RKS Film: “Visionary Gardeners”: “Food Without Limits”

The Canadian television series “Visionary Gardeners” is a five-part series premiering March 7, at 9 p.m. ET on Vision TV and it runs for 5 weeks in half hour segments. It features avid Canadian gardeners with their own vision of what a garden is. You may think the series is about them and their gardens and that is true and of course that is interesting particularly if you are gardener. But these episodes may spark a certain reaction on your part particularly about the social use of food and just how far gardening limits can be challenged in Canada.

Episode 4 which shows on March 28^th is entitled “Food Without Limits”. Bob Duncan of Victoria, British Columbia challenges the climate of Victoria, British Columbia by growing tropical and semi-tropical plants such as limes, lemons and figs. Duncan has had a passion for growing tree fruits for some 50 years collecting seeds from Spain, China and Florida. He has no complicated vision other than his joy of doing what most will say is impossible. Although he seeks to challenge the limits you may ask why. In this case gardening is shown time and time again, like life itself, to dangle impossibilities in front of the gardener who throws down the glove and duels with nature.

Tiffany Grenkow shows us the social importance of food seeking to feed the less fortunate in her Winnipeg community and recreating some indigenous food like Pemmican. Food grown in her garden helps people connect with nature. Is Grenkow a Johnny Appleseed? Her garden gives her a personal connection with community.

Surely you must conclude gardening can be more than the act of growing food. It is but an expression of human will.

Not a gardener? That’s not important here as this series is above and over gardening and is about life. If you are gardening averse that’s fine as the cinematographic feast will have you coming back for more!

“Visionary Gardeners” is a new series from filmmakers Ian Toews and Mark Bradley of Victoria, British Columbia based 291 Film Company. If you miss the broadcast Canadians can catch it free for two weeks after the broadcast at www.visiontv.ca.