This week the Intergenerational Landed Learning Program will wrap-up at the Okanagan Science Centre, completing five years of food growing in the Xerindipity Garden.
The program partners Grade 4 students from St. James School with community volunteers on eight occasions throughout the school year to plant, care for and prepare food from the vegetables grown in the garden. On each gardening day registered dietitian Jan Hillis guides the children through food preparation and sampling of the food that they grow organically and harvest from the raised beds. Last year, Jan and Linda Peterat produced a book of recipes used in the program “Garden Eats and Treats” available for $15 at the Okanagan Science Centre. All proceeds of sales support the program. Since we started at the Science Centre we have had 90 children participate, and 10 community volunteers called garden friends involved each year. In September, when the students are back in school, we have a day of harvest and a tasty lunch. Over the years, some of the extra food grown has been shared with the Upper Room Mission.
The Landed Learning Program at the Science Centre is an off-shoot of a program created 10 years ago at UBC Farm in Vancouver by Drs. Linda Peterat and Jolie Mayer-Smith, professors in the Faculty of Education, UBC Vancouver. Linda Peterat, now a resident of Vernon, introduced the program at the Okanagan Science Centre. On June 2 at the 10-year celebration of the UBC Farm program, Peterat and Mayer-Smith were awarded the 2012 Outstanding Post-Secondary Individuals Award from the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM). This award recognizes excellence in developing and implementing innovative environmental education programs that foster a greater understanding of ecological principles and environmental issues.
Last week I wrote about mosquitoes. This week I would like to follow up with a few ways to keep them away. The best way to avoid them is to stay inside around dusk and dawn, which is their peak activity times. They will bite right through tight-fitting clothes, so wear loose-fitting, light-coloured pants and long-sleeved shirts. Avon’s Skin-So-Soft bath oil is often recommended as an insect repellent. What’s more, there is evidence it works for many people, even though no one knows why. I have been using it myself and this and crushed leaves of my mosquito plants are the only things I use to keep them away. You can get insect repellent that uses citronella, eucalyptus, or soybean oil, but DEET gives the longest-lasting protection. When you use a DEET-based repellent, follow label directions and pay attention to how much active ingredient it contains. Higher concentrations don’t give better protection – it just lasts longer – so you’re just as well off using a weaker solution and reapplying it if you’re still outside after a few hours. If you see mosquitoes landing on you but not biting, it’s a sign that the repellent is wearing off.
A few drops of oil on top of water will also work to stop them from laying their eggs. Where I have the goldfish, I don’t bother because they will eat the larvae. I was reading that one should think twice about bug zappers. They actually kill more good insects – the ones that eat the eggs and larvae of the bugs that bite you – than they do ‘skeeters. They also attract insects to your yard that wouldn’t normally be there. I have lids on my milk jugs full of water and also lids or plastic bags for all my other containers.
If some of you have natural ways to keep them from biting, you can contact me at 250-558-4556.
Jocelyne Sewell is a member of the Okanagan Gardens and Roses garden club. She writes about gardening every other Wednesday.
