Growing flowers, vegetables, and ideas one season at a time.
A little about this place
This is a working home garden in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia — part vegetable plot, part flower bed, part ongoing experiment with whatever the coast throws at it that season. Wet winters, warm dry summers, and a growing season generous enough to forgive most mistakes. I share what actually works here, not just what's supposed to.
Around the Garden
Six spaces, six sets of lessons learned. Pick one to wander through.
Perennial borders and pollinator-friendly beds that bloom from March crocuses through October dahlias.
Read MoreRow upon row of what actually thrives in our short, warm summer window — and what to skip.
Read MoreApples, plums, and pears chosen for wet-spring disease resistance, plus a small berry patch.
Read MoreHow raised beds solve our heavy, slow-draining valley soil — and the build I'd repeat.
Read MoreA small unheated greenhouse that stretches the season on both ends without much fuss.
Read MorePacific Northwest Growing
Our climate runs on two seasons more than four: the long wet stretch and the long dry one. Here's what that means bed by bed.
From the Journal
Our winters here are more mud than frost. Here is how I get the raised beds ready without compacting soggy soil.
Read MoreShort-season and blight-resistant varieties that have earned a permanent spot in the vegetable garden.
Read MoreMason bees are out and working weeks before honeybees show up, which matters when your plum tree blooms early.
Read MoreA Peek Around
A few favourites from the beds, the borders, and whoever happened to be visiting that day.
Practical & Quick
Two long soaks a week beat daily sprinkles — it trains roots to go deep before our dry July arrives.
A 5-7cm layer keeps our heavy soil from crusting over in summer and suppresses winter weeds.
A few native flowering shrubs nearby make a measurable difference to fruit set.
Our wet springs mean soil temperature is a better transplant signal than the date on the packet.