March 17

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Use crushed egg shells around perennials and vegetables. This can avoid any use of slug repellent powder (chemical) - and your soil will love it.

First we should only "green" what we absolutely need for our personal use and enjoyment of barbeques, sunning, picnics etc. All too often developers remove every tree from the lots leaving few remnants of nature. Some municipalities have created Bylaws for the Protection of Trees greater than a select diameter. An example of responsible "xerascaping" can seen here at the Ravensong swimming pool and community centre in Qualicum Beach that was implemented to serve as an example of what xerascaping can look like to the residents. This was done in conjunction with the local Native Indian Band who helped design it and they even built an storage area to display a canoe that they have created as a symbol of their respect for nature . . . hence the name "Ravensong" for the swimming pool . . . see: http://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms.asp?wpID=1054 This was done during 1995 when you mentioned the word xerascape and everyone looked at you wondering what you had been smoking and what are those "indigenous" plants/weeds were anyways. This love of nature has continued today where a group was formed to provide indigenous plants/seeds/plants/bulbs/cuttings and training to those who want to make a difference, see: http://www.plantexplorers.com/twiningvine/articles.php/tPath/10 , Kim Recalma daughter of the chief of the Qualicum Indian band has continued this "vision" and shared it with others. Planting for the bees, song birds, butterflies, and humming birds can be more beautiful and alive than the plants themselves. These gardens can be vibrant with colours providing a home for our insects and nature. Another thought . . . do we need large lots? When I first moved here I bought a house on a 33' wide lot and it was easier to cut my grass with a weed eater and scissors than my lawn mower . . .!!! I greened only around a play area for the kids . . . the rest was planted with indigineous plants, veggies, fruit trees feeding with my compost and solid and liquid organic fertilizers from International Biorecovery Inc. who currently process the food organics from our cafeterias at Edmonds and Dunsmuir. From Organic fertilizers to healthier and more plentiful organics for a healthier me and more nutrious soil amendments or our organics. Do we need such big houses . . . seems that we design them to keep the kids from under foot . . . who ever heard of family rooms, playrooms when I was growing up? We had a livingroom where we all sat and had good times. Dates me doesn't it. All just food for thought Discovery Towne in Walnut Grove was my home for my family and I and we had that very small lot but a community park where friends and neighbours would meet and play, have picnics, throw a ball for the kids or dog . . . another example was/is Cloverdale Station in Surrey . . . have a look . . . Discovery Towne was very reminiscent to homes/stores in Barkerville . . . then new units being built on Glover Road in Fort Langely on the Fraser River will have a mix of residential up and businesses down . . . they way we used to live only no "snow" doors on the upper levels. Enough just wanted to share . . . speaking of food . . . it is lunch time . . . ciao

Gardens with sustainability atributes
Beauty is in teh eye of the beholder and sustainable gardens can subscribe to just about any aesthetic from wild to formal. The key aspects include:
-Provide songbird and butterfly habitat - bird habitat has been seen as a proxy for biodiversity in urban settings in a number of studies;
-Create gardens that use little energy in the form of mowing or chemicals;
-Create gardens that are water-wise;
-Use your garden as a composting venue to reduce your household waste flows;
-Use recycled objects in your garden; and
-Grow food in your garden.

Mulch keeps water in during summer months and prevents good soil from running off during the rainy season.

Plant for birds, butterflies and bees.

Instead of using insecticides plant more veggies than you need so that if pests get some there will still be lots leftover.

Plant the right plant in the right place. Provide healthy nutrient-rich soil using compost. Use plants that attract beneficial insects(lavender,Rudbeckia, Buddleja etc) Hire a gardener who uses organic methods and humanpowered tools.
Happy Gardening!

My wife and I have a public vegetable, fruit, berry, and flower garden along the Arbutus 66Kv line. Every year I go a crop of peas, some raspberries and now some blues and a pumpkin or two along our garden fence next to the public pathway.

Its amazing but we never get to harvest those west side peas or berries. But I know we harvest a lot smiles, a little vilianry, and bushel of yums from the early morning and noon day strollers when no one else is looking. Every one from teens to grandmothers craze my "outside the fence" garden.

Its amazing how much public support my wife and I get for our "public garden". Now thats beautiful and politicly sustainable.

Plant crops between others that will act as a natural repellent for pests. For example, insects attracted to bell pepper plants are repelled by basil. So plant some basil between your pepper plants, alleviating the use of pesticides and keeping your both crops healthy.
Native plants will also attract beautiful wildlife and won't hinder the surrounding environment.

Believe it or not, plants too are male and female. Where possible, select female plants to cut down on wind-blown pollen. Allergic and asthmatic individuals in your community will be thankful!

Some suggestions: - no chemical pesticides and herbicides - compost your kitchen and garden waste - plant native species that can handle the climate - plant food crops - don't plant trees that will grow big near powerlines - avoid gasoline powered garden tools