Virtual Gardening Series: Perennial Food Crops & Edible Ornamentals – In partnership with VIMGA

Many gardeners are familiar with perennial crops like fruit trees, berries, and herbs, yet little is known about the many perennial vegetables that are easily grown in a backyard. Because perennials provide the primary design structure in every garden, changing to a higher percentage of edible perennials allows us to lower food costs and save labour time.

This seminar will introduce you to the most common perennial vegetable crops and edible ornamentals, and introduce a few surprising and exotic food choices, too.

Presented by Jo Ann Canning of Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association in Nanaimo, BC.

Now in her 25th year as Master Gardener, Jo-Ann Canning has been a home orchard, ornamental plant enthusiast and urban food gardener for over 45 years. Her gardens have taught her how to follow Nature’s rules in climates as diverse as Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the American Southwest, Nova Scotia, and the UK. As part of her volunteer work Jo has piloted community projects in integrated pest management, invasive species control, and urban small space gardening of vegetables, fruit and herbs for sustainability and food security. She has presented seminars on various subjects at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, many gardening associations on the Mainland and the Island, and was a guest lecturer on vermiculture for the Horticultural Technicians’ Program at VIU’s Paine Centre. Her articles and photographs have appeared on the MGABC’s website, in local and international gardening newsletters, and magazines. She is also one of the chapter’s mentors, helping our chapter to grow new members.

Keep your eye on our events calendar for more upcoming events in this series: https://virl.bc.ca/calendar/

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