More wacky weather. I had anticipated mostly bright, still-warm days through much of the month, as forecasts I consulted had predicted, but before mid-month, chilly temperatures, high winds and drenching rain more characteristic of November had materialized. One chilly day early last week brought 20 millimetres of rain in my area.
Goodbye petunias. Time to give thanks for their summer-long show of sweetly fragrant bloom on the patio and send them to a decent rest in a compost heap, where their tissues will transform into nutritious organic matter to replenish the garden’s soil for next year’s plantings.
Emptied containers can be filled with fresh potting mix and planted with pansies and violas to bloom through next spring, small flower bulbs for added colour in late winter and early spring, and attractive ornamental grasses, dwarf needle-bearing and broad-leaved evergreens, small heathers, flowering kale, heucheras (coral bells), and other small, hardy plants to be found at local garden centres.
Old seeds and new plots. In my ongoing pursuit of simplifying the care of the garden, I have been considering changes to a large rectangular plot in the back garden, next to a side fence.
Across the width of both plot ends is tall wire fencing for climbing plants. The wire at the far, fence end supports an evergreen clematis vine. The end closer to centre path through the back garden is used for annual flowering vines such sa canary creeper, a climbing nasturtium that creates a wall of ornamental foliage and small, feathery yellow flowers.
The plot has become a bit troublesome, and tiresome in recent years. Tree roots have ventured into the soil and resident rhubarb plants are struggling.
The plan: Early next month, move the two best rhubarb plants up to a plot in the food garden near the back fence, along an edge of a strawberry patch where the soil is more root-free and fertile.
In the spring, clear the plot of weeds, lightly dig in some compost and seed with bee-garden flowers along with old, spare flower seeds. Perhaps the results will be as lovely as in a past year, when I never got around to planting that plot. Poppies, calendulas and borage grew thickly from self-sown (“volunteer”) plants. It was beautiful, all summer.
Meanwhile, a few weeks ago I weeded the plot and raked in an accumulation of old, leftover seeds of mixed green leafy vegetables, hoping that some would germinate to give me at least a “green manure” or cover crop to dig under for soil replenishment.
Before long, the plot was covered in a lush assortment of mainly purple-leaved and crinkly green mustards with some lacy mizuna — a tasty cutting garden of young, spicy greens to lend zest to salads.
GARDEN EVENTS
Apple festival. This year’s Salt Spring Apple Festival is slated for Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fulford Hall and 18 other venues. An added feature this year is the sale of potted apple trees. Tickets (with maps) at $10 adult, $5 students are available on festival day in Fulford Hall and at the Ganges Tourist Information Centre. Details at saltspringapplefestival.org.
Container workshop. Russell Nursery, 1370 Wain Rd. in North Saanich, is offering an All Season Container workshop with Faye Ford on Monday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. Create a stunning four-season container planting that will last for years. Cost of $50 plus GST includes all materials. Register by phone at 250-656-0384 or email russellnursery@telus.net. Please provide your phone number when registering.
VHS meeting. The Victoria Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. David Wilson from The Heather Farm in Sardis will present “Welcome to the World of Heather.” Learn how easy and enjoyable success with heathers can be. The pre-meeting workshop at 6:30 will feature Ali Louwe of Powell Floral demonstrating how to make an autumn harvest wreath using seasonal plants.
Floral artists 50th anniversary. The Victoria Floral Artists Guild will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre for a 50th Anniversary Celebration, to be held in conjunction with the Annual AGM. Highlighting the evening will be a floral designs retrospective exhibit representing six different design eras. A photo display will detail the Guild’s early days. Past members are invited to this special evening. Guest fee of $5 can be applied to membership. More details at victoriafloralartists.ca.
