|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume:12 Issue:2 Web site address: www.squamishgardeners.com Date: February 2009 |
|||
|
Letter from the Editor: "Down the Garden Path" by Ellen Grant
Some things that caught my eye, but not yet my pocket book, were as follows: From Dominion Seed House their Double Click Rose Cosmos look like a winner. They are so far from the usual shape and color of the usual varieties that they should be a eye catcher. They also have a gooseberry ‘Josta” that is purple. I have trouble with worms in my green variety. I wonder if the worms are color-blind? |
||
I’ve been waiting, not so patiently, for the banks of snow to melt from the flowers beds so that I can, groundhog like, welcome spring. To no avail! Just when I begin to see the tops of the hellebores or see a patch of mossy green, it snows again. This summer I resolve to transplant some to the base of the evergreen trees where the snow is less and the winter shorter. The witch hazels are reluctant to bloom too. Usually they start to open their spidery buds in early January but they are about a month late. There are spots on the driveway that have been packed down by cars so that it is as solid as a glacier. I pick away at it daily and the edge retreats into little puddles only to refreeze over night and present its challenge the next day.
The only redeeming feature of this winter has been the number of bright sunny days.
Although I haven’t been gardening, I have managed to soak up my share of vitamin D and to gloat to my brother in White Rock where fog has plagued them as we enjoy the sunshine. I have had my share of inside blooms. My birthday comes in mid winter along with the Christmas bills. This year I received bouquets of tulips, daffodils, roses, lilies, carnations and phlox along with pots of primroses and a flowery blouse. What an enlightening day! The catalogues continue to arrive with gorgeous photos of flowers and vegetables and tools to satisfy the most ardent gadget junkie.
|
Page 2 Newsletter |
|
The Spring Garden, Breck’s and Henry Field’s catalogues came all together. They are Ontario firms too. Featured in the first was a Hardy Chusan Palm pictured covered in snow and also a so- called. tree lily for the back of the border. I am tempted too by the new Incrediball Hydrandea. The Breck’s bulbs from Holland are usually top quality and there is a free $35 coupon with the order form. A new tree dahlia that is said to grow 3.5 meters tall sounds a bit like Alice in Wonderland. They also have the latest in double oriental lilies. The third catalogue in this batch is one I am not familiar with. They seem to specialize in vegetable seeds, shrubs and berries although they also sell some flowers and bulbs. Has anyone tried this supplier?
All of the above have catalogues and if you contact them on the web they will put you on their mailing list. Others have their catalogues only on line such as the Plant Farm on Salt Spring Island and Old Rose Nursery. Others, such as Phoenix Nursery, just across the Oak Street bridge in Richmond, Erikson Daylilies and Select Roses in Langley have on line catalogues but they don’t ship to customers. You have to go to their outlets. Even some garden retail outlets have online lists and specials. Just ‘google’ the name! |
Verseys is a mail order garden supply center from Prince Edward Island. Although the plants have a longer journey they have always arrived in good condition for me. This year I received two catalogues from this company, one for bulbs, perennials and shrubs and the other with the addition of vegetables, tools and seeds. I ordered from them last fall for spring delivery. I have had good results with their hostas.
I used to deal with MacFadens out of Manitoba because the Canadian experimental station was located there and the plants from this province were weather hardy. Since the program has folded the only catalogue I get is the little one from Lindenberg Seeds. They continue to carry tried and true seeds and plants for the Canadian climate especially vegetables and berry bushes.
Here in British Columbia there are many companies that will accept express shipping or postal delivery. We all know of the excellent West Coast Seeds and their vegetable seeds and heritage seed program. Most local garden stores carry at least a basic selection. Botanus is one of my favourites. The staff is great! Besides a large selection of perennials, bulbs and roses, they have lotions and natural soaps that soothe the tired hands and toes of the gardener.
Fraser’s Thimble Farms, on Salt Spring Island has a catalogue for the experts; pictures are limited to the covers. They specialize in hardy orchids, hepatica, native plants and the exotic perennials. The quality is excellent and the service is too.
Speaking of service, if you don’t have an account at Lee Valley Tools you are missing a fabulous place to buy garden tools, books, and specialty items such as watering systems (but nary a seed or plant in the store).
Ferncliff Gardens in Mission have long been noted for their dahlias, irises and glads. They do a lot of their own breeding and have produced many famous varieties.
|
Page 3 Newsletter |
|
Two items that such a winter poses for gardeners are when do I dormant spray my shrubs and fruit trees and prune and what do I do about the severe winter damage to the same? Dormant spray should be used before the leaves and buds unfurl. This is usually early in February except in long or cold winters. Don’t look at the calendar, look at the subject. Pruning of damaged trees and shrubs can start at any time.
|
Cut out the truly broken branches back to the growth ring but wait until the sap rises to fine tune the pruning or dispose of plants that look like they have succumbed to our harsh conditions. I can’t tell you how many times I have yanked out plants only to discover that they were growing from the roots or still had a growing limb. Roses can wait until the forsythia blooms before they get a trimming but berry canes can be cut back now. Take out the old and prune the new growth back by a third. Your garden will not look the same after you have tried to correct the damage suffered by the weight of the snow or the sun scald caused by the sun on frosty leaves but time heals most wounds and there is always a challenge in reorganizing a garden in the spring.
Adventures in my sunroom have taken a turn in 2009. We bought a D.V.D. player at Christmas and placed it out with the plants. No, it wasn’t a new experiment in growing tropical plants! It was intended for the enjoyment of the kids, young and old. It is a cozy place to curl up on the sofa out of the line of noise and traffic to watch “Horten Hears a Who” or yesterday’s missed show. This addition on the living room has been used as a home for sick and injured animals, a greenhouse, a storage place for on going projects and hobbies, an overnight cool room for the refrigerator’s over flow, a spare bedroom and now an entertainment center! My poor plants have to compete with it all in order to have a frost free zone for the season. But they have survived and some even thrive. My orchids haven’t been as plentiful this year and the bird of paradise has balked at the intrusion but some of the rose and hydrangea cuttings have flourished and a clematis, that is slightly tender, is now in bud. I have yet to dig out the plants that I have in with the deep freezer in the carport. Hopefully they have weather the weather O.K. and will brighten the summer months.
|
Page 4 Newsletter |
|
I am looking forward to our next meeting when Dale Embree will talk about raised planting beds and sprinkler systems. Dale is another of our member experts. A tour of his gardens shows that raised beds have many advantages for many gardeners. It can solve poor soil and drainage problems. People with difficulties in bending can reach the plants more easily and both fertilizer and water can be more frugally controlled. For those who have not yet paid your fees, the deadline has passed but Dorte has not yet compiled the new membership list. We realize that the snowy, slippery streets have discouraged some of you from venturing out in the evenings. Just contact one of the executive so we can include you in the list. The committee to plan the Garden Tour has held their first meeting. All members are encouraged to be on the look-out for friends or neighbours that may be willing to enter their gardens in this year’s tour. Deciding to enter now means that they have a few months to prepare for the event instead of making it a last minute marathon to spruce up the homestead. It is always nice to have a large group to select from. Big or small, vegetables, flowers or mixed, roof top, acreage, patio or pots all are welcome. We need them from Valleycliffe to the far northern reaches of our valley. Variety means there will be something of interest for all visitors.
Ten Best (from Family Circle) 10 best Must Have Tools -round pointed shovel, spading fork, basic long-handled hoe, 3-prong cultivator, hand pruners, loppers, standard hand trowel, garden rake, flower shears, watering can with removable rose 10 best reseeding annuals- calendula, cosmos, sunflowers, larkspur, love-in-the-mist, morningglory, poppy, sweet alyssum, nasturtium, nicotiana 10 best perennials- black-eyed susan, coneflower, astible, blue star, yarrow, false indigo, peony, garden phlox, hosta, daylily Note from the webmaster: Remember this is your Newsletter, not just Ellen's....Please think about contributing some of your material such as anecdotes, pictures or hints. |
I am sure that Dale will rally us all to shake out the winter doldrums and prepare for the growing season ahead.
A reminder too that we have a spring plant exchange. As you divide perennials, take cuttings or sow seeds please set aside a few to share with other members. As the garden centers and seasonal plant shops seem to be scaling back their selection it is nice to be able to expand our own garden gifts we have at this members’ event.