Less bugs and less chemicals in Cumberland – that’s the goal of CVRD educator Gayle Bates. Gayle will be providing information about Cumberland’s new pesticide by-law, along with tips for gardeners for compost use and successful pesticide-free gardening as a part of this year’s Cumberland Garden Tour on Saturday June 27th. She will be available from 10:00 until 4:00 for gardeners who have questions for her, and will be doing a formal presentation at both 11:00 and 2:00.

All of this will be happening at Seeds Natural Food Market in the building on the corner of Dunsmuir and 3rd Street. “This is a great fit for us” says Seeds owner Tina Willard-Stepan. “We sell organic plants and local seeds and actively encourage our customers to grow their own food. We also showcase many products grown right here in the Valley, which may be of interest to guests of the Garden tour. We’re very excited to be a part of this wonderful community event.“

This year’s Garden Tour promises to be a larger, better—rounded event than ever. Not only will ticket holders be invited to enjoy some of Cumberland’s most beautiful gardens, but they will be treated to berry-picking at Ash Berry Farm, discount prices at Cumberland’s own Magnolia Garden Centre, and the CVRD learning opportunity at Seeds Market. A long-dormant community garden at Cumberland Elementary School has even been revitalized by the inspired membership of the Cumberland Community Schools Environment Club. Students ages 8-12 have spent weeks planting vegetables in anticipation of the Garden tour and in hopes of having their first bountiful harvest over the summer.

The Cumberland Garden tour is a fundraiser of the Cumberland Museum and Archives. Tickets are $10 each and are available at The Cumberland Museum, Home and Garden Gate, Magnolia Gallery and Garden Centre and Blue Heron Books.