TNXA Demo Garden Blooms on Seymour
Submitted by Fearon Blair, TNXA
The Thompson Nicola Xeriscape Association (TNXA) has come a long way since our first meeting in February. We are still a small group of people doing the planning and administrative work, but I’m pleased to say that we are now a registered association.
We were not able to set up classes last spring (another one of our original goals) but we kept busy in the summer months. Specifically, we twice had a booth at the Saturday Kamloops Farmers Market, and each time we had a strong response, with many people stopping to ask questions, take our printed information, and in some cases, share their experience with sustainable gardening.
Our major achievement so far is the xeriscape demonstration garden in the 500 block on Seymour Street downtown. At our first meeting in February we never imagined that we would have a demo garden so quickly! However, after receiving permission from the property owners, we started with weeding and removing debris from the area, and subsequently planted native and drought-tolerant plants, which have done well.
We faced a number of challenges, including how to mulch the garden, as wood chips would have been a fire hazard—especially considering the cigarette butts we found on the site while preparing for planting. We also did not want to use rocks, for a variety of reasons, so we chose green mulch, planting various ground covers, including strawberries, instead.
A very positive note is that we had many lovely interactions with people who walked by as we worked on the garden. Most of them were curious, encouraging, positive, and appreciative of what we were doing. The management of Visions Electronics, who allowed us the space and contributed to the irrigation repairs, are also pleased and supportive. The garden now has three rock “snakes” thanks to children participating in rock painting at one of the Pop-Up Community Centre events hosted by the BC Interior Community Foundation (BCICF) this July at the TNRD Library Building, in which TXNA also took part. One of our activities included tours around the block to the demo garden on Seymour. If you have not already seen the garden, watch for it as you drive or cycle or walk along the block.
TNXA’s next priority is to make and install signage to inform and educate those walking by about the garden and what it represents. We are planning to hold an “opening” of the garden later in September—watch for the celebration!
Our next meeting takes place at 7 pm on September 11, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1136 6th Avenue. The agenda will focus on planning and preparing for educational activities, developing a social media presence, finding sources of funding, and recruiting more members to sit on the board. We would be delighted to welcome any Transition Kamloops supporters and other interested Kamloopsians to join us.
Transition Kamloops has kindly included TNXA in their Network Directory on transitionkamloops.net. Look for us on that page, which includes our contact details in the dropdown box if you have questions.
Photo credits: Shelley McGuinness, snake header and garden, August 2025; TXNA members, work crew, April 2025.
Transition Kamloops
Transition Kamloops is a volunteer-driven, registered not-for-profit society focused on increasing local resilience and self-sufficiency in food, water, energy, culture and wellness. We emphasize a local economy, healthy ecosystems, and grassroots community building, while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. We believe in a better way: a community that sustains life in all its diversity, strives for equality and justice and invests in the future.
Transition Kamloops recognizes that we are living on Secwépemcul’ecw—land that was never ceded to settlers, and continues to be home to vibrant Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions. We acknowledge the impact of colonization, forced displacement, and ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous peoples. We commit to listening, learning, and building positive relationships with Indigenous communities as we work towards reconciliation.
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