Resources for Growing Food in Whistler
Whistler has short, cool seasons; we are limited on space; and there is lots of shade. There are still lots of things that grow well here though! We want to bring you resources so you can succeed in our difficult growing climate
Seed Saving
- Saving seeds saves you money! Saved seeds are free and come in serious bulk quantities
- It’s quick, easy and FUN, allowing you to be more experimental and exploratory in your gardening
- Creates and preserves biodiversity
- Allows you to use natural selection to your benefit as you can choose the plants that work best for you and in your soil/climate
Seed Sharing
Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton all have seed libraries – share your bounty, and get seeds from other locals too.
Seed Saving Resources
If you want to go on a deeper dive, this video by Farm Folk City Folk is an hour long, but was made by a local expert and provides a ton of useful information!
Gardening in Whistler
Video recording of a presentation by Harriet Jarvis, full time grower at the Brew Creek Center. She talks about particular crops and even varieties that do well here, how to extend your season, and how to get the most of your limited space and light.
slides from the presentation
Growing in an outdoor veggie bed this summer? Unsure where to begin or just looking for new tips and tricks to a successful growing season? Look no further, the Outdoor Gardening 101 guide will equip you with all the information you need to get your garden started this summer.
extra advice on composting.
Growing in a greenhouse this summer? Unsure where to begin or just looking for new tips and tricks to a successful growing season? Look no further, the Greenhouse Gardening 101 guide will start you off on the right foot to grow in one of our four greenhouses this season
extra advice on composting.
Seeding Notes
*General rule of thumb is: 2-3 times the diameter of the seed
1/8″ Chives, Parsley, Oregano, Dill, Basil
1/8″-1/4″ Lettuce, Arugula, Kale, Mustard
1/4″-1/2″ Cucumber, Radish, Swiss Chard, Cilantro, Shangiko
1/2″-1″ Calendula, Nasturtium
1″-1 1/4″ Beets, All Peas, All Beans
Greenhouses are closed ecosystems, so growers choose and order their seeds from a list provided by AWARE. Over the years this list has been fine-tuned to offer growers diverse options with high success and yield rates in Whistler’s short growing season. This list was created for our greenhouse growers but lots of options would work in outdoor gardens and containers.
We love the square foot gardening approach to get the best yield in small spaces. Check out our seed distribution chart to see how many seeds to plant per square foot and make sure everything has the space it needs to grow.
Companion Planting
It takes more than good soil, sun, and nutrients to ensure success in a garden. Time-honoured gardening wisdom says that certain plants, when grown together, improve each other’s health and yields. Take a look at our companion planting chart to learn more.
Working Around Pests and Bears
Got some friends trying to share your veggies? Find out if these insects are handy or harmful and discover some natural remedies for unwanted visitors.
Plants you should avoid planting in your greenhouse or garden
Resources By Friends
Sea to Sky Community Gardens
Community Gardens in Pemberton
