Vounteering on a Thai Farm: Projects!

Cook! Using all fresh and organic and even wild plants! Our staple ingredients are things like ginger, chilies, soy sauce, mustard flowers, wild sweet potatoes, papaya, and mizuna!



My partners in crime and me in the kitchen- 
Cookin up a meal for up to 20 people at time!

Build!
Waterproofing the roof.

Making finishing touches.

Making more mud bricks!

Gardening; Planting, Fertilizing, Weeding, Harvesting

A Good Laugh

I recently received this picture from a friend back home.
Thanks Jill, love you!!! It was such a good laugh,
 I thought I should share it with you all.

Hahaha, enjoy!

Growing Greenhouse Flowers

 

Growing Begonias and other flowers in Hanging Baskets



Me and co-worker (and friend!) Katie, hand-watering petunias and impatiens.
 As you can see from the pictures we enjoyed working at Jeffreys and always
made sure to have a little fun too

During my last year at college I began working as a Junior Grower of Greenhouse Flowers under Albert Grimm, it was great! I took part in the production of over 60 types of annuals, as well as potted vegetables and herbs. In my time there,I learned a lot and was able to work with an entire team of growers. Learning to "grow" doesnt come over night, but it helps to be surrounded by other knowledgable people and to get your feet wet! Previous to this I had grown other crops, but was limited in my knowledge of flower production.



Its a beautiful mess after packaging for shipment!

Flower production is challenging sometimes because it is crucial to how the entire plant looks-not just the fruit will be harvested-these crops will be judged by their stems, leaves, and flowers. Often, time is the biggest pressure, since there are deadlines to meet and holidays to conquer!

Getting ready to ship flowers for Independance Day! This train is 20+ carts long!

 My job as a Junior Grower was to manage a few greenhouse compartments. This meant analyzing water moisture content and deciding how to manually water the plants that day. The goal is to direct the plants growth the way you want it. I also mixed fertilizers, distributed biological controls, took soil samples, cared for seedlings, rooted cuttings etc.

 The Head Grower @ Jeffreys Greenhouses was very knowledgable. He often speaks publicly at Greenhouse Events (This year he spoke both at Grower Day in Brantford, as well as at the Canadian Greenhouse Conference Niagara Falls) and writes articles for magazines such as Greenhouse Canada.



To read more, click below:

Interpretation of Nutrient Analysis: By Albert Grimm, Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2003

Growers Toolbox: By Albert Grimm,  Greenhouse Canada, July 2010

Our Experience with IPM: Greenhouse Canada Introduces Albert Grimm, 2008

                                                                *All photos taken by Katie Job**Thank you**