Bunnies and Bran

What do rabbits eat in the dead of winter when there is lots of snow cover? There my 'pet' neighbourhood rabbit was munching on the dead crisp frozen leaves of my 'winter interest' plant.....Eupatorium! Now these plants grew ginormous this summer, close to 7 feet. Bunnie would have lots of food if only he was taller. And there I was having my breakfast watching this while munching on my bran buds.....hmmmmm similar crunchy dry food......except mine lasts all year! Lucky rabbit when the new shoots of grass.....who am I kidding?!....noses of tulips is more likely......begin to sprout for his change of diet.

Spring rain in February.

Unbelievable weather we are experiencing! Rain in February occurs approximately once every 20 years and this is one of them. Not so good for us humans as the rain has now frozen and the sidewalks, driveways and streets are skating rinks. But the beaver in our creek must have known spring was arriving. He/she was out of its hut....which is in the creek bank unlike a mounded up hut.....and walking about trimming branches and carrying them back in for its dinner. Something I have never seen. I went for a walk today along the creek and it is now filled with street drainage water on top of the ice. I am hoping the beaver is alright and has built its 'living room' high enough to withstand this very unusual occurence.

Gardens of Australia

Yesterday was a perfect evening to give a presentation on the Gardens of Australia to the Friends of the Conservatory here in Winnipeg. Going to the event my car temperature was -23c! It was a wonderful 'escape' for all the hardy souls who attended. My pictures included ones from community, private, Royal Botanical and my ultimate favourite one Cloudehill Gardens. It is in the Arts and Crafts style as those gardens of Sissinghurst or Hidcote in England. This style of garden has been also influenced by the Italian Renaissance gardens. Cloudehill is on 5 acres and comprised of 22 garden rooms. Wherever one walks or turns there is another beautiful vista to embrace. Any gardener who visits Melbourne should definitely put this one on their to do list. It compares with if not better than those gardens of England and Europe.

Strong Winds

Very strong winds ...up to 100km/hr yesterday so lots of oak branches and twigs waiting to be cleaned up in the spring....maybe two more months?! What I was really hoping for was that a few of the large squirrel nests would be blown down....oops did I say that? .....the nature lover I am! Truly I like to watch their antics but I could do with less of them to eat my Christmas lights....have to buy new ones every year....or to dig out and fling the soil out of my large patio containers. Mesh on top of the soil just does not add to the beauty. Although I found I do rather like the look of large flat stones on top too heavy for said critters to disturb.

Northern Prairie Gardener

Hopefully, I can become as dedicated a blogger as I am gardener. Recently, I have been reading some gardener blogs and they are truly amazing and wonderful. As this title says, I garden in the prairies of Canada. While it is challenging, I know that there are always challenges for gardeners wherever we garden. We, in the north always want to 'push the envelope' and try growing plants in warmer zones. But, then those gardeners in hot regions cannot grow what we can....amazing peonies, lilacs, etc. Our snow covering is a blessing for us at this time of year. Right now my perennials are snuggled down under a foot and a half of this insulation. It is a quiet time of the year where we look out at the winter garden in its beauty with snow artistically piled on the tops of the obelisks or the snow falling like a ribbon on the tree branches or fences....truly a beautiful sight!

Gardening in February

Gardening in February in Winnipeg you ask?? I have just returned from attending a Gardening Saturday in Fargo, ND. A fabulous day long learning experience with like-minded people! Some of the sessions were fun ones others were more educational....although always learning something from either choice. If you have a chance to attend a Gardening Saturday do so.....it is a great day! Have any of you done so?

Welcome to my gardening web blog.

This is an online journal for my gardens. Let me know if you have any gardening questions, I will be happy to answer them as best I can.