Here is a summary of the 2020 Salt Spring real estate market in graph form.

There were 240 sales totalling $187,978,383.

The numbers are from the Victoria Real Estate Board multiple listings service and there are some sales that are not captured in this data. We estimate that 2020's totals would be between 10 to 20% higher if all sales were shown.

The Coronation Oak trees were planted in May, 1937

Oak seedlings were propagated from acorns gathered from trees at Windsor Great Park. They were distributed throughout the Commonwealth to commemorate the coronation of George VI and his wife Elizabeth – the parents of our current Queen Elizabeth II. 

Windsor Forest still has some huge, ancient, solitary oaks standing in the Park. According to experts, the oldest,Offa’s Oak, might be 1500 years old! Offa was a Saxon king in the 8th century.

I know the location of three Coronation Oaks on Salt Spring. Many of them across the country were placed at Anglican churches and cemeteries and that is true of two of them on the island.

The first is located at St. Mary’s, across the street from Fulford Hall. It is an historic 1894 Anglican parish church. The beautiful English oak is planted at the front of the church – you can’t miss it.

The second is on the SW corner of Fulford-Ganges Road and Dean Road. This...

If you like to walk or bike on a flat route, North Beach Road and Walker Hook Road is the place to go. They run along the ocean, Trincomali Channel, on the north east side of the island. The Fernwood Wharf is located along the way and makes a good starting or turn around spot. There is a coffee shop and a restaurant for refreshments.

So - I thought this was a nice simple location to discuss - but I made the mistake of googling "Fernwood Wharf". I wanted some historical information because it was Federal Government property but has since been handed over to the community and is run by the CRD. There is a special Parcel Tax for SSI Fernwood Dock on your property taxes to pay the costs.

In typical Salt Spring, or is that Saltspring (?), manner names are never a simple thing.

The CRD website calls it the Fernwood Dock but has it located in Swanson Channel. Swanson Channel is on the south side of the island, nowhere near the Fernwood Dock and Trincomali Channel. School District 64 and Trip Advisor...

Contrary to what some may think, Salt Spring Island has a number of rules and regulations affecting the use of land and water.

Here is a list of some things that could apply. Some are general and applicable to all properties. Some will only affect specific properties and you might have to refer to maps to know for sure. Staff at the Islands Trust, Capital Regional District (CRD) and the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) can and should be consulted for up to date and additional information.

Islands Trust Islands Trust – Salt Spring Island

Official Community Plan (OCP) – check maps to see if property is in one or more Development Permit Areas (DPA) as well as other guidelines. Salt Spring Island OCP

Bylaw No. 355 – Salt Spring’s land use and zoning bylaw. Salt Spring Island Bylaw 355

MapIT – Islands Trust mapping tool. You can see property outlines, add satellite imagery, contours, Development Permit Areas and lots more. MapIT

Agricultural Land Commission is...

Yum - this is an Early Yellow Plum but it should have been called extra early. Ours is often ripe on July 1 but the wet and cold weather this year has set it back a week. It is the first tree fruit to ripen in the yard by a long shot and wins the honour of being named favorite because of that! 

The flavour is quite nice and the fragrance intoxicating but only for a brief time. It quickly turns redder and mealy. Not great for fresh eating then but it still makes delicious wine or pretty jam that point. This single tree can produce 400 pounds of fruit in a good year.

I know of three or four others on Salt Spring. I think they were available about 16 years ago at one of our island nurseries - either Foxglove or Fraser's Thimble Farms - and I'm really happy one is growing in our yard. Establishing fruit trees on your property can be a great way to add value and you get the added benefit of fresh fruit!

Note to readers: I tend to have new favorites as the season progresses so stay tuned....