With live demonstrations and plenty of explanation, expert gardener Ken Bourne gave a presentation on enriching soil and organic gardening for the Age-Friendly Society of the South Cariboo on May 24.
While the cold winds kept the activities indoors, Bourne displayed his hefty gardening experience in teaching gardeners how to gain higher yields no matter what the space people have.
Participants were particularly interested in his use of biochar and “compost tea” a liquid compost mixture that doesn’t require uplifting soil to add to the plants.
“I came just to learn more about the local gardening aspect,” says Dale McIsaac, who attended the event. “With a man of that experience, you can always pick up something.”
Bourne has 50 years of gardening experience across the world.
Since an ill-fated attempt to use chemicals to increase his yield that resulted in a loss of customers due to the taste of said vegetables, Bourne has gardened organically.
“I hope [participants] took away something; that the food they are eating is malnutritious and the food they could grow themselves could be full of nutrition and it should be.”
Organizer Lea Smirfitt, executive director of the Age-Friendly Society, says the events they put on are an attempt to bring young and old together.
“It’s about making our communities more accessible. Often times we think of 55 plus, but we also think of young moms with babies in strollers,” she says.
“Having things that are interesting that bring people together.”
Chelsea Trill was one such young mom, who brought her baby Cypress to the event.
She moved to the Cariboo to raise her family in a sustainable way.
“I came today because I wanted to learn more about organic sustainable gardening. How can I keep my garden healthy? How can I grow food year after year?” she says.
“I’m going home with a whole tonne of knowledge.”
