Growing avocados and oranges in Canada? Why not!

Breakfast with avocado toast, fresh lemon used in salad dressings, baking and a simple hot water and lemon juice, oranges ripe for the picking. Simple yet so enjoyable. To be able to grow these yourself and pick them off the vine, instead of selecting from the produce section would be a dream. This month’s speaker does just that. She will share a presentation of her journey from growing commercial greenhouse lettuce to establishing a subtropical orchard with over 35 varieties of citrus and 4 varieties of avocados. Jane will share greenhouse innovations which help to create a beautiful, productive and sustainable environment.

Jane Squires background is over 40 years’ experience operating greenhouse and market garden businesses. Managing both organic and hydroponic systems in tropical, Mediterranean, and cold (Zone 3) climates. She studied horticulture and agroecology at Olds College, and UBC, aquaponics at UVI, and soil microbiology at The Soil Food Web School.

In 2014 Jane began to transition her 6,000 square foot greenhouse from hydroponic lettuce production to an orchard of 125 hardy citrus and avocado trees. Striving to reduce her ecological footprint, she incorporates extensive rainwater collection, solar energy systems, thermal mass, anaerobic digestion and a keen interest in building healthy soil and nutrient rich food using regenerative agriculture techniques. She shares her findings on her website and YouTube channel.

Mark your calendars the Sooke Garden Club will be having their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 13th from 10-2 pm at the Evergreen shopping centre. With many plants, herbs, vegetables and gardeners’ knowledge available.

If you are a current Sooke Garden Club member, or would like to join, come to the meeting on Wednesday, April 26th at 7:00pm at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

Jane Squires in her greenhouse full of citrus and avocado trees.