It's been quiet on the cat front in my backyard although a dog has been making regular "visits" to the lawn. And thanks for all of you who contributed your ideas and other pest woes. I'll be doing other pest posts soon. (Ukee readers and others — how do you deal with deer? We've been spared them in Tofino so far.) I am currently preparing a post on my favourite new gardening book that I want to share with you, but for now, here's what Gayla Trail from You Grow Girl (the book and the web site) suggests: Gayla suggests planting plants that cats hate, such as "scaredy cat plant" (Coleus canina) or laying chopped citrus peels or pinecones around the garden. She also says burning frankincense will keep raccoons, cats and squirrels away. (Anyone have some frankincense handy?) She also, very graciously I thought, gives instructions for a garden that your cat (or, in my case, the eight neighborhood cats) could enjoy as their very own. I'm not sure that I'll go that far, but I appreciate that many, many people love cats much more than I do.
Back soon with pics and a review of Gayla's fab. book.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Pest Post #1: Cats
I am feeling a tad grumpy. No, it's not the weather (although that's not great), but it's cats. There must be about 8 neighbourhood cats making regular visits to my yard to peruse it for use as a toilet (or to hunt birds). I say "peruse" it for use as a toilet because I have devised ways over the years to thwart them. But...it takes constant vigilance. I primarily use netting or mesh of some sort, which I lay over the newly planted beds (their favourite). They don't seem to like the possibility of getting their feet entangled. It works for most cats, but some (the young ones I think) are particularly keen at trying to find a spot and tormenting me.
My friend Joanna also suggested cayenne, which I went for one day. Not sure if it made a difference because I used the netting as well. The rain will wash it away, of course, but it might be worth a try in drier weather.
Joanna also sent in some pictures of her methods with these instructions: For those gardeners who deal with cats, short sticks are the best way I've found to keep them out of freshly dug beds. Cedar kindling works well, broken in half and stuck into the soil. Figure out how much space a cat needs to turn around and put the sticks that far apart. Another planting woe, the white-crowned sparrows are around. So watch out and cover those seeds!
I may have to get my daughter's cross bow out next. (It only shoots marshmallows, but it will make me feel better.)
What pests are you "sharing" your garden with and how do you cope?
My friend Joanna also suggested cayenne, which I went for one day. Not sure if it made a difference because I used the netting as well. The rain will wash it away, of course, but it might be worth a try in drier weather.
Joanna also sent in some pictures of her methods with these instructions: For those gardeners who deal with cats, short sticks are the best way I've found to keep them out of freshly dug beds. Cedar kindling works well, broken in half and stuck into the soil. Figure out how much space a cat needs to turn around and put the sticks that far apart. Another planting woe, the white-crowned sparrows are around. So watch out and cover those seeds!
I may have to get my daughter's cross bow out next. (It only shoots marshmallows, but it will make me feel better.)
What pests are you "sharing" your garden with and how do you cope?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Lemons, Figs and Olives
Leah passed along Linda Gilkeson's newsletter, which I've posted below. (Info. on subscribing to the newsletter is at the end of her message.) Her posts on "exotics" such as figs, lemons and olives that seem to be working in the warm microclimate of the Gulf Islands got me wondering if anyone out here on the wet coast has tried anything that requires a lot more warmth and sunshine than we typically get? And, if you did, how did it work out? Danielle in Ukee grows lemons in her greenhouse. Is anyone else trying anything? I have heard of people with grapes. I am tempted to try a small lemon tree. Let us know!
Newsletter from Linda Gilkeson:
The spring weather is coming along nicely now and gardeners are planting peas, potatoes, onion sets and transplanting seedlings of hardy greens: lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, etc. I find spinach a disappointing plant when sown at this time of year as it goes to seed after only producing leaves for a month or so. They can't help it--it is the way the plant responds to our rapidly lengthening days this far north. This summer make a note to sow more spinach in August. August sown plants give you a moderate harvest of leaves over the fall and winter and then shoot up lots of big, tender leaves from late February/early March onward. These plants go to seed at the same time that spring-sown spinach does, but after a much longer harvest.
Notes on some interesting food plants:
Foxglove Farm and Garden nursery (Salt Spring), and other local nurseries (try Cannor Nursery in Victoria, Parksville, Abbotsford) are bringing in some interesting food plants:
Lattarula/Italian honey figs: Anyone that has tasted this fig will be delighted to hear that Foxglove now has good looking plants in stock (cultivar is 'Peter's Honey Fig') along with a variety of other figs. It tastes like it was injected with honey in the centre and I have never tasted a finer fig. This cultivar gives a reliable first crop so you will get ripe figs from the end of July through August depending on how warm a site you have.
Tea (Camellia sinensis): The plant from which green, oolong and black tea is harvested. Needs a warm and very protected site, but some people I know of on Salt Spring have been growing it outdoors for several years and it has survived the winters.
Olives: The 'Arbequina' variety has been reported hardy outdoors by several people. Mine got through last winter fine at 800 ft. elevation (it's first winter outdoors). The olives are small, but it is supposed to be a good quality oil olive and is widely grown in northern Spain and colder olive growing regions. Mine has been bearing fruit since I got it three years ago, but at the moment the crop is too small to do anything with. Beautiful leaves though.
Lemons & limes: Not in stock right now, but coming soon to nurseries are dwarf 'Improved Meyer' lemon; also 'Bearss' lime. Very productive little trees! Since I bought 2 small lemons and a lime tree in spring 2007 I have not had to buy a single lemon or lime. They can take a few degrees of frost, but in most of this region they have to be kept in pots and moved under glass for the winter (an unheated greenhouse is perfect). They both set more fruit than should stay on the plant so regularly thin out the fruit.
Goji berries: A crop that is becoming all the rage for health benefits and plants are now widely available. Apparently there is a nursery in Saskatchewan that grows nothing but goji berries for the nursery trade. These are very hardy. I have not tasted the fruit as they are in the nightshade family which doesn't like me much, but people who have seem to like them.
____________________________
Previous messages are archives at the Salt Spring Energy website [www.saltspringenergystrategy.org].
____________________________
For info on my books or to check my schedule for talks and presentations in your area see: www.lindagilkeson.ca
There was more info. on olives in a newsletter from today:
A quick follow up to my previous message: I just found out about this spring's importation and sale of olive trees by the Saturna Olive Consortium. Check out the price list and great olive cultural information for this region at: http://olivetrees.ca
They are selling 3 varieties of olives that have been doing well on Saturna and Pender and in other local areas. These are large fruited Italian olives and may be more reliable producers than the Arbequina I mentioned previously. In any case, the olive lovers among us with a warm south facing site might want to leap on this opportunity. SOC is bringing in a bulk order of trees in 1 and 3 gallon pots. You can order just one tree or larger quantities from them if you want to get into production. They still have quite a few trees not yet spoken for.
Pick up of trees on Saturna will be May 15th and they are also working on scheduling pick-up in Victoria and in Vancouver. They can also ship the trees.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Potato Bags!
If you are short of space or just want to be able to harvest your potatoes one meal at a time, you might want to check out potato bags.
It's a pretty simple design — a heavy duty poly bag with some drainage holes (perhaps not enough) near the bottom. You insert a plastic ring around the top to hold it open and then plant as you normally would, gradually adding soil as the plants grow.
But the nifty part of the design are the several openings that allow you to harvest potatoes without ripping up the entire plant. I've decided to try them out this year so will report back as to how that all works. I wonder how the plant will take to all that rummaging around?
It's a pretty simple design — a heavy duty poly bag with some drainage holes (perhaps not enough) near the bottom. You insert a plastic ring around the top to hold it open and then plant as you normally would, gradually adding soil as the plants grow.
But the nifty part of the design are the several openings that allow you to harvest potatoes without ripping up the entire plant. I've decided to try them out this year so will report back as to how that all works. I wonder how the plant will take to all that rummaging around?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Recycled Greenhouse
Leah sent over these pictures of the greenhouse she is sharing with Jonathan and Denise. Thanks, Leah. (Come on the rest of you. Don't be shy to send in your pictures.) Here's Leah's description:
The entire greenhouse was built by Jonathan from recycled materials. There are gutters to divert water to a catchment system (not showing yet). Here's the front:
This is the side of the greenhouse beside our bench around the tree. This is where we visualize our garden plans, have lunch or just relax. It's so peaceful to garden in the middle of a forest. there's a big pond beside the garden where we get our water and watch the kingfishers fishing!
Here are a few starts resting in the greenhouse before they're planted out in the big garden. Artichoke, shallot, 3 varieties of onion, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley and celery.
The entire greenhouse was built by Jonathan from recycled materials. There are gutters to divert water to a catchment system (not showing yet). Here's the front:
This is the side of the greenhouse beside our bench around the tree. This is where we visualize our garden plans, have lunch or just relax. It's so peaceful to garden in the middle of a forest. there's a big pond beside the garden where we get our water and watch the kingfishers fishing!
Here are a few starts resting in the greenhouse before they're planted out in the big garden. Artichoke, shallot, 3 varieties of onion, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley and celery.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Something We Should Be Able to Grow Out Here...
I've had mushrooms growing in a vehicle on the west coast, so we should be able to grow them in our gardens! Years ago, I got a "shitake log" from (I think) West Coast Seeds and, as I recall, it worked quite well.
Is anyone growing/cultivating mushrooms? Let us know!
Here's some inspiration.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Plants & Potatoes to share
I have extra seedlings I'd love to give away to clear up some room. Just leave a comment below or email me at toughcitywriter [at] gmail [dot] com if you've like any of these so we can arrange a swap.
Ready for a nice home: healthy seedlings of Gold Nugget tomatoes, Ichiban eggplant as well as a few Banana fingerling potatoes and Sieglinde potatoes. All of these from West Coast seeds so you can read up on the plants' requirements here.
Ready for a nice home: healthy seedlings of Gold Nugget tomatoes, Ichiban eggplant as well as a few Banana fingerling potatoes and Sieglinde potatoes. All of these from West Coast seeds so you can read up on the plants' requirements here.
Road Trip: Hazelwood Herb Farm
We did a big renovation on our house about 10 years ago. Before then, I had quite a nice herb garden established, but it was pretty much trashed. I've been slowly trying to rebuild it over the years — many of the hardier herbs are quite easy to grow here and make a nice addition to flower/vegetable gardens. One of my go to places for herbs and inspiration is the Hazelwood Herb Farm, which is between Nanaimo and Ladysmith.
They have a wide selection of herbs (obviously) that will grow substantially as the season progresses. While you can get many herbs at other garden shops, this has a wonderful selection of things you've likely never heard of. Such as this:
Twickle Purple Lavender. Almost makes you want to buy it just for the name. (It's up there with Drunken Woman Lettuce.) This is also where I got my wasabi plants last year.
All of the plants are well-labelled with information and instructions close by.
Their well-established herb gardens are wonderful for a wander and give you an idea of what the plant will look like once it's released into your garden. They have a small shop with herbal culinary products, teas, cosmetics, pet products, and foods (this was where I picked up a jar of pickled cherries with some sort of herb years ago) and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable.
The farm is just off the highway south of the Cassidy Airport. Watch for the signs just past the airport (going south, you turn left off the highway). The farm's website gives you all their contact and location information.
They have a wide selection of herbs (obviously) that will grow substantially as the season progresses. While you can get many herbs at other garden shops, this has a wonderful selection of things you've likely never heard of. Such as this:
Twickle Purple Lavender. Almost makes you want to buy it just for the name. (It's up there with Drunken Woman Lettuce.) This is also where I got my wasabi plants last year.
All of the plants are well-labelled with information and instructions close by.
Their well-established herb gardens are wonderful for a wander and give you an idea of what the plant will look like once it's released into your garden. They have a small shop with herbal culinary products, teas, cosmetics, pet products, and foods (this was where I picked up a jar of pickled cherries with some sort of herb years ago) and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable.
The farm is just off the highway south of the Cassidy Airport. Watch for the signs just past the airport (going south, you turn left off the highway). The farm's website gives you all their contact and location information.
Friday, April 16, 2010
From WCG Readers
I'm on the road at the moment, but a few things have come into my IN basket from others that are worth sharing. TW sent over this article from the Guardian: Fowl Play: One Many's Year Keeping Chickens and Trina over at Ordinary Corner let us know (via her email list) that the following items are in stock:
"Earth bank fish compost. LLOOVVEEDDD IT!!! great as a mulch in the vege garden.
EM Mother culture in 1 L jugs in. and activated Em as well, for those that may not want to activate it, or don't need such a big jug of mother culture.
For those long awaiting the temperature and weather is great to order nematodes for the garden. get rid of those nasty larvae that eat holes in your rhodos, azaleas, camellias, and also ring your rhodos at the soil level causing to die. If you want any let me know and we will add to our order.
Also ladybugs for the greenhouse and garden are also starting to come in, so if you have aphids here's a friendly way to get rid of them. and as an added bonus, we also have ladybug lures and houses in stock. If you want ladybugs let me know as well.
And our eagerly awaited order of mason bee homes and blocks for those that may want to build their own home.
we have a great selection of mint in, apple, ginger, chocolate, spearmint, peppermint. lots of seed potatoes, speciality potatoes, garlic 3 types, onion 3 types, horseradish root, blueberry and raspberry plants.
hyacinths and tulips planted in pots are starting to come into bloom.
Air pumps for making aerobic compost tea have arrived."
And she ends her email with: "WOOHOO!!!! spring spring spring." Yes indeedy. Woo Hoo Spring! I'm wondering if my new raspberry bed will have magically appeared while I've been away?
West Coast Seeds also sent their April newsletter, which is full of great information. This month there are tips on growing lettuce and planting a bee garden and they say "April is the month to direct sow beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, endive, fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips. Indoors, you want to get your cauliflower, celery, and eggplants started, and there is still time to start peppers and tomatoes indoors, but sooner is better than later."
And finally, Leah let me know that the Growing for Market Workshop is coming to the west coast if there are enough people. See all of the details below and don't fall to Tofino time when it comes to signing up. Sign up asap, svp.
Growing for Market Workshop
with Ellen Rainwalker
Sunday June 6
10 am to 4 pm
Tofino Botanical Gardens
Cost: $50 per person, or $75/couple (cash or cheque only)
Pre-registration required - please contact Leah Austin at tofinolocalfood@yahoo.ca
Co-sponsored by the Tofino Community Food Initiative and the Tofino Botanical Gardens.
Coffee and tea provided. Please bring a bag lunch.
This workshop is about making an income from backyards and small acreages by selling produce and other farm products to people in your community. Ellen Rainwalker is a former market gardener who has been growing food organically for over 40 years. She has a certificate in Ecological Agriculture.
Some of the topics covered will be: identifying high-value crops, labour-saving tools and equipment, soil improvement, succession planting for year-round harvests, growing in hoophouses, adding value to your products, direct marketing for best prices, developing customer loyalty, and much much more.
Each person will receive a packet of Resource materials (couples get one packet to share). There will be books on market gardening for sale at the workshop. If you have questions or want more information, email rainwalker@telus.net.
Part 1 - Small-Scale Organic Market Gardening from the Ground Up
- Characteristics of small-scale organic market gardening - what does this kind of farming look like?
- What do you need to get started in this kind of farming?
- Choosing high-value crops
- Market garden planning
- Seeds for market gardeners
- Soil & soil testing
- Maintaining soil fertility
- Season extenders - hoophouses, cloches, etc.
- Tools & techniques for transplanting & direct seeding
- Dealing with pests & diseases naturally
- Irrigation
- Harvesting techniques
- Post-harvest handling
- Where to get help
Part 2 - Marketing Your Farm Products
- Direct marketing - creating customer loyalty
- Organic certification and alternatives
- Obtaining BC Farm Status
- Low-profile and high-profile marketing styles
- Creating a farm identity
- Marketing techniques for profits - adding value, pricing, displaying products
effectively, etc.
- 10 different ways to sell your products locally
- How to network with like-minded growers over the Internet
"Earth bank fish compost. LLOOVVEEDDD IT!!! great as a mulch in the vege garden.
EM Mother culture in 1 L jugs in. and activated Em as well, for those that may not want to activate it, or don't need such a big jug of mother culture.
For those long awaiting the temperature and weather is great to order nematodes for the garden. get rid of those nasty larvae that eat holes in your rhodos, azaleas, camellias, and also ring your rhodos at the soil level causing to die. If you want any let me know and we will add to our order.
Also ladybugs for the greenhouse and garden are also starting to come in, so if you have aphids here's a friendly way to get rid of them. and as an added bonus, we also have ladybug lures and houses in stock. If you want ladybugs let me know as well.
And our eagerly awaited order of mason bee homes and blocks for those that may want to build their own home.
we have a great selection of mint in, apple, ginger, chocolate, spearmint, peppermint. lots of seed potatoes, speciality potatoes, garlic 3 types, onion 3 types, horseradish root, blueberry and raspberry plants.
hyacinths and tulips planted in pots are starting to come into bloom.
Air pumps for making aerobic compost tea have arrived."
And she ends her email with: "WOOHOO!!!! spring spring spring." Yes indeedy. Woo Hoo Spring! I'm wondering if my new raspberry bed will have magically appeared while I've been away?
West Coast Seeds also sent their April newsletter, which is full of great information. This month there are tips on growing lettuce and planting a bee garden and they say "April is the month to direct sow beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, endive, fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips. Indoors, you want to get your cauliflower, celery, and eggplants started, and there is still time to start peppers and tomatoes indoors, but sooner is better than later."
And finally, Leah let me know that the Growing for Market Workshop is coming to the west coast if there are enough people. See all of the details below and don't fall to Tofino time when it comes to signing up. Sign up asap, svp.
Growing for Market Workshop
with Ellen Rainwalker
Sunday June 6
10 am to 4 pm
Tofino Botanical Gardens
Cost: $50 per person, or $75/couple (cash or cheque only)
Pre-registration required - please contact Leah Austin at tofinolocalfood@yahoo.ca
Co-sponsored by the Tofino Community Food Initiative and the Tofino Botanical Gardens.
Coffee and tea provided. Please bring a bag lunch.
This workshop is about making an income from backyards and small acreages by selling produce and other farm products to people in your community. Ellen Rainwalker is a former market gardener who has been growing food organically for over 40 years. She has a certificate in Ecological Agriculture.
Some of the topics covered will be: identifying high-value crops, labour-saving tools and equipment, soil improvement, succession planting for year-round harvests, growing in hoophouses, adding value to your products, direct marketing for best prices, developing customer loyalty, and much much more.
Each person will receive a packet of Resource materials (couples get one packet to share). There will be books on market gardening for sale at the workshop. If you have questions or want more information, email rainwalker@telus.net.
Part 1 - Small-Scale Organic Market Gardening from the Ground Up
- Characteristics of small-scale organic market gardening - what does this kind of farming look like?
- What do you need to get started in this kind of farming?
- Choosing high-value crops
- Market garden planning
- Seeds for market gardeners
- Soil & soil testing
- Maintaining soil fertility
- Season extenders - hoophouses, cloches, etc.
- Tools & techniques for transplanting & direct seeding
- Dealing with pests & diseases naturally
- Irrigation
- Harvesting techniques
- Post-harvest handling
- Where to get help
Part 2 - Marketing Your Farm Products
- Direct marketing - creating customer loyalty
- Organic certification and alternatives
- Obtaining BC Farm Status
- Low-profile and high-profile marketing styles
- Creating a farm identity
- Marketing techniques for profits - adding value, pricing, displaying products
effectively, etc.
- 10 different ways to sell your products locally
- How to network with like-minded growers over the Internet
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Garden Reading for the Wet Coast
I'm curious as to what books or magazines are your "go to" source for information? Lately, I've got three main sources: the West Coast Seeds seed catalog (and their website, but I have a copy of the seed catalog specifically for when I'm out in the garden; lots of specific advice about each plant), Trina Mattson's monthly column in Tofino Time, (her column isn't always on-line so you'll have to be sure to pick up a copy of Tofino Time each month) and Linda Gilkeson's Year-Round Harvest: Winter Gardening on the Coast. I also look to The Twelve Month Gardener: A West Coast Guide, which I think might be out-of-print as I can't find it on the publisher's website.
As for magazines, there's lots of "garden porn" in those hard-to-resist magazines, but the ones I find most practical and useful are GardenWise, Gardens West and sometimes Sunset Magazine.
What are your favourites?
As for magazines, there's lots of "garden porn" in those hard-to-resist magazines, but the ones I find most practical and useful are GardenWise, Gardens West and sometimes Sunset Magazine.
What are your favourites?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Raised Gardens for the Wet Coast
Feedback from yesterday's post has prompted me to dig out my Stubb's Island photos. I'm sure I have photos of their raised beds, but I couldn't put my finger on them. They are similar to the design in the video below, but the arches are wood and, if I recall, the plastic is just attached to thin pieces of wood (or bamboo?) and the sides are rolled up and down as required. I think the beds are about 3 feet deep. (If anyone has a photo, please let me know.) I asked Chris, one of the gardeners, if the box was all soil, thinking it might be gravel or something else halfway down, and he said it IS all soil. That's a lot of soil, but, oh, the drainage! Here is an inspiration for a similar design, slightly more high-tech, but the same idea. (I'm not suggesting anyone buy this, but it's good inspiration.
A quick troll through YouTube and Google with the search words "raised garden beds" yields a lot of resources, so it's worth a look if you are in building mode. I took these photos out at the Tofino Botanical Gardens a week or so ago. Again, a relatively simple design if you have some small lengths of rebar, brackets, tubing and plastic.
As I said, there are a lot of resources on-line, but here are a few, from TryRecycling, Sunset Magazine, and Popular Mechanics.
One more illustration for inspiration. I've been carrying around this article from Harrowsmith Magazine since 1995. I've never actually built this bed, but if you had room for just one I like how this incorporates a trellis. I have the plans if anyone would like to borrow them.
Do you have raised beds? I'd love to post pictures of your design. FIre over a photo or email me and I'll come over and take a picture. Happy building!
A quick troll through YouTube and Google with the search words "raised garden beds" yields a lot of resources, so it's worth a look if you are in building mode. I took these photos out at the Tofino Botanical Gardens a week or so ago. Again, a relatively simple design if you have some small lengths of rebar, brackets, tubing and plastic.
As I said, there are a lot of resources on-line, but here are a few, from TryRecycling, Sunset Magazine, and Popular Mechanics.
One more illustration for inspiration. I've been carrying around this article from Harrowsmith Magazine since 1995. I've never actually built this bed, but if you had room for just one I like how this incorporates a trellis. I have the plans if anyone would like to borrow them.
Do you have raised beds? I'd love to post pictures of your design. FIre over a photo or email me and I'll come over and take a picture. Happy building!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dealing with the Swamp
Dani down in Ukee posted a comment on the first post in this blog and asked some great questions specific to gardening on the coast. She said she was "looking to find out how others deal with the swamp." Ah yes, the swamp. We all probably have one, although some more than others. (I've mentioned mine fairly often — a skunk cabbage or two usually appears right about now — so it is wet, wet, wet back there. This photo is not, thankfully, from my yard.)
So let's share how you deal with the clay soils and excessive rains we have here. I know that historically, many of the settlers dug ditches to drain their properties, or at least to divert some of the water. They did grow food and a fair amount of it; they had to. (On that note, I have access to a journal of George Jackson, who lived at Long Beach in the late 1920s. When I have a moment, I'll compile some of his gardening entries. I do know he had potatoes in by now.)
I think the most obvious answer to the moisture problem is good drainage and for most of us that means raised beds and the higher the better. (I'm sure we're all jealous of the three-foot-high beds at Stubbs Island, not to mention full-time gardeners!) The vegetable beds already on this property when we bought were only about 4 inches high. I used them for over a decade but last year changed that to 12 inches. It takes a lot more soil (I had to buy some for the first time), but it has made a huge difference.
I've also tried to keep more water off the beds, especially at this time of year, using plastic cloches. I think this is helping too. Things aren't quite so soggy and the soil/plants are a titch warmer.
A few other things I would suggest:
- constantly amend the soil with compost, tilled in cover crops, manure and perhaps some sand and anything else to give it body (I've never added peat as it seems to me this would just exacerbate the problem, but, please, others wade in with their ideas.)
- avoid walking on the soil, particularly when it is wet as it will just compact it further. And the same applies for working it too much when it is saturated. It will just get compacted in the end.
- add lime to deal with the acidity of the soil caused by leaching rains (make sure you read up on particular plants though as some, like potatoes, don't like lime)
Other ideas, folks? Taking time to make well-drained beds with great soil is the foundation you need for a wet coast garden.
Here are some other tips:
- from Gardening Know How
- from Linda Gilkeson in Year-Round Harvest: Winter Gardening on the Coast, who says: "Managing the soil mainly involves paying a bit more attention to crop rotation and adding extra organic matter from compost, aged manure or green manure crops. Organic matter both provides nutrients and improves the properties of the soil. It increases the water-holding capacity of sandy soils and drainage in heavy clays."
- from The Twelve Month Gardener try the soil test: "...check the look and feel of your soil. Good soil hold moisture well, and is rich and crumbly. If you squeeze it tightly in your hand it will hold together, and then crumble evenly when you let it go. Sandy soil, which won't form a ball, does not hold moisture; and clay soil holds too much, forming a compact hard ball when squeezed. Even soil in good condition can benefit from the addition of organic matter to improve the texture."
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tough City Chickens
Thinking of getting chickens? You're not alone then. We've hummed and hawed about it for years and are still humming and hawing. Part of me loves the idea, but most of me figures it will be as challenging as having any animal (which is why we don't have any pets) — what will we do when we want to zip away for a weekend, week or year?; other than the fun part of gathering the eggs who will maintain the flock? (oh wait, I already know the answer to that one); what about racoons and rats and bears?
Still, one can dream and I know there are some happy chickens and happy fresh egg consumers on the west coast. I had a bit of fun checking out some groovy coops, which I've posted here, but this site has about 14 designs to look over.
This one is called the Eglu and is made by a British company, Omlet. Cute, isn't it? (Cute, yup, but also expensive. For well-coddled chickens only.)
Or then there's this, the Corcorico, created by a design student from Ecole de Design Nantes. (As for its practicality, check out the comments on this post. The designer weighs in and there are some pretty amusing comments from chicken owners.)
There are lots of fairly simple designs out there, but keep in mind our special challenges here on the wet coast. Do you have a coop? If so, fire over a picture or two.
There are lots of places for practical advice, but here are a few links. This one is from a design site, but the advice is sound (and there are nice pics). My Pet Chicken is a great clearing house for information, including plans for coops such as this one with a green roof:
More designs and info over at Urban Chicken and here's another quick summary of things to consider, from This Magazine.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Interested in a Growing for Market workshop?
The Tofino Community Food Initiative is trying to see if there is enough support to bring the workshop Growing For Market here. It is taught by Ellen Rainwalker and is described as such:
This workshop is about making an income from backyards and small acreages by selling produce and other farm products to people in your community. Ellen Rainwalker is a former market gardener who has been growing food organically for over 40 years. She has a certificate in Ecological Agriculture.
Some of the topics covered will be: identifying high-value crops, labour-saving tools and equipment, soil improvement, succession planting for year-round harvests, growing in hoophouses, adding value to your products, direct marketing for best prices, developing customer loyalty, and much much more.
It is a four hours long and the workshop held in Qualicum in March was $45.
Leave a comment here if you are interested or contact the Tofino Community Food Initiative.
This workshop is about making an income from backyards and small acreages by selling produce and other farm products to people in your community. Ellen Rainwalker is a former market gardener who has been growing food organically for over 40 years. She has a certificate in Ecological Agriculture.
Some of the topics covered will be: identifying high-value crops, labour-saving tools and equipment, soil improvement, succession planting for year-round harvests, growing in hoophouses, adding value to your products, direct marketing for best prices, developing customer loyalty, and much much more.
It is a four hours long and the workshop held in Qualicum in March was $45.
Leave a comment here if you are interested or contact the Tofino Community Food Initiative.
Overloaded with Kale?
Oooh, that was harsh waking up to snow, even if it is just a skiff. I think it might be time to re-plant a few seeds as some of my seedlings are getting mighty leggy. (I think I've lost 2 of my 4 artichokes so if anyone has 1 or 2 to spare, I can trade for some really healthy tomato seedlings passed onto me by Chris L.) There does seem to be blue sky out there so I'm hopeful for the day, but I've been surprised before.
I wasn't really planning to post recipes, and I probably won't do it too often, but if you still have a few plants in your garden I figure there might just be some kale. I love kale, but when there's all this hope of new fresh greens in spring, it can get a bit tired. So I was inspired when I came across this recipe when I do was doing my daily morning troll of The Gluten-Free Girl's blog (we have 2 people with celiac in our house). Walnut-kale pesto caught my eye.
Quinoa with Spring Vegetables and Walnut-Kale Pesto
This recipe might look long. Please don't be intimidated. Something I've learned from Danny is how to set up a mise en place, all the necessary ingredients ready to just start cooking. If you want to make this, you can cook the quinoa ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator, blanch the vegetables while you are listening to your favorite food podcast, and make the pesto a day ahead. Pulling it all together will only take moments.
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon diced shallots
1 ½ cup of quinoa
2 teaspoons of salt
3 cups of vegetable stock or water
1/2 cup shelled English peas
1/2 cup asparagus stems, woody bottoms removed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup fava beans (outer pod removed, beans blanched)
1/2 cup walnuts, shells removed
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 large bunch kale, washed and chopped, stems removed
5 basil leaves, stems removed
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 large shallots, sliced thin
4 basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
1/2 bunch dandelion greens, cleaned and bottom of stems removed
Cooking the quinoa. Set a saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in the oil and butter and cook until the butter melts and begins to foam. Add the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the quinoa to the pan and toast it, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the salt and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour the mixture evenly onto a cookie sheet, and allow it to cool. (You can also cook the quinoa the day before and refrigerate for up to one day.)
Cooking the vegetables. Set a large pot of salted water over high heat (the water should be as salty as the ocean). Have a large bowl full of ice cubes waiting in the sink. Bring the salted water to a boil. Add the peas and cook for until they begin to rise to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using a strainer, remove the peas from the water and plunge the strainer into the ice bath. Allow the peas to remain on ice until they cool down, about 2 to 3 minutes. Put into a large bowl.
Bring the water back to a boil and add the asparagus pieces. Cook until they begin to rise to the surface, about 1 minute. (You want a crunch to these.) Using the same strainer, remove the asparagus from the boiling water and plunge the strainer into the ice bath. Allow the asparagus pieces to remain on ice until they cool, about 1 minute. Put into the bowl with the peas.
Bring the water back to a boil and add the fava beans. >When the first fava beans begin to rise to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes, pluck one out of the water. Peel its shell away and look at the bean. It should be a nice bright green. If it's not, cook the beans for a minute longer. Using the strainer, remove the beans from the boiling water and plunge the strainer into the ice bath. Allow the fava beans to remain on ice until they cool, about 3 minutes. When the beans have cooled, peel away the remaining shells. Put the beans into the bowl with the the other vegetables.
Making the pesto. Put the walnuts and garlic into the robot coupe (that's the food processor for the rest of us who are not chefs). Buzz them into an almost paste. Add the kale and basil. Pulse until everything starts to get chopped up really fine. Drizzle in the olive oil, slowly, as the robot coupe is running. Stop the robot coupe and taste the pesto. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice and cheese and pulse the pesto until everything is combined. If the pesto feels thick, you can thin it out with a bit of water.
Finishing the dish. Set a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil runs around the pan easily, add the shallots. Cook, stirring, until they are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the basil leaves and cook until they release their fragrance, about 1 minute. Put all the vegetables into the sauté pan and toss them around, cooking, until they are nice and toasty, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cooked quinoa. Toss it around on the burner until it is nice and hot, about 3 to 4 minutes. Taste. Season with salt and pepper.
Smear some pesto on each plate. Top it with the dandelion greens. Scoop some of the quinoa and vegetables onto the dandelion greens. Serve immediately.
Feeds 4.
I wasn't really planning to post recipes, and I probably won't do it too often, but if you still have a few plants in your garden I figure there might just be some kale. I love kale, but when there's all this hope of new fresh greens in spring, it can get a bit tired. So I was inspired when I came across this recipe when I do was doing my daily morning troll of The Gluten-Free Girl's blog (we have 2 people with celiac in our house). Walnut-kale pesto caught my eye.
Quinoa with Spring Vegetables and Walnut-Kale Pesto
This recipe might look long. Please don't be intimidated. Something I've learned from Danny is how to set up a mise en place, all the necessary ingredients ready to just start cooking. If you want to make this, you can cook the quinoa ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator, blanch the vegetables while you are listening to your favorite food podcast, and make the pesto a day ahead. Pulling it all together will only take moments.
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon diced shallots
1 ½ cup of quinoa
2 teaspoons of salt
3 cups of vegetable stock or water
1/2 cup shelled English peas
1/2 cup asparagus stems, woody bottoms removed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup fava beans (outer pod removed, beans blanched)
1/2 cup walnuts, shells removed
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 large bunch kale, washed and chopped, stems removed
5 basil leaves, stems removed
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 large shallots, sliced thin
4 basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
1/2 bunch dandelion greens, cleaned and bottom of stems removed
Cooking the quinoa. Set a saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in the oil and butter and cook until the butter melts and begins to foam. Add the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the quinoa to the pan and toast it, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the salt and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour the mixture evenly onto a cookie sheet, and allow it to cool. (You can also cook the quinoa the day before and refrigerate for up to one day.)
Cooking the vegetables. Set a large pot of salted water over high heat (the water should be as salty as the ocean). Have a large bowl full of ice cubes waiting in the sink. Bring the salted water to a boil. Add the peas and cook for until they begin to rise to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using a strainer, remove the peas from the water and plunge the strainer into the ice bath. Allow the peas to remain on ice until they cool down, about 2 to 3 minutes. Put into a large bowl.
Bring the water back to a boil and add the asparagus pieces. Cook until they begin to rise to the surface, about 1 minute. (You want a crunch to these.) Using the same strainer, remove the asparagus from the boiling water and plunge the strainer into the ice bath. Allow the asparagus pieces to remain on ice until they cool, about 1 minute. Put into the bowl with the peas.
Bring the water back to a boil and add the fava beans. >When the first fava beans begin to rise to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes, pluck one out of the water. Peel its shell away and look at the bean. It should be a nice bright green. If it's not, cook the beans for a minute longer. Using the strainer, remove the beans from the boiling water and plunge the strainer into the ice bath. Allow the fava beans to remain on ice until they cool, about 3 minutes. When the beans have cooled, peel away the remaining shells. Put the beans into the bowl with the the other vegetables.
Making the pesto. Put the walnuts and garlic into the robot coupe (that's the food processor for the rest of us who are not chefs). Buzz them into an almost paste. Add the kale and basil. Pulse until everything starts to get chopped up really fine. Drizzle in the olive oil, slowly, as the robot coupe is running. Stop the robot coupe and taste the pesto. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice and cheese and pulse the pesto until everything is combined. If the pesto feels thick, you can thin it out with a bit of water.
Finishing the dish. Set a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil runs around the pan easily, add the shallots. Cook, stirring, until they are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the basil leaves and cook until they release their fragrance, about 1 minute. Put all the vegetables into the sauté pan and toss them around, cooking, until they are nice and toasty, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cooked quinoa. Toss it around on the burner until it is nice and hot, about 3 to 4 minutes. Taste. Season with salt and pepper.
Smear some pesto on each plate. Top it with the dandelion greens. Scoop some of the quinoa and vegetables onto the dandelion greens. Serve immediately.
Feeds 4.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Organic Master Gardener Course in Tofino
Okay west coasters, being on Tofino time might mean you'll miss out so act now if you're keen.
An update from Trina at Ordinary Corner Nursery:
Re. the organic master gardener course.
As it stood, apparently there was not enough people registered to have the April 19th start date so they cancelled the class.
There has been a good resurgence of interest in holding the course again with the same start date.
that I know of 6 people have come forward and are pushing to have this course reinstated. They need at least 10 to hold the course, and so the shout out has begun.
If you are interested in taking the course for the April 19th start date please go to here and register ASAP.
Here's the brochure.
An update from Trina at Ordinary Corner Nursery:
Re. the organic master gardener course.
As it stood, apparently there was not enough people registered to have the April 19th start date so they cancelled the class.
There has been a good resurgence of interest in holding the course again with the same start date.
that I know of 6 people have come forward and are pushing to have this course reinstated. They need at least 10 to hold the course, and so the shout out has begun.
If you are interested in taking the course for the April 19th start date please go to here and register ASAP.
Here's the brochure.
Reading for a Rainy Day
Yup, it's a drippy one. If you have a bit of time for reading, you'll find lots in this post on Citizen Gardens.
And remember that this evening is the Let's Get Dirty mini film fest — a fundraiser for the community garden. Lots of prizes, fun and great films. See you there!
And remember that this evening is the Let's Get Dirty mini film fest — a fundraiser for the community garden. Lots of prizes, fun and great films. See you there!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Prepping the Garden Course
Part of Carol McIntyre's FULL CIRCLE: How to Grow Winter Harvest Vegetables course is being taught in Port Alberni this coming Saturday, April 10 from 1 to 4. This is the Preparing the Garden workshop, which is described as:
Session II: Preparing the Garden
How to meet the needs of plants is the next focus, learning about creating a growing site that provides fertile soil and optimum growing conditions the organic way. Participants design and plan their gardens to an inch.
You can register here.
Cost is $50. (I am considering attending. If you are keen, get in touch and perhaps we can carpool.)
Session II: Preparing the Garden
How to meet the needs of plants is the next focus, learning about creating a growing site that provides fertile soil and optimum growing conditions the organic way. Participants design and plan their gardens to an inch.
You can register here.
Cost is $50. (I am considering attending. If you are keen, get in touch and perhaps we can carpool.)
Monday, April 5, 2010
Berries to Share
I have some cascade berry plants to give away. These are Mason family "heirlooms." My grandparents grew cascade berries, which are a close relative to marionberries. I am pretty sure they are a cross between a blackberry and a loganberry, but I've never been able to get an exact peg on that. They are tart berries, but make deadly pies and jams.
My parents' took canes from my grandparents' place in Ladysmith to Victoria where they have a substantial patch. And I now have a small patch in Tofino. You might have seen it on the garden tour? Here it is in it's Easter Sunday best with the canes tidied up and a new top dressing (thanks, Mom).
You do need something to support the plant(s) and this is a good method, with wire to loop the canes over as they grow.
Just leave a comment if you want to try this plant out. If I run out, I'll put you on a list for when I'm thinning the bed.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Greenhouse Dreams
Sigh. I have a bad case of greenhouse envy. It even looks as if the window frames are purple. Would look great in my yard, I think!
But, my backyard is now officially a lake, or at least a healthy-sized pond. I should really just let it be the swamp it desires to be. For now though, I'm trying to figure out how I might position a greenhouse without it floating away. I'd love to be able to build a funky one with old windows and recycled wood, but neither me nor the FH are that handy. For those who are, you might want to check out this post, which will show you how to build something like this:
I've been trolling for options on-line, but I'm not sure my pockets are that deep at the moment. Here are a few places I've found: Patio Concepts, Greenhouses 123, BC Greenhouses, and Sliptube Greenhouses. Trina, from Ordinary Corner Nursery in Tofino, has a line on this greenhouse from Sliptube. Here's what Trina said in her newsletter:
"As promised for those that may be interested. we have secured a line on a commercial grade residential greenhouse, in the same styling as our own, this is made from tubing that locks together. the greenhouse is manufactured in BC with 95% of the components out of BC and the rest from North America. It is steel tubing made in Canada so very sturdy. Really the only thing you supply is the manpower to put it up, and the foundation of 6x6's to attach it to the ground, and anchoring it to the ground we may even be able to work a deal to have the builder come and erect one for us, but that will need to be discussed later. Anyway everything is included, frame, plastic, spring lock, door and 1 roll up side it's 8'x15' so definately big enough for home please see attached for more information. one note: the benches inside the greenhouse are not included, so you may style the greenhouse to your specs. If you want more information, just give me a call, the great thing about these are if you have any questions, the answer guy lives in BC. oh yeah pricing. :Landed in Tofino $2000.00 plus taxes let us know asap, as the manufacture date on these cannot start until April, as they are booking out their time to do other jobs, so asap on replies."
If you're keen, get in touch with Trina asap (250.725.4450 or by email: ocn [at] island [dot] net). You can also see a larger version of this greenhouse at Ordinary Corner.
Do you have a greenhouse? Fire over a picture. (Or let me know and I'll come and photograph it. No doubt there are a lot of funky — and functional — greenhouses hiding out in west coast backyards.
But, my backyard is now officially a lake, or at least a healthy-sized pond. I should really just let it be the swamp it desires to be. For now though, I'm trying to figure out how I might position a greenhouse without it floating away. I'd love to be able to build a funky one with old windows and recycled wood, but neither me nor the FH are that handy. For those who are, you might want to check out this post, which will show you how to build something like this:
I've been trolling for options on-line, but I'm not sure my pockets are that deep at the moment. Here are a few places I've found: Patio Concepts, Greenhouses 123, BC Greenhouses, and Sliptube Greenhouses. Trina, from Ordinary Corner Nursery in Tofino, has a line on this greenhouse from Sliptube. Here's what Trina said in her newsletter:
"As promised for those that may be interested. we have secured a line on a commercial grade residential greenhouse, in the same styling as our own, this is made from tubing that locks together. the greenhouse is manufactured in BC with 95% of the components out of BC and the rest from North America. It is steel tubing made in Canada so very sturdy. Really the only thing you supply is the manpower to put it up, and the foundation of 6x6's to attach it to the ground, and anchoring it to the ground we may even be able to work a deal to have the builder come and erect one for us, but that will need to be discussed later. Anyway everything is included, frame, plastic, spring lock, door and 1 roll up side it's 8'x15' so definately big enough for home please see attached for more information. one note: the benches inside the greenhouse are not included, so you may style the greenhouse to your specs. If you want more information, just give me a call, the great thing about these are if you have any questions, the answer guy lives in BC. oh yeah pricing. :Landed in Tofino $2000.00 plus taxes let us know asap, as the manufacture date on these cannot start until April, as they are booking out their time to do other jobs, so asap on replies."
If you're keen, get in touch with Trina asap (250.725.4450 or by email: ocn [at] island [dot] net). You can also see a larger version of this greenhouse at Ordinary Corner.
Do you have a greenhouse? Fire over a picture. (Or let me know and I'll come and photograph it. No doubt there are a lot of funky — and functional — greenhouses hiding out in west coast backyards.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What Are You Seeding?
I've been asking around, curious to hear what people are seeding and how things are going.
According to the West Coast Seeds planting chart and How To Grow Guide, here's what's fair game for early spring:
Direct-seed into the garden: arugula, corn salad, fava (broad) beans, garlic, kale and collards, oriental greens, peas, radishes
Started Indoors: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery/celeriac, fennel, leeks, lettuce, onions (sweet), parsley, peppers, tomatoes (mid-month)
Under cover: spinach
When I look at that list I see that I am falling down on most fronts, but the photo at the top of this post shows my very leggy broccoli, leeks, artichoke (which I'm very excited about) and, in the clay pot at the back, eggplant seeded by my daughter. (I will have some eggplant seedlings to share. Has anyone been successful with eggplants? They will be in a greenhouse.)
Leah, in Tofino, reports that she has planted parsnips and radish in the garden; lettuce and mesclun undercover on her porch; and inside, she has: artichoke, celery, parsley, cilantro, basil, thyme, tarragon and several varieties of onion.
Chris, who has a float up in Lemmens Inlet, has her tomatoes well underway, keeping toasty under grow lights:
(The tomato seedlings are in Tofino, not up the inlet. Just in case you were curious.)
And for those thinking of a winter garden (yes, you have to start thinking about it now), Linda Gilkeson's Year-Round Harvest: Winter Gardening on the Coast says that your leeks should be started indoors by now.
Here are a couple more planting charts, from Mother Earth News. Here's what they suggest for the Pacific Northwest for March and April.
What do you have seeded indoors or in the garden? Curious wet coast minds want to know.
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