A series of workshops dedicated to educating residents about gardening and water usage are set to begin in Lantzville later this month.
The first workshop is scheduled to take place on May 21 at 10 a.m. and will be led by Connie Kuramoto, a garden soils expert. Kuramoto will discuss a range of topics relating to soil including ways to boost soil fertility and reduce water consumption.
All three workshops, which are the brainchild of Lantzville Coun. Bob Colclough, are hosted the District of Lantzville and are free to attend.
Colclough said the main reason for needing these workshops is to help reduce water consumption during hot summer months."Really it comes down to water supply management," he said.
Communities such as Lantzville structure water systems around servicing the highest peak of water consumption in the summer according to Colclough, who said if that peak could be reduced there would be more water for the whole district.
"If we could reduce our peak day by having healthier landscaping, plants and water consumption … we could have more [water] connections," Colclough said.He said soil is an important topic to discuss because Lantzville is home to poor soil, which means people often water their plants and gardens more than they might need to.
"We have poor soil. It doesn't hold water," Colclough said. "If people want to have a yard and landscape it to keep it looking nice they pour water onto it."
The other workshops, which will both be led by Lantzville landscaper Jamie Wallace, focus on water and drought-resistant plants.
"My thought behind this was you got to build the soil, you got to manage your water and then you got to plant the right plants," Colclough said.He would like to see the workshops held annually and run longer than just a few hours, adding that he also wants to see the district host events such as a public demonstration garden."I am hoping that this is something that becomes more and more each year," he said. "I want this to become a regular thing. These are three two-hour long sessions and I would like to see three-day long sessions or half day sessions ... just to continue to build knowledge."
All three workshops are free and held at Costin Hall. Space is limited, so those wishing to attend must register by e-mailing councillor.colclough@lantzville.ca.