At this time of the year, we are normally resident in Iqaluit. It is a good time to be on the land.
The sea ice is still frozen, and there is a good spring snow cover. Given the uncertainties of food supply in Northern communities, it is likely predictable that we shall see an increase in hunting and fishing. Traditional skills will have heightened importance. Quinn has built his first Igloo. Isla has started to drive the small family snowmobile..
Meanwhile, in the South, as the seasons change, there seems to be an excess of biomass. The sources include:
– firewood from coppicing for next Winter;
– chipping of brush and bark waste;
– charcoal and wood ash from the woodstove;
– kitchen waste in the compost bin;
– leaves and other organic matter for the hugel beds.
The challenge is to integrate these resources ‘back to the land’. Recycling these materials will complement the planting of seeds in the greenhouse and cold frame.
We will see a resurgence in gardening. We will pull off the shelves, books by Niki Jabbour and Adam Footer. We will read about the work of Bob Cervelli and others. We will seek advice from community gardeners; sharing ideas and seeds. We will investigate the properties of biochar. We will reinforce the edges of our pond.
Our life will be governed by the weather, and our ability to complete the multitude of land-related tasks.
Acknowledgements
Andrew and Julia for their insights into Northern living. Rick for his knowledge of biochar. Heather for planting the seeds. Edward for additional graphics.
References
Niki Jabbour. 2011. The Year-round Vegetable Gardener. Storey Publishing.
Simon Akeroyd. 2016. Raised-bed Gardening. Taunton Press.
Adam Footer. 2014. Bokashi Composting. New Society Publishers.
Robert Tindall et al. 2017. Sacred Soil. North Atlantic Books.
Ernest Blair Experiment 