When Kris and Shane Carlson moved to Powell River in November 2011, they were concentrating on purchasing a house and were not so focused on the yard.
At the ground-floor condo where they lived in Vancouver, Shane had a garden created for Kris as an engagement gift, instead of a ring.
“I knew she loved to plant flowers, but that was the extent of our gardening,” he said.
Kris liked to go to nurseries and bring home various flowering plants for their garden and enjoyed watching them grow.
“Our lifestyle completely changed moving from Vancouver,” said Shane, who was returning to his hometown.
For a housewarming gift, they received a pruning session from a local landscaper.
“I had no idea what trees we had in our yard, although our realtor did identify raspberry bushes,” said Kris. “I walked around with the landscaper, with a piece of paper and a pencil, creating a map of the trees and what type they were.”
Turns out there were three plum trees, two cherry trees, and one apple, fig and nectarine tree. And, indeed, those were raspberry canes, right beside rhubarb plants.
The couple also acquired ever-bearing strawberry plants that keep producing most of the spring and summer months.
They are kept busy with the ripening process beginning with strawberries in May, then raspberries in June, followed by blueberries and cherries in July, figs and apples in August and plums in September. Unfortunately, the nectarine tree has never produced more than seven or eight of the fruit and will be removed this year.
“We eat a lot fresh cherries and can lots of jars,” explained Kris, adding that last year was the biggest crop they have had. They also consume fresh raspberries and Gravenstein apples right off the tree.
“I love to eat figs off the tree as well, “said Shane, “but there is no way we can keep up without preserving fruit or freezing it, making applesauce and apple butter, as well as raspberry jam.
It’s satisfying to give some away as well.”
Two raised garden beds were located close to their Wildwood house when they moved in. Because the site was not good for growing, after the first year they installed two 16 by four-foot beds near the back of their property. Then they constructed a six square foot bed and added a second one the same size last year.
“No more trips to wine country during the summer,” said Kris. “Our garden keeps us close to home during growing season.”
A small compost area was in the back corner of the yard when they bought the house. Now there is a large gated compost area in the other corner. Composting starts in the kitchen with a Bokashi fermenting system, then moves to the outside. Every year, there is fresh compost to add to the gardens.
When Kris and Shane returned home from a cruise several years ago, they found an old shed had been converted into a greenhouse by Shane’s parents. Transparent panels installed on the roof and removing part of the siding let light in through plastic. Cucumbers and tomatoes like the growing conditions, as do peppers that are planted in large pots.
“Our best birthday present ever,” said Kris, whose birthday is just five days before her husband’s.
Shane uses the vegetables and fruits in many ways: juicing, meal preparation and baking. He and Kris bought a canner and a freezer so they have fruits and vegetables available throughout the year.
“We make good use of everything we grow,” explained Shane.
That includes peas, parsnips, carrots, kale, lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, garlic, broccoli and asparagus. He creates salads, baked goods, stir fry and juice, and uses pulp for muffins.
“I like to experiment, trying different recipes, through cooking and baking,” said Shane, “so the more ingredients I can grow myself, the better. I like knowing where my food comes from.”
Cookbooks are now read as frequently, if not more so, than novels.
Shane grew up with a garden in his family yard. A picky eater at the time, he would only consume vegetables raw, carrots and peas served in their shells. And he would eat cooked corn on the cob.
Kris did not have a vegetable garden at home growing up but her grandparents did garden.
“Mostly flowers though,” she said.
It was not until they moved to Powell River that the couple became interested in growing their own garden produce and taking care of the fruit trees in their yard.
“It literally has changed the way we eat,” said Shane, “and we are both healthier as a result.”
