Our Vancouver Island Seed Security Program Coordinator, Lisa Willott, and our BC Seed Security Program Assistant, Jules Cundari, have been working to prepare our Vancouver Island Seed Farm Hub Site for winter. This year, we are excited to try something new and take a different approach to part of the site: no-till farming! After much consideration, we decided to experiment with this sustainable method, which minimizes soil disturbance while enhancing soil health and promoting long-term fertility.

No-till is a great small-scale farm or garden method to increase the organic matter of the soil, create a better environment for soil biology and decrease erosion. No-till sites reduce carbon emissions without disrupting the soil structure. To prepare for winter, we snipped plants at the base, layered compost about 2 inches thick on all of the beds, and planted a cover crop mix that included peas and wheat. For the perennial plants, as a part of the BC Medicinal Plant & Seed Project, we layered compost over the soil and a thick layer of straw. Using straw as garden mulch and cover cropping helps to regulate temperature shifts in the soil, retain nutrients, and prevent soil erosion and weed growth. They also help to reduce compaction and improve soil structure.

This combination of no-till practices, composting, and cover cropping is a great way to prepare our beds for the next growing season. We are excited to see the results of our efforts come spring, as we anticipate healthier, more fertile soil and stronger, more resilient plants. It is an exciting time, and we are looking forward to planting in these beds next year and continuing to build a thriving and sustainable Seed Farm Hub Site.