Master Gardeners are part of a network of not-for-profit associations throughout North America. Members share a common interest – a passion for gardening and a willingness to share (at no cost) environmentally responsible gardening knowledge within their communities. Operating under the umbrella of the British Columbia Master Gardeners, the Thompson Shuswap Master Gardeners chapter was established in 2010 and its members have volunteered 10,000 plus hours throughout the Thompson-Shuswap region.

Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would have to learn to garden in an arid climate.

For the first 30 years I gardened in Northwestern Ontario with hot, short summers and long, cold winters, with abundant rainfall in the summer and no shortage of snow cover in the winter. These conditions came with the benefit of having some of the best soil in the country.

For the next 30 years my gardening took place in the lower mainland of British Columbia. This climate opened up so many more possibilities for winter vegetable gardening — growing fruits such as figs and pawpaws and a vast array of more tender shrubs, trees, and perennial herbs and flowers.

For the past five years, since moving to the Walhachin region, we have been challenged by the arid climate that my family chose. It has been a learning experience like no other. Much drier and harsher than even the Kamloops area. We have contended with blistering heat, scorching sun, severe and relentless winds and very low humidity.

So, what does a person, a gardening person, do when confronted with such inhospitable conditions?

Education is key to the development of a landscape that can survive the harshest of conditions. We have no snow or rain to speak of. There are times of the year when the wind blows constantly. It took several years to get to know our property. We began tracking the daily high and low temperatures, wind speed and direction, rain and snow events, as well as days with sun and clouds. Knowing where the winds come from helps to determine the right location for windbreaks.

First and last frost dates are a must for putting out seedlings. Too soon and all will be lost by a late spring frost. Too late in the fall and the plants won’t have enough time to grow big enough to survive the coming cold.

Too much sun is an issue now. Trees, shrubs and taller vegetables do double duty to shelter some vegetables from the excessive sun. We have also utilized fencing to block the prevailing winds and the sun.

What we grow is just as important as how we grow it. Choosing the right plant has become more important than ever.

The backbone of our evolving landscape focuses on plants which can not only survive in arid conditions but also thrive. Luckily there is no shortage of plants to choose from.

One such perennial plant that has stepped up to the plate is the common yarrow — Achillea millefolium. It is native to Canada, is drought tolerant, highly attractive to many pollinators, long blooming, and looks beautiful as well. After blooming it adds winter interest in your garden or it can be used in dried flower arrangements. An all-around excellent choice for harsh growing conditions. There are also many new varieties of yarrow which come in a rainbow of colours.

Now is the time to peruse seed catalogues and place seed orders. It is also the time to go down to your local nursery and browse through racks and racks of seeds. Every year there will be something new to try.

Gardening is 80 percent doing and 20 percent dreaming — both being equally important.

When a cactus grows in your garden without any help, listen to what it has to say.

Valerie Boyda is a Master Gardener in-training with the Thompson Shuswap Master Gardeners. She lives west of Kamloops with her husband and two cats on the north shore of the Thompson River. She loves gardening, photography and fishing and has a keen interest in regenerative landscaping with native plants and trees.