General growing and maintenance guidelines. Your plants and how to care for them…
The first real snow is on the ground. I say “real snow” to differentiate it from the first threatening flakes of the season that fall and quickly evaporate on contact. That snow is a precursor to the real snow and doesn’t count. It is more or less a warning to say, We are coming. Be …
The first hard frost is predicted for this weekend, either Friday or Sunday. I don’t know which because the various weather apps I keep on my phone (and check religiously) are giving conflicting forecasts. At this point I am hustling to clean up for Friday, expecting the worst, but hoping for more time. As is …
It was one of the breakout stars of the season. I didn’t see it coming. I have grown ‘Snow White,’ a large, white cherry variety, a few times before, but for some reason it sat in the background while other newcomers caught my fancy. This spring I had a lot of new varieties to try …
The 2014 growing season was a strange one. But then again, aren’t they all? Spring came painfully late, and summer, when it finally arrived, announced its presence in small, anemic spurts. The weather was often cooler than usual, and when it rained, it came down hard and fast, knocking over anything that wasn’t properly staked …
I grew up in the Niagara Region, an area known for a microclimate that produces an abundance of fruit. Grapes in particular are kind-of a big deal there, even more-so now that the wine industry has taken off. Even before the industry got big there was an annual festival to commemorate the harvest. The festival …
When it comes to borage there is always too much and never enough. I’ve been growing regular ole blue borage flowers for years; first at my community garden plot and now here in my small urban backyard where they are happy — too happy — growing into monstrous, prickly sea creature-like things that make my …
I’m noticing more oddities mutations [please see discussion in comments about mutations versus deformations] in the garden this year. I’m not yet certain if I am noticing more because there ARE more, or because I’ve developed a deeper interest in them and am more observant. I documented a few oddities last summer over here. Most …
Summer is almost over. Or maybe it’s just begun. Temperatures are expected to go back down again. Or was that back up? Who can tell anymore. Every year in the garden is new and different, even if just because of the weather. This is why I can never wrap my head around the old timers …
It must be noted for the sake of remembrance that on August 11, 2014, I pulled out what remained of this year’s pea plants. I could have let them go longer. These are the same peas that I sowed in April. 4 months ago! This is by far the latest I have ever kept the …
When the sweet, black cherries come into season my brain immediately turns to clafoutis, a rustic French dessert of fresh, seasonal fruit suspended in a custard-like batter. Clafoutis is really simple and quick to make. Just whip up a sweet and eggy batter, pour it over the fruit, and bake. Grapes are also commonly used …
As promised I’ve made up a list of herbs and spices that can be used to flavour pickles. Many of these can be grown at home! Pickling Flavours From the Garden Basil Bay Laurel leaf Bergamot flowers (never tried it, but would function similar to oregano) Caraway seed Celery seed Coriander seed Dill seed & …
Serviceberry season is here! Davin and I were on a staycation last week, and if you follow my social media accounts, you will have noticed that I spent a lot of time foraging for summer fruit. This wasn’t on the agenda, but the season is so short — when it comes you have to act …