Tabla de contenidos para Winter 2019 en Harrowsmith

When disaster strikes and evacuation orders are issued, animals are often left behind. Residents can be forced to make difficult decisions when pets or livestock can’t be transported to safety. Luckily, there are people and organizations who step up to help animals trapped behind evacuation lines. First responders often provide initial support feeding and giving water to abandoned animals. Animal rescue groups, such as local SPCA chapters or the volunteer-based Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART), are then called in to rescue and evacuate animals. These organizations also often provide emergency shelter or fostering, as well as services to help reunite animals with their owners. Rescued animals include domesticated pets, farm animals and exotic pets such as the red tail python that the BC SPCA helped care for during the…

It’s easy to love warm floors in winter. I know because I’ve installed different kinds of in-floor heating systems in homes large and small. I also live with in-floor heating in my rural Ontario home and workshop. The thing is, making warm floors happen when just a small area needs heat can be a challenge. The technical complication of installing pumps, pipes and valves for a hot water system is impractical for small installations, but this is where electric in-floor heating makes sense. While electricity is a very expensive way to heat in most places, the higher cost of electric heat doesn’t matter much for small areas of floor. I installed my first electric in-floor heating system in 2007, and technology has gotten a lot better since then. My current…

According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, Canadian barns are classified as Pennsylvania, Dutch and English. In all eastern regions, barns that are circular or polygonal are infrequent, except in Quebec, where many examples abound. The connected barn is of ancient origin and few remain in Canada. Of the types mentioned, the Pennsylvania is most common, except for the little English barn. A typical site is one with a southerly exposure on rising ground. The barn is built with its great doors opening at the upper level, onto what is called the threshing floor: a broad aisle flanked by stout, squared timbers in bays stretching from floor to ceiling. The granary, opening off the threshing floor, is divided into six to eight bins separated by a passage. At the close of the…

Living in one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world has a huge drawback, one I’m sure many Canadians will recognize: the seemingly endless winters. However, there is much beauty to behold in the colder months, even when hidden under a thick blanket of snow. The landscape transforms completely, and if you’re planning on hibernating for the winter, you’re missing out on some truly incredible experiences. Camping, popular when temperatures are soaring and the sun sits high up in a clear blue sky, is equally wonderful when done in the winter. And there’s a bonus: no bugs! Here are some amazing camping destinations across Canada to check out this winter. Strathcona Provincial Park British Columbia Located on Vancouver Island, Strathcona Provincial Park is a good entry point…

Yet, if you’ve ever worn a Cowichan sweater, you will be familiar with a wonderful, warm, woolly, weatherproof garment. Those of us lucky enough to own a Cowichan (anglicized from Quw’utsun’, meaning “the warm land”) sweater possess a truly iconic piece of Canadiana. The Cowichan sweater is what is known as an acculturated art form, as it includes knitting—a European tradition—with Salish spinning and weaving methods. Before European contact, the Coast Salish people wove blankets, leggings, matting for tent material, and bedding from mountain goat wool, dog hair and plant fibres. Archeological records show that the art of weaving was well established by 1500. The natural oils in the fibres kept people dry in the famously wet weather on Vancouver Island. These fibres were spun on a spindle, while weaving…

Growing Trees and Shrubs Indoors: Breathe New Life into Your Home with Large Plants by D.J. Herda (New Society, 2019) Did you know that the air inside our own homes is typically two to five times more polluted than the air outside? And that trees and shrubs can effectively remove pollutants indoors, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? This new eye-opening, science-based book will have readers seriously thinking about making changes to the environment where they spend most of their time: their home. In addition to making the case for growing trees and shrubs inside, the author walks readers through what to grow indoors and how to help plants survive and thrive. It’s an educational read for anyone interested in learning a new way to improve wellness and live a longer,…

For as long as we can remember, fire has been a tool for humans. From clearing areas for living and growing to using firewood to cook food and keep homes warm throughout the colder months, fire is an integral part of our life, especially life on the farm, as Sarah Loten explores in “Forged by Fire” (page 28). While fire has been a way for us to control our surroundings, it’s interesting to note, and terrifying to see, how climate change may be turning our greatest ally against us in the form of uncontrollable wildfires. As Vanessa Farnsworth explains in her story (page 23), with back-to-back devastating wildfire seasons in 2017 and 2018, many Canadians have started to wonder if this is the beginning of a future filled with smoke…

In spring 2018, Francis and I launched Hempbassadors, a project dedicated to promoting industrial hemp. With thousands of uses, from being a superfood to being a green solution for building materials, paper, plastics and even fuel, this wonderful plant is a comprehensive ecological answer to many of today’s environmental problems. An eco-friendly and quick-growing crop, it requires no insecticides, herbicides or fungicides and is even beneficial to soils. Very adaptable, it grows in a wide range of climates, making it a unique opportunity for our local economies. Learn more and follow us at hempbassadors.ca.…

Yurts: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Located at parks across the country, yurts offer a comfortable alternative to camping on the ground. The tented, round structure is designed to protect you from the elements and keep you nice and cozy all night long. On Cape Breton Island, you can start your Cabot Trail experience by staying in a traditional Mongolian yurt. It’s one of the most magical places in Canada to visit in any season and should be on your Canadian travel bucket list. Bonus: The Atlantic Ocean is right there. cabotshores.com Geodesic Domes: P.E.I. Geodesic domes are sprinkled all around the globe, but these P.E.I. domes make a visit to the Island extra special. Become one with nature in one of five geodesic domes in Treetop Haven, available year-round. You’ll…

If you haven’t done so yet, it may be time to explore the Laurentians in Quebec. Inhabitants of the province know it well and take advantage of its close proximity to Montreal to explore the splendours of this majestic mountain range dotted with thousands of lakes and hills. In any season, the Laurentians beckons, calling visitors to come forth and discover everything it has to offer, but winter can be an especially exciting time. This may become your favourite wintertime vacation spot. After the first ski lift was built in 1930, droves of tourists flocked here, transforming the area into a popular all-season vacation spot. Where railroad tracks once connected Montreal to the mountains, now the longest cycle path exists, popular in winter for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing along…

Urban Cultivator Fresh, organic produce year-round can be yours, and grown right in your own kitchen, to boot! Based out of Surrey, British Columbia, the Urban Cultivator gives you the ability to grow your very own fresh arugula, basil and other delicious herbs and greens no matter the season. Easy to use, with pre-programmed settings, the Urban Cultivator even has its own irrigation system and lighting that mimics sunlight, so your produce will taste like it was just picked from the fields. The residential unit is small and can be discreetly tucked under a counter or put on display. (We vote for the latter because it’s so beautifully designed!) urbancultivator.net Culinary Historians of Canada Canada has a rich food history, informed by the food traditions of the First Nations people,…

Baby, it’s cold outside, but this issue is sure to heat things up! Gardening editors Mark and Ben Cullen show us how to grow our own hot peppers and prepare them so we can enjoy them year-round (page 18). Then, home and property editor Steve Maxwell explains how to build your own smokehouse (page 36) and also breaks down what we need to know about in-floor heating (page 32). This season is all about getting warm and cozy with loved ones, and this issue offers plenty of ideas for entertaining during this festive time of year. Food editor Signe Langford shares some delicious recipes to nibble on with friends, preferably with a roaring fire in the background. From lamb sliders to mini vegetarian tourtières, prepare to be inspired with simple…

In the early years of our farming journey, when we were young and brimming with enthusiasm and intelligence, we saw fire as a free and easily available tool to use on our farm. After all, here on Drover’s Way Farm, near Perth, Ontario, trees abound, and our home farm was fortunate to have acres of woodlands, along with open fields and pasture land. We could come in to the large stone fireplace in the kitchen, which had provided heat for generations before us, and bask in the glow of our own fire, created and provided by our own property and our own hands. We had only to harness this tool, which couldn’t be that difficult, since so many people before us had done this, and for free! Our first adventure…

Choose a well-drained location for your smokehouse, ideally in an area that can handle foot traffic. You’ll be walking to and from the smokehouse a lot while it’s in use, so you don’t want the area to turn into a sloppy mess. There are many ways to build a structure as small as a smokehouse, but traditional pole construction offers a number of advantages. It’s simple, long lasting and quicker to build than anything else. You can even cut rot-resistant trees from your back 40 to make the frame if you’d rather not buy ready-milled lumber. The 6x8 size is easy to handle and doesn’t require any building permit. STEP 1 INSTALL THE POSTS Start by setting over-length posts into holes dug down below the frost line, then plumb them…

It’s an unlikely mishmash of individuals driving down the gravel roads of Leeds County in my Dodge van. Tina’s here from New York, a left-brain/right-brain bridge engineer/theatre director, and John, who repairs musical instruments in Ottawa. Allen and Cliff are news photographers from Montreal and Peterborough, respectively, and then there’s me, a winery tour guide from Prince Edward County. Thus, the minivan. Tina calls us a disparate group of barn seekers. We had a seat for Russ, too, a self-described hippie/writer, lifelong bookseller and community activist for the arts, but he couldn’t join us this time on another daylong trek to record the portraits and stories of pre-1900 barns. Despite our differences, we are on a common mission. The magical magnetism that brings us together is the memory of our…

Twenty years ago in Ancaster Meadows, located in the historic village of Ancaster, Ontario, a group of neighbours developed a friendship that started off much like any other. The neighbours had children in the same school and on the same sports teams, and they attended the same church. Over the years, their friendship has grown stronger thanks to shared interests in good food, good wine, good conversation—and polenta. The friends, who call themselves the Polenta Gang, came together in the mid-1990s. They were originally five couples, with a sixth joining in later. Altogether, the Polenta Gang includes Steve and Dora Boccadoro, Lou and Tina DiDomenico, Carl and Carla Galli, Leanne and Randy Osatchuk, Rito and Maria Rosati, and Lisa and Frank Safian. “Many of the couples grew up in the…

RVing in winter is a great way to experience the countryside in a fresh way. Keep in mind, though, that not all roads are traversable in the middle of winter and may not be available at all in avalanche zones, so check the weather and road conditions of the places you wish to travel to when planning your trip and before you set out. Most campsites have electrical hookups at designated areas within the campground, but they’re often first come, first served, so book ahead. When RVing in winter, bring warm quilts and electric blankets for extra warmth, and remember to park your RV in a sunny spot so it can capture heat from the sun. For more tips and ideas on RVing, visit gorving.ca.…

Although popular year-round, the numerous Nordic spas dotting the Laurentians are a huge draw during the colder months. Quebec is known for its brutal winters, but here you can expect the cold weather to contribute to a host of therapies that improve your well-being. The dip in temperatures coupled with the many lakes and rivers in the area make winter in the Laurentians perfect for this unique form of hot/cold hydro therapy. The process includes radically altering your body temperature in quick succession, from hot to cold and back to hot, and then repeating the circuit two to three more times. The Nordic-style water therapy offers many benefits, including stimulating your immune system, eliminating toxins from your body, increasing your metabolic rate and soothing sore muscles. If rest, relaxation and…