Dustin Bajer

Designing With Nature. These are my projects.

The Trouble With School Gardens

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The Challenges of School Gardens And Sustainable Food Edmonton’s Plan To Fix Them

Students plant perennials in a school garden in Edmonton, Alberta.

Students plant perennials in a school garden in Edmonton, Alberta.

Recent years have also seen an increase in schools interested in urban agriculture initiatives – especially school gardens. Traditionally run as extra-curricular activities or horticulture classes, school gardens are gaining traction in and around Edmonton. Not just nice to have, school gardens are tools for differentiated instruction, improving problem-solving, and cross-curricular learning. However, it’s not smooth sailing. As much as many of us would like to see a garden in every school, there are a lot of challenges. [Read more…]

Save Space, Create Microclimates, and Increase Yields with Espalier Fruit Trees

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A Leafy Wall of Fruit. Save Space, Increase Yields, and Extend the Growing Season with Espalier Fruit Trees

Espalier is the ancient practice of training plants – typically trees, shrubs, or vines – against a two-dimensional surface such as a wall or trellis. The result is a compact, two-dimensional plant that conserves space and produces consistent and easily managed fruit.

SketchUp model of espalier fruit trees trained along a fence in Edmonton, Alberta.

SketchUp model of espalier fruit trees trained along a fence in Edmonton, Alberta.

Space Saving

One of the most significant advantages of espalier fruit trees is that [Read more…]

13 Steps to Start Beekeeping in Edmonton

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A Step-By-Step Guide To Beekeeping In Edmonton

If you’re thinking about keeping honeybees you’ve probably come across the City of Edmonton’s Urban Beekeeping Page. If so, you’ve read about four steps, city guidelines, swarm plans, PID numbers, and provincial agriculturalists. And if you’re like me, you’re probably a little confused, overwhelmed, and still unclear about what to do. Do not worry. For clarity, I’ve deconstructed and reassembled the Edmonton Beekeeping application process into a dozen baby-steps. By completing the following checklist, you’ll have everything you need to start beekeeping in Edmonton. [Read more…]

What is Aquaponics?

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Dustin Bajer. Basil growing is a home diy aquaponics system

Basil growing in a home DIY aquaponics system built on top of a standard 40-gallon fish tank.

What is an Aquaponics System?

Aquaponics is what you get when you combine a hydroponic system with raising fish. But why combine the two and how does it work? To answer that questions let’s take a step back to examine the input and outputs of each component technique. [Read more…]

Turning a Fish Tank into a DIY Aquaponics System

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Dustin Bajer. Basil growing is a home diy aquaponics system

Off The Shelf Home Aquaponics System

From 2012-2016 students and I designed, built, and ran an aquaponics system at Jasper Place High School. The aquaponics system was great for a school but way too big and expensive for the average home. The whole project was a fantastic experience, but I’ve been thinking about how to scale its size and design for home use. The goal – to create an elegant, home aquaponics system from a standard fish tank and off the shelf parts for as little money as possible. Here’s are my five design criteria:

[Read more…]

People Keep Asking Me About Flow Hives. Here’s My Take

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I Review The Flow Hive

If you’re thinking about beekeeping for the first time, there’s a good chance that the Flow Hive has inspired you. But does it work? Is it worth the price?  Does it make keeping bees easier? Here’s my take.

The Flow Hive Is Not A New Hive Design

The first thing to understand about the Flow Hive is that it’s not  [Read more…]

Edmonton Urban Beekeeping Courses

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Edmonton Beekeeping Courses, Dustin Bajer

Approved City of Edmonton Beekeeping Courses

Each spring and fall, the John Janzen Nature Centre (JJCN) and I are teaming up to offer City approved* beekeeping classes. Each course consisting of a full day of theory and a half-day of hands-on experience.

This beekeeping course takes an ecological perspective. Topics include [Read more…]

Warre Langstroth Hybrid Hives Built in Edmonton Alberta

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Alberta Beekeeping Supplies, Designed For Bees

Modified Warre, 8 Frame Beehives Handcrafted, solid pine beehives built and sold in Edmonton. Specializing in cold-hardy hive designs and dimensions for the conscientious hobby beekeeper.

Google Sketchup breakdown of a modified warre hive, 8 frame hive, top bar hive design.

Hive breakdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 frame medium langstroth hive boxes for a modified ware hive. Edmonton, Alberta.

8 frame medium hive boxes are versatile, easy to lift, and ideal for Northern climate beekeeping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

8-Frame, Medium Hives Supers (aka. Illinois Hives) 8 frame medium hive boxes are [Read more…]

West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace Greenhouse

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The West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace Greenhouse. Because Who Among Us Hasn’t Though “Jeez, I Could Really Go For Some Locally Grown Mall Kale Right Now”?

West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace Garden

The West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace Greenhouse. One of many assets in a post-apocalyptic Edmonton.

We’ve all been there. Shopping for the holidays. Walking from one end of the Mall to the other. Feet aching and arms filled with…way too much stuff. Who among us hasn’t though “Geez, I could really go for some locally grown mall kale right about now”? Ladies and gentleman, may I present to you the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace Greenhouse. Marvel at the melons. Tour the turnips. Browse the brussel sprouts.

Order A Handmade 8 Frame Medium Beehive for The 2018 Season

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Apicentric beehive built for beesReserve Your Beecentric Hive For The 2018 Beekeeping Season

Hive orders should be made before January 1st to ensure early April pick up in Edmonton, Alberta. If you require shipping, request a quote. Paying in full or place a $50 deposit.

To pay with credit, select “PayPal” upon checkout then select the “Pay With Credit Card Or Visa Debit” option.

A Beecentric Hive order consists of a screened IPM bottom-board, three 8-frame medium boxes, a warre style quilt-box and roof, two entrances, and two entrance reducers. Boxes fit standard medium langstroth frames.

Purchase A Beecentric Hive

Extra Boxes: Add 8-frame medium boxes to your order.

Set of 8 Foundationless Frames, Unassembled

Set of 8 Foundationless Frames, Assembled

Deep Frame Adapters – Converts a medium box into a deep box

Useful for accepting deep frames from a nucleus ‘nuc’ colony.

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