This year, the District of Sparwood was dedicated and actively promoting water conservation and encouraging all residents to get on board with ways to save water. As part of the initiative, the District of Sparwood and Sparwood Arts Council launched the rain barrel silent auction, getting local artists, businesses and youth to paint rain barrels that were displayed at several locations throughout Sparwood and were bid on by Elk Valley residents. Along with the auction the District partnered with Sparwood's Elk Valley Greenhouse and Landscaping to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a water friendly landscape worth half of all auction totals.
This year's lucky winners were Aaron and Jenna Jensen winning a landscaping project worth over six hundred dollars. "Even though I didn't win the rain barrel I was bidding on I was really excited to learn I had won the landscaping project," says Jensen. "For me, water conservation is really important so it was great to have the oppourtunity to learn about all the things I can do in my yard to help save water," she says.
With consultation with the Sparwood Water Smart ambassador and owners of the Elk Valley Greenhouse Karen Sheets and Cayle Pasiechnyk plants and flowers were chosen and the project began. "We decided to fill some tree wells in the yard with flowers and plants, as being under trees offers the plants a bit of shade away from the drying full sun," says Jensen. "Peonies, hydrangea and a honeysuckle berry bush were chosen because they are perennials, and once they are established they require little water," says Pasiechnyk. Around the flowers, the tree wells were then filled with woodchips which help to retain moisture and minimize weeds. "The whole experience has been really informative. The greenhouse offered a lot of information in water friendly plants and also ones that the deer won't to eat as well," says Jensen. Elk Valley Greenhouse was happy to be a part of sharing tips on water friendly landscapes and will be offering a seminar next year to educate resident on water friendly plants and shrubs.
Elk Valley Greenhouse would like to remind residents that they offer custom baskets and plants, taking orders during the winter and early in the new year, residential and commercial landscape projects and lawn care and snow removal during the winter.