Newsletter one - Beginnings
Welcome to my first newsletter!
With the gardening season in full swing here in Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia), most often the days don’t seem near long enough to get done all the work that needs doing in our short growing season. But remember — summer is still young! That means there is still lots of time to be planning and planting perennial and forest gardens.
At the same time, it seems that only last week the trees broke leaf bud, when suddenly blossoms have already happened and fruit and nuts are beginning to set. With the intensity of such a short growing season, gardening ‘efficiently’ — achieving abundant yields of high quality food and plant medicines, relative to input of labour, time and money — is imperative!
Over the many years I have been gardening I have come to understand that underpinning any hope for a successful garden — no matter where and what the size — begins with building a healthy relationship to the soil. Over these same years, I have tried many techniques and practices for taking of my soil - and I am happy to share what I have learned, and continue to learn.
I will also introduce you to many of the trees, shrubs and plants that I work with — most of which I offer for sale through farmers markets and pop-up tree boutiques.
( *** Please consult my event calendar at the end of each newsletter to find out what markets I plan to attend, and other special events in the planning).
I am excited to be growing the many wonderful perennial botanicals I offer for sale through Grandmother Birch Forest Garden Designs. I am equally passionate to be planting many of them here on this beautiful homestead farm near Mabou, which I share with my life-partner Jenece Gerber.
Getting to watch a tree grow from a seed I planted is one of the greatest thrills of my life. I have been blessed to have experienced this thrill over and over again for the past five decades. I am honoured to be sharing some of the thrill of this adventure with you!
Calendar of events for June 26th - July 31st, 2022
Sunday June 26th - Mabou Farmers Market
Saturday July 2nd - Baddeck Community Market
Sunday July 10th - Mabou Farmers Market
Sunday July 24th - Mabou Farmers Market
Saturday July 30th - Baddeck Farmers Market