Each province in Canada, excluding the Maritimes, has its fair share of zone 1 soil conditions. That's one classification away from tundra, yet the people still plant gardens.
"You'd be surprised," said Satterthwaite. "They send us photos, and there's mountains of muskeg (peat bog) and then this fabulous flower garden." Nature's ability to overcome is probably the best tool in the reluctant gardener's shed.
"You can grow something, anywhere," agreed Cole. "There are plants that will survive just about everywhere."
Amid all this struggle and hard work, the inevitable question arises - why bother gardening?
"It's rewarding, but it's frustrating at the same time," conceded Cole. "You spend good money to buy a plant and then manage to kill it because you don't understand its requirements, or it really wasn't hardy in the first place."
But as with many things, there can't be pleasure without persistence and a little pain.
"I think one thing that gardening teaches you is patience. It's an ongoing thing," said Satterthwaite. "It does not play into the MTV way of life. It's not instant, bang, bang, bang."
To get down on your knees, stick your hands into the earth and make something grow is a subtle, slow process.
"That's why I think people are really gravitating toward it," she said. "It's a relief, it's very soothing."The long Canadian winter is finally over and it's time to start gardening. Here are some tips from gardening experts Aldona Satterthwaite and Trevor Cole on how to get your plots thriving.
Instead of turning your soil over just throw compost on top. Worms will pull the nutrients into the soil, sparing your lower back all that work.
If you're unsure about what to grow, take a peek at what's working in the other gardens of your neighbourhood.
Pay attention to your plants and read gardening books. A little knowledge and attentiveness can go a long way.
Start small. Amateur gardeners who go big run the risk of failing big.
Gardening doesn't start May 24. Depending on what you're growing and where, it can start earlier, or later.
Use soaker hoses, with the holes pointed downward, to water your garden. Oscillating sprinklers are fine for lawns, but they damage topsoil.
Don't water when the sun is at its peak or you'll burn your plants. And don't water too late at night. The water will lay on the leaves, creating fertile conditions for mildew.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ready, set, get gardening
Are you the type of gardener who confuses dirt with topsoil, only to leave a trail of wilted flowers and less-than-edible vegetables in your wake?
While you might curse the fates for not blessing you with a green thumb, the experts would say you've got to take some of the blame. Truth be told, being a good gardener is more about attentiveness and less about preternatural horticultural abilities.
"If you're willing to pay attention and look at the plants instead of planting them and expecting them to grow, these are the people with green thumbs," said Trevor Cole, editor-in-chief of The Canadian Encyclopedia of Gardening (DK).
But you need to know what to look for. The first step, then, is to acquire some knowledge.
"You buy gardening books, you read gardening books, and you start small," advised Cole, who served as curator of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa until his retirement in 1995. "More people get discouraged because they try to do a big garden, and they really don't know what it takes to keep it up."
Before you plant small you'll want to know what kind of soil you're dealing with.
"There are basic rules that apply wherever you happen to be," said Cole of Canada's diverse soil and climate conditions. "If you've got a clay soil you keep off it when it's wet and you try and improve the drainage." If the soil is sandy add humus, or compost, so that it retains moisture and nutrients.
And while generations of gardeners have strained their backs turning their plots with spades, the new wisdom is to leave the earth alone.
"I'm from that old school where you double dig everything, and that's a lot of work," said Aldona Satterthwaite, editor of Canadian Gardening. "Now what they're saying is just throw things on top, and the worms will pull it down into the earth."
Those things can include fish meal compost, aged manure and a little bit of bone meal. Keeping those materials above ground also helps to suppress weeds.
Now that the soil is ready, what to plant?
"If we're talking about people who just bought a new home and are concerned about their garden, I would leave it alone for 12 months," advises Satterthwaite. There might be plants hiding under the surface, waiting to spring vibrant colours upon an unsuspecting homeowner. "Stuff comes up, and you might inadvertently dig up perfectly good plants."
If you know what you've got, and it's time to spruce things up, go for a walk around the neighbourhood and take notes.
"See what other people are growing, and that will give you a clue about what might do well in your garden," said Satterthwaite.
And don't let geography stand in your way. While the most fertile land in Canada can be found in southern British Columbia and Ontario, nature finds a way in the most challenging of environments.
Upon inspecting a crooked carrot while visiting the botanical gardens in St. John's, Cole was told by the locals "that's all the soil we've got. When they hit the rock, they turn sideways." Despite Newfoundland's rocky foundation and a short growing season, people still manage to cultivate beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.
"Canadians, in particular, I think, are mad, crazy gardeners," said Satterthwaite. "They'll garden in any condition whatsoever."
While you might curse the fates for not blessing you with a green thumb, the experts would say you've got to take some of the blame. Truth be told, being a good gardener is more about attentiveness and less about preternatural horticultural abilities.
"If you're willing to pay attention and look at the plants instead of planting them and expecting them to grow, these are the people with green thumbs," said Trevor Cole, editor-in-chief of The Canadian Encyclopedia of Gardening (DK).
But you need to know what to look for. The first step, then, is to acquire some knowledge.
"You buy gardening books, you read gardening books, and you start small," advised Cole, who served as curator of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa until his retirement in 1995. "More people get discouraged because they try to do a big garden, and they really don't know what it takes to keep it up."
Before you plant small you'll want to know what kind of soil you're dealing with.
"There are basic rules that apply wherever you happen to be," said Cole of Canada's diverse soil and climate conditions. "If you've got a clay soil you keep off it when it's wet and you try and improve the drainage." If the soil is sandy add humus, or compost, so that it retains moisture and nutrients.
And while generations of gardeners have strained their backs turning their plots with spades, the new wisdom is to leave the earth alone.
"I'm from that old school where you double dig everything, and that's a lot of work," said Aldona Satterthwaite, editor of Canadian Gardening. "Now what they're saying is just throw things on top, and the worms will pull it down into the earth."
Those things can include fish meal compost, aged manure and a little bit of bone meal. Keeping those materials above ground also helps to suppress weeds.
Now that the soil is ready, what to plant?
"If we're talking about people who just bought a new home and are concerned about their garden, I would leave it alone for 12 months," advises Satterthwaite. There might be plants hiding under the surface, waiting to spring vibrant colours upon an unsuspecting homeowner. "Stuff comes up, and you might inadvertently dig up perfectly good plants."
If you know what you've got, and it's time to spruce things up, go for a walk around the neighbourhood and take notes.
"See what other people are growing, and that will give you a clue about what might do well in your garden," said Satterthwaite.
And don't let geography stand in your way. While the most fertile land in Canada can be found in southern British Columbia and Ontario, nature finds a way in the most challenging of environments.
Upon inspecting a crooked carrot while visiting the botanical gardens in St. John's, Cole was told by the locals "that's all the soil we've got. When they hit the rock, they turn sideways." Despite Newfoundland's rocky foundation and a short growing season, people still manage to cultivate beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.
"Canadians, in particular, I think, are mad, crazy gardeners," said Satterthwaite. "They'll garden in any condition whatsoever."
WORK WITH MOTHER NATURE Enjoy an easy green spring with these organic gardening tips
1 Keep your soil healthy
Healthy soil creates healthy plants. Healthy plants resist pests and diseases. As you spend less time treating pests and diseases, you spend more time enjoying your garden.
Plant ground covers such as colorful sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) in sunny gardens or Lamium in shady gardens, or hostas under trees to keep weeds from sprouting. Ground covers also cool the roots of surrounding plants, acting as a living mulch.
2 Choose the right plant for the right place
If a plant grows well in full sun, plant it in full sun. If a plant grows well in full shade, plant it in full shade. A plant that grows in the right place is more likely to resist pests and diseases. Besides light requirements, consider moisture conditions and soil type such as clay.
Native plants are good choices because they thrive in their native climate and resist pests and diseases. Pretty purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) blooms from June through the end of the summer. The purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a drought-tolerant native that produces dozens of majestic magenta flowers from June until frost. It spreads nicely as a ground cover.
3 Use organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers such as bone meal and composted manures are safe for people, pets and water, and better for the environment. They build healthy soil and healthy plants. Both local nurseries and online companies carry organic fertilizers.
4 Mulch
Use mulch to cover your soil around plants to control weeds, conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature and reduce soil compaction. Organic mulches such as pine bark, wood chips, cedar and pine needles are available.
5 Recycle
Reuse and recycle garden products, such as containers and saucers. Rogue Hoe is a company that makes garden tools out of recycled high-grade tempered steel agricultural disk blades.
---
More green tips
MAGAZINES
Organic Gardening (www.organicgardening.com/) is packed with ideas.
BOOKS
Rodale Press (www.rodale.com) publishes many organic gardening books, such as "Annuals for Every Purpose" and "Perennials for Every Purpose," that will help you choose the right plants for your conditions, your garden and your taste. Other books include "Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening" and "Rodale Book of Composting."
Healthy soil creates healthy plants. Healthy plants resist pests and diseases. As you spend less time treating pests and diseases, you spend more time enjoying your garden.
Plant ground covers such as colorful sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) in sunny gardens or Lamium in shady gardens, or hostas under trees to keep weeds from sprouting. Ground covers also cool the roots of surrounding plants, acting as a living mulch.
2 Choose the right plant for the right place
If a plant grows well in full sun, plant it in full sun. If a plant grows well in full shade, plant it in full shade. A plant that grows in the right place is more likely to resist pests and diseases. Besides light requirements, consider moisture conditions and soil type such as clay.
Native plants are good choices because they thrive in their native climate and resist pests and diseases. Pretty purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) blooms from June through the end of the summer. The purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a drought-tolerant native that produces dozens of majestic magenta flowers from June until frost. It spreads nicely as a ground cover.
3 Use organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers such as bone meal and composted manures are safe for people, pets and water, and better for the environment. They build healthy soil and healthy plants. Both local nurseries and online companies carry organic fertilizers.
4 Mulch
Use mulch to cover your soil around plants to control weeds, conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature and reduce soil compaction. Organic mulches such as pine bark, wood chips, cedar and pine needles are available.
5 Recycle
Reuse and recycle garden products, such as containers and saucers. Rogue Hoe is a company that makes garden tools out of recycled high-grade tempered steel agricultural disk blades.
---
More green tips
MAGAZINES
Organic Gardening (www.organicgardening.com/) is packed with ideas.
BOOKS
Rodale Press (www.rodale.com) publishes many organic gardening books, such as "Annuals for Every Purpose" and "Perennials for Every Purpose," that will help you choose the right plants for your conditions, your garden and your taste. Other books include "Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening" and "Rodale Book of Composting."
Ten Gardening tips.
Unfortunately, novice gardeners can end up spending more on seeds, tools and the other doodads required for a startup patch. The good news is there are a few tricks that can save you money while still turning out a good crop. Here are nine tips to get you going.
1. Plan early Plot out your garden before turning the first spade of earth. Several websites make it easy to plan your garden either at no cost or free for the first 30 days. I'm particularly partial to GrowVeg.com, which helps you plot out the amount of space you'll need for each plant and where each should go in relation to other plants. The Farmers' Almanac is still one of your best guides to when you should start planting and what kind of weather you can anticipate for the growing year.
2. Understand Your Land Before you shell out a ton of cash for new plants, ask your neighbours what plants thrive in the soil of your region. Keep in mind plants appropriate for your growing zone might not work in your garden due to variations in soil composition, micro-climate, pests, sunlight exposure and water availability. Visit your local nursery or call your municipality to learn how to get an analysis of your soil and recommendations for suitable plants.
3. Dig Deep: Digging a deep garden bed can increase the number of plants you grow and ensure roots have plenty of room to thrive.
4. Mulch: Mulching your garden - or covering the surface layer with plastic, wood chips, etc. - will feed the soil, keep the soil and plant roots cool, retain moisture to reduce watering and prevent weeds. Mulching also will cut down on the amount of time you spend watering and weeding.
5. Plant From Seeds: Starts are 10 times more expensive than seeds and often are sold long after the plant should have been unpotted. (Never buy starts with roots growing through the bottom of the pot.) Starting seeds indoors is cheaper and will give you a jump on the season. Save even more money by creating your own seed-starting pots.
6. Save and Swap Seeds: Seed packets often contain far more seeds than you actually need, so consider starting or joining a seed exchange in your area. You can also harvest and store seeds for use the following year.
7. Profitable Plants: If you have limited space, consider planting produce that costs the most in a store or at a farmers' market. Monetarily, you get the best bang for your buck by growing cilantro, salad greens, chives, tomatoes and squash.
8. Be Sun Savvy: You'd be surprised how often experienced gardeners put a shade-loving plant in full sun or a sun-loving plant in the shade. Daylight is a moving target, so it can be difficult to ascertain the best location for each plant. Before plotting out your garden, spend some time studying the movement of the sun over that patch of land, paying particular attention to those areas that are heavily shadowed.
9. Smart Watering: Consider installing an Eevapotranspiraton (ET) Controller, if you have an in-ground sprinkler system. These systems use real-time weather data sent by satellite to control when your sprinklers turn on and off. This can cut your water usage by up to 30 per cent. Controllers costs between $300 and $400, depending on system size, but some municipal water agencies offer rebates, particularly in arid regions.
10. Install Drip Irrigation: If you don't have an in-ground sprinkler system, consider installing a drip-irrigation system. You'll save on water bills because the water won't evaporate as quickly and plant roots will receive a more thorough soaking.
1. Plan early Plot out your garden before turning the first spade of earth. Several websites make it easy to plan your garden either at no cost or free for the first 30 days. I'm particularly partial to GrowVeg.com, which helps you plot out the amount of space you'll need for each plant and where each should go in relation to other plants. The Farmers' Almanac is still one of your best guides to when you should start planting and what kind of weather you can anticipate for the growing year.
2. Understand Your Land Before you shell out a ton of cash for new plants, ask your neighbours what plants thrive in the soil of your region. Keep in mind plants appropriate for your growing zone might not work in your garden due to variations in soil composition, micro-climate, pests, sunlight exposure and water availability. Visit your local nursery or call your municipality to learn how to get an analysis of your soil and recommendations for suitable plants.
3. Dig Deep: Digging a deep garden bed can increase the number of plants you grow and ensure roots have plenty of room to thrive.
4. Mulch: Mulching your garden - or covering the surface layer with plastic, wood chips, etc. - will feed the soil, keep the soil and plant roots cool, retain moisture to reduce watering and prevent weeds. Mulching also will cut down on the amount of time you spend watering and weeding.
5. Plant From Seeds: Starts are 10 times more expensive than seeds and often are sold long after the plant should have been unpotted. (Never buy starts with roots growing through the bottom of the pot.) Starting seeds indoors is cheaper and will give you a jump on the season. Save even more money by creating your own seed-starting pots.
6. Save and Swap Seeds: Seed packets often contain far more seeds than you actually need, so consider starting or joining a seed exchange in your area. You can also harvest and store seeds for use the following year.
7. Profitable Plants: If you have limited space, consider planting produce that costs the most in a store or at a farmers' market. Monetarily, you get the best bang for your buck by growing cilantro, salad greens, chives, tomatoes and squash.
8. Be Sun Savvy: You'd be surprised how often experienced gardeners put a shade-loving plant in full sun or a sun-loving plant in the shade. Daylight is a moving target, so it can be difficult to ascertain the best location for each plant. Before plotting out your garden, spend some time studying the movement of the sun over that patch of land, paying particular attention to those areas that are heavily shadowed.
9. Smart Watering: Consider installing an Eevapotranspiraton (ET) Controller, if you have an in-ground sprinkler system. These systems use real-time weather data sent by satellite to control when your sprinklers turn on and off. This can cut your water usage by up to 30 per cent. Controllers costs between $300 and $400, depending on system size, but some municipal water agencies offer rebates, particularly in arid regions.
10. Install Drip Irrigation: If you don't have an in-ground sprinkler system, consider installing a drip-irrigation system. You'll save on water bills because the water won't evaporate as quickly and plant roots will receive a more thorough soaking.
Friday, November 11, 2005
If you're irate, don't hesitate!!
Yesterday some crack head came into the bar to use the payphone to call his drug dealer,
"Man we're at such and such a corner you got to hurry up I got three guys with me."
I recognized the guy as the guy from South Street who's always trying to get me and my friend to give him money for a "train" to Ardmore. This guy's been stuck at 18th and south for months now with his car broke down and booted.
I look across the street and one of the guys with him is the guy I saw being arrested across from McGlincheys by two squad police cars with every cop having their gun pointed at him like two weeks ago. And the first guy is making this girl go through her purse looking for money as he's scamming her.
So I pick up my cell phone and call the cops. I tell them there's three guys on the corner waiting to buy drugs. They ask me to describe them and their like "Do you know what the car looks like" and I'm like "Uh no. But if you wait I'm sure it'll show up." So they tell me that they'll send somebody out.
AND they actually do! A nice big huge POLICE van shows up and of course the three scketchy guys are like "We're waiting for the bus"
So the cops like. "Yeah sure" So he stands there with them or something.
The view was being blocked by the van. And after about twenty minutes one of the guys gets thrown in the van, maybe they searched him or something and the other two are off down the street. Probably to hang out in front of my house
So then about fifteen minutes later on the south side of the street, there's this guy with his cell hanging out looking for and this could just be a guess folks his customers. He was there for like an hour.
So that and then check out robbynewwave's latest entry and see why I'm not hesitating to call 911 anymore. The police told the neighborhood people to call if you see scam artists or drug dealers operating just call it in.
I heart Philly cops!
"Man we're at such and such a corner you got to hurry up I got three guys with me."
I recognized the guy as the guy from South Street who's always trying to get me and my friend to give him money for a "train" to Ardmore. This guy's been stuck at 18th and south for months now with his car broke down and booted.
I look across the street and one of the guys with him is the guy I saw being arrested across from McGlincheys by two squad police cars with every cop having their gun pointed at him like two weeks ago. And the first guy is making this girl go through her purse looking for money as he's scamming her.
So I pick up my cell phone and call the cops. I tell them there's three guys on the corner waiting to buy drugs. They ask me to describe them and their like "Do you know what the car looks like" and I'm like "Uh no. But if you wait I'm sure it'll show up." So they tell me that they'll send somebody out.
AND they actually do! A nice big huge POLICE van shows up and of course the three scketchy guys are like "We're waiting for the bus"
So the cops like. "Yeah sure" So he stands there with them or something.
The view was being blocked by the van. And after about twenty minutes one of the guys gets thrown in the van, maybe they searched him or something and the other two are off down the street. Probably to hang out in front of my house
So then about fifteen minutes later on the south side of the street, there's this guy with his cell hanging out looking for and this could just be a guess folks his customers. He was there for like an hour.
So that and then check out robbynewwave's latest entry and see why I'm not hesitating to call 911 anymore. The police told the neighborhood people to call if you see scam artists or drug dealers operating just call it in.
I heart Philly cops!
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Remarkable Theater!
Last night we went to see Dottie a solo performance show by Robin Marcotte.
Wow.
Do not miss this play. It literally will make you laugh and cry at once.
Its playing now through Saturday at Mum Puppettheatre
Location: Mum Puppettheatre 115 Arch St., Phila., PA
Dates: November 3rd – 7th and 9th – 12th at 8PM
November 5th, 6th and 12th at 2pm
Running Time: 60 minutes
Admission: $15, $10 for students and seniors
For tickets, call: 215-525-4258
Written and Performed by Robin Marcotte
Directed by Dawn Falato
Lighting Design by Simon Harding
Original Music by Tim Gray
Mask design and construction by Aaron Cromie
Flyable set by Brad Helm
Wow.
Do not miss this play. It literally will make you laugh and cry at once.
Its playing now through Saturday at Mum Puppettheatre
Location: Mum Puppettheatre 115 Arch St., Phila., PA
Dates: November 3rd – 7th and 9th – 12th at 8PM
November 5th, 6th and 12th at 2pm
Running Time: 60 minutes
Admission: $15, $10 for students and seniors
For tickets, call: 215-525-4258
Written and Performed by Robin Marcotte
Directed by Dawn Falato
Lighting Design by Simon Harding
Original Music by Tim Gray
Mask design and construction by Aaron Cromie
Flyable set by Brad Helm
Monday, November 7, 2005
Thanks for the Art!
Friday night we went to see The Waitstaff perform at the 5 spot. The show was hilarious and Thanksgiving themed. John Difelice's song at the end Thanks for Giving was exceptionally giggle worthy.
Saturday I worked from noon to 11:30 and hung out with some friends afterwards. Didn't feel that high energy for a Saturday night. Kind of tired...
Sunday, got slammed with flu-like symptoms - clammy and achey all over barely could even walk. I worked till 6 stocking up the bar and waiting on a couple of customers and then miraculously was saved by a co-worker and relieved to go home sick. I know I probably passed up a lot of money what with the Eagles game starting at 8 but there was no way I would have made it through the next four hours. And being busy and not being able to be cheerful is not my thing.
Spent the rest of the evening zonked out on the couch with some chicken soup and crackers. The real first food I've eaten in three days.
We were supposed to get a new kitten for the house but my beau couldn't find any at the two shelters and three pet stores he went to. He said at one store, there was some ASPCA kittens that had already been adopted that would have fit his "Scoobiness barometer" but they already had good homes to go to. Hopefully next Sunday he'll have better luck.
Tonight a friend and I will be attending Hotel Obligodo's performance of Dottie, tomorrow is a double shift and Wednesday is a totally official Phedrang's Day Off.
Saturday I worked from noon to 11:30 and hung out with some friends afterwards. Didn't feel that high energy for a Saturday night. Kind of tired...
Sunday, got slammed with flu-like symptoms - clammy and achey all over barely could even walk. I worked till 6 stocking up the bar and waiting on a couple of customers and then miraculously was saved by a co-worker and relieved to go home sick. I know I probably passed up a lot of money what with the Eagles game starting at 8 but there was no way I would have made it through the next four hours. And being busy and not being able to be cheerful is not my thing.
Spent the rest of the evening zonked out on the couch with some chicken soup and crackers. The real first food I've eaten in three days.
We were supposed to get a new kitten for the house but my beau couldn't find any at the two shelters and three pet stores he went to. He said at one store, there was some ASPCA kittens that had already been adopted that would have fit his "Scoobiness barometer" but they already had good homes to go to. Hopefully next Sunday he'll have better luck.
Tonight a friend and I will be attending Hotel Obligodo's performance of Dottie, tomorrow is a double shift and Wednesday is a totally official Phedrang's Day Off.
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