Thursday, 30 March 2023
Saturday Workshop: Building a Thermal Compost
Monday, 13 March 2023
UBC Landscape Architecture Masters students on an Ecopoetry Walk to the Orchard Garden
Here, with the students' permission, are some of the beautiful, deeply thoughtful and contemplative photos and poems (linked here -- please check them out!) that emerged as part of our workshop.
Bravo to these wonderful new Landscape Architects, and looking forward to many further collaborations!
t
Thursday, 9 March 2023
Early March Orchard Garden Workshop - Pruning, Starting Seedlings, and Growing Plants from Food Scraps
Despite snow on the ground and unseasonably cool weather, we met in the Orchard garden last Saturday to prepare for new spring growth. Daniel generously shared his expertise on pruning fruit trees. He guided us through pruning the apple, pear, and plum trees that border the garden.
In the greenhouse, we were met by two resident felines, Charlie and friend, who were happy to have our company on a quiet Saturday morning. Chris led us in starting indoor seedlings (including lettuces, mustard greens, and pak choi) that will be transplanted outside to the Orchard Garden in the next few months.
The incredible method of growing plants from food scraps stimulated our discussions as well. Examples that I had started in my Scarfe office window of pak choi at one week and then again one month, along with beets, carrots, and lettuce - all grown from food plant ends and cuttings that would regularly be tossed out of the kitchen - inspired personal stories, conversation of food waste and security, and ideas for classroom winter gardening.
We are ready for spring!!
Tuesday, 28 February 2023
January Workshop - The Winter School Garden, Seed Exchange, and an Introduction to Chinese Traditions of Teas


Monday, 31 October 2022
The Orchard Garden in October 2022: Fall Colours, Final Harvest, and Late-Season Figs!
Visitors to the Orchard Garden in past Octobers would have been wise to gear up in raincoats and water-proof shoes. Not so this year, where the sweetness of summer lingered late, well past the middle of October. The crispness of these early autumn days was supercharged by the months-long drought that had hit British Columbia, which worked to extend the growing season, and defer the spectacle of leaf senescence. Vegetation remained mostly lush and green with a little help of some daily watering--as did the weeds!
Finally there came the rains, spelling the end of the drought, and ushering in the true hues and blues of fall. This transformation of the landscape is an invitation for us to likewise return inwards, regather our energies, and start planning for the following season. A small bounty of figs surprisingly ripened in the end of October, a delicious reminder of summer.
Friday, 7 October 2022
Student Visit from the Vancouver Summer Program
"It’s impressive how much effort they put into planning & constructing the garden! I appreciate the teaching about the background of the use of traditional herbs." -Audrey
Tuesday, 27 September 2022
Fall in the Garden
Welcome to Fall in the Orchard Garden
Saturday workshops throughout the 2022/2023 academic year and the Community Field Experience for the BEd students in May and June will be organized by Dr. Amanda Fritzlan while Dr. Susan Gerofsky is away on sabbatical travels.
You can contact Amanda regarding the workshops at amanda.fritzlan@ubc.ca