From a weed-filled lot to an award-winning garden
It took Brown just five years to transform her Peachland garden into first-in-class
After moving from Cranbrook to Peachland five years ago, Lynda Brown transformed her sloped yard from just weeds to Peachland’s best garden.
Her award-winning garden offers flagstone and gravel paths winding through brilliant blooms, soothing greens, a burbling fountain and tomatoes the size of baseballs.
“I love the different smells. I love working in the dirt. It gives me joy,” said Brown, who is puttering in her garden almost every day.
Peachland’s best garden contest was a one-time event, said Phyllis Papineau of the Peachland Sowers and Growers Club, who organized the contest to recognize 2022 as the Year of the Garden, a centennial celebration across the country of Canada’s horticulture sector.
During the pandemic, gardening saw an uptick in popularity as people discovered gardens were good for both mental and physical health.
A panel of five judges toured eight nominated Peachland gardens, using criteria including sustainability, containers, foliage, flowers, hardscape such a raised beds, vegetables, water features and general tidiness.
Despite the harsh winter, a cool spring and munching marmots, Brown’s sloped garden is a tranquil oasis.
Even the driveway is lined with strawberry plants.
Although Papineau said all eight garden entries were amazing, Brown’s garden stood out, especially since she had created it in just five years, doing the work herself, including carrying in the gravel.
Brown was awarded a plaque from Peachland for her achievement.
Although the public was not able to check out the candidates for the Best Garden in Peachland, Papineau said the Peachland Sowers and Growers have invited Brown and the other seven nominees to enter the Peachland Art and Garden Tour expected to take place in June 2023.
Papineau said she hopes the gardens will inspire others.