Food security in Inverness County – small is big

March 4, 2024

Greenhouse surrounded by plants.

Lately, our springs are later and colder, our autumns later and warmer, and who knows when the dry and wet spells will come? What we do know is that, with a bit of attention, our perennials will pop up again in the spring, we’ll enjoy moments of glorious summer weather, and the crops will bring us their bounty.

At least the climate changes we’ve seen in the last years give us a broader range of small talk at the store, but as we chat, our eyes fall on yet another shocking price. While one might not know what we can do about the “big picture,” it is we who decide how the story unfolds within our local communities.

As one drop of rain has little impact on our life, it is nothing but raindrops, or lack thereof, that decide if we will have vegetables and meat to eat. And so it is with our energy and our dollars – whether we have lots or a little, we get to decide ourselves how to spend it.

Young child holding a strawberry.
Kinsley MacLean, daughter of Breah Clarke and Leon MacLean, visiting the community garden in her neighbourhood at Mill Road Grows.

If there ever comes a time that food supply is interrupted, we will be mighty grateful that local producers have invested a lot of effort and hours in maintaining local farming.

Yes, local market prices are often higher than you’ll find in the chain stores, but you know the quality, and really, I’m not seeing any evidence of those market vendors living high off the hog – they are working hard for their money! Meanwhile, grocery stores chains report record profits. Whatever way you spend your money, try to keep it local, and think of the range of benefits you can bring in terms of local employment, food quality, and securing local food supply.

Similarly, there are ways that we can use our time to promote a secure food supply. Have a garden, and support local garden clubs, and initiatives like 4-H. Grow your food security, don’t shrink it!

Garden snippets

  • March is the time to watch for critters on your house plants. If any plants were outside last summer, they might be harbouring some insect eggs that will ‘wake up’ for the spring to feed on tender new plant growth, and then spread to other plants. No worries, just spray them with some soapy water.
  • It’s also a good time to start thinking about seedlings. Generally, tender plants like tomatoes and peppers are started about eight weeks before the last frost, so mid-April is good for them.
  • While broccoli and cauliflower will grow better in cooler temperatures, they also benefit from being started indoors because their seeds won’t germinate until the soil temperature is warmer, so the indoor start makes the difference.
  • A few things to remember – lots of light, larger pots means happier roots, don’t overwater, don’t fertilize, and make it easier on yourself by not planting the whole seed package!
  • As soon as the snow leaves, you can pile all sorts of material onto a patch of lawn to block the light, and kill off the grass – cardboard, leaves, compost – and boom, you’ve got a garden patch. If you don’t take this approach to establish a garden plot, it is still important to kill off the grass, which traditionally was done by flipping over the sod with a plow or shovel before the new grass starts to grow. Most soils here are clayey enough that the soil will later need to be tilled. But if your soil is workable and relatively weed- free, tilling is not necessary. I never find that the first year of cultivation yields good results, but then look out for your second year!
  • After the garden’s first year of full operation, Mill Road Grows has been awarded the support of Rural Cape Breton’s 100 Women Who Care. In addition, support from the federal Enabling Accessibility Fund has been green-lighted to make this community garden and greenhouse fully accessible.
  • Mill Road Grows has been established by Mill Road Social Enterprises to provide a great community work experience for Mill Road Social Enterprises’ participants, to encourage healthy eating, promote gardening as a healthy active hobby, and to build community. It is also a place to share skills and information that make it possible for anyone interested in local food security to make a contribution.

Mill Road Grows is now able to expand its gardening space for more community gardening, enhance accessibility, and open up allotment gardens for those who would like to rent a small garden plot just for themselves.

And it just won’t be a community garden without the ‘community.’ Everyone, yes everyone, is welcome to drop by for a casual visit and harvest, or get involved.

So, do come by this season, and help yourself to some of the produce, or attend one of their many socials, workshops or work parties, or just bring a cup of tea to enjoy in the greenhouse. It’s there for everyone. All levels of interest and involvement in this project are welcome, so please contact me at 902.258.5768, if you’d like more information.

Happy gardening!

Caroline Cameron lives in Strathlorne, and offers gardening and guiding services around Cape Breton Island. Please submit any gardening tips, questions, and news to strathlorne@gmail.com and visit Facebook at Nature/Nurture Gardening & Hiking.