I could not figure out why, every time I was occupied with hand watering and otherwise tending plants near the front door, a little bird in an adjacent tree would launch a continuous, seemingly agitated, chattering in my direction.
It was not until I noticed an oddly lopsided look to a Himalayan maidenhair fern on a small table beside the door that I thought to take a quick peek under the foliage. And there it was — a small, neat nest containing a compact mass of feathers.
By hiding around a house corner, and watching from a front window, I could observe the little bird parent flying from the tree to the nest and back. For weeks I was subjected to the same bold scolding whenever I needed to be working nearby.
As I showed a visitor around the front garden in the second week in May, the bird followed us around, flying from bush to bush, chattering all the way. Then, on June 14, the nest was empty and the parent birds were even more agitated as they kept watch over the fledglings.
In past years nuthatches had nested in tall snags in the back garden, but birds that hatch out in nests made in plant pots too often become prey to predators. This was a success story, and a chance to see the determination with which birds protect their young.
Local seeds. When readers began requesting sources for corn salad seeds, I did not think the seeds would be easy to find on local racks, but I was surprised to find two varieties at a garden centre near me.
The West Coast Seeds racks had a variety called Granon and the Renee’s Garden racks had one called Gala. Many outlets carry West Coast Seeds and more every year are selling Renee’s seeds.
This cool season salad green is ideal for sowing, in late summer, into places where summer vegetables have been harvested. I aim for plot corner spaces and edges where the plants can be left to self-sow for continuing harvests of this mild, nutty-flavoured green vegetable.
Local backup. This year’s spring weather threw home gardeners a few curves. Vegetable plantings that have always grown easily floundered in the sudden heat. My kale transplants were saved only by large cardboard sheets set up on their south side to supply shade. Beets and carrots had to be reseeded though lettuce transplants survived well.
By the first week in this month, I was missing some of my favourite, now delayed, vegetables. It was time to drop into my local farmers’ market.
I came away from the bustling market with a basket full of treasures — carrots and beets, bok choy, green onions, and a surprising find in a seed-grown African violet with attractively variegated leaves.
Markets featuring fresh, organic produce from local farms are a wonderful source of nutritious edibles to supplement our own produce. As well, our purchases help to support hard-working local growers who grow high quality food while nurturing health in the local environment.
GARDEN EVENTS
VHS meeting. The Victoria Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday, July 4, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. Linda Dowling from Happy Valley Lavender Farm will lead a workshop at 6:30 on growing fruit, vegetables and other plants on balconies. At 7:30, Phil Newton, a former president of the Victoria Dahlia Society, will give a slide presentation on 30 Dahlias to Grow on Vancouver Island. Non-member drop-in fee $5. vichortsociety.org.
Lily show and sale. The Victoria Lily Society is hosting a Summer Scentsation Flower Show, Plant Sale and Fancy Tea on Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lambrick Park Church Hall, 1780 Feltham Rd. in Victoria. Judged exhibits will include floral designs, fruits, vegetables and children’s entries. The event will feature a huge lily and plant sale and a silent auction. Free parking is plentiful. Admission is by donation. Tea or coffee with scones and home-made sweets $5.
Plant sales. The Friends of Government House Gardens Society open the Plant Nursery, across from the Tea Room at Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave. in Victoria, from Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Most of the plants are sold for $8, payable by debit or credit cards only.
