About Drought Smart Plants...

...and me; My Life in a Nutshell...

I've always been a gardener, it just took me a long time to figure out the rest of the equation - growing plants for other gardeners to enjoy!

I was born in England, and for those that don't know, the British as a nation are intrepid plantsmen (and women). My parents and their parents were enthusiastic gardeners, making new gardens and improving the ones they had every year.

We moved around a lot from the time I was little, and each time we got settled in each new house, my Dad built at the very least, a potato patch, a spot for some raspberries, and oh, yes, Dahlias; and don't forget the compost bin - everyone in England has one of those.

Transplanted...

We made the biggest move of all in 1968, when we emigrated to Canada. What a huge adventure; thinking back, what brave and intrepid people my parents were. Visiting my grandparents before we left was heart wrenching, and that was the last time we saw them.

After we arrived, the first thing my Dad did was - you guessed it - build a garden.

My two brothers, my sister and myself were always included in the planting and harvesting vegetables, as well as designing flower beds and planting and caring for those as well.

In my older brother's case, his favorite thing was to start up the horrible noisy old roter tiller, and build from scratch, while the rest of us followed along behind and planted.

Transplanted Again...

Later, after my two daughters were born, I happened to move to a farmstead in Aldergrove, British Columbia. The property was rented, but that didn't stop me - I had the bug! The old lilac trees and spindly bushes were identified, pruned, and fertilized; a compost bin was built.

I planted many apple trees in a little orchard, oak trees along the driveway, and coddled the old trees that were there until they flourished and bloomed.

Branching Out...

Then the day came when I saw an ad in the paper for a course on Ornamental Horticulture at the Fraser Valley College Chilliwack Campus. I was hooked from that moment on. I took the one year (very intensive) course, and due to my fanatical interest in the subject matter, I passed with flying colours and received my diploma.

Now that I can call myself a Certified Horticulturist I've never looked back - I found my true calling.

Spending several years in the wilds of the Chilcotin plateau was an eye opening experience - cold climate gardening is a whole different kettle of fish, especially in an arid area.

As if that wasn't far enough out there, I spent two years in Peace Country around Dawson Creek, gardening in the cold clay, in those endless summer nights.  There is no comparison to the potatoes you can grow in raised beds with some protection from the frost that can hit at any time.

Finally; Roots...

After working for several nurseries and gaining valuable experience, I've put down roots in my little nursery called Blue Fox Farm in Grand Forks, B.C., eventually narrowing the focus to Drought Smart Plants. It's had a few wobbles, but now it has taken on a life of its own.

I wasn't sure people would want to plant gardens simply for pleasure in times of economic uncertainty and climate change...

I'm happy to say I was wrong! I get many requests for information about the tender succulent plants I grow although I no longer sell them, and inquiries relating to the Sedum, Sempervivum, and huge interest in the other fascinating plants in my nursery and garden. You can see more about the plants I offer for sale at the Garden Shop.

In my free time, between 3 and 4 in the morning, I write e-books on various gardening topics. You might be interested in learning right from the propagator, as I'm a Certified Horticulturist (did I mention that?) and I've made every mistake possible on my long and winding journey.

It makes me so excited to turn other gardeners, knowledgeable or novice, on to using all these gorgeous drought loving and smart plants in their gardens.

I have renewed hope that we can all do one (or several) small things to help heal our planet, and I want to help others do their part.

If you have any questions about the plants I grow or to arrange a tour of Blue Fox Farm, contact me directly.

Are you interested in learning more about how I built this website (and my two others)? Click on the tortoise and go to My SBI! Story:

If I had a mission statement, this is where I would tell you about it. I don't have a mission statement, but I do have a philosophy which is pretty close.

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