An open letter to Mayor and Council
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
1w ago
Since last year I have been thinking about our water access in our dear City. Every year is hotter and drier, and our water restrictions last longer. Our water reservoir last year was at an all-time low, and with people using too much water, the reservoir was not able to replenish itself. My concern is for constant new developments proposed around and within our City, but our water access remains unchanged. My concern is that we will continue to live in Stage 3 water restrictions, and perhaps one day we won’t even be allowed to water our gardens to feed our families (while car-washes remain op ..read more
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Feat. Bri from @urbangardeningcanada
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
1y ago
The reason I enjoy social media so much is because of the community I have found there, both in gardening and all other things sustainability. I have found people who are willing to share ideas, help each other, and also be vulnerable in sharing their challenges. One of my favourite accounts to follow is Urban Gardening Canada on IG. Not only is this a Canadian gardener with a plethora of gardening experience and knowledge, but she’s also a funny, down-to-earth, incredibly kind human who also happens to love cats as much as I do. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting her this year, as we now ..read more
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Wildlife battles in the garden
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
1y ago
This is an ongoing fight in the garden – are you going to get to your kale first, or are the aphids? Something has dug up a plant. There is mysterious skat on the garden path. Why has your dog not alerted you sooner? Wildlife battles can include everything from bears to fungus and beyond. A few days ago I had to pull ALL of my dill plants because they were so infested with a bug that it had curled and was drooping from the weight. A week before that, a buck got into my FENCED yard and ripped the tops of my strawberries. Last year I had a long battle with a mouse family in my compost bin. My pe ..read more
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Spring weather and planting
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
1y ago
This spring has been particularly rainy and mild – and I’m ALL for it (because #gingerproblems). It certainly will help with our wildfire season as well. However, it has sure thrown us, the gardeners, for a loop! Rushing to cover plants, continuing our exercise regime of moving transplants indoors and outdoors, waiting to plant the more sensitive crops, and observing slow growth in new plants. I have really enjoyed not having to water new seeds as often because we have had consistent rain. But I have noticed a big difference in growth, and I’m not even finished with all of my planting! Of cour ..read more
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It’s official: I published a book!
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
2y ago
It is nearly impossible to keep your values and passions out of the other parts of your life. In fact, whatever work you do, you will be so much more energized if you include your passions and what you care about. For example, in my teaching career I have been able to weave in my environmental and writing passions through projects, poetry units, field trips, and performances. In my non-profit work, I have been able to weave in my passion for teaching by involving local schools. And in my parenting, everything comes together at once, especially when we are exploring and adventuring outside. And ..read more
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Look for the… Tare Necessities!
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
2y ago
Who else did a long-awaited happy dance when Tare Necessities opened its doors on Baker Street? I sure did! While I appreciated having other local options, the most convenient and best addition is having a refillery right here in Cranbrook. So, let’s get to it. If you have never shopped at a refill type of store, it is very easy to learn, and Tammy and Mark are the kind of people who just want to help, so go on and ask. Bring your reusable bags or containers to the store, weigh them and note the tare (the weight that will be subtracted off the price) on your containers, and happy shopping! You ..read more
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Is it spring yet? Yes!
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
2y ago
Happy first day of spring! It’s my favourite season because plants and trees are like quiet companions we didn’t know we had. So many people have talked about the positive effect that plants of all kinds have on their mental health; that gardening is therapeutic, and sometimes “gardening saved my life”. My favourite spring time flowers are snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils. I love watching the tree buds swell on the trees, and digging in my thawed out compost. The last weeks of winter can be tough, sometimes even months. Many people feel the gloomy and downright heavy feels of winter, so when ..read more
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Seed starting: containers
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
2y ago
My grandparents always kept everything they had ever accumulated. Growing up in war times it makes perfect sense to do that. Because I grew up in different times, I never understood why they held on to old things, why they didn’t just get new ones. But I very much get it now (because I am wiser…ha!). I like using what I already have, and in any way I can achieve that, I will. I don’t want to spend money on trays and pots and soil, so I try and make do or make my own. Purchasing soil in plastic bags at the store is such a strange concept; “I’m going to the store to buy soil!” You can make excel ..read more
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Garden prep in February
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
2y ago
Is your garden still covered in snow? Ground still too frozen for a shovel? Compost too solid to turn? Me too! But there are still things you can work on: 1. map your space: draw out a map of your garden space and decide what you will plant where. Most plants require plenty of light, some need protection from wind, so plan accordingly. Your space may look different every year until you find a really good spot. Fun idea: some people name different beds or areas of their garden… like The Shire, for example. 2. prune your trees: as long as leaves haven’t started to grow, you can prune your trees ..read more
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1000 hours outside
The Zero Journey
by Nadine
2y ago
Do you value spending time outside? Do you go out every day? Depending on our lifestyles and location, it may actually be difficult to incorporate the outdoors into our daily life. I have valued spending time outside all my life because my parents and grandparents valued spending time outside. Where we lived in Germany was also an ideal place for kids to be outside: small neighbourhoods, quiet streets, close to forests and nature conservation land, and close to farms and ranch land (if you can imagine “ranch land” in Germany). It was like fairytale woodlands. Minus the wolves. We biked to scho ..read more
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