Workshops

In horticulture, ‘organic’ refers to elements within a natural system; products and soil amendments are derived only from plants, animals or minerals. When gardening organically, we consider the impact of our actions on the soil, water and air quality, and on the health of the earth. A successful organic system improves life, both above and below ground.

Sustainable gardening practices allow you to have a positive impact on the environment. One of the essential ways to do this is to protect and enrich the single most important element of your garden, the soil. A complex ecosystem lives within your garden soil, which is filled with a multitude of beneficial microorganisms that help prevent diseases, release mineral nutrients, help plants withstand insect attacks, and create the loose soil structure that crops need to thrive.

In Organic Gardening 1 and 2 we discussed organic gardening theories, garden planning, composting, and methods covering many aspects of garden care. Now that we’re at the end of our growing season we will look at specific tasks which can be carried out late into the fall and early in the spring which will lead to continuing good health and ever-increasing productivity in our gardens over the coming years.

Think of winter food and your mind conjures up images of thick vegetable soups and steaming stews. When the days are colder you need the warmth provided by these types of meals where everything is cooked in one pan, so no nutrients are lost, and warming spices are added to increase metabolic rate and send heat round the body. explains why grains and legumes, many of which are common allergens, often do not cause allergies when sprouted.

The soil contains a seedbed of many millions of seeds which germinate only when the conditions are right to do so for that particular seed, and this includes what we would term as ‘weeds’. Many so called weeds are considered valuable plants when they appear in the right places, so it’s also a matter of perspective.

Today, as home gardeners and cooks rediscover the joys of preserving, we often must confront a gap in cultural knowledge. Instead of turning to a parent or grandparent for advice, we refer to government publications, bookstores and online sources. With the many modern and traditional forms of food preservation available, we will want to base our choices of preservation on maximizing retention of flavour, nutritional content and avoiding formation of toxins in the food.Think of your pantry or cold cellar as a close cousin to the outdoor cold frame or unheated greenhouse: a simple, low- cost technology that can help you prolong the garden year and make the most of it.

This handout offers some interesting information about the various animals which can be kept in an urban or suburban environment as well as a good number of references for more in-depth study of each animal. It includes animals you’d expect to find in a banyard as well as the wilder ones, such as honey bees and bats, all of which can contribute to sustainable food production on a very small scale. If you’re considering keeping animals for companionship or their usefulness in your home or garden environment or for production of meat, milk, eggs and fur it’s very important to do your homework! On the back page is an overview of the bylaws and regulations concerning the keeping of animals in our area.

With growing populations and dwindling areas of natural vegetation, the use of wild resources must be viewed as a privilege, rather than a right. Many populations of wild edible and medicinal plants have disappeared as a result of uncontrolled harvesting, especially in densely populated areas. However, many common plants, in the wild and in fields or in roadsides closer to home, can be gathered without threatening natural ecosystems. Gathering wild plants simply requires common sense and respect for the environment. There isn’t enough space on this sheet to include plant identifications, so be sure to have a good field guide for plants in the area you’ll be exploring.

The whole idea of home canning is a little intimidating for many people. You might be surprised to discover that it is easier than you think. The canning process involves placing foods in jars or similar containers and heating them to a temperature that destroys micro-organisms that cause food to spoil. During this heating process air is driven out of the jar and as it cools a vacuum seal is formed. This vacuum seal prevents air from getting back into the product bringing with it contaminating micro-organisms.

Here in British Columbia, Malus domestica certainly needs no introduction. In fact, mature apple trees flourish in many Fernie backyards and most of us grew up with apple trees in our neighbourhoods.
Apple Drying, Apple Freezing, Apple Juicing, Apple Pureeing, Apple Baking, Apple Canning, Apple Storing.