Introducing Larry

I've been gardening for more than 20 years in the Pacific Northwest. In that time I've had several gardens, including a small square-foot garden and a community garden plot in Vancouver, several plots at a large allotment in Burnaby, and, for the past eight years, a 1500-square-foot backyard garden in North Delta.

I was a member of Strathcona Community Gardens/Cottonwood in Vancouver for two years. During that time I took responsibility for planning and planting fruit and nut trees and vines to develop the common areas of the garden. I also helped landscape and served as secretary. 

I have been a member of the Burnaby and Regional Allotment Garden Association (BARAGA), one of western Canada's largest allotment gardens, for 18 years. I served as president and on the board of  directors for five years. With several other gardeners, I cultivated four large garden plots. I organized landscaping for the association, including several park areas and flower beds. I also helped prepare the BARAGA Handbook, a booklet outlining the Association's policies and procedures.

At BARAGA and at home I use Organic and Integrated Pest Management methods to maintain successful lawns and gardens.

I have many years of experience in composting, mulching and preparing soil amendments. I start my own seedlings and  have a small greenhouse.

As a prairie farm boy it took a lot of trial and error to learn to garden in the Pacific Northwest climate. I have learned that no one person is a gardening expert. I have drawn from many, many books and magazines, from dozens of fellow gardeners, and from sheer hard work and experimentation, including lots of failures.

I feel pride as my wife Joan and I delight in soup made from the artichokes we have grown. And I feel equally frustrated when our garlic is destroyed by rust. If you garden, you are more than familiar with this experience. If you're new to all this, welcome to the adventure that is gardening.