An upcoming event is planned to show community members in the Bow Valley how to extend their growing season.
Local gardeners Christian Wright and Susan Clarahan of Alpine Edibles will provide information on the basics of passive solar greenhouses, materials, design principles and planting schedules on March 21 at Canmore Collegiate High School, in room 1214 from 7-9:30 p.m.
“Not only does a greenhouse give us the opportunity to extend our growing season, start earlier and finish later, but also changes the items you can grow for longer periods and collect higher yields,” said Alberta Council for Environmental Education executive director Gareth Thomson.
“Christian Wright is a very accomplished master gardener who works with Alpine Edibles in their school program. Alpine Edibles is a non-for-profit branch of Farm Box and he’s leveraged his relationship with the schools and we’re very grateful to Canadian Rockies Public Schools for providing the meeting space free of charge.”
Items to be discussed will include sustainable materials, being able to build a greenhouse that looks good but doesn’t cost the earth, literally and figuratively, for people on a more limited budget.
“People might be more interested in using recycled materials, so we’re exchanging ideas on how to accomplish those goals and you’ll leave the workshop with a good idea on where to put a greenhouse on your property,” Thomson said.
He recommends registered attendees bring a rough design sketch of initial plans and ideas for the workshop. “I’m trying to figure out how best to design a greenhouse for success and to use whatever smart passive solar design principles that I can use,” Thomson said.
“There are so many different directions you can go with your own greenhouse and you have to think about where a greenhouse might work best for your property.”
The fee for the workshop is $15, with cash or cheque payment accepted at the door. Registration is compulsory at www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KKB86M. For more information, contact [email protected].
