One of Cochrane's newest and greenest non-profits, Cultivate Cochrane, is inviting green thumbs to take part in an event that is all about growing efficiently in a region that poses cold climate challenges.
Tickets are available for purchase for a May 5 talk and bus tour on passive solar greenhouses with Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture. The talk is free to attend and takes place at the Cochrane Public Library from 12 to 1 p.m., followed by a ticketed bus tour from 1-5 p.m.
With a mission "to empower citizens to grow food in our challenging climate, improve health and lifestyle while spending less, and connect more deeply to place and community," society vice-president Jackie Skrypnek said the intention of the event is to "build community and resiliency around food growing."
So, what is a passive solar greenhouse?
Essentially, it's a low maintenance greenhouse, whereby the design helps the unit self-regulate temperature – for optimal warmth and cooling to facilitate growth.
Rather than the traditional common concept of entirely enclosing the greenhouse in poly or glass or solid plastic sheeting, the north wall and possibly east and west walls, are made with other materials with thermal mass.
The result is more efficient growing, with extension into the shoulder seasons and if the size of the space warrants it, "a really nice place to hang out."
Skrypnek, a longtime Cochranite and champion of the "make, bake, grow" movement maintains that learning some basic food growing skills can help gardeners to achieve a healthier lifestyle by going back to basics.
Skrypnek can be found foraging in her own backyard food forest in the summer months, rustling up fresh herbs and produce – which she incorporates into the food she cooks for the guests who stay in her quaint, backyard tiny house bed and breakfast, Hereabouts B&B.
Avis is an internationally-recognized teacher and expert in natural systems design through his businesses Verge Permaculture and Adaptive Habitat.
The tour will explore greenhouses that are 100-500 square feet. Refreshments provided by The Noble Fox Coffee in Cochrane.
Tickets are $49.95 and are available at cultivatecochrane.com.
