Sandy Soil and a Greenhouse on Vancouver Island

Vegetables
Written By Steven Biggs

Gardening on Sand on Vancouver Island

Donna Balzer gardens on Vancouver Island, Canada.

Donna Balzer gardens on Vancouver Island, Canada.

Meet Donna Balzer, a Vancouver Island food gardener.

Donna tells us about gardening on her very sandy soil, talks about how she uses a greenhouse to harvest year-round, and shares some of her favourite crops.

As well as being an avid gardener, Donna is a horticulturist, garden journalist, and broadcaster. She co-authored No Guff Vegetable Gardening with Steven in 2011.

Donna has a passion for soil and soil biology, and loves teaching other people about it.

Get more food gardening tips from Donna on her blog and podcast, at DonnaBalzer.com.


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Steven Biggs

Recognized by Garden Making Magazine as one of the "green gang" of Canadians making a difference in horticulture, Steven Biggs is a horticulturist, former college instructor, and award-winning broadcaster and author. His passion is helping home gardeners grow food in creative and attractive ways.


He’s the author of eight gardening books, including the Canadian bestseller No Guff Vegetable Gardening. His articles have appeared in Canada’s Local Gardener, Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening, Garden Making, Country Guide, Edible Toronto, and other magazines.


Along with over 30 years working in the horticultural sector and a horticultural-science major at the University of Guelph, Steven’s experience includes hands-on projects in his own garden including wicking beds, driveway strawbale gardens, and a rooftop tomato plantation—to the ongoing amusement of neighbours.


When not in the garden, you might catch him recording his award-winning Food Garden Life podcast or canoeing in Algonquin Park.

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