Tabla de contenidos para Spring 2025 en Harrowsmith

For generations, birds have represented freedom and independence, while birdhouses have evolved to symbolize a sense of home and charm. Some of the earliest documented examples of birdhouses can be found in thirteenth century Turkey, in a region known as Anatolia. According to Turkish architect and poet, Cengiz Bektas, birdhouses personified the Anatolian love for birds and the belief that humankind must be in balance with all creation. By the sixteenth century, birdhouses could be found throughout Turkey, and they became more stylish and elegant in their designs. Built into public buildings and schools, birdhouses symbolized and impressed upon adults and children alike the Ottoman traditions of kindness and mercy. Early European examples of birdhouses can be found in Belgium and Holland during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. There, ceramic…

1 Water More plants die of too much TLC than not enough. It is true that you can ignore a plant long enough to kill it, but much more often, we kill plants with kindness. When should you water a newly planted specimen? The general rule is, when the soil is dry about 2 or 3 centimetres deep. Push your finger into the soil up to your second knuckle. If it feels cool, don’t water. If it feels dry down to the tip of your finger, give it a good soak. How about an established garden? We only water a garden that has been planted for three years or more when there is serious drought (in other words, when there is no measurable amount of rain for two to three…

Most pancakes are sugar bombs made with granulated sugar and topped with sugary syrup—and they’re often finished with powdered sugar for that final knockout punch. One moment you are enjoying a heady sugar rush, and the next you are crashing hard. But, these pancakes are inspired by a transcendent dinner I had at Fäviken, Magnus Nilsson’s now-closed 16-seat restaurant nestled in the middle of Jämtland, Sweden. Magnus is at the vanguard of new Nordic cuisine (along with Noma’s René Redzepi). His cooking honours local ingredients that sometimes appear to be foraged by woodland fairies. This recipe doesn’t require you to forage for anything, but it does honour the Scandinavian sensibility of incorporating savoury, herbaceous ingredients into dishes where North Americans would least expect them. When these flavours are combined with…

Earth Hour has grown into a worldwide event observed in more than 190 countries and territories. Wherever you live, on March 22 at 8:30 p.m. local time, it’s time to switch off your lights as a symbolic gesture of solidarity and raising awareness about environmental issues, particularly climate change. In addition to doing something kind for our planet, it’s a great opportunity to turn off your screens and spend quality time with your family. Here’s a short list of earth- and child-friendly activities to help make Earth Hour a success for your household. Have an indoor picnic: Set a blanket on the floor, prepare picnic-style foods, like sandwiches and chopped fruits and veggies, and play board or card games. Go stargazing: Head to a clear spot, away from any lights…

Growing native plants — the species that have graced your region for thousands of years — helps fight biodiversity loss whether you live in the city, suburbs or a rural area. These plants provide essential food and shelter for pollinators as well as birds, mammals, amphibians and more. Carefully chosen native plants can also reduce the impacts that climate change has on you and your local ecosystem by providing cooling shade, preventing erosion and reducing flooding and even fire risk. Here are a few recommended perennial species to try, whether you’re new to native plants or are looking for more to add to your garden. Columbines (genus Aquilegia) Native species examples: Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa) in BC, AB and YT; red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) in SK, MB, ON and QC…

When it comes to gardening and the outdoors, there’s one thing for sure: a new generation of young plant enthusiasts is leading the way in prioritizing sustainability. Generation Z, born from the mid 1990s to early 2010s, is the first generation born with immediate access to the internet. Also known as Zoomers, they often get their gardening information from social media. Take Ayia Lindquist (@ayiayaya on TikTok and Instagram), who is on a mission to transform how people interact with the natural environment. “I have seen the impact of climate change since I was three years old,” she explains. For Ayia, it’s personal. She emphasizes that “the only way we can achieve community-scale healing is by connecting people with nature—especially for Black and Brown communities, who often do not have…

Regardless of whether you love to eat them, we can all agree that fungi play a crucial role in ecosystems by decomposing organic material and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Some mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, can even break down harmful substances such as plastic or oil, while others, like Cladosporium sphaerospermum, have been shown to tolerate radiation and could potentially help in cleaning radioactive waste zones. For more about the power of mushrooms, turn to page 40.…

If your home boasts even a small patch of grass, then, whether you realize it or not, you’re living like royalty. Or at least royalty of the past. That’s because a few hundred years ago, grassy areas were the private domain of wealthy landowners. It wasn’t until the Victorian era that lawns became a sign of middle-class respectability, whereby homeowners sought to emulate the lifestyle of the rich and famous by maintaining their own grass. A game changer in all of this was the invention of push mowers in the 1800s. A second advancement happened decades later in the early 1950s, with the introduction of gas-powered mowers for consumers. Since then, lawn and yard maintenance has literally been fueled by a litany of gas-powered products, from mowers and trimmers to…

There’s no better way to spend time with good friends than at a casual weekend dinner party. As long as the menu is uncomplicated, it’s an easy way to get quality time together. Away from restaurants, you can hear each other and share a delicious meal—no fussy tablescapes required! An important note: My best tip is to get as much as possible done in advance (so you can enjoy your own dinner party!), so look for the make-ahead notes throughout this menu. BRANDY-APPLE PORK TENDERLOIN Serves 4 Brandy with apple and cream is a classic flavour trio used in French cuisine, and after one bite you’ll know why. The combination is tart, sweet and rich—perfect for pork tenderloin, which can be a touch bland without a great sauce. ½ cup…

We partnered with Lazy Bear Lodge and Expeditions to bring you this story because they know the area really well, and they are a great resource for anyone looking to plan a trip to Churchill, Manitoba. To learn more, go to lazybearlodge.com. POLAR BEARS The lion may be the king of the jungle, but the polar bear is the ruler of the arctic. This powerful and mighty creature is a natural wonder—an animal that lives mostly on sheets of ice and swims in frigid waters, but can also survive on land. BELUGA WHALES Among the most mesmerizing creatures in the world — observed and studied by scientists and adventurers alike — these unique white whales are charming, playful, natural singers, and, despite their immense size, graceful and beautiful to watch.…

World Water Day is celebrated every year on March 22. We don’t often recognize that water can both help establish harmony and be a catalyst for conflict. Our health, food, environment, economy and energy systems rely on a fair, functioning water cycle, and with climate change and population growth threatening supply, we need to work together to protect and conserve clean, usable water as a resource. According to the United Nations, more than 3 billion people on the planet need water that crosses national borders, but only two dozen countries have agreed to share their supply. What’s more, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says half the world’s population experiences “severe” water scarcity for at least a few months a year, and the World Health Organization and UNICEF report more…

In October 2024, I listened to a CBC radio program called Cost of Living with Paul Haavardsrud. The segment asked the question, “Why did apples get fancy and pricey?” The program focused on the Honeycrisp apple—the one we recognize and enjoy for its juicy, crunchy taste and texture. The New York Apple Association describes it as “honey-sweet with a taste of tart and amazingly crisp.” (Apparently, the Honeycrisp enjoys larger cell composition which leads to the latter feature.) At the time, Halloween was imminent, and the host indicated that, with apples like Honeycrisp running two dollars apiece, folks could no longer afford to drop apples into the sacks of trick-or-treaters. We still hear that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but when you do the math, it’s cost…

Heartee Foods, co-founded by Jonathan Murray, Rob Imbeault and Chanel Murray, is reshaping the future of food with a focus on sustainable mushroom farming. Born out of a desire to combat food insecurity, the company grows gourmet mushrooms using innovative, space-efficient techniques that reduce waste and limit carbon emissions. By cultivating mushrooms locally, Heartee Foods not only ensures freshness but also supports local economies and promotes sustainability. We caught up with the team at Heartee Foods to learn more about their passion for mushrooms, yes, but also for making a difference in the global fight against food scarcity. Read on for more about the company and its mission. Q Heartee Foods has positioned itself as a national leader in sustainable mushroom farming. What inspired the company to focus specifically on…

That bubblin’ crude is reason enough to give up the farm and move to Californy. The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971) That a B&B can continue to operate despite incompetent staff and infrequent guests. Newhart (1982-1990) That Hooterville has all the amenities you could ever need. Petticoat Junction (1963-1970) That country people only like country music. Hee Haw (1969-1997) That aging farmers are crotchety old coots. The Real McCoys (1957-1963) That a small town is still safe from crime despite an inept deputy and a sheriff who named his son Opie. The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) Originally published in the Spring 2013 Truly Canadian Almanac UPDATE Here are a few more recent, Canadian titles to add to the list (and one oldie-but-goodie that we missed): That funny, wealthy people can learn the…