to encounter in your garden and our suggestions on how to work with some of these factors!

Rabbits and Rats

  • Include plants they don’t like. There are some that rabbits and rats don’t like because of their strong scents such as basil, garlic, rhubarb, hot peppers, spicy basil, and mint. Some gardeners say that marigolds keep rabbits out of their gardens, while others say rabbits actually like the marigolds they planted. Try it out and let us know if it works for you!
  • Add visual deterrents. Though some gardeners say placing things in your garden to scare rabbits and rats away won’t work, others swear by their success. Here are some to try: Metal pinwheels (their movement, shininess, and even sound can scare them off); rubber snakes; and owl statues. If you do try these deterrents, we recommend moving them around your garden frequently to prevent the animals from getting used to seeing them in the same spot.
  • Create your own spray. There are lots of homemade spray recipes available online, and many of them include cayenne pepper, as rabbits dislike the pungent smell. Here’s one recipe to try:
  • Reminder – Do not use any type of pesticides! 

Slugs and Snails

  • Use Water and Garlic
    • Boil two full bulbs of garlic in a saucepan of water.
    • Squash the bulbs down to get as much of the garlic juice out as you can.
    • Pour the moisture through a sieve and dilute it to spray or water your plants using two tablespoons in 5 litres of water.
    • Ideally, use it once a week and after rainfall.
  • Eggshells, Coffee Grounds and Mulch
    • Crushed eggshells and mulch are an annoyance to slugs, since they are difficult to slide over. The smell and texture of coffee grounds do the same thing.
  • Copper Rings and Tape
    • For newly planted seedlings or young plants, copper rings placed around the base of the plant can keep slugs away. If you are growing in pots and containers, using copper tape around the pot will help to deter them from coming up the pot and eating your plants.

Drought

Check out these documents that we created with waterwise gardening and tips:

Disease

Harvesting by the Public

All Urban Bounty gardens are public spaces, on City-owned land. Unfortunately, members off the public will sometimes harvest from plots. We understand the frustration and disappointment that comes with losing plants you’ve nurtured.

Loss in gardening, whether due to pests, weather, or harvesting by the public, are a normal part of the gardening process. Studies show that between 20% to 40% of crops worldwide are lost to natural factors before harvest. Whether loss is due to human intervention or other issues, we do what we can to avoid crop loss, but it’s impossible to prevent it completely. 

  • Report Losses Through Our Form: If you experience a loss in your garden, please fill out our “Loss in the Garden” form. This helps us document incidents and work with the City to address broader concerns.
  • Plan for Loss: Consider planting a bit more than you expect to harvest! If some of your plants get unfortunately taken by people or pests, you’re more likely to still have enough left for yourself. 
  • Be Respectful: If you have concerns about fellow gardeners or visitors, please bring them to our attention, rather than trying to confront people. Please be kind and compassionate to all who you encounter in the garden.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE CROP OR EQUIPMENT LOSS

If you experience crop or equipment loss, or even damage in the community garden plot that you would like to report, please fill out the form below rather than emailing us as this allows us to better keep track of reports.

Still have questions or concerns? Need help or suggestions in the garden? Please fill out our Community Gardens Contact Form and we will do our best to help – https://www.urbanbounty.ca/community-gardens-contact-us/