This is almost too easy. If leaves are left in a pile and exposed to moisture, they will compost into a dark crumbly mass that is perfect for improving soil texture and moisture retention. Leaf mould is an effective conditioning material for mulching the lawn, and a nutritious soil amendment for planting holes. (Tree leaves contain about twice the mineral nutrients found in … [Read more...] about Making leaf mould
Fall
Garlic festivals across Canada
Have a stinkin’ good time and attend a local garlic festival. The following is a list of garlic festivals in Canada. For more information about a festival, visit the festival website or check our events listings. British Columbia Pender Harbour Garlic Festival,Pender Harbour Lions Park, Sunshine Coast Hwy. Contact: Neale or Niki Smith, 604-883-3693 … [Read more...] about Garlic festivals across Canada
Small shrubs with autumn colour
The trees are just past the peak of their gorgeous autumn colours. But how many blazing red sugar maples can I pack into my front garden? Not many, in fact, none at all. I’ve been trying to find small shrubs (or shrubs I can trim to a reasonable size) that will take on bright autumn hues. My first effort was red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia, Zone 5), a leggy shrub with … [Read more...] about Small shrubs with autumn colour
Why we feed the soil
With all my prattling on about saving leaves and covering every square inch of soil with them, you might wonder why I’m leaning toward obsession on this issue. Well, there are new thoughts about possibly overfeeding plants with manufactured or commercially processed fertilizers. When I look at a plant, I want to see health and vigorous growth. But sometimes I forget that plants … [Read more...] about Why we feed the soil
Moving and dividing perennials, again and again
This always starts so simply, and it’s going to take only 10 minutes. It begins with one key plant that just has to be moved, because it’s in entirely the wrong light or out of character with bed mates or infringing on neighbours—or worse, I’m simply bored with it. This week it was a large clump of ‘Katherine’ phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Katherine’), with lavender-blue flowers and … [Read more...] about Moving and dividing perennials, again and again