Native Plants Presentation April 13, 2019

On Saturday, April 13^th, the Tahsis Community Garden Society welcomed biologist Todd Carnahan to Tahsis.  

That afternoon, Todd did a walk-around at our community garden with eight garden members.  Under the shelter of large umbrellas, we discussed invasive species (blackberries), food sources (poplar trees!), the importance of recognising our unique and rich environment, soil erosion as it relates to salmon habitat, and wildlife interactions.  

At the evening presentation ‘Gardening with Native Plants’, Todd’s knowledge, humour and suggestions were very well received by all those in attendance.  Todd shared many outstanding photographs including photos of the edible Camas lily, Oregan grape and the four varieties of wild crab apples – some of which may be found around our Leiner Estuary.   To view Todd’s photos, visit his website Todd Carnahan Photography.  

It was interesting to hear how the indigenous peoples harvested, nurtured and preserved edible plants for untold generations; a matriarchal passing of knowledge.   Living in an area rich in natural resources from the land and sea, natives had a very different way of cultivating food than the European practices with which we are more familiar. 

Participants learned that the bumble bee is superior to the honey bee in terms of pollination, and that the top three plants for pollinators are lavender, rhododendron and white clover.  Heather provides good, early season blooms for bees, and beneficial flowers of asters and goldenrod make a stunning colour presentation of blue and gold.

The topic of invasive plants was touched upon, with examples such as broom and the evil tansy ragwort.  Todd suggested a visit to the Invasive Species Council of BC website, https://bcinvasives.ca/ as a great resource about invasive species, and best practices for dealing with them.  

Of special note, Todd brought with him a very old nautical chart of Kyuquot Sound.  He presented it as a gift to the Tahsis Heritage Society, who were exceptionally pleased.  To end his visit to Tahsis, Heritage Society directors Maureen Roth and Judy Burgess gave Todd and his companion a private tour of the museum on Sunday.  When the Tahsis Museum re-opens this summer, be sure to stop in to view this chart from 1863.  

We are very grateful to Todd Carnahan for making this trip up to Tahsis, and offer sincere thanks to the Tahsis Literacy Society for funding the event, to the Tahsis Seniors Centre for making their facilities available, to the volunteers of the Tahsis Community Garden Society who organized the event, and to the villagers of Tahsis who came out on a blustery Spring night to attend the presentation.  

Thanks all, and happy gardening.

January Updates

Welcome new members, Lynn Mohr, Janet St. Denis and Chuck St. Denis. 

Ten members attended the January General Meeting and the minutes have been emailed.  

Of note - there are 2 garden related conferences coming up.  The first is the National Farm to School Conference, May 15-17 in Victoria.  This one is on the island, so no ferries!  If you are interested or know of someone who might be, please share the link with them.  

The second conference is presented by the BC Council of Garden Clubs, of which we have been a member since the garden's inception.  BCCGC is offering a free Visioning Workshop in Surrey on February 23rd. If you happen to be on the mainland, this will be a great learning opportunity.   

We still need a volunteer to manage the Mason Bees.  This is a simple chore and ideal for someone not able to do heavier work, like blackberry slaying.  A job description has been provided by email to all members.  

Thanks and Happy Gardening! 

And we have a Winner!

Congratulations to Doreen Towle who won the mason bee house and garden whimsy raffle. Thank you to Catherine and Lynda for manning the TCGS table at the Spring Bazaar. 

We had a lot  of people support our local fundraising garlic bed by signing up for purchase of garlic when it is ready to be harvested. This money will help with the ongoing maintenance and expansion costs of the Tahsis Community Garden. 

Thank you to everyone that supported our raffle and looking forward to our harvest of Local Organic Garlic for those who signed up. 


If you missed the sign up sheet  at the bazaar please call Kim Anderson 250 934 6465 or any of our executives or garden members to add your name to the list and we will contact you when it is ready. It will also be available at the Local.

All the big beds are taken but there are some tabletop beds still available.  Can’t wait to see what everyone is growing this year!

Cheers,
Kimberley Anderson
TCGS President

PAC Spring Bazaar! Sat May 5, 11 - 2 pm

The Tahsis Community Garden Society is raffling off 

a skookum mason bee house 

kindly donated by Kim Anderson. 

Second Mason bee house

At a farmers' market in Port Alberni, I found this Mason bee house for a ridiculously good price. Have put it up on the wishing well. Not sure if Mason bees return to their original house to lay eggs or if some will use this one. If not this year, maybe next. 

Free! 100,000,000 Seeds

Bring Back the Bees!  Honey Nut Cheerios continues its work on creating a bee friendly world by offering free Vesey's wildflower seeds to Canadians.  Get a packet of free wildflower seeds in the mail, click on the link to learn more.  

Mason Bee Update

Today was the final stage for the Mason bees life cycle. I took the larvae out of the hive and washed off the light cement-like covering. The directions warned there may be mites but there were none in sight. They are now drying before I put them into boxes and store them in the refrigerator crisper until spring blossoms appear. 

We had purchased 30 bees and those bees produced 56 larvae. No idea how many will hatch in the spring. 

Blooming Bee Balm

Hot dry weather and winds, the bee balm has blossomed. 

The herb bed as backdrop to Kim's plot, with corn, squash and a plethora of peas

Bee on Bee Balm

Bee balm with tarragon. 

Mason Bee Update

I went to the garden this morning and found a most exciting thing. I went to the hive to check how many cocoons were still there and two holes were filled with what looks like cement. They have started laying eggs for next year. Nice to know some are alive and continuing on.

Mason Bees

As of Wednesday, April 20, half of the mason bees have left the hive. I heard one buzzing in the holly tree above me.

Busy Bees Buzzing around the garden

Today's work party was very productive, I won't try to name each contributing member, there were so many people out and about, having fun and working together on several key projects. 

More weedwacking was done, the place is looking very tidy!

Weeding weeding weeding, this is Traci working on her paths.

Tearing up and starting with an empty space for our decorative rock garden bed under our holly tree,

shown here where Gareth and Sophia are checking out a handful of worms. 

A few welcome splashes of colour and art have been added to our garden

A temporary yet functional solution to our soft gravel dilemma that was plaguing our gardeners who use motorized wheelchairs or scooters - salvaged plywood with donated shingles for traction

Erv came and redistributed several loads of fill that is now in the right spot for assembling our 2nd garden shed, boy that is better than using wheelbarrows, for sure!

Our gorgeous sign handpainted by artist and gardener Traci is now proudly displayed

on one of our garden gates

We received several heirloom tomato plants and broccoli from a local garden enthusiast, thanks to Liz B!  After the peek inside your own personal greenhouse and garden, I will be coming to you for lots of advice!

Alisa and Sophia enjoy a cuddle by the fire

The Farm to School bed is thriving, even though we need more sun!

The fire was tended and we got rid of a good amount of our burn pile, the hosereel was inspected and we know what parts we need, The Howell kids made a fairy house just for fun, and countless other activities were going on all around.

We had a very special visit from 2 slug killers, Buttercup and Dudley.

They went right to work and left for home with full bellies.

We are all absolutely charmed by these ducks, who started their lives in the incubator in Mrs. S's Kindergarten to grade 3 room. 

HUGE THANK YOUS to everyone who comes out and works so hard on our wonderful, peaceful blossoming garden.  This group inspires true community spirit.