wordless wednesday: solitude
The Balcony Garden
When we lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario, I had a garden in my backyard, a community garden plot and perhaps the most important a balcony garden.
Why was the balcony garden the most important? Well, for one thing, it was off my kitchen and I could open the door and pick cherry tomatoes, beans and peas and step right back into the kitchen.
Best of all I could sit outside and enjoy the view of Thunder Bay harbour and enjoyed picking tomatoes or beans and eating them while I sat there. I just dropped by the urban grow garden and was reminded of the challenges and joys of turning your balcony into a garden.
Planning Ahead
it is almost mid-August, here on the east coast, that means fall is near and winter not far behind. I live in garden zone 3 and though the weather will be pleasant for the next few weeks, the heat is most likely gone.
Today it is 18 degrees Celsisus and mostly cloudy. It looks like I’ll be eating green tomatoes, well time to get out the relish recipes. I may decide to let them ripen indoor by placing them in a brown paper bag. I’ll see. There is still time.
I wrote earlier about fall bulbs and it is still too early to plant but later today i will be going out back and drawing a plan, I lke to be ready. An important element of gardening takes place in your mind, the phase when you think about what you want and what could be. Fall, well, just before fall, is one of those times.
I am planing to broadcast some chamomile and thyme seeds on the lot next door. The City has kept it trimmed so none of the weeds went to seed. This is a good time to give them some opposition come next Spring. Again it is too early to do but not too early to consider.
Fall Planting Bulbs
I am thinking about adding a few bulbs to the babkyard this Fall. It is still too early to do the planting but it is not too early to make a plan.
The bulbs that I am considering are ones that, of course will bloom in Spring, for example:
Daffodil
Crocus
Hyacinth
Snowdrops
Tulips
Daffodils are my wife’s favourite so they are a must and I love tulips so those too will be added. Now I just need to decide which ones to plant and where to plant them, I am thinking that a naturlaized look is what I am seeking.
wordless wednesday; Pretty in Pink
Delphiniums
The delphinium is a majestic perennial. The one in the picture here was grown three years ago, along with some others, for a friend’s wedding. It is not a difficult plant to grown but will need some support as it can be readily blown over even in a mild wind.
I have found in the past that placing a stake beside the plant when it first appears in the spring and then tying it to that stake as it grows, is a good way to keep it from breaking.
Slatted 5-ft Citronella Torch
Looking to enjoy the remaing summer nights outdoors but bothered by mosquitoes. Canadian Tire has a sale on Slatted 5-ft Citronella Torches.
Sale: $2.99
Reg: $7.49
Product #59-3985-0
Features
- Sleek design with decorative finish
- Adds an elegant finish to any backyard event
- Empty canister and fibreglass wick included
Tomatoes
It is possible that I may be becoming obsessed with tomatoes, perhaps it is my deep interest in the green ones in my backyard waiting for them to turn red.
They are growing well but it is now August so the season is growing shorter.
It took North Americans sometime to catch onto the tomato or as it was once known the love apple. Their aversion to this delicious fruit may be due to the tomatoes kinship. It is a member of the nightshade family which has a poisonous reputation.
Today, a visit to This Garden is Illegal took me on stroll down memory lane. The family backyard, beefsteak tomatoes and great tomato sandwiches. I can feel the sunshine and taste that sandwich as I type.
Wordless Wednesday: Fading Beauty
Lawn Care
An attractive lawn adds value to your home. Aerating and dethatching keeps your lawn alive.
Canadian Tire has an yardworks aerator/dethatcher that will help you keep your front and back yard in top shape.
Features
- Create a beautiful lawn; ensure your soil receives nutrients, oxygen and water, and remove unwanted weeds and thatch
- 11A motor with 12" (30 cm) aerating path
- Four-height adjustment and foam padded handle
- Lightweight compact stainless steel blades
- Safety lock-out button for added protection
- NOTE: The correct motor amperage for this product is 11A although current product packaging and user manual states 8A
all at $169.00
