Communities in Bloom
OPEN HOUSE
January 27, 2018
Castlegar
photo: G. Kildow
Phone: 250.365.1653 Facebook: Castlegar Peony Castlegar CIB: darlene@kalawsky. com Castlegar Peony: castlegarpeony@gmail.com |
Geraldine’s motto is “Every garden is worthy of at least one peony”! Her favourite saying is “The oxen is slow but the Earth is patient”. Her best ever purchase: a real live tractor!
Please welcome Geraldine Kildow and her love of peonies to Castlegar! |
Mid-way through her forty year career in nursing, Geraldine Kildow serendipitously added “farmer” to her list of life-work credentials. Her 1994 purchase of five acres became North Field Farm in Ferndale, Washington.
Initially working the ground entirely by hand, she planted her first peonies in 1996. Crop diversification followed with the addition of blueberries, figs, quince and sweet chestnuts - and always more peonies. Today Geraldine grows sixty-four varieties for the cut flower market plus many single specimen varieties for the pure pleasure of having them. She now tends crops full time, while husband Fred Moberg applies his genius to troubleshooting mechanical and structural problems, and running his sawmills. If ever a dull moment occurs, Beagles Ruben, James and Lucy are sure to dig out of their kennel and set out on a scent trail! Geraldine's favourite peony is the one blooming closest to hand. |