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Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
4 Jun 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
Welcome! Come and learn how to play with the plants.
We are looking for a couple of apprentice/ helpers from March 15 /April 1st and on wards until the end of October & possibly a short way into November (weather dependent). We prefer Helpers who can stay for at least 8 weeks, though depending on our needs and the time of year we will consider a shorter stay.We are a small organic garden growing vegetables, berries ,herbs and edible flowers.
My husband and I were running as a market garden for 20 years and now Brenda's retired and unfortunately her health now doesn't allow her to be in the garden.
At this point we're transitioning to a home garden that that will be easier to handle as we get older.
Gardening experience is not essential, we prefer a desire and willingness to learn. A person with some experience with carpentry and carpentry tools would be a bonus but not a requirement.
Tasks as an apprentice/volunteer helper will be planting, weeding, harvesting ,mulching ,pruning and learning how to make vegetable compost, and other tasks that are all part of growing a successful garden. We will be doing some yard & property maintenance such as lawn mowing ,lawn trimming , small landscaping & raised garden bed and building other projects on the property. In the fall we sometime do some canning, drying & preserving foods ,making soups for our consumption & winter storage .
If you have an genuine interest in learning organic gardening skills Barry loves to teach and explain as we work. You must be teachable, able to follow directions , ask questions as needed, and to participate cooperatively with others as well individually .If you are reliable, honest, responsible, physically fit, enjoy outdoor activities in most weather conditions then we would be happy to host you.
There is a very dependable bus service available just minute from the garden to get you to Nelson and other destinations. There is forest to explore above the property with many hiking and biking trails. Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is a 10min bicycle ride . A semi-private beach is just 5 minutes down the road for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. We have bikes for you to use, a badminton court, and two hammocks under the walnut tree as well as a fire pit to cozy up to & enjoy with friends on those starry nights .
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travelers will learn Canadian country culture how to live simply & prepare for winter ,always the ultimate goal when growing a garden in the north. We will share Conservative homesteading knowledge like how to make do with what is on hand & think on your feet & how to keep from getting mauled by Bears or cougars ,.as well as letting the weather dictate our daily living and what it means to live in a place where the forest & nature are your entertainment centers with little need for money.They will learn about the first homesteaders ,the gardens are situated on the original homestead for this area and was a sheep farm at that time .We spend many nites around the outdoor camp fires exchanging stories & local lore .
Help
We understand the need for balance between work and recreation, so we offer a different arrangement to traditional " Helper/Apprentices ". We are asking for only 2 hours a day in exchange for accommodation and utilities only. Share fully furnished kitchen and living area and laundry ,wireless Internet provided. Sorry, we can’t provide meals (except for some garden produce that you can arrange to trade extra hours of help for) you will need to have enough monetary funds to supply your own personal needs . We allow Helper`s to help for 2 hrs per day or two 7-hour days if they like ( or we can try and arrange for personal schedule ) and have 5 free days for exploring the Kootenays. We have lived here for 30 years and know a lot of people in the area .. it seem that lots of locals look for some temporary help on & off during the season . Helper`s have a private clean room in our home or in one of two of our caravans. Please ask about what will be available ( if you are concerned about this) .. Adult oriented (sorry no kids or pets) No smoking in the house. Please bring appropriate clothing and foot wear as well as a good head light or flashlight .
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
A clean place in one of our caravans ( we have 3 ) or a room in the house .
What else ...
We are an easy 20 minute car ride from the cafes , pubs and stores of Nelson, and 10 minutes from Balfour. There is a very dependable bus service available just minute from the garden to get you to Nelson and other destinations. There is forest to explore above the property with many hiking and biking trails. Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is a 10min bicycle ride . A semi-private beach is just 5 minutes down the road for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. We often set up a badminton court, and a hammocks under the Alder tree as well as a fire pit to cozy up to & enjoy with friends on those starry nights .
Many countries require a work visa in order to be a volunteer helper abroad. Several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland and Canada have Working Holiday Schemes for young people from certain countries, which you may wish to investigate further. You may need a work visa to come to Canada as a workawayer.. ask me about this.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Cali (8 years)
...a female Pit Bull cross rescued from California who loves people and is very gentle. Our barking door bell.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (24)
Bren and Bear are such lovely and accommodating hosts and what Bren doesn't know about growing veg and… read more
A few things to know 1) the caravans are… read more
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Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
Bren and Bear are such lovely and accommodating hosts and what Bren doesn't know about growing veg and… read more
A few things to know 1) the caravans are… read more
I had such an exiting, well rounded and all encompassing experiance at this project. I learned lots about gardening, food preservation, seed harvesting, composting and much more. Other than an excellent learning experience, I had a peaceful retreat for my soul. The landscspes are lively and inpiring. Will sure… read more
What a beautiful place to work while also being able to meet amazing people!
I leaned a a tremendous amount about gardening, especially the level of dedication it takes to produce a successful garden. I enjoyed learning about composting in particular, and the impressive way you produce a large volume of… read more
You work 14 hours a week, which allow you to have so much free time for… read more
Bren
If you enjoy being outside and are prepared to soil ALL of your white socks (thanks Bren for the new socks!), the work at Bren's can be extremely… read more
Bren's very well organised, takes the time to explain what it is she wants done and is always active around the garden's.
Staying here was an excellent experience and if you're looking for someplace to work and enjoy the kootenays, there's no better place.
The area is lovely with loads… read more
I stayed about 2 1/2 months in Nelson, and watched the seasons change from the… read more
Brenda is very knowledgeable. Even months later I'm still astonished how much I learned about plants, vegetables, food and a sustainable lifestyle! The Gardens itself are stunningly beautifull and it's been a pleasure working in this kind of environment- meaning: being… read more
glad you had a memorable time .
If you ever make it back this way please let us know . we`ll make time for dinner
I learned so much about gardening, living in harmony with nature and community. If you are interested in learning and willing to work hard you will get on well here and leave with a wealth of… read more
we have a fellow Londoner here now as welll as a n Aussie ,a Chillain couple s , a German ,a Japaneses and eastern Canadian... full house ....... hot weather & lots of shits & giggles .... Take … read more
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Brenda and Bear are generous and lovely people and what can I say about Spencer? I love him! a beautiful and loving dog. The woods, squirrels, rabbits, deers and bears are part of the environment and you feel really in the wild while your housing… read more
