Sprouts – Garden-Inspired Holiday Crafts

Editor’s Note: Happy Friday. Today, Kendra Quince discovers holiday ideas in her garden. It’s that time of year when getting out into the dirt is kind of a drag. Not much planting or pruning going on. But, kids always seem to know how to make dirt and the garden fun any time of year. Here [...]

Sprouts – Discovering A Garden

Editor’s Note: This morning we have local garden enthusiast Kendra Quince discovering the treasures within her new garden and giving us a helping hand with identifying unknown plants and flowers. Here she is:
Well, I have to admit, I’m not sure where to start. This new garden is throwing me off. Suddenly my yard is twice [...]

SPROUTS – Goodbye Garden

Editor’s Note: Happy Friday. This morning we have gardening goddess Kendra Quince taking us through the steps of moving a garden from one home to another. Here she is:

Every year at this time, I begin to feel a little sad. Pulling out the plants and harvesting what remains of the garden reminds me that cooler [...]

SPROUTS – Getting The Most Out of Tomatoes

What’s growing in the garden? Some tasty treats to eat, bake, blend, and freeze!
Toe-may-toe. Toe-mah-toe. Yummy yum yum.
Now that Summer’s in full swing and my tomatoes are nearly 2 meters into the sky, each day brings me closer to harvesting these glorious red goodies! So far we have had about 15 grape tomatoes to snack [...]

SPROUTS – Family Greenhouse

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Thinking local food today is all about date night. Get on the horn to grandma or the babysitter and plan for a great evening of local food at Bisque, Anderton Bistro-Pub, The Great Escape (I am so in the mood for Indian food) or Locals-Food From the Heart of the Island [...]

SPROUTS – Get the Low Down on Good Garden Bugs

Editor’s Note: I am loving all of this time in the garden this time of year. My mother-in-law might wonder “What time in the garden is she talking about? I never see her in the backyard.” It’s true. It seems that most of my time is spent out at the Comox Valley Regional District Compost [...]

SPROUTS – Creating a Kids Garden

Another sunny day. Everyone loves it when warm days blow in. With all this good weather I can finally tackle the weeds that have been meandering in my garden beds and deadhead a few of the plants that escaped me in the Fall.

It is so refreshing to be outside for hours these days – with [...]

SPROUTS – Early Spring Kid Gardening Fun

Brrr, it’s chilly.
On those afternoons when the bright sun makes it tolerable, I stroll aimlessly around my garden with hopeful ideas of planting.
My daughter and I sample a bite from a patch of oregano as it pokes its head out of one of my veggie gardens.  In the front yard we marvel over little yellow [...]

SPROUTS – Plan Your Family Garden

I’m getting excited! The odd peek at sunshine and warmer afternoons means Spring is on its way!
I may have a few months to go before I can even plant outside, but I can already taste the sweet harvest… that means its time for me and the kids to start planning our family garden
After [...]

Winter Nutrition From The Grocery “Garden”

Another new year! But with the remnants of snow it is hardly a time to be gardening. So I thought we’d take a look at a few common foods available at the grocery “garden!”
Typically the new year ushers in new year’s resolutions, and eating healthier is a common goals after the onslaught of Christmas [...]

A Garden Full of Family Holiday Creations

With Christmas just around the corner I am starting to scramble…
WHAT am I going to get everyone this year? Ideally, each year my children and I will create a beautiful, crafty tree ornament. Two years ago we made playdoh angels. Last year is a bit of a blur.
Now it is that time again… But coming [...]

Create A Winter Wonderland In The Garden

It’s true – Winter is on its way. These warmer days and sunny mornings aren’t fooling me. When I open the door my breath fogs out in a misty veil around me and the grass actually crunches underneath my feet.
It’s getting colder and it’s about time I get outside to tend to my garden. If [...]

Putting The Garden to Sleep

So, here we are with the cooler nights and still the hot sun during the day. Ah, Fall.
Time to harvest the rewards after a long season of gardening. Seems a shame to put the garden to bed with the weather we’ve been having, but alas it must be done before we are caught off guard [...]

Kid-Friendly Garden Parties

Rain, rain go away….
But, on the other hand, a cooler day makes it easier to get out into that garden to investigate.
Suddenly treasures are popping up everywhere! One by one our tomatoes are turning red, the peas are plump and sweet.
Then, we find something new in the garden – a gnome hiding in the tomatillos… [...]

Time to Cool Off with Peppermint Tea

Editor’s Note:
I know, I know. Wednesday is food day.
But, in honour of the birth of Sprouts writer Kendra Quince’s baby boy, and the fact that some cool minty tea sounds perfect during this very steamy week, we bring you Sprouts, the foodie version.
Congratulations Kendra and family.
Time for some leisurely back porch sitting with a glass [...]

The Path to Edible Plants

Editor’s Note:
The relationship between me and gardening is a little too green for me to think that sharing my experiences with you are something useful, although they may be mildly entertaining in a Ben Stiller embarrassing sort of way.
But, I am not without hope that gardening will grow on me, and the tiny person.
Thankfully, there [...]