tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19935593315527067022024-03-13T07:01:06.760-07:00In Marilyn's GardenMarilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-57979673185033993532019-06-14T19:12:00.000-07:002019-06-14T19:12:15.071-07:00Winter Gardening Experiment!<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the recent onslaught of guru vegetable gardeners, and all the information there is from them and in the world of media, I was on a mission to see if it could be done. Living in a Zone 3 climate, vegetable gardening outside in March is unheard of, but what I was hearing "yes, you can garden in March outside". And so the 'experiment' began!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">On March 5th, 2018 I seeded two varieties of lettuce, Mascara (Seed Saver's Exchange) and Garden Babies Butterhead container lettuce (Renee's Seeds). I seeded them in a six pack coir container and did not put it onto a heat mat. In approximately 3 weeks they were ready for the shock of their lives, to be put outside! I transplanted them into, cut open (almost all the way around), 4 litre plastic milk jugs with drainage holes punched into the bottoms. In went the potting soil and I planted the lettuce seedlings, with their coir pots (making sure that none of the pot edges protrude out of the soil as this would wick away the moisture from around the plant) into the soil. I planted four lettuce in each milk jug and watered them well. They were duct taped around the cut sides sealing the jug up, virtually making a mini greenhouse or terrarium. And out they went into the snowbank with most overnight temperatures dropping initially to the mid-teens fahrenheit. There they sat with not a peek inside until mid-April when the daytime temperatures were beginning to heat up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I unscrewed the top and Wow! had they grown and were so beautiful. The Butterhead grew better than the Mascara. As they were both outgrowing their spaces I transplanted them into large patio containers. In these they matured to harvest and dining on fully mature heads in mid-June.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Update to 2019 where I grew only the Butterhead lettuce and changed two growing procedures, seeding directly into the milk jug soil, and secondly not using coir mini containers but rather reusable cell packs where I could remove the seedlings and plant into the milk jug. Seeding directly into the soil the lettuce was much later in germinating but did eventually almost equal in maturity, approximately two weeks later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">The conclusion is that both methods work, seeding directly or pre-growing, and an excellent way of doing so as it offers a staggered maturity and accessible edibility over a longer period of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Gardening is always a challenge but sometimes we have to challenge ourselves to step out of our gardening box and have fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span>Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-18148267625066010022017-03-20T12:15:00.001-07:002017-03-20T12:15:18.095-07:00Awaiting Spring!<br />
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Today is the first day of spring and I am anxious to do some gardening! So off I into go my cold room where I overwinter my succulent and Phormium collections under a 3-tier light system. As the name 'coldroom' implies, the room is very cold during the winter months, approximately 5 to 10 celcius. <br />
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At these temperatures the plants go into a somewhat dormant state with my attending to them very little. This is a great benefit as the plants require next to no watering. From October, when they are placed into the room, to late April, I may water them a wee bit 2 to 3 times....and when I say "wee", it is exactly that, maybe one-quarter cup in an eight-inch pot. In this dormant period there is no fertilizer added until the end of March and given a very weak solution.<br />
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Today they are doing very well although I do cut off some of the blossoms that have occurred in my absence from last check. I also notice some dried up dead 'leaves' along the stems which I gently pull off. If they resist, I leave them as this would show that they are not quite ready to be removed. I notice that along the occasional stem there are roots growing from it. I think these plants too, are anxious that spring arrive and they be placed outside to savour the blissfulness of full sunshine to bask in and show their ultimate beauty.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-75138365624036101602014-10-22T13:59:00.000-07:002014-10-22T14:00:47.917-07:00Cardoon - a Great Garden Feature!<div align="left">
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A first for all the Cardoons I have planted over previous years--blooms! I love large plants used as exclamation points in my garden and this summer my Cardoon performed outstandingly. I have planted it occasionally over the past 10 years and enjoy the fast growth and large leaves. I was quite happy with this but for some reason this summer offered this floriferous reward.<br />
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I have always planted them in the same location: the only full sun area of my yard. Our summer began quite late, cool and wet and said plant was planted in the second week of June. This was a rather late date as normally our planting time is May 24. By August it had buds on it and the following picture shows how tall it grows as the five foot seven inch me is beside it. <br />
With very late frost this autumn the buds began opening in late September. <br />
Downside - don't get too close as it is of the thistle family! Also, sometimes referred to as the artichoke thistle. <br />
As a herb parts are edible, mainly the succulent leaf stems. The Cardoon is of the same family as the globe artichoke whose fame is the delectable edible "globes" or unopened flowers found in markets or grocery produce sections.<br />
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Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-61536654767144090912014-07-25T19:45:00.000-07:002014-07-25T19:45:04.856-07:00Medinilla magnifica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My most recent houseplant Medinilla magnifica, is my pride and joy. After having read about it in a Canadian magazine, I went on a search. I could find none close to home but on a trip to the Niagara area of eastern Canada, I discovered one for sale at a local garden centre. I was thrilled! With two stems blooming how was I to carry said plant on the airplane. Carefully lifting the stems I wrapped it up and carried the plant as hand luggage. The plant arrived beautifully and ready to grace my home. <br />
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Eventually it lost the flowers but now a dilemma - should I cut the stem off at the leaf joint or leave it intact where the stem broke at the last pink calyx. I left one and the other I cut off at the leaf joint. The experiment continued as I kept the plant in the screen porch for the summer. New leaves pushed out but I discovered that where I left the stem to the pink calyx, the leaves were coming out crinkled and the other not as nice smooth leaves emerged. Lesson learned, cut back the flower stem right to the leaf joint. Although with no blooms on the plant the leaves are large, thick and shiny and lovely as a non-bloomer during this period.<br />
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As there is little information on this newly discovered plant from the mountains of the Phillipines, all my care for it was experimental. I only water it from the bottom and only when it is light in weight. I used a light fertilizer of 20-20-20 every watering during the summer months and into October when I stopped. <br />
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In April I began to notice small flower shoots pushing out from the leaf junctions. I was ecstatic with the four flower stems emerging. They continued to elongated and by May they were in bloom and continue to do so two months later.<br />
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Do I recommend having this in one's houseplant repertoire? Definitely! It is a challenge with being the "new kid on the block" and very little information available for it. I love the rewards of my experimentation of its care regime and hope to enjoy my Medinilla magnifica for a very long time.<br />
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<br />Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-11759677975519563362013-07-30T10:41:00.001-07:002013-07-30T10:45:17.980-07:00<h4>
<em>Summertime</em>! </h4>
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All gardeners can probably sympathize--the summer season is a busy one outdoors with little time to be at the computer blogging. How come I find time to put up short snippets and pictures on facebook and not write here?<br />
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As per my previous entry summer had a late start but once it arrived the plants grew and continue growing in leaps and bounds. Spring flowers were so abundant this year I began to think that the plants thought they would not survive the harsh past winter and they had to quickly reproduce in large quantities. The shrubs and trees in Bunn's Creek Park were spectacular in such glory that I had never seen in 35 years of residing with it in my backyard.<br />
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Out at the lake a similar quantity of bloom showed its fancy dress-pincherries, saskatoons, plums, hawthornes and blueberries. We are now reaping the rewards of those berries!<br />
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My mesclun lettuces continue to feed our family and guests this summer with the French filet beans being harvested and enjoyed too. A woodchuck was discovered (and hence chased from) in one of the chicken wire fenced gardens having gnawed through the wire. Good that daughter was in close proximity to do the chasing!! With a kale leaf in his mouth he went a waddling.<br />
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The container plantings are showing their beauty with my Muskoka Sunset dahlia topping out at 6 feet. The bloom is gorgeous! A few of the plants are being munched and after numerous investigative looks I still have not found the culprit. I am suspecting a climbing cutworm but he is doing an excellent job of hiding. I guess he has to eat too!<br />
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At home in the city my favourite delphiniums are unbelievable! The Asiatic lilies are finishing their blooming with a few markings from the unsquished red lily beetle--a constant source of consternation with any lily grower here. When will a product be placed on the retail market? So far I am using neem oil and it is a somewhat good deterrent but one must be vigilant.<br />
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The blueberries are calling me either to do more picking or baking--pies, muffins etc.<br />
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Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-43021629138601281502013-04-18T09:00:00.000-07:002013-04-18T09:02:15.267-07:00Springtime!<br />
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This past Monday a very rude awakening as I opened the curtains on this 'spring' day in Winnipeg. I should not be complaining as I am a snowbird and have been home only two weeks. But this snow has to go so the outdoor gardening can begin. I think that spring will not be experienced this year. We will go from winter to summer. Thank heaven I am a gardener who does clean up my yard in the autumn. Yes, I chop down the Hostas and many other perennials. I especially do not enjoy their sloppy leaves after being frozen. I do leave some perennials with wonderful seed heads to offer food for the birds and winter interest to the yard. Eupatorium, Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Rudbeckia with their stiff stems are the chosen ones to remain.<br />
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As a true gardener not to be dismayed by the snow falling outside, I headed down to the basement to do my seeding of plants that I enjoy growing that are not readily available for sale in the nurseries. Some are just very easy to grow and this guarantees that I have them in my repertoire for planting season. Tomatoes are my favourite to seed; Park's Big Whopper, Sungold and Black Cherry. Miscellaneous vines; Adlumnia fungosa, Cobaea, Tropaeolum peregrinum (Canary Vine),and Ipomoea sloteri (Cardinal Vine) are seeded. One plant that I have yet to see at a nursery is Park's Mirabilis 'Limelight'. It grows large and has stunning electric chartreuse leaves with brilliant fuschia flowers. A beautiful addition to one's sun garden!<br />
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Playing further in my downstairs den I plant my favourite Dahlias 'Park Princess', Cannas 'Red Futurity' and Dahlia 'Muskoka Sunset' which I received in my goodie bag at the National Master Gardener conference in Huntsville, Ontario last weekend. It is not for sale to the public as of yet. I will be looking forward to its bloom.<br />
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As you see gardeners make the most of what nature hands them and are always positive thinking regarding their gardens. They are dreamers who are always thinking and planning their next sojourn into their gardening world.<br />
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Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-86579224709708587092012-12-18T14:02:00.000-08:002012-12-18T14:02:07.131-08:00Welcoming Christmas!As always gardening is never far from my mind even with the snow on the ground. Although the weather does limit one's gardening....ha! ha!....here, there are containers to be filled.<br />
Nothing welcomes guests during the Christmas/holiday season than seasonal 'planted' containers on your doorstep or house front.<br />
With temperatures hovering just below the Oc mark with no wind this past weekend I knew this was the perfect time to do my outside gardening.<br />
I love the look of the birch trunks in the containers and although I have been using them for at least 4 years, this will probably be my last one. They are becoming way too common now with them available for purchase at both Superstore and Sobey's. Mine were brought from the lake using the trunks of dead trees.<br />
My new finds this year were the 'light bulbs' that attracted me at Target in Scottsdale and my other find of the giant grapevine ball at Mori's Nursery in Niagara Falls. As you see, I am always on the lookout for unique items all year long even if I don't quite know what I will be doing with them. A challenge for the brain to think of what unique way for their usage.<br />
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Wishing all a Merry Christmas season and a 2013 that is filled with great gardening keeping us healthy and young!Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-35279323689641203482012-11-28T17:12:00.000-08:002012-11-28T17:12:28.878-08:00Fruit Trees in the DesertThis is a very unusual topic for me who lives in Winnipeg. But having family living in the Sonoran desert I found myself very interested in this topic especially when said family hinted to me that they would like to plant some fruit trees in their yard.<br />
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The Valley Permaculture Alliance of which I am a member here, offered a course on this topic. I jumped at the opportunity for the knowledge and to help my family with their garden addition. <br />
I learned that almost every fruit tree will grow here in the valley but whether it will produce fruit is not always possible. The most important factor for this situation is to look at the <em>chill hours </em>needed for the tree. On average there are 300 to 400 chill hours in the desert. Fortunately, all nursery fruit trees here are very well marked with proper information on their three labels. Chill hours and the root stock are two of the most important factors.<br />
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We learned how to find the proper area to plant in for correct drainage, where to locate your chosen tree, how to protect if frost is a possibility, how to protect against sunscald and planting it correctly. Surprisingly, no new soil should be added to the hole and the sides of the hole should be dug on a 45 degree angle to deter soil compaction and allow the roots to grow easily into the native desert soil. All trees should be watered to a depth of 3 feet and I learned how to measure when this occurs. And never stake the trees!<br />
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Now to discuss with the family what choices they have and what fruit produce they would most benefit for harvesting and using.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-39194351637904285602012-10-04T15:20:00.000-07:002012-10-04T15:20:33.105-07:00Maypole and BuckAs early fall arrives so have the voracious appetites of the neighbourhood deer at the lake. Especially handsome is the marrauding buck. As majestic as he is the battle of the gardener(moi), continues.<br />
Alright, I managed to keep him out of the smaller vegetable garden for the past 6 weeks. But he finally won another round by eating my mache, which I was saving for out of town guests, and my Heucheras which I had just planted in said garden for overwintering them.<br />
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I am hoping with my new <em>maypole </em>it is enough to let the poor Heuchera regenerate enough to survive. It doesn't look beautiful, but then again I will not have to look at it as the cottage is closed for the season. And it will greet me colourfully in the spring for when I want to see a <em>maypole. </em>Do you think it will work?!Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-23556277519193287792012-09-05T11:57:00.000-07:002012-09-05T11:57:39.414-07:00Favourite TomatoesThe summer vegetable garden this year has been very productive and continues to do so into the beginning of September. Every day now my basket fills with my favourite tomatoes. I grow all of them from seed begun in April and initially they grow under fluorescent grow lights in the basement. Once I have transplanted them from their seedling trays into larger containers, I move them outside into a cold frame where they are finished until planted into the garden.<br />
My favourites are: Sungold, Park's Seeds Whopper and the newest in my stable of likes, Black Cherry. They cross over to satisfy all one's tastes....Sungold, tender skinned, very sweet and juicy, and a beautiful orange colour; Whopper, ideal tomato slice size, good tasting and the perfect looking tomato with no black spot or disease; Black Cherry, although touted as a 'cherry tomato' it is a bit larger but still a 'pop in the mouth' or cut in half tidbit, sweet, juicy and a lovely jewel colour, again with no blemishes.<br />
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Hopefully, our first frost will come late this year and I will be able to harvest all these delicious specimens as they ripen on the vine.<br />
Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-47069323978495037122012-08-21T08:10:00.000-07:002012-08-21T08:10:42.185-07:00Saginaw Rest AreaAs a Master Gardener in Manitoba, I was awestruck by the fabulous volunteer work of the Saginaw Master Gardeners who maintain the rest area north of Saginaw. It is spectacular! We were enroute to Waterloo, Ontario for my dear lifelong friend's funeral. This was a sudden passing and in my mind discovering such an oasis along the way was a treasure. <br />
The plants are unique prime specimens, both perennials and annuals. Who would find a black and white themed annual garden at a rest area? Here it is! Hopefully, someone out there can identify a plant that I did not recognize. It is black leaved in a maple shape with a single-petalled dark pink flower. There were beautiful perennial specimens--black lace elder, ligularia, hostas, butterfly shrubs in white and purple to name a few.<br />
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Many thanks to those MG volunteers who dedicate countless hours to this lovely rest area for all to enjoy who stop along the route, a truly 'restful' area.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-59229338976085578502012-07-18T12:14:00.000-07:002012-07-18T12:15:39.035-07:00Victoria Beach Area Garden TourThis past Saturday, the Friends of Gardens Manitoba organized a garden tour of this area with support from their local garden club. I had always heard that there were numerous beautiful gardens in this area, so I was very excited to see them being offered this year. Every expectation I had was fulfilled! The gardeners of these gardens are truly dedicated and can certainly grow everything.<br />
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Three of the gardens were on the shore of Lake Winnipeg. This I am sure is a challenge in itself with the sandy soil and winds. It was nice to see the gardens incorporating local rocks and driftwood of the area. A lovely wind sculpture made of driftwood was intriguing. Mushrooms made from the local rocks. One garden had an outdoor 'pizza' oven. Its design was taken from the Ukrainian bake oven style. I came too late for the pizza sampling! This garden was also the home of a stained glass artist with beautiful examples of her work.<br />
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Most of these gardens were built and are maintained by husband/wife teams. One husband had a glorious Hosta garden. I had not seen such a beautiful and extensive Hosta garden as this one since a tour in England many years ago. Plus, on the hot day it was noticeably cooler, and a nice peaceful respite. Being thickly planted keeps the weeds away and as he says....'more time for a beer'! The wife's part of the garden is huge and could quite well compete with Assiniboine Park's English Garden. <br />
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On reading an English magazine and their Open Garden program they have, any of these gardens could well have qualified. The magazine even spoke of the best garden to have a refreshment, tea and cake. I could say the same for one of these gardens, a wonderful cherry/coconut slice with fresh raspberries from their garden. Thank you to the gardener who also shared her recipe.<br />
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The European plant/flower market seems to always be the forerunner in great plant ideas. This spring my daughter sent me a link about String Gardens. I instantly became fascinated with this new idea and wanted to try making some for myself. The plants I used were a variegated ivy and a big leaf wire vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris). These are my first two attempts for my own '<em>String Garden'.</em> For more visual temptation try this link:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stringgardens.com%2F&h=wAQHJwsgf">http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stringgardens.com%2F&h=wAQHJwsgf</a>Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-70526097856936117132012-06-14T15:53:00.000-07:002012-06-14T15:53:23.475-07:00MerlebleuYesterday I visited a wonderful Canadian Iris Display Garden, Merlebleu. I belong to the East Kildonan Garden Club and this was the location of our June meeting. Actually not a meeting but rather a get together at a great destination. It is located just outside of Winnipeg along the River Road to Lockport, a nice easy drive.<br />
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This garden has also been designated with the Historic Iris Preservation Society and the Dwarf Iris Society. It is comprised of gardens on 3 acres with 500 different cultivars. The gardens hold not only iris but also lilies, daylilies and a variety of perennials.<br />
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Although most iris were finished blooming due to the early spring, with her first iris blooming on April 30, a record, there were still some looking glorious and along with many perennials in bloom the garden is more than well worth a visit. The striking Peony'<em>Prima Vere' </em>with its beautiful perfume welcomed us along with the owner Sandy. <br />
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Sandy gave us a very informative presentation on iris and the history of her gardens and showed us her real passion for these spectacular plants. Who knew about the heels and toes of iris and that the toes should be planted to the outside. Her website is: <a href="http://www.merlebleu.net/">www.merlebleu.net</a> This garden is well worth a visit and we thank Sandy for <em>catching the iris bug.</em><br />
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Here is a great vertical planting youtube at the nursery: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u4QksnFKPc0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u4QksnFKPc0</a>Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-60123821790867151302012-04-21T07:52:00.001-07:002012-04-21T07:52:24.581-07:00The tasteful garden - Winnipeg Free Press Homes<a href="http://homes.winnipegfreepress.com/winnipeg-real-estate-articles/renovation-design/The-tasteful-garden/id-2719">The tasteful garden - Winnipeg Free Press Homes</a>Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-45180420037691084002012-04-01T18:27:00.004-07:002012-04-01T18:58:41.333-07:00April Fool's Day<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zf2Ui2p9tyc/T3kGAEeFxwI/AAAAAAAAAFM/1UMxisSFv5E/s1600/aprilfool%2B002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zf2Ui2p9tyc/T3kGAEeFxwI/AAAAAAAAAFM/1UMxisSFv5E/s320/aprilfool%2B002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726614999448012546" /></a><br />This was no April Fool's trick. Today I was planting up my overwintered canna rhizomes and dahlia tubers outside. At this time of year we would still have snow on the ground and temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. Not this year!! <br /><br />Winnipeg had a very mild winter and this spring continues that trend and hence a first in my gardening career. Normally I am restling with the peat moss and deteriorated paper bags that have kept them in my cold room over the winter with dirt and dust all over my basement potting area. Today this planting was blissful....no mess anywhere except where it belongs, outside.<br /><br />Still taking advantage of this gorgeous spring day, I pruned my Virginia creeper. I do this every few years and make a huge vine wreath with the trimmings. Now or in autumn is a good time to do so as the plant is very pliable and there are no leaves on it. After cutting I stretch the stems out on the lawn and then start making the circular wreath form. I begin with the thick stem portion and then near the end I take the thin stems and wind them around the circle to keep the wreath together. I leave it 'au naturel' but it can be decorated.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-17745131178499931882012-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:002012-01-05T09:27:18.333-08:00Jack Frost<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7v-g_1WVBA/TwXbTyB5KLI/AAAAAAAAAFA/CDjW1SZ-qug/s1600/roses%2B001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7v-g_1WVBA/TwXbTyB5KLI/AAAAAAAAAFA/CDjW1SZ-qug/s320/roses%2B001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694198436773570738" /></a><br />As we in Winnipeg and surrounding areas are experiencing record breaking warm temperatures with little snow, we gardeners are still concerned about our plants. We know the colder temps. will arrive soon and with no snow to insulate them we could be in for a big plant loss in the spring.<br /><br />Normally I only cover my Rodgersia pinnata and tender Heuchera with flax straw. But recently I gathered some oak leaves as all my flax was used, and covered one of my favourite perennials, Brunnera 'Jack Frost'. The plants I have were planted this spring to replace ones that I had for over 7 years which I lost 2 years ago to a very harsh, high plant loss winter/spring. It is one of my favourite perennials in my shade garden. Its electric blue flowers brighten the early springtime garden. The remainder of the summer is featured with 'Jack Frosts' silver variegated leaves....a great asset in a shade garden.<br /><br />I am enjoying this weeks temperatures between 0C and 7C, but not without thinking of my perennials without their winter insulation to keep them warm and still here to enjoy this summer.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-67762348433808145172011-09-24T18:06:00.000-07:002011-09-24T18:21:15.168-07:00Final Harvest<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi5QbcUU9JI/Tn6B_3z3UqI/AAAAAAAAAE4/oe2rymf0Rt8/s1600/lakesept%2B008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi5QbcUU9JI/Tn6B_3z3UqI/AAAAAAAAAE4/oe2rymf0Rt8/s320/lakesept%2B008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656101116337148578" /></a><br />The final harvest of lettuce and Dahlia 'Park Princess'...my favourite that does extremely well in containers at the lake. I suspect they love the extra humidity offered in this location. <br /><br />As the cottage is closed before the frost strikes the dahlias, I cut off the flowers to enjoy and then cut the stems about six inches above the soil. The tuber is dug out, soil hosed off and then set in the sun for a few days to dry off before storing. The tuber is placed in a closed paper bag with peat moss and placed in an open plastic bag and stored for the winter in my cold room which hovers at about 40c. I periodically check the moisture in the bag making sure that it is not becoming too damp. If that occurs open the bags up a bit more. On the other hand if the tuber looks to be drying, sprinkle some water onto the peat moss and close the bag a bit more.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-67548467275316143772011-09-12T09:50:00.000-07:002011-09-12T10:05:33.854-07:00Mache<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FC3uSlWA0U/Tm46FRDbnWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/gU9eBJQsrtU/s1600/mache%2B002.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FC3uSlWA0U/Tm46FRDbnWI/AAAAAAAAAEw/gU9eBJQsrtU/s320/mache%2B002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651518444548103522" /></a><br />The 'in' lettuce to grow in one's garden. I brought the seed from France, although it is now available in North America. Some might know it as lamb's quarters. I love it because it is a late season lettuce crop so when the mesclun is waning, Mache is in its prime. <br /><br />I always wash and spin my lettuces immediately after picking. I use Ziploc reusable sealable plastic vegatable bags and find all lettuces keep in them very well. Bonus is that they are always ready to use. Mache keeps extremely well in these, up to a week.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-51550861572839180082011-09-02T17:02:00.000-07:002011-09-02T17:11:57.849-07:00Summer Harvest<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2v3Yjy8F4DE/TmFvrJ-SyoI/AAAAAAAAAEo/9yPLwxLJ788/s1600/summer%2Bharvest%2B006.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2v3Yjy8F4DE/TmFvrJ-SyoI/AAAAAAAAAEo/9yPLwxLJ788/s320/summer%2Bharvest%2B006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647918194901568130" /></a>
<br />Today was a wonderful summer harvest from the garden. The tomatoes I grew from seed inside under lights until planted in the garden. Lettuce planted directly into the garden. My favourite Park's Whopper tomatoes, Sungold, and a new variety this year that I tried, Black Cherry. They are a bit larger that Sungold, but very tasty, juicy and a fun colour. The lettuce is mesclun and the red frilly leafed is Lolla Rossa from seed that I brought back from Italy. All this makes for a very colourful gourmet salad.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-2882214187905128962011-08-09T10:57:00.000-07:002011-08-23T10:37:34.714-07:00Vegetables at LastWell I have finally harvested some vegetables from the 'varmint' garden. I did harvest one meal of lettuce early on but guess I bragged too much and the varmint said...'I'll fix her!'
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<br />Last week I harvested the first of the french filet beans....my favourite. Seed came straight from France....thank you daughter. Although OSC seeds now has the variety and have heard they are very good too. And again more regrown lettuce. Thank heaven for 'cut and come again' variety by Renee's Gardens. Yesterday another season first...the sugary taste of Sungold cherry tomatoes...my absolute favourite. Sooo sweet and tender skinned and a fun colour, orange.
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<br />The Sungold tomato plants are gigantic this summer....a hot one, perfect for them. They do get watered every day. I severely pruned them yesterday as they would grow to heaven if not done and would never ripen before winter. Besides my dear deer friends are now leaning over said garden and nibbling on the tall plants. Two bucks are calling the cottage area home and I am suspecting them.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-8476457748718554622011-07-28T09:22:00.000-07:002011-07-28T09:28:27.174-07:00Woodchucks and GardensMesclun mix was enjoyed once before our unfriendly local woodchuck chewed through two layers of chicken wire on my raised bed vegetable garden at the lake. Next night he chowed down on some lovely French filet bean plants.<br />Now the beautiful 'Martha- like' garden has boards around the base of the chicken wire in hopes of deterring said varmint. Temporary for now as the next plan is to use some heavier landscape wire (at least that is what they call it here). Or Annie Oakley could appear from nowhere.....oops did I say that?!Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-30445688129505894092011-07-11T19:31:00.000-07:002011-07-11T19:55:47.141-07:00Summer Garden Tour<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xr_6n3LQwwg/Thu3nvmXP3I/AAAAAAAAAEY/NByKNlEpbh8/s1600/steinbach%2Bgardens%2B025.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xr_6n3LQwwg/Thu3nvmXP3I/AAAAAAAAAEY/NByKNlEpbh8/s320/steinbach%2Bgardens%2B025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628294052749721458" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpP9iNZW2bE/Thu3RTFC5II/AAAAAAAAAEQ/7t6-NfZjsIQ/s1600/steinbach%2Bgardens%2B028.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpP9iNZW2bE/Thu3RTFC5II/AAAAAAAAAEQ/7t6-NfZjsIQ/s320/steinbach%2Bgardens%2B028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628293667136660610" /></a><br />On Saturday I toured the gardens of the Steinbach area. What a beautiful selection of gardens! The Friends of Gardens Manitoba who organized this garden tour, arranged for a bus to transport any who wanted not to drive themselves.<br /><br />One forgets how beautiful Manitoba is in the summertime. Travelling on the back roads finding the gardens, I loved the brilliant yellow canola fields as far as the eye could see. One garden had a canola field as its backdrop. Not many gardeners can boast having such planted beauty. <br /><br />This same garden had the best examples of interspersing vegetables amongst the annuals and perennials. So often touted as the 'in' way to plant I can see why it is becoming so popular. We forget what beauty through colour and texture vegetables can bring to a garden. Plus, the added benefit of harvesting said plants for our eating enjoyment. Nothing compares to your own homegrown vegetables.<br /><br />At the lake I have finally planted curly kale in two of my ornamental planting combinations. I love its look! A few months to decide how I will prepare to savour it.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1993559331552706702.post-43881132365761354382011-06-23T12:44:00.000-07:002011-06-23T12:53:46.732-07:00On the HuntStill checking out my garden Asiatic lily plants everyday. Today an entomologist from the University of Manitoba came for the second time to collect any lurking red lily beetles and the larvae. Lots of larvae this time and last, but only two beetles. If I don't squish those larvae....more beetles on the way!<br />The entomology department is doing a study and dna testing on these samples with hopes of discovering a parasitic insect somewhere in this world that would devour these beetles/larvae. They also note exactly which genus,species and variety of lily they are discovered on. Fortunately, every time I plant any lilies I use a metal plant marker with the variety and planting date. I like to do this particularly when I must dig and separate/thin the lilies and replant or giveaway.Marilynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049042130475796771noreply@blogger.com0