The Garden has just received some great news. Our submission to the City of Ottawa's 2013 Better Neighbourhoods Program for our Biodome Garden project is one of four successful submissions out a total of 42 applications.

Our application won because it illustrated creativity and innovation, had the potential to showcase as a demonstration for other neighbourhoods, would benefit a range of neighbourhood stakeholders; and would be feasible in terms of time and scope.

Congratulations goes out to the BPCG team that speared headed and put together the Biodome Garden proposal and application to the city.

Funding from the Better Neighbourhoods Program will allow for a new exciting and dynamic additional feature in the Brewer Garden this summer.

What is a Biodome Garden?

The Biodome Garden is a modular designed circular raised bed linked to a fish tank that sends nutrient rich water to order to grow vegetables.

A dome roof is added to the raised bed and fish tank in order to extend the growing season with the possibility of growing vegetables year round. It is a structure of superior strength which can handle harsh weather conditions, including strong winds and snow.

The atmosphere within the biodome garden is naturally humidified with a wind-powered ventilation system. In size, it will be 16 (sixteen) feet in diameter and eight (8) feet high.

The Biodome Garden's objectives include:

• to showcase different ways of growing food (not limited to vegetables)

• to support member-driven educational projects that benefit the garden's members and the local community.

• producing more tomatoes and beans as these plants die following the first frost;
  
  
• producing multiple crops of certain vegetables (e.g. carrots and lettuce) each year rather than a single crop;
  
  
• testing of seeds and seedlings planted at the same date in regular plots and in the biodome garden to compare rates of maturation;
  
  
• comparing efficiencies of water use;
  
  
• maximizing fish production.

Check out an article on the Brewer Park Community Garden in the February issue of OSCAR (Ottawa South Community Association Review).