All posts by vivavittles

Young Farmer Profile #2: Molly and Matt Thurston of Claremont Ranch Organics, Lake Country, BC

Posted by vivavittles on February 05, 2013

Matt and Molly were two names that popped up frequently as I began asking around about who the young farmers were in the Okanagan.  My visit to their farm confirmed everything I had ever read or heard about the hospitality of folks who work the land and have the fruits of their labour to share.

Hugelkultur at the Malachite House | Vittles

Posted by vivavittles on December 28, 2012

Hugel-what? This autumn, the midwives in Kelowna decided to replace their two front lawns with annual and perennial food plants, as well as medicinal herbs.  I said “hugelkultur!” And they said “what?” Hugelkultur is a German word meaning “hill culture”.  It is a raised garden bed that can be created by placing large pieces of wood into a shallow trench and then layering upside-down turf and soil on top. Why would you want to do this? The wood behaves like a sponge, sucking up water in the winter months and then slowly releasing it into the bed during the drier … Continue reading Hugelkultur at the Malachite House | Vittles