During the 24 hours prior to our tour, over 60 ml of rain had fallen and the garden vegetation was true to its namesake—all looking very lush! The dramatic sky, the energy from the adjacent weekly Farmers Market, and the great attendance by interested folks made for a very enjoyable experience for like-minded folks. Staff and volunteers on hand provided some excellent information about the gardens and how they are managed. Information on how to make ‘Weed Tea’ was shared—experiments using this nutrient-rich tea on garlic grown over the past two years has shown a noticeable improvement in crop quality.
This garden serves as a hub for local food security, education and community-building. The focus is on permaculture, regenerative agriculture and food growing education. This garden hosts several youth and senior programs for community members. Work parties in the Tsolum Garden happen every Monday from 10 to noon from March through October. Everyone is welcome; no experience or equipment is required and they are always looking for volunteers (see: https://lushvalley.org/about/opportunities/ ). Many other programs are offered through LUSH and can be viewed on its website.
Many thanks to Adrial and Maggy for hosting our club and for being so passionate about this very important and beloved community organization.
