Mar 1, 2019
The Rundown
This episode of Harrowsmith
Radio is about hydroponics, subtropical fruit in Canada and the
stars in the winter sky. We begin on the opposite coast from last
episode. Last time we visited a salt maker in Bonavista,
Newfoundland. This time we travel to Salt Spring Island off the
coast of British Columbia. There we find Jane Squier, who’s
nurturing a citrus grove under glass (well, poly, really). Next we
look up, way up, and ask Harrowsmith’s resident astronomer, Rob
Dick why it is that the night sky in winter looks so
clear?
Jane Squier
Jane Squier has learned that
when life hands you a greenhouse you make lemons, and limes and
lettuce and basil and, well, all manner of hydroponic produce. Jane
started hydroponic gardening in Calgary, back when hydroponics was
just a wacky idea and an article in Harrowsmith, she used for
inspiration to build a thriving greens business based on the
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT for short). These days Jane has a
6,000 square foot green house on Salt Spring Island.
She’s just wrapped up her career as a purveyor of butter lettuce and basil and is using her ingenuity, some backyard swimming pools, a solar-powered anaerobic digester and a Inspector Gadget coat full of gizmos to grow 30 varieties of citrus, avocados, pineapple guava and more. You can learn more about Jane and her garden of earthy delights here.
Rob Dick
Rob is one of Canada’s foremost
writers and educators on astronomical topics. He's also passionate
about reducing light pollution and promoting science literacy. He
explains why the stars, planets and other celestial objects in the
winter night seem so bright and clear.
You can learn more about Rob here.
End Notes
Want more Harrowsmith? No problem.
Visit our website. And, you can read stories by Jane
and Rob in the Winter issue of Harrowsmith Magazine. It's on
selected newsstands across Canada or you can order subscriptions
online at harrowsmithmag.com.
By the way, the music in the podcast? It's by good ol' Canadian singer, composer and friend of the 'cast, David Archibald. You can find more of his music at his website, davidarchibald.com.