A century ago in Nova Scotia, Mabel Bell’s garden taught environmental lessons we’re still trying to learn

  • 📰 TorontoStar
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 64 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 29%
  • Publisher: 55%

Canada Headlines News

Canada Latest News,Canada Headlines

A century ago, Mabel Bell was planting solutions to issues — food security and pollinator habitat — that scientists and farmers are still grappling with today. Now, researchers are trying to re-create the gardens at the Bell museum site.

Alana Pindar is smiling broadly as she nudges a tiny green tomato with the tip of her forefinger.That tiny tomato represents the first fruit — yes, fruit — of a garden that is as much a tribute as it is her research.

Her motive for planting the garden was not particularly unusual — she grew it to feed her family and the workers on the estate. What was unusual was that in doing so, and documenting it so thoroughly, she showed a prescient understanding of the ecology of plant systems, of the importance of crop diversity and of a hospitable environment for pollinators — mostly bees, in her case.

They are important critters. One in three bites of food you put in your mouth, she says, is a direct result of the efforts of pollinators. “So, what I’m finding there, I’m going to be comparing back to the re-creation and seeing how the pollinators return. Do they return? Is there something else driving the populations in that area or is it that easy? Is it just as simple as we just need to give them their plant?”

In the other plot — the vegetable garden — are planted a mix of crops: squashes, tomatoes, bell peppers, blueberries and more. These are potential targets for pollinators. It worked. At Beinn Bhreagh recently, on the day of the Star’s visit, the air is calm and still — surprising, given that it rests on a hill on a point which juts out into the lake. That’s thanks to Mabel’s windbreak, but also to the surrounding forest doing the same job.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 60. in CA

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Healthy Eating: Why are red bell peppers more expensive than the green ones?It doesn't seem fair that the yummier peppers are more expensive, but it's for a real reason. Also, 👏 bell 👏 peppers 👏 are 👏 a 👏 fruit - via healthing_ca peppers grocerybill healthyeating healthnews healthing
Source: calgarysun - 🏆 63. / 52 Read more »

Celebrate diversity and have fun in Bell Park this afternoonMulticultural and Folk Arts Associations hosting a family event at Grace Hartman Amphitheatre with crafts, stories and more
Source: sudburydotcom - 🏆 6. / 89 Read more »

Healthy Eating: Why are red bell peppers more expensive than the green ones?It doesn't seem fair that the yummier peppers are more expensive, but it's for a real reason. Also, 👏 bell 👏 peppers 👏 are 👏 a 👏 fruit - via healthing_ca peppers grocerybill healthyeating healthnews healthing healthing_ca Because they leave them to grow longer, equals more care, time and watering, they are all the same pepper just picked at different stages of ripeness healthing_ca Would you put them in a fruit salad? I think not. healthing_ca This is a copy and pasted Toronto Sun post lol
Source: nationalpost - 🏆 10. / 80 Read more »

Healthy Eating: Why are red bell peppers more expensive than the green ones?It doesn't seem fair that the yummier peppers are more expensive, but it's for a real reason. Also, 👏 bell 👏 peppers 👏 are 👏 a 👏 fruit - via healthing_ca peppers grocerybill healthyeating healthnews healthing healthing_ca I will be chomping on our homegrown peppers soon enough. They are the best
Source: TheTorontoSun - 🏆 23. / 68 Read more »

Healthy Eating: Why are red bell peppers more expensive than the green ones?It doesn't seem fair that the yummier peppers are more expensive, but it's for a real reason. Also, 👏 bell 👏 peppers 👏 are 👏 a 👏 fruit - via healthing_ca peppers grocerybill healthyeating healthnews healthing
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »

Bell: UCP leadership hopefuls go after Danielle SmithIn a debate of UCP leadership hopefuls, we do see finally some long\u002Doverdue punches thrown — particularly regarding the Soveriegnty Act. Let’s see if the more they hate you the more it motivates you.
Source: calgarysun - 🏆 63. / 52 Read more »