by Donna Balzer | Sep 8, 2017 | Food, VIDEOS
I grew several kinds of potatoes this year and today – when it was too late to cook and taste and test them all side by side I decided to do a big dig and partial taste test. I say partial because we have already eaten all the Russian Norkatah and totally forgot about the Linzer Delicatus and tiny Russian Bananas growing in a different area under a tree. Love those root pouches but if you get lazy and don’t water them the plants might die prematurely. Mine did.PS Check out the photo of the bright pink rare and new on the market AmaRosa potato shared by my daughter. I did not grow that one yet!
by Donna Balzer | Sep 2, 2017 | GARDENING, THE LATEST
Do you want to write your own book, record your own hits and misses, track your own milestones? Then the Gardeners Gratitude Journal is for you. We are adding Gardening Good News stories, timely tips and helpful quotes but leaving plenty of space so you can record your own garden memories.
by Donna Balzer | Aug 17, 2017 | Garden Decoration, GARDENING, Landscaping Tips, VIDEOS
GWA members were in Buffalo, New York last week to see the gardens and learn the trade. Here are some images from my trip to Buffalo including glass flowers
by Donna Balzer | Aug 17, 2017 | ARTICLES, GARDENING
Yes I said I was getting a new puppy and no, I didn’t say I was getting a gardening puppy. I was looking for a rodent-catching pet. I know most people would consider a cat a better choice but I have a problem with cats killing birds so I wanted a dog.
In upcoming news our Lagotto has been booked into her first event. The Errington Mushroom Festival on October 15, 2017 is a chance for interested wild food collectors to find out what mushrooms grow in the Coombs/Errington area. This year there will be a talk about Lagottos and Corle will be there showcasing the breed. Not because she is good at truffle hunting or anything but she is a willing participant and that’s all you can expect from a puppy.
by Donna | Aug 2, 2017 | Food, GARDENING, VIDEOS
If you love raspberries and want even more fruit then do as I say, not as I do! This year moisture is in short supply for our fruit trees and berries. I use to have an irrigation system on my raspberry patch at my new-to-me old house in Qualicum Beach. We even installed a big seven foot –tall structure to stop the tall plants from flopping over. But last year we tore apart the old irrigation system because it was so leaky and out of date and wasteful. Note to self: that was a mistake.
by Donna Balzer | Jun 13, 2017 | Food, GARDENING, VIDEOS
Strawberries grown commercially are planted on soil that has been sprayed to sterilize it. Then the soil is covered with plastic so the fruit doesn’t rot before it can be picked. Is there a simpler way to grow clean mineralized fruit at home without the mess and jumble of a big home patch or the chemicals used in a commercial patch? Donna shows her small flood-tray system with root pouches inspired by Saskatchewn-based “Over the HIll Orchards” farmer Dean Kreutzer
