Spiral Farm
Physical setting:
The farm is situated in Appledale in the sunniest part of the Slocan Valley
in the West Kootenays, on the west side of the Slocan River. The farm is
on ten acres of land, five of which are used for the house, gardens, orchard,
“forest garden” and agroforestry systems. (Zone 1, 2 & 3)
The other five acres is part marshland, with Percy Creek flowing through,
and partially covered with a deciduous forest of mountain alder (Alnus
tenuifolia) , black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), trembling
aspen (Populus tremuloides), willows (Salix spp.) and birch
(Betula papyrifera), etc. Some planting and restoration work is also
being done on the land. (Zone 4 & 5)
Farm operation:
A diversity of vegetables is grown on the farm: root crops, oriental greens,
squash, garlic, etc. Also many edible flowers, herbs and medicinal
plants add to the diversity of the garden. A “forest garden” which is an
intensive and diverse agroforestry system practiced on a small scale produces
a diversity of berries, fruits, nuts and more. The aim is to grow our basics,
and also a surplus of food, fuel, fibres, timber, medicines and other products.
A small-scale nursery produces trees and shrubs, mostly fruits (unusual),
nuts, plants with medicinal values, multi-purpose trees (n-fixer, windbreak,
erosion control, basketry plants such as willows & bamboos.).
Growing season:
The growing season varies every year. The average season is from early
or mid-April till late October.
Bamboos
Birds
Cultivars
Insects
Wild
Plants
Willows
Nursery Plants