What is the Backyard Harvest Project?
The Backyard Harvest Project is literally my backyard. You can see most of it on The Project page. I created it because I really needed a hobby, and as I started to discover the wonders of growing my own food and cultivating a garden, I just couldn’t stop. It’s truly fascinating. Along the way, I realized I wanted to help others learn. For a minute, I thought the Backyard Harvest Project might be a business, but it isn’t. I volunteer my time writing the blog, sharing updates on Instagram, and helping neighbours and my community to grow more food.
I envision a future for urban and suburban neighbourhoods where thoughtful landscape design includes edible, native, drought-resistant, pollinator-friendly plants with yards that preserve resources like water, sunlight and fertile soil. I see communities where our backyards (and front yards) spill into the neighbourhood with boulevards, parks, and back alleys offering shared spaces filled with food and beauty. I see a future where we work with the land and the environment around us. I hope to be a small part of that future.
In addition to my often neglected but well-researched blog, I offer a limited number of free consultations for cold-climate gardeners who want to grow food, just reach out, and we can find a time to talk. I offer classes occasionally and am always happy to speak at public events about my cold climate edible gardening, my very own Backyard Harvest Project. During the growing season, I’m most active on Instagram.
About Me
I’m Callandra. I discovered gardening around 2014 when I decided I needed a relaxing hobby to balance my high-intensity job as the owner of a wedding planning company. I was introduced to permaculture a couple of years later, and have spent that time learning, researching, meeting exceptional farmers, and developing my own suburban backyard in Cochrane, Alberta into a green, bountiful, secret garden.
Gardening has taught me to slow down, be patient, observe and recognize just how connected we all are to each other and the earth.
During the pandemic ‘pause’ I had an opportunity to take my Permaculture Design Certificate. I loved the learning, but I wouldn’t call myself a permaculturalist, it doesn’t quite align with my values.
I am excited to share my passion for growing, cooking, preserving, and creating beauty through the Backyard Harvest Project.
