Gary King, as shown here, passed on in the Spring of 2009. We at TLC, give our warm condolences to the family. Gary gave much to the agricultural community and was an inspiration to many. He will be missed.
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Contact: Naty King Address: Phone: Email: Certified Organic by SOFS |
| Produce grown: | When it’s Available: | Where to buy our product: | ||
| Culinary herbs and vegetables: cilantro, basil, chives, celeriac, horse radish, green onions, leeks, fennel
Beets |
Our Store Is Open At The Barn All Year Saturdays 9:30-5:00 |
At the Farm Capers Community Markets Bishops Restaurant Aurora Bistro Fairmont at the Airport ProOrganics wholesaler |
More Information:
Although this small farm is nearly fully cultivated, the Kings offer protection and habitat for songbirds through their intentional cultivation of milk thistles for finches, and by their care of killdeer nests in the fields. They grow 100 varieties of culinary herbs, vegetables and flowers which maintain plant and seed biodiversity, as well as habitat for beneficial insects and birds. For example, leaving some fennel and siberian kale to flower creates habitat for the swallowtail butterfly. In addition, a hand-dug drainage channel running the length of the northern boundary is left thickly vegetated with trees, shrubs and grasses thereby providing riparian habitat for birds and insects.
Also located along the northern boundary of this 6-acre Farm is a 30-metre wide corridor of mature trees – firs, maples, alders, cottonwoods, elderflower and dense undergrowth of herbs and shrubs. This land was purchased by Surrey municipality from private individuals and is designated a ‘greenway’. The Kings support the protection of greenways for wildlife throughout the region. When some of the trees grew so large as to become hazardous, Gary, Naty’s late husband, instructed the arborists not to cut them down but to limb and top them, leaving perches, habitat and food for birds, especially owls, woodpeckers, and robins. The Farm is not deer fenced. When asked whether there is much damage from wildlife, Gary said, “we plant more than we expect to harvest so that the deer, rabbits, birds and kids get their share”.
At one time, the Kings owned the adjacent 10-acre property to the south. Gary developed a drainage channel planted with rushes and sedges to route the water around the fields. This has created riparian habitat for songbirds, insects and amphibians along the south and west border of the property.
Gary King and John Bishop (restaurateur and producer of the film “Deconstructing Supper”) were dynamic partners in getting the message out to the public about the quality of produce grown locally by organic farmers and prepared by local chefs, and about the celebration and community involved in local food and cuisine.
