How Does My Garden Grow

With this beautiful balmy weather we are having it is hard to resist the call of the great outdoors and the little voice in my head that says 'go buy plants'. Lucky us, we have the Wild Rose Garden Centre on Gabriola Island. They literally have all our gardening needs - plants, pots, tools, seeds, fencing, soil, fertilizer and great advice - everything a gardener needs! So off I went to buy bedding plants, there was such a good selection that it was hard to choose. Lobelia, alyssum, dahlias, geraniums, everbearing strawberries - the list goes on, but that's enough for now. I rush home and lovingly pop my treasures into pots, these little gems will be decorating my patio with colorful blooms and juicy berries all summer long!

Easy Exploration

Spring is a wonderful time to explore Vancouver Island. The weather is balmy and you avoid the crowds of summer. Approximately an hour drive up island from the Gabriola ferry is Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park. It is adjacent to the Horne Lake Regional Park Campground. To get to the caves you cross a river via a suspension bridge. About a kilometer up the trail are the lower caves that are open to everyone. The upper larger caves are locked and you can only go in on the guided tours. We stuck to the two lower caves which were very interesting and fun to climb around in. We were with friends who camped with us at the lake. The weather was beautiful, the company was great and the experience was memorable - plus, we pretty well had the place to ourselves!

Time Out

Two girls, cousins, meeting for steamed milk at the Artworks coffee bar after vigorous exercise on their playround.

Snake Fence

A common sight on the islands is the split rail fence, it is sensible, easy to assemble and has a certain romance about it. The base ingredient is a small diameter cedar log. The tools, an axe and wedge. Split rails are a great way to utilize the small cedar trees that are removed when developing a property or clearing for a garden, the large cedars are better used for custom milled siding, trims, exposed beams and decking. Assembly can be as simple as just stacking, or more sturdy versions are spiked together. Low fences can enchance gardens and define areas, six foot high fences can keep animals in and deer out. Any way you do it they are very attractive and enchance the rural lifestyle we so enjoy!

Horne Lake Adventure

Lured by the prospect of a couple of sunny days and a break in our work schedule my husband and I headed to Horne Lake, located about an hour north of Nanaimo, for a two day campout. The last time we visited this lake was 25 years ago and it is still the beautiful clear green tinted gem that we remember. The Regional District campground was immaculate with nicely spaced beachfront sites. The adjacent Horne Lake Caves park offers exceptional caving, with or without guides, and the network of logging roads offer miles of hiking opportunity. Best off all are the beaches and crystal clear river swimming holes. I am looking forward to a repeat visit in the heat of the summer, with kids and grandkids in tow!

Daffodil Days

This exceptional grouping of daffodils is located at the Folklife Village Shopping Center. Every spring there are small patches of yellow at the sides of the road all over Gabriola. The roadside bulbs were planted over a dozen years ago as a result of a community wide initiative, purchased from the cancer society by assorted groups and businesses and planted by volunteers. They are one of the many examples of the community spirit that enriches our lives.

Farming in Paradise

The Hope Center preschool had a field trip today at Paradise Island Farm. The main attraction was the alpacas, dozens of them. The children were each given a cup of sweet feed and allowed to feed the alpacas, chickens and baby goats. Afterwards they went to the farm gift shop and saw how to spin alpaca wool into yarn - beautiful, soft and silky yarn! Each child got to pick a hand made alpaca wool finger puppet for their own. Then back across the street to the school for snacks.