About The Garden
A Creative and Viable Small Farm
The Garden is a three-acre farm located on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. The mediterranean-like climate allows us to grow an exotic variety of plants.
One acre is dedicated primarily to food producing perennials and two acres is a natural forest.
Experiments with sustainable growing techniques and emerging technologies are carried out at a scale that is transferable to other small farms, both urban and rural.
Rainwater catchment provides 100% of the horticultural requirements.
Farm and kitchen waste fuels an automated 'family scale' anaerobic digester. It produces biogas for cooking, distilling essential oils, and fertilizer for the farm.
A wood gasifier/hydronic system provides heat for cold winter days in the greenhouse.
PV solar provides energy, also during power outages.
Maximum efficiency in the greenhouse is maintained with the use of thermal mass and energy curtains.
Butter lettuce and basil was produced for the wholesale market in the greenhouse from 1994 to 2018. The transition to Sub-tropical fruit production began in 2014 and was completed in 2019. Crops are grown using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and regenerative agriculture practices.
The Garden has been a featured farm for the annual Rainwater Harvesting Tour, The Salt Spring Eco-Living and Home Tour, Salt Spring Farm Tour and the Transition Society's Community Energy Conference.
Articles:
The National Observer https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/03/18/news/jane-squiers-unlikely-salt-spring-empire-citrus
Saltine https://www.saltine.ca/stories/the-garden-jane-squier
Growers Talk Magazine https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=24745
Harrowsmith Magazine https://www.harrowsmithmag.com/7326/one-of-a-kind-hydroponic-greenhouses
Vancouver Island Edibles https://m.facebook.com/TheGardenSSI/posts/834865293618725
Videos:
Curtis Stone https://fromthefield.farm/jane-squire-tropical-fruit-in-a-cold-climate/
BC Farms & Food https://bcfarmsandfood.com/low-carbon-citrus-greenhouse-canada/
Podcasts:
Field Guide to Eating in Canada - Episode 9 https://www.audible.ca/pd/Field-Guide-to-Eating-in-Canada-Podcast/B0924GFR55
Harrowsmith Radio https://harrowsmithmag.libsyn.com/episode-two-the-lemons-below-the-stars-above
From The Field Curtis Stone https://soundcloud.com/curtis-stone-805294109/111519-jane-squier-the-garden-salt-spring-island
Donna Balsor https://donnabalzer.com/episode-3-canadian-citrus-growing-tips-from-a-northern-gardener/
Jane Squier operates the farm with part-time help.