gardening

This image provided by the USDA Agricultural Research Service shows a closeup of a mosquito on human skin. (USDA Agricultural Research Service via AP)

How to take your garden and yard back from the mosquitoes

Eliminating these biting pests from your yard will not adversely affect the ecosystem

 

Sahasi Erven’s Ukraine flower flag project is shown under the sun at Beacon Hill Park on Friday (July 22). Erven hopes to move all or part of the flag to Butchart Gardens or a location in Langford and has also sent an original song of his to a national TV channel in Ukraine. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Vancouver Island man keeps flower flag alive with message for Ukraine

Greater Victoria resident Sahasi Erven looks to give garden new life

 

Flowers bloom in a garden bed outside Government House. The residence is noted for the gardens on its grounds. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island’s Government House gardens recognized in national list

Listed as one of the 100 Garden Moments in Canada as part of celebrations for the Year of the Garden

 

Russell Nursery in North Saanich is celebrating its 30th year in business. Co-owner Laurel Rassenti is preparing for blossoming gardeners when the weather gets a little warmer. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)

Weather slows early Vancouver Island gardening season but boom expected

Warmer weather will bring the green thumbs out of hibernation, businesses predict

Russell Nursery in North Saanich is celebrating its 30th year in business. Co-owner Laurel Rassenti is preparing for blossoming gardeners when the weather gets a little warmer. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)
Dozens of rhododendrons on display at the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society’s ‘Rhododendron Show’ in 2017. Some were part of the judged flower show, while others were for sale from various vendors. (Linda Derkach photo)

Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society revives two annual spring events for 2022

Show and Sale goes April 23; Mother’s Day Garden Tour starts May 7

Dozens of rhododendrons on display at the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society’s ‘Rhododendron Show’ in 2017. Some were part of the judged flower show, while others were for sale from various vendors. (Linda Derkach photo)
Mayor Ed Mayne proclaimed 2022 as Year of the Garden in City of Parksville, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Black Press file photo)

Mayor proclaims 2022 Year of the Garden in the City of Parksville

Milner Gardens offers information for area residents

Mayor Ed Mayne proclaimed 2022 as Year of the Garden in City of Parksville, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (Black Press file photo)
The Year of the Garden is set to launch on March 20. (Michael Briones photo)

Webpage being created in celebration of ‘Year of the Garden’ in 2022

Milner Gardens and Woodland invites groups to ‘Live the Garden Life’

The Year of the Garden is set to launch on March 20. (Michael Briones photo)
Flowers

Slow flowers

Growing sustainability in the floral industry

  • Mar 14, 2022
Flowers
(Black Press Media file photo)

Parksville city council endorses 2022 as the ‘Year of the Garden’

Motion includes backing of ‘minimal mowing’ during the month of May

(Black Press Media file photo)
(PQB News photo)

Parksville Coun. Teresa Patterson looks to declare 2022 as ‘Year of the Garden’

Councillor provided a notice of motion during latest council meeting

(PQB News photo)
A raffle bucket at the Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday’s last annual event, held on Feb. 1, 2020 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. (PQB News file photo)

Popular annual Seedy Saturday event in Qualicum Beach cancelled for 2022

More memberships needed for next planned event in 2023

A raffle bucket at the Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday’s last annual event, held on Feb. 1, 2020 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. (PQB News file photo)
The Town of Qualicum Beach wants to take part in recognizing 2022 as the Year of the Garden. (Michael Briones photo)

Qualicum Beach Coun. Westbroek wants town to celebrate Year of the Garden in 2022

Council approves motion for staff to look into participation

The Town of Qualicum Beach wants to take part in recognizing 2022 as the Year of the Garden. (Michael Briones photo)
Butchart Gardens - Handout

Creating the Japanese Garden

A place to think, meditate and be at peace

  • Aug 11, 2021
Butchart Gardens - Handout
Potatoes have two genetic centre of origins, one from the lowlands in Chile and the other from the highlands in Bolivia. The highlands potatoes flower and produce fruit profusely, which is where the seeds come from. They contribute to exciting and ecologically imporant genetic diversity of potatoes. (Submitted/Fiona Hamersley Chambers)

Vancouver Island farmer shares secret for inventing a new potato

Using seeds anyone can name their own variety

Potatoes have two genetic centre of origins, one from the lowlands in Chile and the other from the highlands in Bolivia. The highlands potatoes flower and produce fruit profusely, which is where the seeds come from. They contribute to exciting and ecologically imporant genetic diversity of potatoes. (Submitted/Fiona Hamersley Chambers)
A native-to-B.C. wild queen bee (bombus melanopygus for those in the know) feeds on a periwinkle flower. (Submitted/Sarah Johnson, Native Bee Society of BC)

B.C.’s wild bees need messy gardens to survive

The year-long nesting period makes habitat a primary concern for wild bees

A native-to-B.C. wild queen bee (bombus melanopygus for those in the know) feeds on a periwinkle flower. (Submitted/Sarah Johnson, Native Bee Society of BC)
B.C. beekeepers will face extra supply challenges this year thanks to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. bee supply threatened this year by wasps, COVID

No, bees aren’t getting COVID, it’s the supply chain that’s been disrupted

B.C. beekeepers will face extra supply challenges this year thanks to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gordon Cyr and his family run Bee Canadian have been raising mason bees for 20 years and provide homeowners across the Island with pollinators every spring. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island company rents out 135,000 mason bees despite the impacts of COVID-19

Bee Canadian delivers pollinators to renters in pandemic-friendly fashion

Gordon Cyr and his family run Bee Canadian have been raising mason bees for 20 years and provide homeowners across the Island with pollinators every spring. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gardeners are preparing for the second spring during COVID-19. Business is already picking up at some Greater Victoria nurseries, including Elk Lake Garden Centre. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Vancouver Island garden centres preparing for busy season

Businesses stocking up after last year’s COVID-19 pandemic gardening explosion

  • Mar 24, 2021
Gardeners are preparing for the second spring during COVID-19. Business is already picking up at some Greater Victoria nurseries, including Elk Lake Garden Centre. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Dorothee Kieser, president of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association and a volunteer at Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach (Submitted photo)

PQBeat: Timely tips from Dorothee Kieser of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association

Podcast: It’s never too late to develop a green thumb

Dorothee Kieser, president of the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association and a volunteer at Milner Gardens and Woodland in Qualicum Beach (Submitted photo)
A new West Coast Seeds pollinator mix of cosmos pays tribute to Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Submitted photo/ We Are The Northern)

New blend by West Coast Seeds to bloom in Dr. Bonnie Henry’s name

Cosmo blend designed to attract bees, and marketed with tagline ‘Bee Calm, Bee Kind, Bee Safe’

A new West Coast Seeds pollinator mix of cosmos pays tribute to Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Submitted photo/ We Are The Northern)