On Protection Island, near Nanaimo, BC, my visit continued with my friend acting as tour guide. Here is a community garden where residents can maintain a raised bed or contribute in other ways to the island’s garden project.
Can you see the glimpse of ocean through the trees? Now imagine that fresh sea air warmed by the sun. The garden is surrounded by trees that keep the humidity hovering over the fruit and vegetables grown here.
Two special things got my attention:
- The potato plants in the two boxes at the front of the picture. In the ample loose soil in those boxes, the roots of the plants are able to produce more potatoes.
- The huge cage to the left is like a bird cage in reverse. It it meant to keep the birds out and the raspberries and strawberries in. What a great idea! So much better than netting that can tangle the birds’ feet.
The garden is well looked after and is producing abundantly already. Outside the garden is a “Help Yourself” table where gardeners can share produce. Sometimes a person can only eat so many tomatoes or whatever vegetable has suddenly become prolific. It’s great to share.
June 5, 2017 at 6:45 pm
I can see that lots of love goes into this garden, even the grass is nicely manicured. ❤️
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June 5, 2017 at 6:51 pm
It was very well kept up.
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June 5, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Great 🙂
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June 5, 2017 at 6:51 pm
I got all inspired to hurry home and weed my messy garden.
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June 5, 2017 at 7:25 pm
That’s a great looking garden spot and garden!
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June 5, 2017 at 7:33 pm
It was almost like being in a greenhouse. You could feel the veggies growing.
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June 5, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Such a beautifully manicured garden. I love how well organized it is. Oh, and just to be a stickler, Protection Island is actually a part of the City of Nanaimo, supplied by city water, cable TV and other services. It is a lovely spot and I could easily be convinced to retire there. Peace, serenity, solitude and apparently very fertile soil and beautiful gardens. 🙂 Love the photo.
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June 5, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Thanks for that info, Sonja. I wondered about the water and all those services. It really is a pretty spot. A quiet lifestyle. I like that.
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June 6, 2017 at 2:11 am
What a fantastic garden! Thanks for sharing, Anneli.
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June 6, 2017 at 7:27 am
It really was wonderful to see. The warmth and humidity were perfect and you could almost hear the lettuce growing.
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June 6, 2017 at 7:05 am
A perfect photo and it makes me want to put together a delightful salad immediately!
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June 6, 2017 at 7:27 am
Definitely organic!
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June 6, 2017 at 7:06 am
I love this garden, so well organized and healthy looking!
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June 6, 2017 at 7:25 am
Made me rush out to do some more weeding on my own garden!
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June 6, 2017 at 8:01 am
Thanks. I leave for Europe tomorrow morning and will be gone for 3 weeks. I just wanted to give you a heads up as I will not be answering my email on a regular basis.
Lynne
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June 6, 2017 at 9:02 am
Oh dear. I thought you were already gone. Have fun.
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June 7, 2017 at 5:03 pm
It sounds wonderful. There’s a similar garden close to where I live in the downtown area. For those with no backyards it’s a great idea.
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June 7, 2017 at 5:31 pm
I would love to see more of these gardens in urban areas.
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June 10, 2017 at 9:39 am
I love community gardens . This one seems really well kept!
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June 10, 2017 at 9:44 am
It was beautiful. Made me want to get my hands in there.
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June 21, 2017 at 8:37 pm
I love the concept of a community garden. There is one about a fifteen minute walk from my home and I love to take my dog for a walk there where I can admire what’s growing in the gardens.:)
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June 21, 2017 at 10:45 pm
I agree that they’re a great idea!
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July 4, 2017 at 2:32 pm
What a great community garden! The way you mentioned the fenced in, “caged” berries was a good reminder that some forms of protecting our food, may hurt the creatures just trying to get a meal (by using netting).
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July 4, 2017 at 6:46 pm
I have only a small strawberry patch and I have netting over it, but I check it every day, and every time I walk past the garden. I don’t want to be hurting any little birds.
A cage would be way better though.
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August 7, 2017 at 4:04 pm
How lovely is that! What a great idea. I’d love to score a spot in a community garden one day- for now I just have my own veggie garden out back. PS I love Protection Island in BC 🙂 Amazing.
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August 7, 2017 at 8:41 pm
It really is a beautiful place.
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