By Isabella Falsetti and Angela Hoy
This week at the Riley Park Community Garden, volunteers planted potatoes and peas, dug up pesky weeds, and harvested bean tips and herbs.
Alex, our Riley Park Garden Coordinator, introduced a bog planter with water-loving plants to the garden to provide a source of water for pollinators and other wildlife. These resilient water-loving plants include pitcher plants and Labrador tea (a type of native rhododendron) and can withstand temperatures as cold as –40˚C.
Volunteers prepared garden beds to plant some transitional spring crops: potatoes and peas.
They also helped remove fireweed, a native plant that blocks the growth of pollinator flora, from the perimeter of the garden. Fun fact: it’s edible and can be used to make syrup and jelly!
At the end of the work party, volunteers trimmed the tips off of broad beans (also known as fava beans) so they don’t attract black flies. These are also edible and can be sautéed with butter and garlic.
Another highlight in the garden this week is the emergence of red columbine, a native plant species not commonly seen in Vancouver gardens that helps foster native insect species. The pink blossoms are Nootka rose, another native species which also plays host to pollinators.
That’s all for this week. Check back next Wednesday for more!
