MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Spring 2021

41 appreciated as a richly coloured ground cover that keeps out weeds and requires no maintenance—but hostas are edible, too. “They’re actually a common vegetable in Japan; you can find them in grocery stores. Cut the spring shoots when they’re tightly curled spears, then toss them in olive oil and cook as you would asparagus, with a little salt and pepper. The shoots regenerate after cutting; hostas are pretty bomb-proof. It’s a wonderful vegetable that’s tragically underutilized.” Chris Sweatman at the landscaping company EcoCultures has been working with Ben to incorporate more edible elements into his clients’ properties. “People are starting to talk to us more about spending time outdoors, working in their yard,” says Chris. “And I encourage them to think of the garden working for them, rather than the other way around.” He suggests planting even a small portion of a yard with edible perennials and plants that attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, incorporating fruit trees and native elements where possible. “It’s really about pairing plantings, where the parts work cohesively to make the system work as well as possible.” Chris has some favourite recommendations: Strawberries are a favourite groundcover. “Everyone loves strawberries, and they do well for a long time with very little effort. They’re great for poolside and around walkways.” Raspberries are good for bordering. Children love to pick and enjoy the fruit. Sorel makes an incredible soup and “is just so amazing. You can walk outside and have a taste of lemon.” “Walker’s Low” catmint blooms almost the entire season and is “super-easy to maintain. Just put it in the ground and watch it do its thing.” As I feverishly make notes, asking him to pause and repeat, Chris laughs. “Once you start us garden folk, we just can’t stop talking.” As the southern Georgian Bay area continues to fill with telecommuters and retirees, all spending more time in and around their homes, both Ben and Chris note an overall increase in gardening interest. Nudging folks in the direction of edible plant choices can only be good—for the bees, butterflies and maybe even a foraging kid or two. “Hostas are actually a common vegetable in Japan; you can find them in grocery stores. Cut the spring shoots when they’re tightly curled spears, then toss them in olive oil and cook as you would asparagus, with a little salt and pepper.” ABOVE FRANCES BEATTY