Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2025 från Harrowsmith

I grew up in a small town in Northumberland County, Ont., about an hour and 15 minutes east of Toronto (depending on traffic, of course). Like many young people growing up in a village of less than 10,000 people in Canada in the 1980s, I couldn’t wait to move away, and I swore I would never look back. It didn’t occur to me that I would eventually long for the way I grew up — I didn’t have a key to my house because no one ever locked their doors, I recognized every single person in town by the car they drove, and I had many friends who lived and worked on their family’s farms. It was only after my husband — coincidentally, my high school boyfriend from the same…

When we think of pest-control methods, pesticides, poisons or even traps come to mind. Today, chemical pesticides are the most common form of pest control, with more than 2.5 billion kilograms used annually worldwide. Sadly, this widespread use has caused both animals and humans to suffer adverse effects. In place of harmful chemicals, animals have been used as natural pest-control agents. Chief among these are birds, due to their appetite for insects, spiders and rodents. Some of the birds used include swifts, swallows, flycatchers, bluebirds, robins and jays. For the purpose of our discussion, however, I will focus on just three. YELLOW WARBLER First is the yellow warbler — a beautiful bright yellow bird with reddish streaks on its chest. The female does not have the distinctive streaks, but both…

I remember backpacking in Patagonia for the first time, and thinking, ‘it’s beautiful, but British Columbia has this place beat.’ As Canadians, we often think if it’s exotic and far, it’s better. I am here to tell you that’s not necessarily so. Canada has some of the most spectacular landscapes imaginable. And in a world increasingly overrun with out-of-control tourism, having pristine wilderness practically to yourself is priceless. This country is not only full of hidden gems, but it’s also safe, the people are friendly and kind and your dollar definitely goes further. At a time when it’s more important than ever to band together as Canadians, travelling within our borders this summer allows us to not only experience some incredibly cool places, but it’s also a great way to…

Mark recently read Our Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests by renowned Canadian author, biochemist and botanist, Diana Beresford-Kroeger. A scientist with three postgraduate degrees, Beresford-Kroeger brings a deep understanding of the natural world, shaped by her traditional Celtic upbringing in Ireland. Diana is brilliant and an exceptional writer. This deep dive into the value of trees and forests helps us understand that we truly cannot live without them. The science is convincing, and Beresford-Kroeger’s explanations and observations of tree behaviour transport the reader to a new universe of understanding. By the time Mark reached page 100, it occurred to him: Trees are people, too. Trees communicate. They feel. They get sick, often healing themselves and each other. They are an environmental miracle. According to Beresford-Kroeger, during the…

I FIRST MET MIKE when mutual friends threw a music jam party on their eight-acre property near Dunedin, Ont. Mike was a widower, and I was a single parent. A couple of weeks later, a group of friends, including me and Mike, went to The Feast of Fields, a big organic picnic. And that’s how it all began. Being the nice guy that he is, Mike, also known as Keeper Guy, offered to move back to Toronto if we could find a house “on a very quiet street.” But, I knew in my heart that it would be much harder for him to go back to what had become a bigger, noisier and more chaotic city than the one he left in the 1970s. We’d both grown up in central…

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT WHAT YOU’LL NEED Tape measureTilesTile cutter or wet sawGrinder (with a tile blade)Tile nippers (or snips)Tile fileTrowelTile adhesives, glue and groutCaulking tilesSpacersLaser level (optional)Sponge Step #1: Measure Twice, Order Once Before diving into the project, it’s essential to measure the space where your new tiles will go. When ordering tiles, add five to 10 percent more material than you’ll need, to account for miscuts and breaks. Tip: When measuring your space, divide it into rectangles to calculate the area of square footage. Step #2: Safety First Cut off the power supply to the area before working around electrical outlets. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with electrical work, it’s best to call a professional electrician. Step #3: Tile Selection and Layout For this kitchen upgrade, we’ve opted…

Of course, it’s not always tidy; in fact, it never is. My rule when baking with kids is, “Say yes to the mess!” Because it’s so worth it. Cooking — knowing how to nourish yourself and your friends and family — is a critical life skill. More important than math, right? Imagine if your future 15-year-old could make five classic dishes with confidence. What a gift that would be for them, for you and for their future friends and partners. Here are a few tips, no matter what age your kids are: 1 Choose your timing. A frenzied weeknight when you’re trying to get dinner on the table isn’t a great time. But a rainy day with not much else on the agenda is ideal. 2 Start with dishes that…

Your summer holiday just got a whole lot easier! Corporate chef, recipe developer, culinary instructor and caterer extraordinaire Andrea Buckett has compiled more than 100 recipes and practical advice for anyone looking to enjoy satisfying, stress-free meals surrounded by nature. Here’s a little taste…. GRILLED ZUCCHINI & MOZZARELLA SALAD WITH PESTO Serves 4 We grill a lot of zucchini during the summer cottage season because it’s abundant, inexpensive, and the perfect vegetable addition to any summer meal. It’s also delicious served at room temperature, in a salad like this one, which means you can either cook it in advance (or use leftovers) and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble it. Tossed with a sweet basil pesto and adorned with creamy mozzarella and crispy radish rounds, this…

HARROWSMITH PETS Calling All Pet Chefs! Editor-in-chief Karine Ewart and Publisher Yolanda Thornton share more than a passion for all things Harrowsmith: During a recent team meeting, they discovered they both give their beloved pooches Hilary’s Blend, a 100-percent Canadian owned and operated company, with all products made in Canada. When Starlord, Karine’s French bulldog, and Midnight, Yolanda’s black lab, began experiencing serious health issues and struggled with allergies, both owners began making their own dog food and were recommended Hilary’s all-natural powder “fit for human consumption” by their vets. Learn more and find some free dog (and cat!) food recipes at completeandbalanced.com. Hilary’s Blend Supplement for Home-Made Meals (350g), $57.25, completeandbalanced.com. NATURE NUTS Do you know what kind of butterfly this is? Turn to page 12 to find out…

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Bedwell River Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot C, BC clayoquotwildernesslodge.com Contact: 250-266-0397; reserve@clayoquotwildernesslodge.com Set in the heart of the rainforest, this resort offers 25 safari tents decorated with specially commissioned furnishings from local designers, as well as First Nations artwork. It might seem like a stretch to use “fine dining” when talking about camping of any kind, but it’s true in this case: The resort uses locally sourced, sustainable produce and wines, local craft beers and ciders. It’s also a great home base for all kinds of adventures, including eco-tours, whale watching and hiking. (NOTE: Children must be six years of age or older to stay at Clayoquot.) For more on Tofino, go to page 35. Glen Oro Farm Glamping Eco Retreat 2574 Line 10 N, Oro-Medonte, Ont. glenoro.com Contact:…

SUN-KISSED SUMMER SALAD WITH PINK PEPPERCORN VINAIGRETTE This spicy, sweet & juicy salad with a pink peppercorn vinaigrette was crafted to help us bottle up that golden-hour magic so we serve it right on our plate. It plays with contrasts: layering juicy nectarines, tangy and tart gooseberries, and luscious oranges with crisp radishes and delicate greens. A drizzle of pink peppercorn vinaigrette—fruity, floral, and just a little fiery; this salad is more than a meal, it’s a declaration of summer exuberance! Serves 4-6 SALAD 2 cups cooked beets, 1 cup sliced, 1 cup cut into wedges (a mix of golden and red works well)2 shallots, sliced thinly into rings2 nectarines, cut into wedges2 plums or plumcots, cut into wedges1 cup blackberries, halved lengthways4 radishes, sliced thinly20 seedless red grapes (about…

Espaliers (trees or shrubs that are trained to grow flat in a specific pattern against a structure, like a wall or fence) can be traced back to ancient Rome and Egypt. However, the technique was really popularized during the French and Italian Renaissance, when gardeners used it to create beautiful, space-saving designs. Mark and Ben Cullen share their expert tips on how to use espaliers and other decorative elements to spruce up your vegetable garden on page 64.…

Buy Canadian: Supporting Local Food and Agriculture “Buy Canadian” has become the rallying cry of shoppers across the country, with many choosing not to purchase U.S. produce and other food items when grocery shopping. Retailers are making it easier for consumers to find Canadian-made goods, from placing maple leaf stickers on shelves to adding filters in shopping apps that highlight local products. One could argue that it hasn’t been since the last two World Wars, when provincial and federal governments actively promoted Victory Gardens through programs like Ontario’s “A Vegetable Garden in Every Home,” that so much emphasis has been placed on the importance of food during a time of conflict. These days, it’s a trade war. But that doesn’t make it any less important to support Canada’s food industry…

Ingredients: 1 post office1 grocery store – very narrow aisles, liquor concession at the back1 pharmacy – displaying teddy bears, home hair colouring and canes1 Chinese/Canadian restaurant – specializing in chicken balls and hot turkey sandwiches1 restaurant – called The Country Kitchen1 elementary school – named after a provincial premiere1 secondary school – sports teams named the Wolves1 Royal Canadian Legion1 library – open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays1 convenience store that rents movies2 ladies’ wear stores – one called Ellen’s, one called The Boutique1 menswear store – named Stan Williams Menswear1 hardware store1 New Holland or International dealership1 Kubota or John Deere dealership1 feed store1 weekly newspaper office1 town hall1 ice cream parlor – with a window to serve customers outside in summer3 to 5…