The TELL-3C cohort of teacher candidates visits the Orchard Garden

The tents, buckets and sit pads on our soggy Friday

 On a cold, rainy Friday last week, the UBC TELL-3C (Teaching English Language Learners) cohort of
elementary and middle years teacher candidates visited the Orchard Garden, with their instructors Michelle Blown and George Whitehead. The weather didn't dampen our spirits! We had an introduction to the garden (and each other), a garden tour, an introduction to Hemachandra/ Fibonacci numbers and Fib poetry and to the idea of sit spots. Then everyone found a sit spot that called to them, and gave attention to their sensory observations from their chosen spot -- and wrote a Hemachandra/ Fib poem. Back under the tents, we shared the poems as a group. Finally, the TELL-3C group planted their generous gift to the garden of four berry plants. Long may they and we grow, learn and find joy in the out-of-doors in our school gardens! 

Another gift that the class gave to the Orchard Garden: their lovely photos and reflections on the day, that you can read here. Thanks again to Michelle, George and everyone in the cohort for your inspiring and thoughtful work!

Spring Approaches in the Orchard Garden

Wowww a lot has happened in the garden since my last post. Here's an attempt to get caught up on what's growing on now that it's starting to feel like spring outside...

The garlic we planted in October is doing amazing!! There's still lots of growing to do before harvest time is here but I'm already looking for ways to use the scapes. The fava beans are also coming up, they're not thriving as well as the garlic but they should pull through. We also planted a whack of tulip bulbs in the fall that are popping up all over the place!

We had a visit from the TELL-3C teacher candidate class last week and they gifted us with two currant and blueberry bushes that we planted together. It was a cold and rainy day, but spirits were high and it's great to have some more berry bushes in the food forest!

Spring planting began last week with corn salad (a super cool leafy green that has nothing to do with corn), and today I seeded the first of our indoor starts in our new greenhouse tent! It may be small but it's very cozy in there and so great to have a greenhouse right on site. We currently have two trays of lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, and some back-up beans in case the favas don't make it. Tray seeding can be tedious, but I find it very relaxing :)

There's lots of work to do in the next few months as it warms up and everything starts GROWING, so I'm very glad to have such an awesome team of volunteers helping out in the garden. I couldn't do it without them! 

Recently: corn salad bed prep, greenhouse seeding, red elderberry leaf flush, and baby garlic 🧄

Wassailing Apple (and Pear) Trees with the Tiddley Cove Morris Dancers

 This past weekend we held our second Saturday workshop of 2026. We were joined by members of the Tiddley Cove Morris team, who taught and demonstrated Morris songs and dances before leading us in a procession through the garden to "wassail" the apple trees, wishing them good health and an abundant harvest. We hung tags on the trees with encouraging wishes and I wanted to share some of the thoughtful messages that were written! 

Our second 2026 workshop: Wassailing the apple trees, with guests Tiddley Cove Morris Dancers & Musicians!