I'm always amazed by how much food I harvest ongoingly from our patio planters. I pop back and forth from kitchen to garden throughout the summer to pick strawberries, blueberries, currants — even figs and apples — from a cluster of terracotta pots outside the back door. And thanks to the slipper-friendly gravel leading to it, I don’t even need to bother putting on shoes when I … [Read more...] about 9 fabulous edibles for kitchen garden
June in the Garden
Rose care in moist conditions
When it rains frequently, the constantly moist soil is wonderful for root growth (just so long as there is adequate drainage), and many plants make quick, impressive growth. In particular, my roses have been better than ever, and that must be due to the generous amount of moisture. I never did get around to giving every rose shrub a full spring feeding. Most got a dose of Epsom … [Read more...] about Rose care in moist conditions
How to grow lupines
Lupines are a perennial I always notice and admire, but I've had no luck growing them in my own garden. They grow abundantly on the east coast and in other places (some may say too abundantly), but they do have a few “special requests.” I decided to ask a friend of mine who has grown from seed for years in her Ontario garden for a few tips on how to grow lupines. 1) Lupines … [Read more...] about How to grow lupines
How to prune Japanese tree peonies
There seems to be some correlation between pounding rain and peony blooming schedules. My two Japanese tree peonies were smacked down by heavy rain, but I did get to see their beautiful flowers for a fleeting day or so before the devastation. Now it’s time to assess their structure, which is a bit wonky from abusive weather. I suspect they don’t stand up well to the weight of … [Read more...] about How to prune Japanese tree peonies
Favourite nicotiana species
If you’ve ever seen a field of tobacco plants topped with their white flowers, you’ll be reminded of the familiar nicotianas we grow as summer annuals in our gardens. Both are closely related, bearing similar star-shaped flowers and slightly sticky foliage. My ancestors grew hundreds of acres of tobacco, and I suppose that might have influenced my affection for the ornamental … [Read more...] about Favourite nicotiana species
