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
by Donna Balzer | Jun 13, 2017 | Bugs & Buggers
I was not sure Splenda would work to kill ants. I had naively tried all the other crazy things CBC listeners have pawned off on me over the years. Was this another dumb Donna moment? I had to find out.
by Donna Balzer | May 23, 2017 | Food, GARDENING, VIDEOS
A new short video about our latest Grow Food Calgary event. Just images but so well filmed. Thanks Chelsie Lees for all your work!
by Donna Balzer | May 15, 2017 | Soil
I was asked by Calgary CBC’s investigative reporter Allison Dempster to contribute to a CBC interview this week and I suggested she think about a few tough questions before she completed her interview. I am passing those tough questions along to my readers so that if you need to buy compost this weekend you can be more informed.
by Donna Balzer | Apr 17, 2017 | Food, GARDENING
My grandma didn’t understand English but she understood the language of the moon and she knew the best time to grow food was when the moon was growing so she seeded between the new moon and the full moon. As the moon grows bigger, the gravitational pull makes tides stronger and seeds sprout faster. You might already have some early seeds planted and sprouting but if you don’t it is just about that time.
by Donna Balzer | Mar 27, 2017 | Gadgets, Greenhouse, Soil
Biochar is an ancient product… It was used in the Amazon to create fabulous food gardens and sustainable soil. Today’s gardeners use biochar to draw CO2 from the air; ensure a steady release of minerals to plants in soil, supply a home for microbes and amend soils physically. Biochar can also modify pH and hold water in dry periods. Use it to top-dress greenhouse, outdoor beds and houseplants.
