Day in the life: Chris Wick

A Day In The Life of grounds worker Chris Wick begins with a walk through the winding pathways of Finnerty Gardens to survey any possible overnight damage to the 4,000 trees and shrubs. Fallen branches or other debris may have to be removed immediately or added to his long list of “to dos” for the day.

“Every day is different,” says Wick, “yesterday I was shin deep in muck.” He points to a bit of pond that glimmers in the sunlight. The changeable nature of the work (and the seasons) is what keeps life interesting for Wick as he explains how one day he is pruning or weeding while another day he is creating a new West Coast bed in the garden.

As any gardener knows, a lot depends on Mother Nature. “Spring is early this year,” remarks Wick, “I hope we don’t get a frost.” A frost, of course, would be devastating to the early bloom that is happening in the gardens right now. And since this is Wick’s first season working in the 6.5-acre garden, its understandable he wants every last bloom to survive.

Born and raised in Victoria, Wick has been a grounds worker for four years. Most of that time he spent working on construction projects, not gardening. His chance came to use his horticulture diploma from Camosun College when a grounds worker position opened up in the Finnerty Gardens. With almost a full season under his belt, Wick hopes to stay in the place that gives him such joy. “I love my job, and the best part is hearing all the nice things people say about the gardens,” grins Wick.

When he is not tending to the needs of UVic’s rhododendrons, he can be found riding his sport bike motorcycle or playing the guitar. He is equally passionate about gardening and motorcycle racing. At least once a year he races his motorcycle on the tracks at Pacific Raceways in Washington State. That is if he can get some time off—a rare occurrence during the spring or summer when the garden is at its peak.

The winter months offer more possibilities for holidays when everything slows down outside, but even during the coldest days in November and December, Wick is active in the greenhouse, nurturing shoots and bulbs that will be sold at the university’s annual plant sale. “We are always very busy,” says Wick. “Everything we grow in the greenhouse is for the plant sale.”

With spring upon us, Wick is anxious to get back to fertilizing all 1,500 rhododendrons and azalea plants. The early blooms are already happening and the public is back strolling through one of the most beautiful gardens in Victoria.