Alexandra Sawatzky

Heart & Soil Conversations: Insects in Your Garden!

For the third instalment of our “Heart & Soil Conversations” series, Dr. Carolyn Parsons, an Entomologist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, led a talk all about the good, the bad, and the not-so-ugly insects in our gardens.

Heart & Soil Conversations: Composting 101

For our second “Heart & Soil Conversation,” Tim Walsh of the Memorial University Botanical Garden facilitated a great session all about composting! Tim broke down the basics and benefits of composting, and shared how to build your own compost and use the finished soil. He also answered questions and provided insights on solutions to common …

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Heart & Soil Conversations: Garden Planning

Last month, we were thrilled to kick off our “Heart & Soil Conversation Series” with a virtual talk on Garden Planning, led by Rachel Snelgrove, Farm Associate at the Pye Centre. Rachel covered the fundamentals of creating low-maintenance, productive home gardens, including: Companion planting, to reduce weeds, pests, and diseases, and to promote pollination and …

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Birdie the Bean

Tara Ryan and Danica Brockwell are employed by Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada (AAFC) this summer to conduct research at the Pye Centre. They spend half their time working on their research project with AAFC, and the other half supporting the work of the Pye Centre.

Joan Saunders: “I’ve only been gardening about 30 years”

A backyard garden surrounded by a wooden fence. There is a white row cover over the strawberry plants.

Saying that she’s “only been gardening for 30 years” might be Joan Saunders’s modesty talking—but on the other hand, saying “only” means she plans to keep on going for many more years to come!

Charlie Flowers: “Once you’ve learned this skill, you’ll have it forever”

A glass bowl filled with cherry tomatoes that are organized by ripeness. There are red ones on the very left, then orange ones in the middle, and green ones on the right.

Charlie Flowers has lived in Rigolet, Nunatsiavut his whole life. Three years ago, he decided to try his hand at gardening, and immersed himself in learning everything he could about growing vegetables in the North.

“Sovereign Soil:” Virtual Screening and Filmmaker Q&A

Join us for a free virtual screening of “Sovereign Soil Film,” and a live Q&A with the filmmakers!

Peggy Slipp: “I love the satisfaction, and knowing where our food comes from”

Peggy Slipp has been gardening since winning the best zucchini at her local county fair when she was 9 years old. Here’s some of what Peggy had to say to Frankie Leonard, a summer student with the Labrador Institute, in August 2020.

Darren Dinsmore: “I absolutely love producing beef”

Darren Dinsmore has a passion for cattle. He’s been a beef farmer for the past three years, located along the North West River road just near the edge of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay town borders. Frankie Leonard, a 2020 summer student with the Labrador Institute, asked Darren a few questions about his experiences with farming in Labrador.

Jamie Felsberg: “It’s the satisfaction of growing it on your own”

Gardening has always been a part of Jamie Felsberg’s life through his parents and grandparents, but he began plying his own green thumb 4-5 years ago. Some takeaways from Jamie’s interview with Frankie Leonard, Labrador Institute summer student, are captured here.