This is Barrington  Belle, a large-flowered Japanese-type peony. Note how the rose-red guard petals surround a large central tuft of red and pink staminoides edged in gold. Other Japanese-type peonies are Ama-No-Sode, a very floriferous pink variety with a gold-edged centre, produced on strong stems and Japensha Ikua a heavy bloomer of rich, shining plum-red flowers with yellow centre.

Singing Gardener: Get acquainted with peonies that have people names

Plus, more info about the hackberry tree

During my primary grade school years, teachers focused a lot on memorizing — especially poetry. One poem in particular that still vividly speaks to me, even to this day is “Trees,” by Joyce Kilmer. His dramatic poem whose words appear next,  may also speak to others out there among our family of Grainews readers. I think that I shall never […] Read more

Modern-day sausage making

Modern-day sausage making

First We Eat: This was once a good way for butchers to use up trimmings but now a good way for you to control ingredients

Sausages used to be the great unmentionable, made from things no one wanted to know about, never mind eat. But although they began as the thrifty butcher’s way of using up trimmings, sausages have gone uptown. Making your own sausages, like anything homemade, means the cook controls everything, from the selection of meats, salt and […] Read more


While many would expect that a certain level of fatigue and tension would accompany the busy seasons, there’s more to it than that.

Here’s some tips to help prevent muscle tension

Fit to Farm: Farming includes long hours spent on equipment but pain and discomfort shouldn’t be a normal side-effect

Farming is an industry where scheduling is ruled by the seeds we sow, the animals we raise, and the people we feed. While many would expect that a certain level of fatigue and tension would accompany the busy seasons, there’s more to it than that. Tension that causes discomfort or pain and fatigue are signs […] Read more

Surprise! I’m coming back to the farm

Surprise! I’m coming back to the farm

What do you do when an adult son or daughter who has been away for years decides to return and farm with you?

“Elaine, we are not sure what to do, our son who never had time for the farm has just informed us that he is planning to come back to farm with us. Problem is, his brother who has farmed with us for 11 years is not happy about this.” As a farm family coach I […] Read more


Cooking on a winter-weather shoestring

Cooking on a winter-weather shoestring

First We Eat: Golden Vegetable Latkes

The view out my window is relentlessly white. Deep snow has collected across the yard, and the temperature is hovering around -30 C, as it has for the past week. The forecast for the coming week is no better. The roads are rotten. Winter weather means that this week’s cooking must be from the pantry, […] Read more

Stop bullying your parents!

Stop bullying your parents!

As land values increase pressure may be put on to sell

There are some columns I wish I did not have to write. This is one of them. Through the past few years of land values jumping as much as 23 per cent in one year it is no surprise to farm families to see their balance sheets with larger numbers. It is shocking to those […] Read more


PHOTO: COURTESY W.H. PERRON

Singing Gardener: Draws for tomato seeds have taken place

Plus, what kind of weather should we expect after this cold winter?

Draws for the dozen packets of Cosmonaut Volkov heirloom tomato seeds took place on March 5. Winners can expect their seeds in the mail via Canada Post with names appearing in April 9 issue of Grainews. Endless thanks to each and all who participated. I’ll be checking the entries for comments and garden tips following the draws […] Read more

Pain that lasts a long time sometimes stops feeling like pain, and becomes a part of who we are, sometimes appearing as other health conditions.

Do you suffer from constant pain?

Pain is the body’s way of saying something is wrong. Don’t just stifle it

A client messaged me today — a local farmer who had started seeing me as a personal trainer. Routinely complaining about his shoulder pain during sessions, I suggested we focus on rehabbing his pain first, but was met with resistance as he had already “tried more than six therapists and nothing had worked.” I left […] Read more


Saying farewell with apple crepes

Saying farewell with apple crepes

First We Eat: What better way to pay tribute after hearing 
my cooking mentor had passed away

I learned recently that my culinary mentor, Madeleine Kamman, died in July 2018. At the time, the event went unnoticed. But when I got word, the news flattened me. Madeleine was the tigress who taught me to trust my palate, who set my benchmarks. She valued methods, flavour principles, terroir — that ineffable link between […] Read more

Dump your grain, not your pain

Dump your grain, not your pain

Stop dumping anger and 
start creating a healthy legacy

The email subject line read “UNBELIEVABLE” in all caps, and I knew it wasn’t going to be a happy farm transition story. Fourteen bullet points ensued with anger, poor decision-making, people not taking responsibility for their inaction. After ingesting a dump load of angst my reply simply was, “And what do you want me to […] Read more