Edible Garden Newsletter May 2019

The Edible Garden Newsletter May 2019 is now available.  In this issue, we discuss planting our favorite garden staple, Potatoes.  A current major environmental concern is the amount of plastic that is finding its way into the food chain.  We discuss steps we home gardeners can take to reduce the amount of plastic we bring into the garden.  Finally, our ongoing Bee Line series talks about World Honeybee Day August 17, 2019.  The attached photo is of my Dad, showing off one of his favorite vegetables, a potato. Photo credit Kim Allen.

Edible Garden Newsletter April 2019

The Edible Garden Newsletter April 2019 is now available.  This month, we feature a very rarely grown legume to our part of the world--Peanuts.  It is doubtful that Peanuts will become a cash crop in Eastern Ontario but for those who like a challenge, it is possible to grow them here and even harvest a few.  Swiss Chard is native to Southern Europe and will tolerate heat but it grows best in our cooler climate.  It is not a demanding vegetable and some think it is almost "too pretty to eat".  Our author has also provided information on some of her favorite varieties.  Carrots are another popular vegetable.  While they sometimes seem fussy to start, they grow well here and are one of the root vegetables that are easy to store and in the right conditions can last most of the winter.  We even include a recipe for an easy to make and delicious Carrot Cake. Finally we start a new series on Soil, focusing on the terms we use to describe it.

Fletcher Wildlife Garden Native Plant Sale

The Fletcher Wildlife Garden attracts naturalists, gardeners, school children and birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife.  It demonstrates how to create and restore wildlife-friendly habitats and garden with an emphasis on using plants native to our region.
Once a year, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden hosts a plant sale that offers hundreds of beautiful wildflowers native to the Ottawa region.  They will help you find the right plant for your yard and encourage you to plant a wide variety of native plants that change from month to month and attracts birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife.  The Plant Sale and Garden are located on Prince of Wales Drive, south of the Arboretum.
To learn more about the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, visit the Slide Show to the right of this screen.
For more information, or if you have questions, contact Sandy at 613-730-0714 or fletcher@ofnc.ca

Edible Garden Newsletter March 2019

The Edible Garden Newsletter March 2019 is now available. This month we continue with two of our ongoing series.  First is the BeeLine with Trees for Bees.  The next is our unusual vegetable series with an introduction to Yacon.  Birds in Winter rounds out this edition.

Edible Garden Newsletter February 2019

The Edible Garden Newsletter February 2019 is now available.  This month we explore the world below our feet with a look at fungus.  We focus on two broad groups--mycorrhizal fungi and endomycorrhizal fungi.  These are magical organisms that can dramatically improve your soil and plant health and increase yields.  Do you live in an apartment or hate to go outside in the winter to empty your kitchen scraps into your composter then you might be ready to take up Vermicomposting pictured above).  Finally, how about trying a new (old) kind of beans, Indian Woman Yellow Beans.  They are delicious.

Seedy Saturday and Sunday

Seedy Saturdays and Sundays take place across Canada in January February and March.  Many are free admittance and all are fun. You can swap and exchange seeds and buy seeds from suppliers.  Meet with fellow gardeners.  Many Seedy days have free gardening seminars.  In Lanark County, your local Master Gardener group is on hand to answer your gardening questions. In Almonte, join us on Saturday February 9 at the Almonte Civitan Club from 9 am to 3 pm and in Perth on Sunday March 3 at the Perth Civitan Club.  To find other Seedy events, visit Seeds of Diversity.

Reflowering Amarylis

Christmas is over.  Your beautiful Amaryllis bulb is nothing but green leaves.  Can you make it reflower.  Yes! You can. Follow our easy steps and your Amaryllis will rebloom again and again.

Sugar Tyme

What is that beautiful little tree growing all along Wilson Street in Perth?  It is a spectacular crab apple, know as Sugar Tyme.