Garden in British Columbia

Unrecognizable mature male farmer is picking and inspecting his crop organic vegetables that he has grown on his farm or garden. He is taking the various veggies to the market to sell. These plants are growing in the spring and summer season. Homegrown produce. Close-up of hand, crops. Man wearing overalls stands behind the crate of produce.

2 min

These photos are from the organic garden at my summer home in British Columbia.

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The moist, cool summers in British Columbia make for a short, but bountiful gardening experience. In Tucson, I plant gardens in the fall and spring - so I am essentially gardening year-round.
One fine morning in August 2009, I found this wonderful, mammoth tomato. Amazing!
No home is complete without a garden. My patch in British Columbia is roughly 30 by 40 feet, and strictly organic. For vegetables, I grow tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, snow and snap peas, Romano and French filet beans, soy (for edamame), beets, onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, lettuce, arugula, cucumbers and celery. Fruits: strawberries, red and black raspberries and boysenberries. Flowers: dahlias, morning glories, delphinium, zinnias and lillies.
A closeup view. Though I can't promise double-handful fruit like this, here are tips on tomato cultivation: https://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02023/tomatoes.html
Wasabi is notoriously difficult to grow. This batch had limited growth and the leaves were completely bleached. These symptoms are common with extreme magnesium deficiency and general nutrient depletion.
I gave several applications of Epsom salts (a magnesium source) and a balanced organic fertilizer. Here they are one week later - coming back to life.
The whole wasabi, fresh from the garden. The Japanese use all parts of the plant - they grate the root to form a condiment paste for sushi, and pickle the leaves to make a spicy dish called wasabi-zuke.
The bare wasabi root. After two years of cultivation, this was the first one I have tried. Fantastic flavor, both hot and intricately nuanced. Wasabi root is best prepared with an ultra-fine grater known as oroshigane.
A moderate climate, with plenty of sunshine and rain makes my organic efforts all the easier. I make a point of harvesting something daily for each meal prepared. As a result, I find store-bought produce incredibly boring and rather tasteless!
These snow peas will round out many healthy meals this summer. Both the peas and the tender tips of the vines are edible.
I've had several generations of Rhodesian Ridgebacks and thoroughly enjoyed every minute with these intelligent, affectionate dogs. Although they are very active and are excellent hikers and swimmers, they also enjoy the slower pace of gardening, and help to keep marauding critters at bay!
Warm from the sun, fragrant with fresh earth, filled with complex flavors not found in most store-bought produce ... salad anyone?