Cosmos, nasturtium, tons of vegetables – including a carrot that’s gone to seed (on purpose!) – and so many sunflowers and tomatoes. Looks like some Fall Fair entries are growing out of the Peachland Wellness Centre’s community gardens!
The steel containers you see around town are all part of the PWC’s community garden program. You’ll find most of them in front of Our SPACE, the historic yellow schoolhouse. The Peachland Fall Fair is keeping up a fun tradition this year – special categories are set aside for sunflowers grown by PWC garden users.
In the Fruits and Nuts Category (Pg 10 of your Fall Fair booklet) – you’ll find two PWC categories – Sunflower head with seeds, for both junior and adult age groups.
Also, check the Vegetable, Egg and Honey section (Pg 11 of the Fall Fair book) – and there’s a cherry tomato category for PWC growers, too!
A contender so far:
Different groups use these gardens, says Peachlander Darlene Romanko. She’s a master gardener and tends the program with the PWC. Kids from Peachland Elementary and the Boys and Girls Club have their own plots (usually the ones closer to the ground) – while the seniors’ boxes are raised for easier access. PLE has another set of these planters, there’s a couple in front of the food bank (which anyone can use) – and the ones right here, in front of St. Margaret’s.
“Our team is a great team, it’s just lovely,” says Darlene.
Rather than just growing something for a season, she’s a big proponent of letting some crops go to seed – like that carrot I mentioned. Saving seeds for next year, amending the soil – those are things that make these little garden plots their own little healthy ecosystems. It’s also a joy to see seniors (often with their little dogs) tending to a garden that’s also being taken care of by a young student.
Darlene will be at this year’s Fall Fair, September 6 and 7 where she’ll be advising people on how to tend their gardens into fall.
The Fall Fair booklet is now out – so you can officially start planning your entries! Head over to IGA, the community centre, the library and Peachland Pharmacy, where you can pick up a paper copy.
Fall Fair president Linda Schneider says any BC resident can enter the Peachland Fall Fair – and it’s only 50 cents an entry (25 cents for youth 17 and under).
“We’re very excited about the 106th year with our ‘Plant a Seed’ theme – just think of all the ways you can interpret that theme to inspire your next project.”
Also, raffle tickets are now available! Some great local prizes – a beautiful, handmade quilt, a fun time zip lining at Peachland’s own ZipZone, and a premium wine kit from Peachland Wine Shoppe. You can get your tickets (just $2 each) at the July 6 Farmers Market. Look for the Fall Fair booth!
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The Phoenix works with community groups who value original, professional journalism. As a media sponsor for the Fall Fair, you’ll see regular updates on how the 106th Fall Fair comes together!
Here’s how to enter the Fall Fair
More Fall Fair sponsored articles:
Volunteers make the Fall Fair really fun!
Plant A Seed is this year’s Fall Fair theme
The Peachland Fall Fair is 106 years old!
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