Organic. Itβs a loaded word, isnβt it? Probably to some of you, it means very little, like free-range, grass fed, or natural, just a marketing tactic. To others, such as organic farmers and gardeners like myself, it means everything! Itβs the intention to do the best for the earth, to work within the ecosystem, and to leave the land better than where it started. There are 4 principles that organic growing is based on, which I think offer guidance on how to make your garden organic.
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Add some environmentally conscious practices to your gardenerβs toolbelt for a more sustainable future.
1. Build your soil. The soil is the foundation of the garden. Use organic fertilizer, worm castings, compost, and plant cover crops, whether in the field or in balcony containers.
2. Use seed starting options that are either compostable or are built to last. Soil blockers are a worthwhile investment as they can be used repeatedly to create perfect soil blocks to start seeds. Or opt for compostable pots or a potmaker to create our own!
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Whether you are a gardening newbie with a single pot on your deck, have a sweet back-yard plot, or are a certified organic farmer with acres of growing space, these eco-gardening essentials will benefit your garden, and the environment.
At Elk Root Conservationβs Educational Demonstration Farm (ERC) in Vallican, BC we believe that local food security and protecting the planet go hand-in-hand. We are a certified organic demonstration farm, orchard and apiary that goes βbeyondβ the certified organic standard, creating thriving farm ecosystems. The certified organic standard is fantastic which is why we certified the entire ERC demonstration farm. However, at ERC we love to geek out, applying outside-the-box approaches to find even better ways to support our environment while feeding the future of all our diverse community members be they winged, web-footed, finned, or human alike!
Continue ReadingThe Cerebral Palsy Alberta is a registered non-profit organization that supports people affected by disabilities in the province of Alberta. The CPAA is a visionary organization who has been serving Albertans since its inception in 1976. We are committed to...
Continue ReadingSundance Commons, an agricultural non-profit dedicated to supporting new and aspiring farmers in southwestern Ontario. Here's an article that speaks a bit about our work, "Making it Happen: Accessible and Sustainable Agriculture with Sundance Commons." We operate at four farm...
Continue ReadingThe Okanagan Master Gardeners are a Chapter in the British Columbia Master Gardeners Association of British Columbia. We believe in the sharing the knowledge of sustainable gardening practices, especially in an age of uncertain weather conditions. We actively run gardening...
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Curious about creating a garden that's both abundant and resilient? Embracing permaculture principles might just be the answer.
Permaculture is a holistic approach to landscape design that works with patterns found in nature to create thriving and resilient living systems.
At its foundation, permaculture is based on 12 principles that can help guide gardeners on their journey to creating abundant and resilient gardens. For example, the first principle βObserve and Interactβ encourages us to first look at the natural patterns that exist on a landscape; the predominant winds, how the water flows, where the sun and shade are at different times of the year, the greater patterns of the watershed, the community around us, the bioregion. How can we work with these patterns to make gardening in these spaces more successful?
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One of the biggest gardening trends gaining traction recently is the use of βedimentalsβ (a portmanteau of edible and ornamental). These multitasking plants serve as both food crops and aesthetic garden design elements.
Edibles can be used in a very similar manner as traditional ornamentals. You can design your beds, borders and containers by considering the characteristics of a crop. You have a seemingly endless variety of colour, size and texture options when selecting seeds.
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This week (March 16-22, 2025) is Horticultural Therapy (HT) Week. As a Registered Horticultural Therapist and Brand Ambassador for West Coast Seeds, I wanted to raise awareness of HT this week, share some insights into my work, and highlight the powerful impact HT can have on individuals, using seeds as a perfect example.
Horticultural therapy is an evidence-based practice that offers unique insights into promoting mental, physical, and overall well-being. For comprehensive definitions and more information on horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture, I encourage you to explore the resources provided by the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association.
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Nestled in the heart of the City of Kawartha Lakes, an area of Ontario that draws awe with over 250 shimmering lakes, is a community farm spearheading a movement towards food security. Edwin Binneyβs Community Farm & Education Centre is a 3.5-acre urban farm in Lindsay, ON. Created in 2019 by the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes, Fleming College, and Crayola Canada, this collaboration has resulted in over 70,000lbs of fresh produce donated to community support agencies. It also functions as an outdoor classroom, science lab, meeting location, and offers sensory exploration for those looking for a taste of nature.
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Every year I see people posting about and offering free surplus in boxes on the corner from their gardens. Which is always so great to see, crop sharing is another tradition very worthy of preservation. But my first thought is always, β don't you need that produce after the harvest is over??β. It leads me to believe a lot of us have yet to make the connection that a garden isn't simply to bolster your supply during the growing months, what we grow can in fact feed us year round if we take the time to sock some away.
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Nettle has a rich history of gifting seasonal bounty to the human paying attention.
Nettle's story is woven into this Coast Salish place where I tend and witness plants, as well as to my own and othersβ ancestral lands across Northern Europe and throughout Asia.
Stinging nettles are a culture connector.
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For the last 9 years, I have grown a container garden in the 400 sf patio of my rental apartment in Vancouver. This month I was met with a βFor Saleβ land assembly sign advertising my buildingβs demolition to make way for a high-rise. Those 400 sf now seem so precious.
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We've all had sticker shock at the grocery store in the past couple of years with the meteoric rise of food prices. And if you're trying to make healthy choices with a produce-forward shopping basket, that price tag is even more shocking!
Continue ReadingTheΒ Alex Community Food Centre (Alex CFC)Β is a community space within in one of Calgaryβs most diverse neighbourhoods where residents gather to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food. When people come the Centre, they are greeted in a dignified and welcoming setting. They become actively involved in tackling food insecurity by sharing meals, accessing resources, participating in programs, sharing their talents, advocating for systems change and growing nutrient-dense food together.
Continue ReadingMore than 80% of our crops require pollination, yet the challenges and threats from habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and disease make it difficult for pollinators to do their job. Thousands of bee, butterfly, moth, fly, and other pollinating species native to Canada tirelessly work to provide food, medicines, and healthy landscapes by supporting water filtration, carbon sequestration, and soil health.
Continue ReadingThe Heart Lake Community Garden is a volunteer-driven initiative now in its seventh year, situated on the grounds of Heart Lake United Church in Brampton, Ontario.Β In 2024, the garden produced nearly 1,000 pounds of fresh herbs and vegetables, which...
Continue ReadingI started experimenting with natural dyes several years ago because I wanted to dye my own yarns for knitting and weaving. I quickly learnt that natural dyes could come from plants, insects, tree bark, mushrooms, and even snails!
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Q: Hi Scott! Can you share a little about the history of these areas at the botanical garden where the lawn alternatives were planted and the reason behind wanting to plant these products here?
I sowed the Alternative Lawn Blend mix in a strip in our parking lot. In previous years, the base soil was extremely compacted β perhaps from heavy vehicles as well as lots of foot traffic from thousands of visitors. The ground had never been aerated. Later, a layer of soil was put on top, which I donβt think was the best solution for wildflowers. I wanted to put an alternative lawn here to show the public what it might be like to have even a small patch of these flowers in their yards. For many visitors, the parking lot is the first thing they see, and the space is very hot and sunny. I always like to see pollinators visiting flowers, and this was a perfect area to trial.
Continue ReadingPlanting biologically diverse hedgerows is one of the best ways to improve biodiversity on farmland.Β Hedgerows, which are made up of rows of trees and shrubs planted along field margins,Β provide habitat, forage and nesting sites for a variety of wildlife, especially migrating and wintering birds.Β They also provide habitat for wild pollinators and beneficial insects which can benefit crop production by enhancing crop pollination and reducing pressure from crop pests. Additionally, hedgerows add carbon to the soil and act as windbreaks to reduce soil erosion and mitigate wind damage to crops.Β
Continue ReadingYouβve probably been a βhomesteaderβ for many years and didnβt even know it. Homesteading isnβt about where you live, itβs not about having rural acreage or βliving off gridβ, at its simplest, homesteading is about living your values through your everyday choices and activities. One of the best things about homesteading is there is no universal definition, anyone can homestead anywhere.
Continue ReadingOilfields High School, nestled in the heart of Diamond Valley, Alberta, is more than just a schoolβit's a hub of innovation and sustainability for a small town with a population of 5,341 (as of 2021). In a region celebrated for...
Continue ReadingI farm flowers in a Zone 3 climate, where our growing season is short and intensive, and to extend the beauty into the fall and winter, we dry thousands of stems. While dried flowers may call to mind images of dusty arrangements adorning your grandparentβs house, I assure you β they are making a comeback. This isnβt only because they can be truly spectacular when done right, theyβre also the most sustainable way to preserve flowers in the starkest and coldest of months.Β
Continue ReadingI joined the team of West Coast Seeds in December of 2023 as the Product Manager with the goal of creating a comprehensive assortment of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds that addresses the needs and desires of our diverse community of growers.
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