Produce disappearing from the gardens and orchard of Historic Stewart Farm has staff concerned about the future of the heritage crops.
Despite “big and bold” no-picking signs posted around the goods – which are grown from heirloom seeds, some of which are rare and centuries old – people are using the 13723 Crescent Rd. property to stock up on fruit and veggies, according to curator Lana Panko.
“It seems that people are coming along and helping themselves, and it got to the point last fall where we didn’t have one apple left in the orchard,” she said. “One of the volunteers saw people come in with shopping bags into the orchard and just start picking.”
The orchard grows more than 20 heritage varieties of apples – one of which dates back to 1776 France – that are baked, dried or stored for various programs, including Apple Day, which the farm celebrates each September with an apple tasting.
“We’re trying to maintain the old varieties,” Panko said. “It’s part of an ongoing program at the farm to educate people about growing food and fruit and all the recipes that can be used, or just saving the seed and passing it onto future generations.”
Except there weren’t any apples for last fall’s event.
“We’re pondering what we should do and we haven’t come to any definite conclusion yet but we are really concerned about it because it’s for everyone’s enjoyment,” Panko said.
“There are a few who are just helping themselves and not even thinking about why we are doing this.”
The farm has also been wiped of its entire supply of stratagem peas, which date back to 1879. “The peas seem to be a favourite amongst someone out there. I don’t know who, but they seem to come back on a regular basis when the peas are ready to be picked. It’s got to be after hours, and it could be on a day we are not there.”
Panko said strategem peas are not readily available, and the farm hasn’t located another supplier.
“That’s one we’re having a little bit of difficulty finding, and then we’re also concerned we’re not going to be able to save it anyways because of the picking problem.”
While unwanted picking has always been an issue, Panko said it’s been steadily increasing the last four years.
She said it is especially upsetting for the volunteers who tend to the crops.
“They get discouraged by what’s happening.”
Panko said staff have considered relocating the peas off the public park the farm sits on, or have volunteers grow the seeds in their own yards.
“I’m not sure what else we could do. It would be awful to have to get security cameras because it would ruin the time period of the farm, but again, what can you do? What are the options?”
The farm – which is a member of Seeds of Diversity and a partner with BC Fruit Testers Association – will be showcasing some of its other seeds at Seedy Saturday (coming up April 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) where people can exchange, sell and learn more about seeds.
Panko said anyone interested in crop conservation is invited to the annual event, which will also feature garden tours and activities for kids.
For more information, call 604-592-6956 or www.surrey.ca/heritage