Fergus & District Horticultural Society

A Worm's Eye View - June 2010
by Editor: Elena North

 “And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days”
James Russell Lowell, American poet, critic, essayist and diplomat, 1819-1891
 

President’s Message 

Here we are in June, summer fast upon us, and what a wonderful spring we have had.  It is hard to believe that six months have gone by.  It has been an exciting six months as president of your Society, filled with new experiences and challenges.  I am looking forward to summer, to maybe spending a little more time in my garden; to taking a few day trips here and there; to visiting friends and family without worrying about winter storms.  Whatever plans you have for the summer, do enjoy yourself, and remember to slip on protective clothing, slap on a hat, and slop on some sunscreen when spending time outdoors.   

Please note that we have planned two "Coffee in Templin Gardens" mornings, Tuesday, July 20 and Tuesday, August 17 at 10 a.m. Bring your coffee mug and lawn chair.  I hope to see many of you there.

Finally, on behalf of the entire Society, I’d like to thank Kathy Bouma and Randy McLean for their work in making the Plant Sale, which is our major fund-raiser, a success.  It’s an incredible amount of work and we’re grateful for your  time and effort.

Have a good summer everyone. See you in the fall. 

Helen Lacroix 

…and from the Editor

Following on Helen’s remarks, June brings the Summer Solstice, which occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is closest to the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the Solstice is an instant in time – 9:48 PM EDT on June 20 this year - the term is also used like Midsummer to refer to the day on which it occurs.   

While monthly meetings are on hold for July and August, I hope once again this year to put out a short Worm’s-Eye View, in order for us to keep in touch during the break.  And the "Diggin' in the Dirt" gang will be out every Tuesday morning, keeping our community gardens beautiful.

Elena North

Billboard 

Reminder: The Garden Tour is on Sunday, June 20th, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. For a detailed map, go to www.gardenontario.org/site.php/fergushs  Donations to the local food bank would be appreciated.  Light refreshments and Society memberships will be available at the Terry Fox Park stop.  Tour brochures at LittleTree Horticultural Ltd., Cedar Spring Nursery and the Fergus Information Centre (Albert and Tower). For other information, call Cheryl at 519-843-4443.  And tell your friends! 

From the Editor:  Here are corrections to the May issue: Our May speaker Donna Zarudny has an MLA, not just a BLA, from the University of Guelph.  Apologies to Donna. 

In North American Indian lore, the May full moon is known as the full Flower Moon because of the general abundance of spring flowers. Other names include the Full Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon. June’s full moon is known as is the Strawberry Moon.

Features  

The 2010 Plant Sale  

Once again we held a very successful plant sale.  The net proceeds of the sale were $4,421.  Special thanks to our plant sale committee for all their hard work.  Thank you to the Diggin' in the Dirt group for dividing and potting up of our own gardens, thank you to our members and the public who contributed plants, pots, helped to pot up on the two Friday potting up days and big thank you to those who worked at the plant sale.  It takes many people to make the day a success and despite the cold wind, the day stayed dry and we sold all the plants.  

Thanks to the many people who came and bought plants and supported the Society.  We hope the plants make a good addition to your gardens and we look forward to another great year of successful gardening. 

Kathy Bouma and Randy McLean
Co-Chairs of the Plant Sale

Plant Sale 2010 Photos  are now on the website. Take a minute and enjoy the day again.  

The June Garden  

OK. The garden is in and you can switch into maintenance mode.  Here’s a grab-bag of ideas from Reader’s Digest’s Gardening Secrets and elsewhere for keeping your garden looking its best and staying healthy. 
Keep your annuals flowering by removing spent flowers and yellowing leaves. Occasionally pinching back your plants will encourage them to be bushier and flower more.  Ageratums, asters, zinnias, snapdragons and other ‘cut and come again’ flowers produce more the more you gather them for bouquets.
Annuals don’t like heavy fertilizers or manure. Too much nitrogen encourages more foliage than flowers.  Composted manure worked into the soil before planting is OK, as is a slow-release fertilizer. 
Container plants are heavy feeders and need a steady supply of water and nutrients to look their best, especially if they’ve been put into a soilless mix.  Begin feeding the pots with water-soluble fertilizer, which roots can take up instantly, about a month after planting/buying.  Mix the liquid fertilizer at half strength—because the soil already contains granular fertilizer—and apply it at watering time every two to three weeks until the end of the season.
Keep weeds down with mulch, newspaper or fabric weed barrier, anything that denies them the sunlight they need to grow.  Sprinkle salt on weeds that sprout in paved areas or wild patches and drench weeds growing in cracks and driveways with boiling water or vinegar.  Keep your hoe sharp and hoe when it is dry.  If pulling weeds by hand, however, do so after a rain when the roots come out more easily.
Fight pests with a rhubarb insecticide.  Soak 3 lb. of rhubarb leaves in a gallon of water for 24 hours. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Add some soap flakes (about a 1/8 cup), let cool and put it into a sprayer to spray on bug-ridden plants.
If ants are a problem, try spraying a ½ and ½ mixture of water and white vinegar into anthills and around areas where ants are visible.  Scatter talcum powder around house foundations and known points of ant entry.  Plant mint around the foundation of your house.  Other repellents are hot chilies mashed up with water and orange peels pureed with water in a blender.  For ants on pathways, mix 1 Tbsp. of black pepper, cloves or dry mustard with a cup of white flour and sprinkle.  Once the ants disappear, sweep the dry mix into the garden or yard.  Don’t use water!
For aphids on rosebushes or other plants, bury dried or cut-up banana peels an inch or two deep around the plant.  Wood ashes sprinkled over bushes and low-lying plants will dehydrate and suffocate aphids.  Use a spray made of lemon rind, water and a few drops of liquid dish detergent to deter aphids on porch or patio plants.
Cedar shavings and chips repel various insects, caterpillars and slugs.  Slugs apparently are also deterred by human hair.  Spray leftover coffee onto plants being bothered by slugs or snails. The caffeine will kill them.
Use a hollowed-out potato to trap earwigs and potato-eating wireworms, disposing of the infested potato every few days.
Plant garlic among your rose bushes, fruit trees and berry bushes to deter Japanese beetles.  Four o’clocks also repel these pests.
Band fruit tree trunks with corrugated cardboard to trap codling moth larva as they travel down the tree to spin a cocoon.  For more on pests, see Mark Cullen’s quick guides to plant pests and diseases:  http://www.markcullen.com/resources/pests_diseases.htm
And protect yourself from sun, soil-borne bacteria and insects   When Niagara winemaker Gabe Magnotta died of Lyme disease at just 60 years of age, many people became more aware of the dangers of ticks.  Wear protective clothing such as gardening gloves, a hat and long-sleeved shirts and long trousers tucked into socks or boots. Light-colored clothing makes a tick more easily visible before it attaches itself; it’s also not as attractive to mosquitoes as dark-coloured attire.  Don’t wear fragrances outdoors.  Take care in handling and allowing outdoor pets inside homes because they can bring ticks into the house.

Edible Flowers   

June is a great time to cruise the garden on the lookout for edible flowers, assuming your flowers aren’t sprayed!!  It’s too late for violets, perhaps, but Johnny Jump-ups, calendula, nasturtium and even bachelor buttons, as well as herb flowers from basil, oregano, camomile and chives can all lend beauty and taste to salads and other dishes.  Rose petals and lavender buds add delicate flavour to sugar, cakes and even butter, and can be made into unique preserves.  With early crops and edible flowers in mind, we offer this recipe: 

Rosy Dilled Radish Dip from Renee’s Seeds
Garden shopping list: dill, garlic, radishes, nasturtium and calendula.  

Ingredients:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup finely chopped radishes  

Garnish:

nasturtium or calendula blossoms, or more sliced radishes  

Combine all ingredients well. Refrigerate for several hours before serving with crackers, chips, or vegetable strips. Garnish with nasturtium or calendula flowers or sliced radishes. Makes about 2 cups.  
Phases of the moon:  June 12: new moon; June 18:  first quarter; June 26: full moon (known as The known as The Strawberry Moon to North American Algonquin tribes, the Rose Moon in Europe.); July 4: last quarter; July 11: new moon.

THE AMERICAN WOODLAND GARDEN: 
Capturing the Spirit of the Deciduous Forest

Rick Darke

I suppose it is only fitting to admit that many a book that resides in my gardening library was originally chosen based solely on the photo that adorns its dust-jacket! Shallow? Perhaps, but one has to admit that when confronted with a photo such as this, its easy to understand how book suddenly lept into hands.... and as they say, the rest is history.

I was first introduced to the writing and photography of Rick Darke in the book I reviewed in last month’s newsletter: the recently republished gardening tome 'The Wild Garden' - by William Robinson, originally published in 1870.  Darke’s new chapters and colour photographs placed wild gardening in modern context, underscoring Robinson's importance in the evolution of ecological design and illustrating an inspiring diversity of contemporary wild gardens.

When I learned that Darke had his own book(s), one foot in front of the other led me to our local bookseller who happily placed an order for me.
The contents of this book are equally as enchanting as the dust jacket photograph, and Darke takes the reader on an amazing journey throughout America's [and yes, Canada's too] woodland gardens. I was most enchanted with a section that details the transition of a specific woodland area over the course of a single year, an area, that remained unfettered by human interaction. By means of detailed prose and exemplary photographs, Darke is able to convey the continuity of the unsullied woodland. It was amazing to be given the opportunity to view the transformation through his eyes by means of a series of sumptuous photography.  

Darke's own property has been a work in progress, and by means of careful observation, he was able to replicate some of the stirring images that he recorded in the creation of this book. While other noteworthy gardens are also highlighted, I was most attracted to what truly is the source of his inner passion - the constant morphing of his own garden. He offers a chapter on how one goes about creating a 'woodland' garden, and closes the book with a comprehensive list of available plant materials to help gardeners along the shaded path towards the creation of a woodland wonderland.  

Editor’s Notes:  Rick Darke has his own website:  http://www.rickdarke.com/ - The American Woodland Garden received the American Horticultural Society's Book Award and the Garden Writers Association Golden Globe Award for book photography.  The Feb. 2010 edition is available at a discount from Amazon.ca for $38.84 Cdn (ISBN-10: 0881925454).  Preview the volume on Google Books (www.googlebooks.ca).
Also recommended:  Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon

Paperback: 240 pages ; Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated; 3rd edition (April 3, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0881926558 - ISBN-13: 978-0881926552 

This book is used in the Horticulture Certification program offered by the University of Guelph’s Office of Open Learning and basically explains how plants grow.  It’s a great little book for gardeners who want a bit of the science underpinning their plants and crops.  At $15.64 (before taxes, S&H) on amazon.ca, it’s also inexpensive.  It also may be previewed on Google books.  

Speaking of the Office of Open Learning, it has just announced 2 new certificate courses in its on-line Distance Education program, in partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens. Sustainable Urban Agriculture (SUA) and Sustainable Urban Horticulture (SUH) consist of five online courses each and start in September. Courses run for 12 weeks in the online environment.  More at www.UrbanHort.ca

Web Talk 

As you can tell from earlier remarks, I’ve become a fan of Google books. There are thousands of books, as well as magazines, on the site, many reproduced in full, others with limited previews or just snippets.  It’s a gold mine for many subjects, not just gardening and horticulture:  http://books.google.ca/ 

Other sites recommended this month:  

Like Canada Blooms, the big flower and garden shows are generally spring-time extravaganzas; however, some are yet to come and most of these have web sites.  Many are featured on You Tube as well, so you can have a taste of being there.   Great for daydreaming and for gardening inspiration:   

The Chelsea Flower Show:  http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2010 

Hampton Court:  http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2010 

National Buffalo Garden Festival:  http://www.nationalgardenfestival.com/ 

Newport RI:  http://www.newportmansions.org/page4702.cfm

Closer to home, the Guelph Enabling Garden has much to recommend it, including many scheduled activities.  More at http://guelphenablinggarden.blogspot.com/ and in the events calendar.

Events Calendar 

Wed., June 16, 7:30 p.m.:  Our last meeting and flower show before the summer break:  Brenda and John Beaulieu will speak on “Milkweed and Monarchs”.  Doors open at 7.  At the Victoria Park Senior Centre.   
Sat., June 19:  NeighbourWoods Booth at LittleTree Horticultural:  information that introduces and informs residents about the importance of tree stewardship. 
Sat., June 19:  The Guelph Arboretum’s 40th Anniversary Open House. Staff, Auxiliary and Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions and lead tours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.   Check the website http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum  closer to the date for details. 
Sat., June 19: at Donna Zarudny’s Dufferin Garden Centre, 250 'C' Line, Orangeville, ON L9W 3Z8:  Rose Festival with Joel Schraven speaking on  ‘The Love of Roses’ at 11 a.m., Flower Arranging with Roses by Trish McKibbon at 2 p.m.; please email centre01@bellnet.ca or call Dufferin Garden Centre at 519-941-5081 to register for these free events.
Sat., June 19:  Art in the Garden at Plant Paradise, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Make it a day with friends and enjoy a gourmet, catered lunch in the garden. Reservations are required for lunch. Plant Paradise Country Gardens, 16258 Humber Station Road, Caledon, 905-880-9090.  Admission is free, but a $2 donation gives you a chance to win a great door prize. All proceeds go to DAREarts. 
Sun., June 20: The Society’s Garden Tour, details in the Billboard section. 
Mon., June 21:  The Elmira and District Horticultural society presents Karen Ince speaking on  Horticultural Therapy.  7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m at Trinity United Church Basement, Arthur St. N.( enter at the rear of the church) in Elmira. Contact: Karen Smart, 519-669-2458 

Mon., June 21, 7 - 8 p.m.: Learn how to make seed-embedded notepaper at the Guelph Enabling Gardens. Bring a lawn chair.  Location:  Riverside Park, Guelph. 

Wed., June 23 at 6:30 p.m.:  Knit Nite at the Guelph Enabling Gardens. Location:  Riverside Park, Guelph.
June and July Workshops at the Guelph Arboretum (To register please call 519-824-4120 ext. 52358; for information go to http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/):

Fri., June 24, 2010, 7 – 10 p.m.: NEW! Night & Low Light Photography- Field Trip with Sylvia Galbraith. Timed to take advantage of the (almost) full moon, this course requires a tripod for best results, and is suitable for all skill levels.  Bring a flashlight, and dress for the weather.  In case of inclement weather, the course will be held the following night. $55.00.

Sat., June 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Pollinator Workshop:  An introduction to the amazing world of pollination and pollinators.  Guest Instructor:  Victoria MacPhail.   Fee: $65.00.  Registration deadline: Friday, June 11.  Maximum 16..

Wed., July 7, 9 a.m. - 4  p.m.: Dragonflies and Damselflies: Arboretum Naturalist: Chris Earley.  Fee: $75.00.  Registration and payment required by Wednesday, June 23.  Maximum 16 adults.

Wed., July 21,  9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Identifying Shorebirds: Arboretum Naturalist: Chris Earley.  Fee: $75.00.   Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 7.  Maximum 16. 
Sun., June 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m : The 5th Annual Guelph Wellington Local Food Fest at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Hwy 6 just north of Guelph.  Food, entertainment, workshops about local food and farming and cooking classes.  Contact: Kate Vsetula, Guelph Wellington Local Food Initiative, 519-821-6638 Ext 335 or  email info@guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca 
Thurs., July 1 -  Sun., July 3:  All Canadian Summertime Bash and NATIVE PLANT SALE at Wild Things Plant Farm, RR#3, Clifford, 9688 Baseline Rd., Minto, ON N0G 1M0. http://www.wild-things.ca/

Friday mornings from July 2 to Aug. 27 at the Guelph Enabling Gardens, 10:30-11:30 a.m.:  story-telling at ‘Tea and Tales’.  Bring a cup and a lawn chair.  Location:  Riverside Park, Guelph. 
Sat., July 10:  Elmira Garden Tour;  9:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact: Barb Smith, 519-669-8239 

If you have comments, questions or contributions or if you would like a printed copy of the newsletter, call Elena at 519-787-7717 or email fergushortsociety@hotmail.com.