My Country Garden

Ah, Spring is Finally Here

The air is heavy with the scent of lilacs. It is a joy just to walk, sit or stand outside to take in its heavenly perfume. It will be like this for about a week, after which they slowly fade and disappear. That’s the time to prune back the bush so as to keep it healthy and in check.

Other flowering shrubs will take over of course, but nothing will ever take the place of that early spring elixir.

Gardening Year Round With Hydropon

So you’ve worked and weeded, fertilized and watered and got a wonderful crop of all your lovely greens. You’ve been enjoying the fruits of your labor all summer. But then, autumn and winter arrive and that’s the end of the fresh vegetables.

I know how you feel. I went through the same withdrawal every year until I read about the t5ho light from ACTechWI. Just imagine being able to enjoy fresh vegetables all year long. The products are designed by ACTech and are of the highest quality in the Hydroponic market. Accelerated Technologies mission is to provide the world’s finest grow systems at a fair price. Designed for effectiveness and amazing growing techniques, the t5ho lighting system is one of the most effective lighting systems for Hydro growing.

Suppose you live in a high-rise and have no garden. No problem. The system can be placed anywhere in your suite. All you need is an electrical outlet. So, go and visit their website and see for yourself. Imagine being able to present fresh vegetables for your family meals without even having to go to the supermarket.

You’ll be a hit with your family and feel good about doing the healthful thing for yourself and those you love.

The Season of Hope

Last Sunday having been a cool but sunny day we erected the stakes and chicken wire so my peas have something to climb on. I even sowed my first batch of pea seeds. Also my first beet seeds and Chervil seeds. Lots of triple mix worked into the bed.

Around the rest of the garden, there is lots of activity. Even the four fleeceflower shrubs have stirred. Hydrangea and lilacs are busy putting forth their buds, soon to become leaves. This is an exciting time for the growing season. This is the season of hope. Each Spring brings new hope. Sometimes that hope is realized and sometimes we feel disillusioned. Either way, it’s all part of the experience.

For the Love of Hydrangea

Hydrangea is a genus of 70-75 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia and the Americas. By far the greatest species diversity is in eastern Asia, notably China, Japan, and Korea.

But this is Canada and we love our hydrangea too, so here are some. Mine are still quite young and therefore small but in time they will be just as lovely. There are many varieties and everybody has their favorites.

Ice Storm - April 2013

It’s been a long winter. No complaints. I love winter as everyone knows. Snuggled up on the sofa watching movies, fireplace adding ambiance, eating comfort food and feeling cozy. Summer and the searing heat will come soon enough.

Then came the ice storm. The power, internet and TV wires were encrusted with ice, the roads, sidewalks and all things horizontal were covered with sheets of ice. And the wind. Gale force winds. It was hard to relax in front of the fire while hearing heavy thuds on the roof. We wondered if something had come crashing through – but nothing had. Still, it makes you feel so helpless against the forces of nature. You can’t go out of a walk without the danger of slipping and falling on the ice. Hey, a person could get hurt that way.

Most houses in Hastings were in darkness for over 24 hours. Imagine the kind of work the men had to do to restore power. My hat is off to the men at Ontario Hydro. They work in all kinds of weather. Good job.

Our power was on but TV and internet cables were out and so we watched movies we had on DVD. Three full length movies. And then we went to bed. In the morning everything was back to normal – well, except our poor young birch trees but they’re slowly coming back as the temperature rises and the ice melts.

About those crashing sounds from the roof? We lost some big branches from the elm tree. It could have been worse.

For the Love of Japanese Maples

Was there ever a tree so graceful?

japanese maple

Source: bhg.com via Better Homes and Gardens on Pinterest

The Earth Renewing Itself

I’m so delighted. (Of course, it doesn’t take much to make me happy.) I took my first walk-about in the garden. I couldn’t inspect everything as there is still a good amount of snow and ice scattered everywhere and where I could walk was still feeling hard – as in frozen. Nevertheless, I saw little heads peaking through the frozen earth. My tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are coming alive. What a thrill.

It’s funny, I quite like winter. I love Christmas and all the festive decorations. I love the look of the sun shining on newly fallen snow. I love the long nights and short days. I love curling up in front of the fire watching Netflix movies while sipping on hot chocolate. It’s all so cozy and homey. What’s not to like?

Then comes a time when the weather starts to change. Changing of the cold to warm season and vice versa is always messy and unattractive. The melting snow mixes with the sand and salt which the snowplows deposited on the property. What an ugly mess. In time, the rains will come and wash all that away and everything will be pretty and new again but the process is a mess.

So this is almost the end of March. This weekend is Easter. They’re forecasting rain. I’m not complaining. My garden needs a shower.

The Big Melt

Without a doubt, this is the most unattractive time of year. The snow is melting and everywhere is either mud or very soft earth. Of course what snow remains is dirty looking. Oh well, another few days and the dirty snow will be gone, leaving us with just mud and soft earth.

Yeah.

Snow is on the Ground

Ah, but Spring is in the air. How do I know? Yesterday, I killed a spider in the house. The day before, I killed a fly and a lady bug. Believe me, the bugs know when it’s Spring.

I sowed my seeds four days ago and the tomatoes have already sprouted. By tomorrow I can uncover them from the saran wrap. I also sowed several herbs and green peppers and red peppers. I look forward to having fresh veggies from the garden.

For all you folks out there, I tried something I hadn’t done before – I thoroughly watered the potting soil before putting in the seeds. I don’t know if that made the difference. We’ll see how the rest of the seeds do.

I figured I’d post a few winter pictures. Hopefully, they’ll be the last for the season.

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