Yearly Archives: 2011

 

Fruit Tree Project strikes again

I spent a fruitful morning yesterday with a dozen teens from the CISV Peace Bus out at Island View Beach on my first pick of the year for the Fruit Tree Project. As part of their cross-Canada tour, the teens … Continue reading

Comments Off on Fruit Tree Project strikes again
 
 

Heirloom schmeirloom

The LA Times has a good article on heirloom fruits and vegetables. The word “heirloom” is one that’s widely abused, but one that’s also treasured by many farmers and gardeners in these days of hybrids and genetic engineering. There is … Continue reading

Comments Off on Heirloom schmeirloom
 
 

Farm tour: salad greens and looong greenhouses

The COG-VI tour this month was to 30-acre Kildara Farms, organic since 1994 and run by Brian and Daphne Hughes. They started off with an apple orchard; went into strawberries but tired of feeding the deer, and are now supplying … Continue reading

Comments Off on Farm tour: salad greens and looong greenhouses
 
 

Home on the farm, with apples and blackberries

I’ve been enjoying my afternoons on the farm stand. People drift in and browse the offerings. Mostly they buy something. Sometimes they ask questions: do we sell pea shoots? How do you cook fava beans? What do you do with … Continue reading

Comments Off on Home on the farm, with apples and blackberries
 
 

Time of the stinking rose

It’s all about the garlic just now. Harvests are in. Those who haven’t experienced devastating losses due to excess moisture and rot are crowing about the enormous healthy bulbs that are popping up at farm stands all over Vancouver Island. … Continue reading

Comments Off on Time of the stinking rose