I am green with envy--what a beautiful spot.
Salt Spring Island also has an heirloom seeds operation and a garlic production.

I get seeds from Salt Spring Seeds every year.

It is on my list of places to visit.

Annette, I like the idea of public palms in Nanaimo. I've also enjoyed seeing cacti & yuccas. Hey, if it's done in Vancouver why not Nanaimo? I was impressed by tall cacti in one Nanaimo garden. Images of Nanaimo will be posted later as I'm trying to show new and future gardeners what can be done on the west coast. Thanks for sharing.

I'm actually going to plant Parksville grown palms next spring. It's on the premise that the parent trees have been doing well over many years. And that they will be fully hardy in very little winter sunlight.

Cheers