The WestShore Centre for Learning and Training is helping residents get ready for the growing season with its annual plant sale this weekend.
As part of the second annual community garden plant sale fundraiser, students in the sustainable resources class at the Colwood campus will be selling a variety of vegetable starts including more than 25 varieties of heirloom and organic tomatoes B次元官网网址 many of which canB次元官网网址檛 be found in big box stores.
B.C.-grown blueberry, raspberry and strawberry plants will be available, as well as herbs and herb garden planters.
For the last four months the grade 11 students have been planting under the guidance of Jennifer Freeman of Zero Mile Solutions. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a great learning opportunity for them.
B次元官网网址淭he plants are grown by students so itB次元官网网址檚 a powerful learning opportunity for them to learn about food security and local agricultural practices,B次元官网网址 teacher Debbie Lodewijk said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e learning how to set up a business, theyB次元官网网址檙e learning how to work. Putting on an event this big, theyB次元官网网址檙e find a tonne of empowerment in it.B次元官网网址
This year the school has also partnered with C&C Growers from Saanich to offer hanging flower baskets, fuscia hanging baskets and annual flowers. Saanich Native Plants will also be offering a wide variety of native plant species.
In addition, Earl Claxton Jr., an elder of TB次元官网网址檚awout First Nation, will be on hand to share his knowledge about native plant species.
Marge Emery will be offering information about propagation and care of mason bees, and Judy Campbell will be selling the cedar wood creations her husband makes including cedar planter boxes, wishing wells, garden benches and lattice.
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Last yearB次元官网网址檚 plant sale raised $3,700, which went towards the schoolB次元官网网址檚 greenhouse and this year Lodewijk hopes to raise $5,000, which will support the schoolB次元官网网址檚 community garden project in the summer.
The plant sale takes place on Saturday, May 12 at 2139 Sooke Rd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blueberry, raspberry and strawberry planters can be pre-ordered by contacting Lodewijk at dlodewjk@sd62.bc.ca.
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