AT this time of the year it's a little hard to get inspired to think about gardening and even those sublime vistas in the garden aren't that sublime after you've looked at them from the window a hundred times since the beginning of winter.
I've looked through so many seed catalogues, gardening books and through so many of those glossy and oh-so-perfect images of great gardens from the Internet that I can't stand it anymore, even if it's a temporary winter condition.
If you are like me and you need some inspiration to help you rekindle your passion for gardening the only solution I can recommend is to get out there and get some hands-on interaction. Beyond regular garden club meetings and some volunteer events at community gardens, there is definitely a lack of worthwhile gardening events at this time of the year.
Here are some ideas to help you find some inspiration to grow your garden.
The first suggestion is to attend Dirt! The Movie on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Kay Meek Centre Studio Theater. The movie is sponsored by the North Shore Recycling Program's most excellent GardenSmart initiative. The movie is intended to help us rethink food and waste by telling the story of Earth's most valuable and under-appreciated resource - dirt, or soil as I prefer to call it. Dirt! The Movie discusses issues of how soil recycles water, provides food and shelter and can be used as a source of medicine, beauty and culture. From fertility, to its miraculous beginning, to the vibrant and lifegiving organisms that inhabit soil and make it a valuable resource, to the crippling degradation and loss of soil worldwide, this movie may open your eyes and inspire you. Admission is free. For more information email Karen Morton at: [email protected].
If sitting still is not your thing you can always be a tourist in your own town and visit many of the local gardens that are part of horticultural heritage of the North Shore. First and foremost in my heart is the Park & Tilford Gardens located at 333 Brooksbank Ave. in North Vancouver. Since leaving the garden several years back, my relationship with the garden has been on and off. Even a walk through the garden with Mayor Mussatto could not convince me that the new owners and the onsite manager comprehend the asset they are responsible for or that they were up to the challenge of recovering from the debilitating actions of the previous garden manager. But all is not lost. The Friends of Park & Tilford Gardens are still diligently working to keep the gardens thriving and they are always looking for new members. And there remains a fine inventory of large rare trees and rhododendrons, heritage architecture and several areas that still retain an inspiring sense of place.
There are also many local municipally managed gardens to visit for inspiration. Even if these gardens may not be at their best during winter, there's always inspiration to be found. Of noteworthy mention and worth a visit, even though it's a little neglected, is the Chiba Garden located in the 200-block of West Esplanade, at Waterfront Park, beside the marine training institute. Completed in 1986, this traditional Japanese garden was designed to commemorate the friendship between the City of North Vancouver and its Japanese sister city Chiba. The garden's design is comprised of two streams originating from one source, representing the friendship between these two cities. Perhaps the city could allocate a few more resources to improve Chiba so we are not embarrassed when our Sister City friends come to visit.
There are also several community gardens across the Shore to visit and learn from and community gardeners are some of the friendliest gardeners around. Visit the Lower Lonsdale Community Garden located at the corner of the 200-block East Second Street and St. Georges Avenue. Visit the Argyle Avenue Community Gardens located at 1460 Argyle Avenue and 1534 Argyle Avenue. Visit the Lillooet Park Community Garden located at the corner of Old Lillooet Road and Lillooet Road. And there's also the Loutet Urban Farm at 14th Street and Rufus Ave.
For something different and international try visiting the Northwest Flower and Garden Show at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Feb. 8-12. This is the premier garden show in our region. I have visited several times over the years and the show never fails to inspire. This year's show includes six acres of show gardens, 120 learning seminars to educate and inspire, a play garden for kids, new products in the marketplace, music performances, small space gardening inspirations and much more. The show's producers have developed several travel and accommodation packages specifically for Canadians. For more information visit www. gardenshow.com. Don't forget to take your camera!
Todd Major is a journeyman horticulturist, garden designer, writer, consultant and organic advocate. For advice contact him at [email protected]
