Organic Gardening News

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This is the most important gardening weekend across our country as we finally move into consistent warmer temperatures, which allow even most heat-loving plants to become established and grow successfully. From begonias to impatiens, from peppers to tomatoes, it is the beginning of a long growing season to both beautify our homes and gardens and supply our tables with fresh food well into fall.

Whether we use containers or garden beds, the most important factor in achieving success is our soil. There are so many different brands of growing blends out there today that it’s hard to determine the best ones for our specific needs.

For all our plants, both annual and vegetable, we use either Pro-Mix or Sun Gro Complete mixes. These are professional blends from Canadian companies, and they come in a wide range of sizes to suit individual needs. The largest compressed bales, at 3.8 cubic feet, are the best buy dollar-wise, because when opened and moistened, they will expand to between 7-7.5 cubic feet of planting medium. Both brands come in this traditional blend, as well as a more porous aggregate blend, which plants like portulaca and succulents require for better drainage. Pro-Mix also comes in a two cubic foot half-bale which is much easier to handle and still yields double the volume (about four cubic feet or 112 litres), when loosened.

Many vegetable garden beds are in raised beds now, so I would leave the soil in place, work it up well, add a little of one of the packaged soil blends, and some organic matter like Sea Soil or composted manure to enrich the soil. It’s been a rather wet winter and the addition of dolomite lime, at the rate of about 1.5 kg per 10 square meters of soil, will raise the pH levels so plants can more easily access all the available nutrients.

If we are to protect and preserve our soil and beneficial organisms, “no-till gardening” is the future of traditional in-ground garden plots. The idea is to work in as much organic matter as possible, to a depth of about six to eight inches (15-20cm), to keep soil more open and porous without having to rototill. Done well, the soil will have a far better growing texture, but it takes a little practice to get it right.

For colour to do well and last all summer, it’s very important to select plants that will perform best in the most appropriate spot in your particular gardening situation. Hot sun-lovers like petunias, geraniums, gazanias, zinnias, portulaca and SunPatiens, once acclimatized and planted in good soil, will perform splendidly all summer. Two important factors are thorough watering and the right amount of nutrient to ensure good vigour over the season. Adding organic matter to our soils dramatically increases moisture retention and slow-release fertilizers like Garden Pro 14-14-14 will feed all summer long for good results and minimal fuss.

I know it’s not always possible to use larger containers on decks and patios, but if you can manage a rectangular planter about two feet wide and deep and four feet long, it will be a very productive growing area. All your vining plants, like peas, beans, climbing tomatoes, and cucumbers can be grown vertically — up in the air for more sun and better air circulation. You’ll not only capitalize on space, but you’ll be also amazed at the quality and amount you will produce. Make sure the trellis is well secured before the first vegetables begin to form. The weight of a planter this size will be significant so may not be suitable for balconies, and windy days might challenge your trellis, but overall, they are a very good investment.

I think our food gardens could not only be more productive, but also, with some creativity, look far more attractive. I’ll never forget my visit, along with other garden communicators, to the New York Botanical Garden. Almost every garden bed had a pergola, trellis, or decorative archway loaded with edible food plants. Not only did it look great, but the increased production was truly significant.

The benefits are many: In our in-ground beds as well, getting our vining food plants up in the air will allow for greater production, faster ripening and fewer disease problems. The character these frames bring to our gardens is amazing and adding colour with the flowers of Scarlet Runner beans or the vibrant lime foliage of sweet potato vines adds a beautiful lift.

Today there are so many new varieties of vegetables, available in so many colours, it’s hard to make choices. The golden rule might be to stick with what you’ve been successful with in the past, and each year opt for a few new plants to trial in your own gardens.

Early Girl is still one of the best tomatoes for a tasty, early, mid-sized variety. Sun Gold, Sun Sugar, and Chocolate Sprinkles are by far the sweetest cherry tomatoes and are in a class by themselves. For the traditional larger varieties, Big Beef and Beefmaster are wonderful but if you like huge show-offs, Porterhouse is among the largest and tastiest.

For cucumbers, the Japanese burpless Tasty Green is the standard and Perseus is a delicious snack-sized (15 cm) version. Quick Snack or Mini Me are bite-sized, 10 cm, jewels.

In brassicas, the mini, bunching broccolis like Aspabroc and Artwork have now become the most asked for multi-headed varieties.

Although our younger generations of gardeners seem to love hot and super-hot peppers, sweet bell peppers remain the most popular in their wide range of colours from green, red, yellow and orange to purple and chocolate. They really colour up so many summer dishes!

Watermelon, especially the smaller Sugar Baby, early cantaloupe and honeydews will ripen nicely with our warmer summers.

There is still lots of time to seed, transplant, and grow a wide range of garden colour and food. This weekend is just the beginning of some wonderful, creative growing opportunities.

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Bare patches don’t stand a chance against these pretty blooms!

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Hydrangea, cosmos, iris and the prettiest-ever poppy stems just got added to Ikea’s already-awesome range of artificial blooms.

A 10,446-square-foot luxury home in Langley is among the winning entries from B.C. announced in Quebec earlier this month at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Awards for Housing Excellence .

Bravada Homes Ltd. won in three categories for Westcroft Estates, including Best Detached Custom Home Over 5,000 square feet, Best Bedroom/Primary Suite and Best Custom Kitchen. The Surrey builder shares the awards with Kayley Jane Design.

The French architecture-inspired exterior features intricate stonework, graceful arches, and dramatic rooflines. Grand living spaces, dual kitchens, and amenities — including a private gym, sauna, a theatre and billiards room — underscore the home’s blend of luxury, comfort and large-scale entertaining. Outdoors, a pool, hot and cold plunge, and covered lounge create a spa-like vibe.

The primary suite was designed to feel like a private retreat. It features vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, a spacious walk-in closet, and access to a covered deck overlooking the backyard. “The ensuite carries the same elevated feel with a large double shower and marble throughout,” says Bravada owner Brian Vankoughnett.

He points to a combination billiards lounge and home theatre as another standout feature. The space recently won a HAVAN Award for Best New or Renovated Space.

The billiards room features a custom bar, illuminated whiskey displays, a pool table, and folding doors that open onto the covered patio, outdoor dining area, and pool.

The large chef’s kitchen has a separate spice kitchen and pantry.

“The whole home was thoughtfully curated, with a lot of design details,” Vankoughnett said.

This year, 900 entries were submitted to CHBA in 49 categories. Entries were judged by nearly 300 industry professionals. Three awards are given for best overall performance.

Besides Bravada, BC-based winners include Jedan Brothers Custom Homes & Renovations Ltd., Coquitlam, and Hasler Homes Ltd. In North Vancouver.

Jedan Brothers won for Best Kitchen Renovation — $70,000 to $100,000.

Co-owner Dan Klassen says the company’s Alexander Home Remodel kitchen reno, in a Langley townhouse, stood out for the builder’s and designer’s willingness to push beyond standard design choices. This is epitomized by a rare, moulded island countertop “ogee edge,” characterized by an S-shaped curve that transitions from a concave to convex arch.

“This one is actually a double ogee edge counter,” Klassen says. “The countertop supplier who we’ve worked with for probably 15 years had to bring it in from Alberta because nobody’s using that edge anywhere. It’s kind of a one-off — in B.C., anyway.”

The project, featured on the Jedan Brothers website with a before-and-after slider, showcases a dramatic transformation anchored by rich wood tones, an arch with recessed niches, and wainscotting.

Klassen credits much of the project’s success to the collaboration between Jedan Brothers, designer Madeline Design Group and longtime cabinet maker Art’s Custom Woodcrafting of Abbotsford.

“They’re really, really good at detail,” he said. “There are fluted end panels on the island, they’re not just flat.”

Hasler’s Best Custom or Renovated Net Zero Home win was for a newly built custom home. Described as a “modern farmhouse” on the company’s website, its features include low-carbon concrete, an advanced building envelope and air-exchange system, and rooftop solar panels.

Hasler Homes Ltd. owner Greg Hasler says demand for Net Zero homes continues to grow as more homeowners look for energy-efficient designs that will remain relevant for years to come.

“The difference between Net Zero Ready and Net Zero is really putting solar panels on your roof,” Hasler said. “You have to produce energy to be able to be Net Zero.”

Hasler said the company has officially completed two Net Zero homes and is working on three more for 2027.

Competition in the category has intensified as more builders embrace high-performance construction.

“There’s a lot of good builders out there that are doing it,” he said. “So I was super excited to have won this one.”

Other CHBA BC-based winners were Vision Pacific Contracting Ltd., Whistler, Best Whole Home Renovation — over $800,000; Solterra Development Corp., Delta, for Best Mid- to High-Rise Building (Completed); Everton Ridge Homes Ltd., Vernon, for Best Detached Production Home Over 2,800 square feet; Whistler Builder, Whistler for Best Detached Custom Home 3,001 to 4,000 square feet; Bellamy Homes, Kelowna for Best Detached Custom Home 4,001 to 5,000 square feet; and 3rd Generation Homes, West Kelowna for Best Bathroom.

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