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"
Back in March, I posted about a sure sign of spring, the common housefly. Aside of a couple of robins and spring bulbs braving the cold, wet spring that has been it. We are still wearing winter jackets here and the furnace is still on. We've had substantial rainfall with heavy rains warranting warnings from Environment Canada. A couple of days ago, we woke to light snow on the roofs, yesterday it rained all day along with a wet snow and today, rain is threatening to start any moment. It really hasn't been dry enough or nice enough to get much of anything done outside! The sun has gone into permanent hiding with the days taken over by dull grey skies full of precipitation. Even the transient nursery stands that set up each year are not out yet. So it is definitely a slow start to the 2013 growing season.
My start is going to be delayed pretty much until the end of May then there are going to be a lot of disruptions as we begin work on the backyard decks. I am not impressed with the PVC raised beds we installed last year. The pressure from the soil freezing over the winter has pushed out a couple of the sides. Basically, these beds while they looked nice will have to be dismantled despite their hefty price tag. That means I will have to move the strawberries and asparagus. Depending on how far we get on the decks, the beds would have to be moved anyway. The nice thing is we did all of the front yard rip out last fall so this spring it is starting pretty much with a bare slate. I have a few ideas for the front and side gardens landscaping so hope to have that all back in place during June. Now, if only the weather would cooperate!
It is the first gardening season in our new home and to say the least, it has been a very odd year at best. When we moved here last September, I was quite excited to discover we had two peach trees and a pear tree. Needless to say, I had a lot of plans but the weather simply did not cooperate. Within a very short period of time, my gardening plans turned into a comedy of errors!
Our new house is in an urban subdivision setting with the back of the property bordering on farmland. A good portion of the backyard is taken up by a 27' above ground pool and decking so the gardens are restricted to the perimeter. What we thought were mature perimeter beds when we first viewed the house turned out to be a hodge podge of plantings with a very liberal dose of weeds, especially thistle and stinging nettle. We discovered a few small treasures like garlic, mint, chives and a gooseberry bush but immediately knew we would be in rip-out mode.
I carefully started seedlings ready to be planted in the new raised garden beds when we arrived home from our spring vacation the end of May. We left on May 5 so the hardier seedlings had been out on the deck for over a week with the more tender seedlings left indoors. One of our kids did the plant care while we were away for three weeks. Well, the temperatures heated up and the sun hit that deck with full force so I ended up losing about half of my outdoor seedlings. The sun turned the window I had several herbs and indoor seedlings into death ray so I lost all the seedings and a couple of the herbs.
When we arrived home we quickly put together two raised PVC beds for asparagus and strawberries along with the larger raised wood bed for vegetables. Then the weather turned unbearably hot with drought conditions. As a result of the unseasonably hot weather in March followed by a couple of hard frosts neither peach tree had fruit and the pear tree only had a couple of damaged fruit. The gooseberry bush gave enough berries for me to make a batch of gooseberry jam. The mint and chives were enough for garnishes and I dried a bit. The raised beds were discouraging. Only now can I see that some of the asparagus and strawberries survived but compared to what I planted, it is a bit discerning. Surprisingly, the tomatoes did fairly well but definitely not what I'm used to. The yield and size of the tomatoes was considerably lower than normal. The peppers jalapeño, super chili, and habanero peppers put on a stunning performance which made up for the lack of performance in the Hungarian banana peppers and nothing from the sweet bell pepper plants. The dill did not survive being attacked by what I suspect was a rabbit. The weather was so hot that the lettuce bolted almost immediately upon emergence. I did end up with four small heads of cabbage so that was a bit encouraging.
What was funny about this growing season was everything was a good two weeks early. Cucumbers for pickling were still going when peaches started and I was canning peaches struggling to get the corn done that was early then tomatoes hit in mid-August. I was just into canning tomatoes when my husband was hospitalized for five days so that took my time away from canning and the garden. After that it was catch-up time until we left for our fall vacation on October 2 not returning until October 23. The weather was mild except for the effects of Hurricane Sandy. I managed to do a clean pick a couple of days ago as the forecast was lows of below freezing but aside of a bit of frost on the rooftops, the vegetable bed is still producing although I suspect that will end within the next day or two.
We've done a lot of ripping out this year so I am looking forward to the 2013 growing season here in beautiful Ontario, Canada. In the meantime, I will enjoy the gardens at our vacation home in sunny Florida when we are there next for our winter vacation.
Now that we are back home from our three week spring vacation, attention has been turned to outdoors. We have opened the pool, bought a few plants and we are getting to know our new property. I actually discovered a gooseberry bush yesterday! What I have noticed is this is definitely a hot property. Unlike our last house, there is very little in the way of shade. Our last house was so shaded that it was a hindrance and yet this house is the opposite!
While we were well aware of the heat of the day (12 PM to 4 PM) it is not as big of a problem here in beautiful Ontario, Canada. At the same time, unless working farm labour or other employment that requires you to be outdoors during that time period, many stay indoors if possible. When it come to home gardening, here's a few tips for dealing with the heat of the day:
- watering - Do not water during the heat of the day as that can cause plants to burn or become distressed. Water before to help your garden beds cope with the heat of the day. Use self watering planters wherever possible and keep the reservoirs filled.
- take a break - The sun is at it's peak with the strongest UV rays so take a break from your gardening chores.
- protect yourself - Anytime you are in the garden you should protect yourself with a good sun block with high SPF, long sleeves, wide brim hat and pants and closed toe shoes (preferably boots). UV rays are not the only enemy in the garden. There are biting insects, snakes, and poisonous plants so wearing some type of barrier to protect yourself is prudent. Encounters with snakes are more common during the heat of the day as they are out sunning themselves. Increased perspiration will attract biting insects and enhance the effects of poisonous plants like poison ivy. Don't use scented products like hair gel, perfume or anything with a floral scent as that will attract biting insects as well.
- provide shade - Set up a shaded sitting area where you can take a break if you have to be out in the garden during the heat of the day. Take regular breaks so you don't become overheated or dehydrated.
- stay hydrated - Always carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated and drink small amounts often. If your mouth feels dry you are already dehydrated. Dehydration can quickly lead to heat stroke!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2012
The past two weeks have been unseasonably warm with record breaking temperature in the 70's (F) highs and lows in the 50's (F). Now that is just unheard of here in southwestern Ontario this time of the year. Folks are walking around in shorts and sandals. Our neighbours actually had their AC on yesterday! Folks have been out doing spring yard clean-up but at the same time some are really pushing it by fertilizing and mowing their lawns. The reason being this is still March. In southwestern Ontario our average day of last frost (ADLF) this year is April 15. That means before that date there is a good chance of a heavy frost and up to that date a 50% chance of a frost.
Folks are funny in that they cut their grass too early and too late in the season then wonder why they are fighting the rest of the year to have healthy grass. As tempting as it is, do not touch the mower until after the ADLF for your area. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT fertilize, treat for weeds or seed your lawn until after the ADFL. Lawns cut too early or too late in the season are very susceptible to irreparable frost damage. So resist that urge to mow too early even if the weather is gorgeous!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2012
Today is the last day of February, in a leap year no less. I can't believe the first two months of 2012 have flown by so fast! We normally have the furnace on late October to mid-April but this past winter has been extremely mild to a fault. Just last week a couple of farmers were talking in the local ER waiting room about the lack of cold weather, specifically a hard freeze. One said that the upcoming growing season would be adversely affected and he is quite correct. Winter wheat in particular will be affected by the lack of a hard freeze.
Our hard freeze usually happens in January followed by another cold snap in February and while we still may get a cold snap in March, it's doubtful this year. Unfortunately, lack of a hard freeze has had more than agricultural affects in our area with a lot of illness especially norovirus. We've had plenty of precipitation but little to no ice in the local waterways and standing water in the fields. The days are getting longer and the temperatures will soon be rising giving the mosquitos a head start on their season. On the plus side, home gardeners will be able to get their gardens in a bit earlier than the Victoria Day weekend, celebrated this year May 19 to 21. I'd say the ground will be workable by a good two weeks earlier meaning we will have an extended growing season this year. Predictions are for a hot, dry summer though so that will affect many home gardeners. Time will tell but at any rate I am in high gear starting seeds.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2012
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
It's turned rather cold here meaning that we aren't getting a lot done in the way of gardening at home or at the vacation home. We left home in beautiful Ontario, Canada just before we had to turn on the furnace. According to our kids who are housesitting and doing a bit of garden work there has been few days since we left that they could get anything done. It was a balmy 90°F plus at our vacation home, so still using AC and staying out of the direct sun. Despite the high temperatures we managed to get a lot of landscaping done, some of it hired out. Then last Sunday it turned rather cold in the sunny south just in time for us to be heading back to Ontario yesterday. With any luck we will have a nice Indian summer so I can get my crocuses planted.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
We left for our spring vacation on May 8 returning home late May 25. Actually we made a pit stop at home for about 18 hours between flights. I have pictures to share and got a lot of novel growing ideas during the trips so will share those as well but to start off I have a few thoughts on the weather. It was a long, drawn-out winter with ample snow fall. There wasn't a spell of bitter cold that we usually get, the kind that makes the snow crunch under foot. Winter continued to drag on with snow in April as well. The boats in the marina where our boat is were scheduled to be put in the water in mid-April but they had to postpone that because the water was still iced over. By the time we were ready to leave on our vacation, the local farmers were about two weeks behind schedule for planting. Now two weeks doesn't sound like a lot but it is when dealing with an already short growing season!
The first leg of our vacation was spent in Las Vegas. We arrived to cooler temperatures than expected. The first afternoon it was chilly and raining but as we waited for the valet it started hailing! We have visited Las Vegas many times and this is only the second time we have seen rain there. A couple of days into the trip saw the temperature warm up closer to normal although the skies still looked ominous. We saw sun the last couple of days of the trip. We arrived home late Saturday (May 14) to obviously soggy conditions. While we were away it rained quite a bit so there was standing water in the fields and rising water levels in ditches. It was too wet to cut the grass. We left the following morning for our vacation home in central Florida where we were met with warmer temperatures. There had been a fair amount of rain there as well but it had warmed up earlier so we missed the love bugs. It was hot, humid with popup thunderstorms. We managed to do a bit of gardening in the front but it really was too hot to do much. While we were in Florida we followed the tornado devastation in Joplin, Missouri. We left Florida on the 25th knowing our flight was making a brief stop in Atlantic City as we couldn't get a direct return flight. That day severe storms made their way across the mid-west up through Canada. When we arrived in Atlantic City we ended up deplaning then delayed for three and a half hours due to the weather. It was 93ºF when we left Tampa and 57ºF when we landed in Detroit. Even though it was dark driving home the flooded fields were apparent. We had to put the heat on in the house to take the chill off.
The combination of cooler temperatures and excessive rain has already affected local farmers. The fields are too wet to plant. It is so wet that the local golf courses have had to cancel regular golfing as well as a couple of tournaments. Home gardeners are feeling the effects of the weather here as well. On a global scale though, it is hard to fathom how vicious the weather has been. Whether this is due to global warming or part of a cyclic weather pattern remains to be determined. It is apparent that the global weather is negatively affecting our food supply.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
This Morning's Snowfall
April 18, 2011
We woke to about two inches of snow this morning. I'm sure the daffodiles and tulips are not appreciating their wintery blanket. The calendar says it's spring. By this time last year the weather had been on the warm side enough to be in summer clothes to celebrate a couple of our grandkid's birthdays. The sun was even warm enough to give that first glow of a sunburn across the nose! What a difference it is this year. We have had snow on and off since early last November. Being of sound mind we spent a month of that time at our vacation home in the sunny south but had to drive through snow going down and coming back. Many are getting rather tired of the snow as it has been hanging on longer than usual. The good thing is the above average snowfall is a good thing for local farmers until now when some of them are getting ready to plow fields. The ground is a bit too wet to be working up right now. Here's hoping the weather turns quickly to get things in gear for the summer months. I fear though it is going to be a cold, wet spring followed by a cooler summer. Time will tell...
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Bald Headed Eagle Visit
February 9, 2011
There is a family of Bald Headed Eagles nesting not too far from us. They have been taking advantage of the ice floats but it is only by luck to get a picture as they don't stay long. I took this picture from the kitchen patio doors. Looking closer the eagle was interested in the carrion on the ice but within seconds of the second photo the eagle took flight. They certainly are impressive birds!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Horror Frost
February 23, 2011
Last we had a very heavy frost, termed
horror frost. This happens during the winter when the temperature suddenly rises causing heavy fog then the temperature drops causing the fog to form heavy ice crystals over everything. It usually only happens a couple of times during the winter. It really is quite pretty to wake to. The gardens were a mystical delight!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
The first two days of March have been rather pleasant, bright and sunny but a little colder. We have experienced a good amount of snow accumulation this year. Overall the temperatures haven't been too cold. I don't think we have even had a bitterly cold spell this year which is nice given the rising home heating costs. It will soon be time to turn my attention to this year's gardens,
Our house is still on the market but if we sell shortly with a closing date anytime before the end of May there will still be plenty of time to get a garden in where ever we move to. That is one of the nice things about using raised beds. They can be constructed, filled, grid laid out and planted all in the same day. With a little help it is quite easy to get five or six beds ready for planting in a morning. So I'm not concerned about the potential move. Goodness, looking back on things it has been almost a year since we listed out house so this will be the second season of gardening uncertainty. I'm sure things will work out fine though.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Here I was concerned over the lack of snowfall but earlier this week we ended up with about 35 cm of fresh snow total over two days. They were calling for 10 cm on the second day but we only got about 5 cm. A couple of hours ago it started snowing again. I haven't heard how much we are supposed to get. The cell isn't very big so should be finished here in an hour or so. We've had about 3 cm of fresh snowfall so far. If it keeps up this way we will likely have another 5 cm total. Gotta love winter!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
The Crow
January 31, 2011
Crows are large nuisance birds that cost local farmers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In urban settings they are such a nuisance that some folks have taken to shooting them with pellet guns. Home gardeners can also have problems with crows. Regardless where you live, crows can be a huge problem with getting into garbage bags set out for collection. They can make quite the mess!
We are rural on waterfront property so luckily the crows tend to be more of a nuisance for the farmland across from rather than bother us much. Recently a flock of crows have been visiting our large maple trees where they forage around the base of the trees. The snow isn't quite as deep there. They fly between the open water back to the trees, down to forage then repeat. While crows don't land on the water they can get water by standing on the ice. The crows are rather aggressive towards the smaller waterfowl but tend to behave themselves when the swans are around.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Snow and More Snow
February 2, 2011
We heard warnings of an impending snowstorm to hit our area almost a week before it hit. Monday evening the local cancellations started being announced with more Tuesday morning since the storm was to hit Tuesday evening. Grocery stores were a bit busier than usual but that's the norm anytime a snowstorm is announced. The snow started about dinner time Tuesday night. My husband had put a sign that the office would be closed on Wednesday due to the weather so this morning was a little disappointed to see asphalt in the driveway. Then he realized our driveway had been plowed out. Throughout the night we had about 30 cm of fresh snow accumulation with another 10 cm predicted during the day. Once the winds died down visibility improved and drifting lessened so he headed into the office for half the day. It continued to snow thoughout the day by evening it was clear. And here I was worried about what the lack of snowfall would mean for the upcoming growing season.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Winter on the Homefront
January 29, 2011
This is a brief break in our vacation gardening photos just to let you know that life continues in the garden even during the winter. Last year we did not get the snowfall we needed during the winter and as expected the growing season was not as good as it could have been. This year has been a bit different. While we were away during most of the month of December we had a couple of snowstorms with good accumulation. We arrived home the end of the first week in January. Since then we have had a few more snowstorms with good accumulation. This is very promising as to a good growing season to come!
My gosh, we woke to the most beautiful winter wonderland this morning! We received about 11 cm over night coating the grounds in sparkling white and glistening diamonds. It continued with a fine, misty snow most of the day. It looks like it will be a very good growing season if this keeps up!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Looking back on 2010 we did nothing but battle adverse growing conditions. The problem is battling these types of conditions can be rather difficult. A dry growing condition can be compensated by extra watering, irrigation and shading but a too wet of a growing condition if difficult to battle. Raised beds help somewhat but traditional row gardening is at the mercy of the extra moisture. There really isn't much adjustment available for temperatures.
Raised beds get a bit warmer quicker and stay warmer longer extending the growing season somewhat. Shading can help protect against high heat while covering the garden beds or using mini greenhouse protection can help protect against frost. For the most part though, in normal home gardening growing conditions adjusting for temperature is still rather hit and miss.
When adverse growing conditions hit, the best you can do is hold on tight, do what damage control you can and hope for the best. That's one of the things that makes home gardening so much fun!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010
We are still experiencing unseasonably mild temperatures here, not that I'm complaining. The lawns look almost the best they have all year with the extra bit of rain we've been having. There have been a couple of squirrels skirting about the yards but still no sign of the wild rabbits. I've been told that the rabbit population is cyclic but to not see any is rather discerning. I suspect with the harder economic times the wild rabbits are ending up in the stew pot. Duck season is in full swing to so we hear the occasional shot reminding us that the snow will be upon us shortly.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010
I was up at 3 AM this morning to see a beautiful blanket of twinkling snow. Pleasant thoughts filled my head as I drifted back off into dreamland. There was still snow on the ground when I got up for the day but by about 9 AM it was all melted. The first snow of the season is always exciting. Everything looks so clean and pristine!
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010
It is time to clean out the garden. Yesterday morning's frost has knocked down most of the plants which is always nice. It rained last night so things are still wet and is threatening rain again today as well as rain predicted for the next couple of days. Sunday is supposed to be dry and warmer so it will be a good clean-out the garden combined with rake the leaves day.
Happy Gardening!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010
