Garden

Heirloom inspiration

Defined as open-pollinated varieties that have been cultivated for at least 50 years, heirloom vegetables are known for their taste.

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Credit: VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen’s veggies offer a taste of history


It’s Vancouver, 1896: the summer is warm, the city is growing and gardens are flourishing. Tomatoes, squash, beets, broccoli, onions, cucumbers, cabbage and carrots are thriving, waiting to be picked and served. Channelling this nostalgic era is the VanDusen Heirloom Vegetable Garden in Vancouver.

Defined as open-pollinated varieties that have been cultivated for at least 50 years, heirloom vegetables are known for their taste. There were no supermarkets in Vancouver a century ago, so families for the most part had to grow their own crops. Vegetable varieties were selected for their taste, easy cultivation, preservation and ability to withstand climate variations.

If you’re looking for inspiration to start your own vegetable patch, the Heirloom
Garden at VanDusen is a good place to start.