Edmonton Edible Garden Tour Part 1

Today was a day I have been looking forward to since this spring; the Edible Garden tour done right here in Edmonton, run by the Urban Farmer Ron Berezan. It’s an entire Saturday devoted to traveling around Edmonton looking at yards that have been transformed into more than lawn, using the space to grow vegetables, medicinal plants or even just incorporating more native trees and bushes into yards.

We started at Ron’s house, which is a master showcase of what a person can do. Above he is showing us his water filtration system of his grey water from his house: cattails.

Natures water filtration system.

Brilliant.

This cracked urn base appealed to me, with it’s crumbling beauty.

After Ron’s house we moved on to Orlando’s.

If you live in Edmonton and garden in any capacity you have heard of this man.

If you are female, he has probably called you bella and told you how beautiful you are.

Do not let this charming exterior fool you.

He is a master fruit tree grafter and sharp as a tack. He has grown species of apple trees that probably do not exist elsewhere in Alberta.

And babies make this man melt like a Popsicle on the beach.

Smart man, surrounds himself with beautiful women and an adorable baby.

Have I also mentioned his endearing accent? Orlando’s, not the baby.

This man knows how to get the ladies, but the little man in the sling sure gave him a running for his money.

And his cherries…oh my word, Orlando’s Evan’s cherries…a bounty in the middle of Edmonton.

Each one a work of art.

Tell me you don’t want to reach through this computer screen and pick those at this very moment, and I will call you a liar.

Next was the garden that is run by the Mustard Seed.

Out of all of the gardens, I was most impressed by what they are achieving in the community with this garden. People in the neighborhood who don’t have homes and thus no chance of gardening, or even access to fresh vegetables, are able to come in, pick vegetables and then go back to the Mustard seed to prepare the produce for dinner.

I loved that the demographic of the population who would not ordinarily have this opportunity can pick, prepare and sit down for a meal all thanks to this garden. I am really interested in volunteering for this next spring, this of course would be right up my alley.

The sign says “The lack of safe affordable housing will not be solved by making people without homes into criminals.”

That’s enough for tonight though a slightly somber thought to end with.Tomorrow I will post more of the tour, with pictures of the yard I am hoping to emulate soon!