Organic Granny

  When the lilacs bloom and the asparagus spears appear, We know that Spring is really here! Welcome to your seasonal guide on how to grow your asparagus sustainably in raised beds or planters, and enjoy it in three delicious vegan dishes. Let’s dig into the gardening tips first, then reward your green thumb with a casserole and two other tasty recipes! 🌿 How to Grow and Care for Asparagus in Raised Beds or Planters Why Raised Beds? Asparagus loves well-drained soil, and raised beds provide ideal drainage, aeration, and earlier spring warming. Plus, they make gardening easier on your back! Planting Basics: Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours/day) Soil: Rich, well-drained with a pH of 6.5–7.5 Spacing: Plant crowns 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart Crowns vs. Seeds Crowns (1-year roots) are easiest and produce faster. Seeds take longer and need indoor starting. Container Tips: Use a deep container (at least 12–18 inches/30–45 cm) Choose long, rectangular planters for multiple plants Season...

  As Canadians prepare to celebrate Victoria Day this weekend, it's a perfect time to reflect not only on the monarch who inspired the holiday, but also on the Canadian women who share her name and have left a lasting impact on our nation. 🌺 What Is Victoria Day? Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 each year. In 2025, it falls on Monday, May 19. It originally honored Queen Victoria, the monarch of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901, under whose reign Canada became a self-governing dominion within the British Empire in 1867. Victoria Day marks the unofficial start of summer in Canada, with fireworks, parades, and garden planting traditions. 🌎 Where Is Victoria Day Celebrated? Canada – the only country where it is a statutory holiday Some parts of Scotland observe it informally Other Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand may recognize Queen Victoria's legacy, but do not celebrate Victoria Day. 👑 Is King Ch...

Spring and summer bring blossoms, sunshine, and — for millions — sneezing fits and itchy eyes. Here are 10 typical airborne allergens in warm seasons and the natural agents that may help ease allergic symptoms without pharmaceuticals. 1. Tree Pollen (Early Spring: birch, oak, maple, cedar) Natural Soothers: Local raw honey: May help build immunity through micro-exposure. Quercetin-rich foods (apples, red onions): A natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. 2. Grass Pollen (Late Spring into Summer: timothy, ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass) Natural Soothers: Nettle tea or capsules: Naturally reduces histamine production. Saline nasal rinse: Flushes out irritants directly from nasal passages. 3. Weed Pollen (Late Summer: ragweed, plantain, pigweed) Natural Soothers: Butterbur: Shown to relieve nasal allergy symptoms similar to antihistamines. HEPA filters: Reduce indoor pollen exposure. 4. Mold Spores (Thrives in damp areas, mulch, compost, warm humid days) Natural Soothers: Garlic and tu...

**The Sustainable Yard and Garden** A sustainable yard and garden go beyond aesthetics—they contribute to environmental health, support biodiversity, and reduce resource consumption. Sustainability in gardening includes choosing native or drought-tolerant plants, composting organic waste, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals, and minimizing water use. A tidy yet ecologically responsible yard can be a haven for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects while cutting down on landfill contributions and carbon emissions. The right tools help maintain this balance, making eco-friendly practices efficient and manageable. 1. Manual Reel Lawn Mower A reel mower uses no gas or electricity and provides a quiet, clean cut that’s gentler on grass. It produces no emissions and requires less maintenance than powered mowers. Compared to battery or gas mowers, it’s best for small to mid-sized lawns and promotes stronger turf by cutting like scissors rather than tearing. Bonus: it’s great exercise...

  This Mother’s Day, we honour remarkable Canadian women who nurtured not only children—but generations of parents, educators, and families. These mothers and maternal figures helped shape how parenting is understood and practiced across Canada. 👩‍⚖️ Dr. Cindy Blackstock (b. 1964) Indigenous child welfare advocate and executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada Story: Born in Burns Lake, British Columbia, and a member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Dr. Cindy Blackstock has devoted her life to advocating for equitable treatment of First Nations children. Often referred to as a "single mom to 163,000 kids," she has been instrumental in challenging systemic inequalities in Canada's child welfare system. Her efforts led to a landmark 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that found the federal government discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding child welfare services on reserves. Dr. Blackstock's unwavering com...

 Here are five notable Canadian women nurses, each with a dedicated Wikipedia page, whose contributions have significantly impacted Canadian healthcare and society: Margaret Clothilde McDonald (Wikipedia c.c.) 1. Margaret MacDonald (1873–1948) Margaret Clothilde MacDonald was a pioneering military nurse who served in both the Second Boer War and the First World War. She became the first woman in the British Empire to attain the rank of Major and was appointed Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian Army Medical Corps Nursing Service. Her exemplary service earned her the Royal Red Cross in 1916 and the Florence Nightingale Medal in 1918. ​ Wikipedia Edith Monture - Emottawablog,com 2. Edith Monture (1890–1996) Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture, a Mohawk woman from the Six Nations of the Grand River, was the first Indigenous-Canadian woman to become a registered nurse. Denied entry to Canadian nursing schools due to racial barriers, she trained in the United States. During World War I, she se...