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"
This is the time of year many home gardeners are tilling up plots, putting new beds in, revamping old beds and planting trees or bushes. In many areas, utility lines are in the ground meaning there is a very good chance you could sever one of them. The rule of thumb before digging anywhere on your property is to get free line locates. In our case, the possible lines include: telephone/satellite, cable tv, water, hydro and natural gas. If there are any registered easements on your property, chances are good
they are for utilities meaning the is a very good probability of
finding utility lines in the ground in the easement. Even if you don't use a service the lines could still be below where you want to dig. For example, we don't use cable tv but there is a junction box next door only about 18 - inches from the property line. It's reasonable to speculate that we could possibly have a cable tv line running through our property. We have hydro, telephone, satellite (phone line), natural gas and water. Of those the phone lines are quite easy to sever because they aren't buried very deep in the ground.
In Ontario, Canada the line locates are free which means you should use them before digging. If you sever a utility line you are held responsible for the repair costs, any resulting damages, you are fined and you be sued. A few years ago, a guy was doing a bit of digging and severed the fiber optics line running between two communities. Both communities were without internet until the line was repaired. Just imagine the costs and legal penalties if that severed line led to the death of another person which could easily happen if you were to sever a telephone line! In Ontario, Canada homeowners and contractors are require by law under the Occupation Health and Safety Act of Ontario to ascertain the location of buried natural gas pipes.
In Ontario, Canada use the ON1Call service. Simply fill out the form online. If you don't hear from them within 2 business days call 1-800-400-2255. You may have to call one or more utility companies as well if they are not part of ON1Call service. Line locates generally are completed within 5 to 7 business days after making your request. You should not dig before the lines are clearly marked on your property.
Lines will be marked usually with flags and spray paint according the utility service. The flag colours are:
- red - electricity
- yellow - gas, oil, steam, chemical
- orange - communication, cable tv
- blue - water
- green - sewer, storm drain
- pink - temporary survey markings
- white - proposed excavation
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2012
I have three very important gardening tools that you will not find in the gardening section of any store. They are:
- digital camera - A digital camera not only gives a pictorial as to how my gardens are doing but helps serve as an important identifier for both flora and fauna.
- cell phone/wireless phone - A garden can be a very dangerous place in many perspectives even though you don't think of it as such. You could be bit by something you react adversely to or have a slip and fall or anything in between. It is very important to have some type of phone with you that in the event you need help you can get it.
- water bottle - I always have a filled water bottle with me in the garden. The heat of the day can be quite dehydrating and despite intending on only being in the garden for a few minutes it can easily stretch out to an hour or more. During the gardening season dehydration can be a problem so to combat this always take a filled water bottle with you and make sure to take the time to keep your body properly hydrated.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010
I have been spending a fair amount of time in the garden the past week getting things which means some exposure to sun and insects. For years we have been told to slather on the sunscreen to protect against the damaging effects of the sun. As a result of a skin condition that worsens with sun exposure I have sunblock with an SPF 80 that I use on my face and any exposed body part. The problem with relying on sunblocks are two fold. First most sunscreens and sunblocks contain oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is a penetration enhancer that helps other chemicals in the sunscreen and sunblock penetrate the skin. Recent studies have indicated that oxybenzone is linked to allergies, disrupts hormones, causes cell damage and a low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. In addition to the health risks of oxybenzone, those living in the northern hemisphere using both sunscreens and sunblocks have been shown to be significantly deficient in Vitamin D. So it would appear the very thing I need to prevent one problem has the potential of creating several problems. The reality is sunscreen and sunblock is really only one type of protection and it should be used sparingly if at all given some of the health risks. There are other ways to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun while gardening:
- anti-oxidants - These natural chemicals such as lycopene (in tomatoes) and Vitamin C help to protect against cellular damage from the sun and other toxins. In the summer the brighter and darker the fruit and vegetables are the more anti-oxidants they contain so make them part of your daily diet.
- avoidance - Avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day when the sun is the strongest between 12 PM and 4 PM. Gardening is extremely pleasant in the early morning hours and that is one of the best times to identify and problem insects. The evening hour just before dusk is another pleasant time to work in the garden.
- protective clothing - Wear light coloured protective clothing preferably cotton in the garden. The clothing should be long sleeved to cover your arms and long legged or long skirts to shield your legs from the sun. A wide brimmed hat is a must to shade your face and neck from the sun.
- sun shelters - Set up one or more sun shelters in your garden for use while you are working. These can be vine covered sitting arbors or gazabos, patio sitting areas with umbrellas and small sheds where you can do a bit of planting in containers out of the direct rays of the sun.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010
