Preparing the Carrot Tent for the 2018 crop
This year we have taken a bit of a different approach with setting up the isolation tent for the Carrot Seed Project by erecting the tent as late as possible before flowering. This is done in the hope that the carrot stalks will be strengthened by having more wind exposure
Carrot Seed Harvest Started
It has been a great season for carrot seed production so far and I was happy to start harvesting seed this week. Carrot seed matures over a period of time so I will watch for dry, mature umbels several times a week and harvest them as they are ready. This
2017 BC Seed Gathering – Registration is Now Open
BC Seed Gathering Friday Nov. 3rd & Saturday Nov. 4th 2017 Join us for the 2 day seed gathering this November to connect, network, learn, engage and take a step forward in building a local resilient seed system. The BC Seed Gathering is the place for folks working across the seed spectrum
Kale Breeding Workshop a Success!
Today we were happy to host Laurie McKenzie of the Organic Seed Alliance for our Kale Breeding Workshop in Duncan on Vancouver Island. We had a group of 18 eager and budding plant breeders ready to absorb all Laurie had to offer. This workshop was focused on kale as it
Fly Breeding and Carrot Seed Project Progress
This year, one of my goals in the carrot seed project is to breed our own flies to avoid ordering in pupae. There are a few reasons for this: The current source of blue bottle fly pupae we have is from a US source. There are no local or Canadian
The Fly Generator
One of the goals of the 2017 Carrot Seed Project is to breed out own flies instead of buying pupae. Here is a short video showing the creation of my fly generator! Here is the test run I made last year to get me started:
Carrot Seed Update
As 2016 gets into spring our Carrot Seed project is off to a great start. Here is an update on what has happened to date! Project Summary Due to the overwhelming presence of Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota var. carota), the wild equivalent of the cultivated carrot (Daucus carota), in