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"

Monday, January 30, 2012

Protecting Saved Seeds

As a home gardener I am also a seed saver.  Seeds can be saved from any plant but heirlooms are preferred as they breed true unlike seeds from hybrid plants.  Really from a genetic perspective if you cross two hybrids you have a 25% chance of the resulting plant being true for either of the homozygous traits but a 50% chance of it it being nothing like the parental plant.  I grow and save heirloom seeds from plants that were grown using organic practices.  I also buy seed from companies where I know they use organic growing practices.  What many new gardeners do not realize aside of the quality of the seed (eg. heirloom, organic) is seeds are living entities.  During storage, seeds collected from your garden or purchased need a bit of protection to ensure a good germination rate.    The germination rate is determined over a certain number of seeds.  Let's say you plant 100 seeds and 5 germinate into seedlings.  The germination rate if 5% which by any measurement is close to a waste of time and energy BUT in some cases that 5% may be the best you are ever going to get.

In general, seeds should be stored in such a manner that you have enough to plant two seasons' worth of garden.  Seeds should be properly stored in your pantry protected from light, heat, insects and rodents.  Store in vacuum sealed glass mason jars to protect against these threats.  Light, moisture and heat can cause sprouting and/or moulding.  Insects and rodents can quickly eat through your supply of stored seeds.  Properly stored seeds will keep for at least two years and longer but longer storage may result in lower germination rates. 

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012


Saturday, January 21, 2012

A Busy Garden Year Ahead

I have a very busy garden year planned for 2012.  Aside of doing a bit of clean-up work on the existing ornamental garden beds after moving here in September of 2011, we had done only basic yard maintenance and planning.  So far, we have determined the ornamental garden beds have to be completely revamped.  The two umbrella trees and arbor trumpet vine need to be replaced with something less likely to maim.  I am definitely leaning towards morning glory for the arbor and silver birch trees.  The hard, jagged rock bordering some of the ornamental beds is coming out.  I think it is ugly and a safety hazard as does my husband.  The ornamental beds will be mulched with red cedar as an accent colour that will go nice with the colour of our house while providing a bit of natural insect deterrent.  We will prune the fruit trees then it will be ready to get the vegetable and herb gardens going.

This is a smaller property so the vegetable and herb beds will be raised, planted in the square foot garden method.  I am considering making the beds a bit deeper and using something a bit more elegant than plain pine, perhaps with a nice finished ledge along the top for additional potted plants or sitting.  Deeper beds will allow some of the vining fruit and vegetable plants to tumble over as well, softening the look a bit. 

I need to establish the following long term beds: rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries and herbs.  These will be the first beds to go in and aside of the herbs, do not have to be raised or planted in the square foot garden method.  I would really like to work in some raspberry canes and a few blueberry bushes but that is going to be iffy since the pool takes up a good portion of our backyard.  I have picked out a spot for a grapes too.

I know these are a lot of plans and some won't get finished this year.  I will be happy getting the long term beds in along with the raised beds built and filled.  My husband is talking of replacing the fence so I need to keep that in mind as well.  All in all it should be an exciting but very busy year for gardening here!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012


Friday, January 20, 2012

Replenishing My Seed Supply

When I first started growing a vegetable garden years ago, I bought mainly plants and very few seeds.  As my gardens become larger and more complex, seeds entered into the picture.  Now I turn to seeds I have collected from the gardens as well as buying seeds and some plants.  As most gardeners experience from time to time is the only way to get plants outside of the normal limited range of quite often hybrid plants and seeds is to order seed from a seed company or participate in a seed exchange. 

My seed supply is rather low because our house was on the market for the last two growing seasons which translated into growing less.  This ultimately meant I had less plants to save seed from so my own, known to be organically produced seed is almost used up.  When I buy vegetable seed or plants, I look for seed from organic growers who have been certified organic (eg.  The Centre for Systems Integration certification).  I want to be sure the seeds and plants used for my edible garden is not GMO (genetically modified organisms) or chemically treated as well.  Thankfully, heirloom seeds and certified organic seed is easily available through the seed and plant companies I deal with.  This year I expect the new raised beds and other garden beds to be fairly productive so I will be able to replenish my seed supply further. 

Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2012


Friday, January 13, 2012

Another Winter Lacking Snowfall

Normally we have a light snowfall in late October, a bit heavier in November and quite often snow for Christmas.  We had just enough snow so far to barely coat the grass but it was gone in a flash.  The temperatures have been quite mild as well especially this past week with temperatures above the freezing mark.  In fact, we have yet to have a hard frost which translates into a lot of mud and illnesses.  Last year was a bad year for snowfall as well.  Lack of snowfall usually means a hotter than average summer but it also creates a lot of problems for local farmers and home gardeners.  Yet this year, unlike last we have had a fair amount of rain, even a couple of record setting downpours.  It snowed a bit last night and is trying today but really there isn't much accumulation.  Here's hoping for a bit more snowfall before our attention turns to planting season!

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012


Thursday, January 12, 2012

Garden Seeds are Appearing in the Stores

I was at Home Hardware today picking up paint for the bathroom.  As I went to the check-out I noticed two large displays of garden seeds!  I popped a packet of Little Marvel peas in with my painting supplies.  I am planning on painted every room in the house this winter but you can bet I will still make time to get my seedlings ready for the new gardens.  It won't be long now :)

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012