Why eat local?

Currently, supermarkets provide consumers with a cornucopia of food that has been shipped in from around the world. While we enjoy the luxury of eating strawberries in December and apples in June, our food system is unsustainable. Food that is imported has a huge impact on the environment and provides little income to farmers who grow it. more...

The benefits of worm casts

Earthworms are very important to decomposition processes that occur naturally with dead organic matter. Without earthworms, it would take a long time for bacteria and fungi alone to convert this matter into usable plant nutrients. more...

30 Ways to Spend Your $100 Climate Action Dividend

At the end of June, every adult and child in British Columbia will receive a $100 cheque in the mail from the government. It's your personal Climate Action Dividend, part of BC's new Carbon Tax that kicks in on July 1st. How will you spend your $100 cheque? more...

Companion plants: onion chives and tomatoes

One of the first crops of the spring season is healthy and tasty onion chives. When planting onion chives this year, I suggest you practice some companion planting and leave room between the chives to tuck in your favourite tomato plants; you’ll enjoy tastier, disease-free plants by taking advantage of the natural protection of onion chives. more...

Three ways to conserve water

Water conservation is a top priority these days, both in the home and in the garden. I get excited any time I find a product that will reduce water consumption, and I also take interest in any item that will save time in the garden. The more efficient the better, especially when it comes to watering. Last season I tried three new items: a microperf basket liner, polymer crystals and a seed nozzle on a recycled plastic water bottle. more...

Vertical growing space

Recently I have been glancing around gardens with one thing on my mind – vertical growing space. Growing up allows us to dress up narrow walkways, camouflage unattractive fencing, provide shade and windbreaks, and screen balconies and patios to provide privacy. If support is lacking, you can do the same thing by growing down – install a hanging basket or raised planter overflowing with long lush foliage. more...

Native BC plants and your garden

There are many wonderful plants native to British Columbia, and many that have been brought to our province by travelling humans, birds and cargo. Make an informed choice on whether, and when, it may be advantageous to buy native plants. more...

The basics of pest management

With the current focus on the environment, information on pest management is a hot topic. Discussion of the subject is useful however, there is a great deal of confusion around some of the language associated with pest management. more...

Maintaining health - managing pests

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Home gardens are community builders

The thornless blackberries that push their way over my back fence each summer are a feast for the neighbourhood. I planted them there to be enjoyed by the diversity of strangers who live in my part of the city. And the other afternoon I was rewarded – an unknown passerby paused at the vines and then, hand to mouth, he feasted in an intense celebration of the season. more...