A visit to a B.C. greenhouse where citrus fruits thrive and one woman?s ingenuity has made eclectic

Program Title: Lemons Below, Stars Above
Description: This episode of Harrowsmith Radio is about hydroponics, subtropical fruit in Canada and the stars in the winter sky. We begin with a journey to Salt Spring Island off the coast of British Columbia. There we find Jane Squier, who’s nurturing a citrus grove under glass (well, poly, really). She’s just wrapped up her career as a purveyor of butter lettuce and basil and is using her ingenuity, some backyard swimming pools, a solar-powered anaerobic digester and a Inspector Gadget coat full of gizmos to grow 30 varieties of citrus, avocados, pineapple guava and more.

And looking ahead to the deep dark winter, we look up, way up, and ask Harrowsmith’s resident astronomer, Rob Dick why it is that the night sky in winter looks so clear?

Host(s): Wayne MacPhail
Featured Speakers/Guests: Jane Squier has learned that when life hands you a greenhouse you make lemons, and limes and lettuce and basil and, well, all manner of hydroponic produce. Jane started hydroponic gardening in Calgary, back when hydroponics was just a wacky idea and an article in Harrowsmith, she used for inspiration to build a thriving greens business based on the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT for short). These days Jane has a 6,000 square foot green house on Salt Spring Island. Rob Dick is one of Canada’s foremost writers and educators on astronomical topics. He's also passionate about reducing light pollution and promoting science literacy. He explains why the stars, planets and other celestial objects in the winter night seem so bright and clear.

Credits: Wayne MacPhail - host and producer
Yolanda Thornton - publisher - Harrowsmith Magazine
Victoria Fenner - Campus and Community Radio Distribution

David Archibald - theme music

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