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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
An eight-year-long experiment in gardening has been an exercise in learning for one Fort Simpson family, and an experience they won't give up.

Lydia Nelner, right, and her friend Destiny Villeneuve-Brown sit in front of her family's garden in Fort Simpson with some freshly picked beans and peas. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

When Dennis and Trudy Nelner moved into their current home in Fort Simpson eight years ago, the far corner of their backyard was little more than a patch of gravel and compacted dirt. Today it contains a lush, well-tended garden brimming with vegetables.

When the family moved in, they knew they wanted a garden. Dennis had grown up watching his mother Madeline Nelner gardening and Trudy, originally from Tuktoyaktuk, was interested in seeing what she could grow. The couple said they've learned a bit more every year.

"It's all just trial and error, a lot of it," said Dennis.

During the first year the couple cleared the corner, sifted gravel and garbage out of the area and put in extra soil. Their only crop that year was potatoes. The garden started slightly smaller than its current size of approximately 36 square metres.

"Then I got braver to tackle more," said Trudy.

This year, the garden includes carrots, beets, tomatoes, potatoes and pumpkins. The family has already harvested lettuce as well as zucchinis, wax beans and peas.

Beside the garden is a small cold frame where the family is trying their hand at growing peppers this year. Alongside the house is a row of sweet corn where approximately 10 heads are already showing.

Dennis said the garden becomes more productive every year. He attributes the productivity to composting, something the family learned over the years.

Every part of the plants that aren't eaten, such as the leaves and stalks, are put into the composter and returned later to the garden. The family also purchased a shredder so they could include paper products in the compost mix.

As their gardening knowledge has grown, so has the family's ability to make the garden produce last. Approximately four years ago Trudy found a recipe and started making chutneys out of the garden's vegetables. She's still experimenting with different variations but has a list of people who are eagerly waiting to try this year's batch.

Trudy also makes and freezes tomato sauce and is learning how to pickle.

"That's a nice learning curve for sure," she said.

Dennis said having a garden gives the family the security of knowing what is on their food. The couple doesn't use any fertilizer or pesticides on the garden. Their children Nicolas, 10, and Lydia, 5, also prefer fresh garden vegetables.

The couple plans to continue expanding and experimenting with their garden. They'd like to start growing herbs such as dill and oregano that they use in cooking and learn how to dehydrate them.

"We still have lots to learn," said Dennis.

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