Neighbours talking over the garden gate has long been a tradition. They share gardening tips, complain about the weather and pests yet are ever eager to discuss their gardens. That is what I had in mind when creating this blog. So stop by my garden gate to find out the latest happenings in my garden.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Madame Marie Curie"
Our recent move has resulted in dealing with somewhat mature landscaping as far as the ornamental garden beds. This presents a few problems. First, we have no idea of knowing what spring or fall plants may be there so it is hard to consider those when it comes to replanting. Second, any mature landscaping locks the gardens and even tree placement into the vision of the previous own, not you the new owner.
Sometimes in this situation it is better to go with a good clean-out first, removing everything from the garden beds you don't want or that needs to be transplanted to a more suitable location. At this stage it does pay to be somewhat brutal providing you have identified the plant to ensure it is one that you definitely do not want. If you need help identifying a plant, take a picture to show your local nursery or contact your local gardening club or even a neighbour. A good picture can even help you identify a plant or tree online via a Google image search. Once the plant has been identified, decide whether you want it or not based on it's attributes and growth pattern. A plant or tree that is too large for one location may be a gorgeous asset in another.
Systematically go through the beds removing weed and unwanted or problematic plants. Mark any plants that need to be transplanted at a later date as some transplant better in one season verses another. Weeds that have not gone to seed can be put into the compost. In our area it is best not to put weeds like bindweed into the compost where they can easily root and spread. Do not put weeds like poison ivy, poison oak, or Giant Hogweed in the compost or burn pile. Avoid any contact with the skin that can cause severe allergic reactions.
Next remove any existing mulch if necessary or redistribute if it is in fairly good condition. While doing this check for any signs of insect infestation (eg. carpenter ants, pill bugs, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, earwigs and etc.). Caulk any cracks around windows or doors at or near ground level. Treat with diatomaceous earth to prevent infestations from snails, earwigs and those types of insects. Depending on your location and preference replace your mulch. I have had excellent results with cedar wood chips that have natural insect repellent properties. The beds are now ready for replanting if desired.
An option to planting in the ground it to use a combination of planting in stylish containers to accent the existing plants in the garden that you choose to keep. I have seen some gorgeous combinations! You can even add a small water feature to greet visitors to your home. This is a good time to add in a few solar powered accent lights as well. Don't forget a gnome or two for good gardening luck!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
When we moved into our then new house a little over four years ago it was apparent that the was a lot of major work to do. Unfortunately we spent much of those years ripping out garden mistakes as well as vegetation overgrowth. We put that house on the market eighteen months ago so while we did garden maintenance, added mulch and a couple of raised beds we really did not get to reap the benefits of our labour. Our new house will take considerably less time to get the front and side gardens the way we want them. We want these beds low maintenance so there is a bit of ripping out to do but quite easily achieved within a weekend. There is a fair amount of pruning basically to reshape a couple of the ornamental trees and cut back two areas with over grown flowering vines. One of the vines is a beautiful deep orange trumpet vine forming a gorgeous arch but it does need trimming back. The other is climbing up the pool deck surround forming an effective but over grown natural privacy. I'm not sure what it is but my main concern is that it doesn't attract mosquitoes.
The side gardens in the backyard need a good cleaning out mainly of weeds and then just a bit of trimming back. The nice thing is the side yards are not huge, running between about two feet deep. I'm aiming for lush, three season colour that should be possible to achieve with appropriate plantings our first spring there. I want to do a crocus naturalization in the front lawn this fall and will plant garlic as well.
A crocus naturalization is started by scattering crocus bulbs about the yard. Now, there cannot be any pattern to this so the best way to achieve the effect is to take a handful of crocus bulbs then toss them into the lawn. Where the land is where they are planted. The bulb will naturalize, multiplying each year. The effect can be quite stunning in the early spring and the crocus foliage dies back before the first grass cutting. I plan on starting with 50 mixed crocus bulbs.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
I was also thrilled to discover a pear tree on our new property. It is a good sized tree, about ten feet high that was laden with large pears. I think it is a Bartlett pear tree but will get a positive identification from the nursery. Like the peach trees, the pear tree likely needs a bit of pruning. I will be following the
pruning guidelines for fruit trees by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Before I start pruning though, I think it would be a good idea to have someone from the nursery walk me through the process.
While I will be working with some of the existing front and side beds, I've been accumulating ideas to try in our new gardens. I'll be doing a lot of garden planning over the winter as well. Next spring should be a very interesting and exciting time in the gardens.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
We were extremely pleased to discover fruit trees on our newly acquired property. The property itself is a smaller, subdivision sized with a good sized house and above ground pool. This will place restrictions on how we can set up our gardens. There are some established ornamental front and side garden beds and a good size (about 10' x 20') traditional bed for vegetables. I will be turning that area into raised garden beds using small space gardening methods. I have a few new ideas I want to try but they will have to wait until spring.
There are three peach trees on the property. I suspect they are Red Haven and know they are cling-free so will have our local nursery help identify them. Two are nice sized but the third is small enough that we are considering moving it. I think two peach trees will be sufficient. The peaches were ripe to over ripe when we started moving in. They were small but plentiful with a lovely flavour. The biggest problem was the yellow jackets helping themselves to the over ripe peaches. Within a couple of days both of us had been stung so I knocked the remaining partially eaten over ripe fruit from the tree to get rid of the yellow jackets. It was a good decision as the fruit was not salvageable.
Over the winter months I will be researching how to care for peach trees. With proper pruning we should get fewer but larger peaches. I will also be researching on how to discourage the large number of yellow jackets that are not welcomed with a pool and outdoor entertaining. I suspect on of the easiest ways is to do a clean pick each day as the fruit ripens as well as remove any over ripe fruit. I can't tell you how excited I am to begin another new gardening adventure!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Eons ago I first became interested in gardening as a child but a few years later my environmental science teacher hired another student and myself through the school. Our job on the surface was easy, to help out with the greenhouse. The real purpose of the job was to teach us how the greenhouse was maintained including all the operational functions. I absolutely loved it! I would spend every single minute I could outside of class time in the greenhouse. Years later through during my academic career as an adult I spent many hours of free time equipped with my lunch and camera then later with laptop enjoying one of our universities small greenhouses. I still enjoy greenhouses especially during the winter months in beautiful Ontario, Canada.
One of the very first plants I learned to propagate was
coleus. Coleus is a beautiful, lower growing ground cover outdoors or an lovely potted houseplant although it is more difficult to get it to bloom indoors. It will thrive in lower light conditions while adding a splash of colour to garden beds. I particularly like using coleus in pots outdoors as accent plantings that can be brought indoors for the winter.
Coleus benefits from pinching that results in thicker, bushier plants. It can be propagated by dipping a cut stem in rooting hormone then putting the prepared stem in moistened vermiculite or the stems will root simply by placing them in water. If using the water method, fill a glass jar with water to about a half-inch from the top. Cover with plastic wrap and secure. Poke two or three holes in the plastic wrap. Let the prepared jar sit until the water is at room temperature. Cut the same number of stems as holes from a healthy coleus plant. For best results the stems should be about 4 to 5 - inches long. Remove any bottom leave. Poke each stem down into the holes until they are below the water level by about an inch. Set in a location out of direct sun. It will take a few days for roots to appear. When the root ball is sufficient, pot each rooted stem in individually prepared pots. If planting outdoors allow the new coleus plant to become established in the potting soil first then remove from the pot and plant in prepared outdoor locations (ground or containers).
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
