Why Powell River? Actually, it was love at first sight! From the tiny hummingbirds that welcomed us at the ferry terminal at Earl's Cove to the upturned trees along the Mermaid Trail, I was smitten. Powell River, with a population of approximately 20,000, is a coastal city located on the Sunshine Coast of southwestern British Columbia. Access is by water or air so we are somewhat isolated from mainland BC. No surprise visits around here! Haslam Lake, Inland Lake, Valentine Mountain, Donkersley Beach, Mermaid Trail (at Saltery Bay) have become our favourite haunts since arriving in May, although we have done more exploring during November and December than through the 'gardening months'.
Our vision, like many who have come to this area before us, was to create a self sustainable life style. We had big plans of creating a lush, beautiful garden on our half acre that would not only sustain us but others. We got right to work. We dug up sod and used it to create raised beds. We had a total of 26 yards of garden soil delivered to our 'parking lot', which then had to be hauled by wheelbarrel up into the yard for the raised beds. We planted fruit trees--two different asian pear trees, one 'fruit salad tree (grafted with 5 different fruits), and twenty blueberry bushes. A peach, cherry, apple, and italian prune plum already grew in the yard; as did two types of raspberries, (and I can't forget the rhubarb). We have since added another bed of raspberries, in addition to a bed of strawberries. Yum...I do love fruit!
