Trowel Talk Newsletter December 15, 2023

 Trowel Talk Newsletter for December 15, 2023 is now available. Take some time from your busy festive season to enjoy our latest edition, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County, This edition includes the following articles:

• Land Acknowledgement.
• Native Trees for Ottawa Gardens.
• Planting for Northern Cardinals.
• Little Bluestem.
• Book Review: Growing Joy

In addition, our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

• Are there native plants that are compact and colourful?
• What care do air plants need?

If you would like to receive this newsletter each month in your inbox, send a message to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo by Dale Odorizzi of Highbush Cranberry, native shrub and a favorite of Northern Cardinals. Like my Mom, birds prefer the Cranberry berries after a frost. They often stay on the shrub for most of the winter.

Trowel Talk Newsletter December 15, 2022

 

Trowel Talk December 15, 2022, is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton. This month's issue contains the following articles:

• When is a fern not a fern? When it is a Plumosa fern.
• How to make a Fairy Garden for Christmas.
• Beyond the Bird Feeder.
• Gardeners Beware--Japanese Barberry
• Our Master Gardeners answer the following questions:
• When is the best time to prune roses?
• How do you get a very pot-bound agave out of the pot?

To receive our newsletter each month in your inbox, email us at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo by Dale Odorizzi--Baltimore Oriole and Blue Jay clean up insects in the apple tree while awaiting the fruit of the serviceberries, arrowwood and dog wood.

Trowel Talk December 15, 2021

 

Trowel Talk December 15, 2021 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This months newsletters features the following:

• Cape Primrose, a houseplant superhero.
• Ikebana, Flower arrangements for gardeners.
• Gardeners Beware--Winter Creeper.
• Book Review: The Little Gardener-Helping children connect with the natural world.
• Ask a Master Gardener answers the question "Which Holiday Plants are Safe to have around?"

Photo by Lanark County Master Gardener, Kathleen Lang, of her Ikebana entry to International Friends of Floral Arts and Design.

If you would like to receive our newsletter each month in your email inbox, send a request to lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Trowel Talk Newsletter December 15, 2020

The Trowel Talk Newsletter for December 15, 2020 is now available.  This month our gardeners share information about:

• Norfolk Island Pine, sometimes used as a Christmas Tree;
• Christmas Cactus, a welcome sight at Christmas;
• Growing a Rex Begonia plant from a leaf cutting;
• Using leaf cuttings to provide a continuous supply of fresh  herbs;
• Plants for all seasons--Evergreen Native Ground Covers.

Our Ask a Master Gardener column provide tips to help keep your  houseplants alive if you are going away for a few weeks and also gives an approach to keep your upright cedar trees in good form.

The Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton wish you all the best over the Christmas season and health and happiness in 2021.

If you would like to receive this newsletter in your inbox, send me an email at lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2019

The Edible Garden Newsletter December 2019 is now available.  In this issue we have an in depth article that discusses how pre-Columbian agriculturists adapt to vastly different climates and geography? How well will we adapt to population growth and climate change? Can we learn from our ancestors, both ancient and recent? Can we develop sustainable gardening practices that respond to the world of today?
Our Bee-Line column discusses how not only is the native bee population declining but also many of our favorite birds and what we as home gardeners can do about it.
This issue completes our sixth year of production.  We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and fruitful New Year.

Pakenham Hort Christmas Centrepiece Workshop

Please join us for a Hands On Workshop.  All materials will be supplied.  Learn how to make your very own centrepiece using fresh greenery and flowers.  Cost is $25 for PHS members and $35 for non members.  Space is limited so if interested, please contact Pakenham Horticultural Society.

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2018

The Edible Garden Newsletter for December 2018 is now available.  As it is December, some of our Master Gardeners have provided a gift wish list.  You might like to leave these pages laying around for your favorite gift giver.  One of our authors writes about visiting Manitoulin Island and coming home with a taste for "Hawjelly".  Cannabis is now legal to possess and use in Ontario and we provide information and links to make sure you grow and use it legally.  The December 2018 marks the end of 5 years of creating this monthly newsletter.  Our leader, Edythe Falconer, is stepping back from her leadership role but she assures us we can look forward to her interesting and informative articles.  The rest of the team is staying in place.  Thank you Edythe. Merry Christmas to all our gardening friends.

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2017

The Edible Garden Newsletter December 2017 looks back on the successes, failures, surprises and lessons learned from our Master Gardeners.  One gardener purchased a young artichoke and by the end of the season was eating one from her garden.  Learn how to grow, cook and enjoy.  Hedgerows provide a barrier to mark a boundary, provide privacy or prevent trespass.  They also can act as a windbreak, provide shelter.  You can even improve its usefulness by making it an Edible hedgerow.

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2016

The Edible Garden Newsletter December 2016 continues with our feature on How to Garden All Year Round.  We also help bring the taste of the garden with an article on Fresh Herbs that includes information on growing and using herbs.  Finally, as Christmas is approaching, we have included recipes from the cookbooks of our own Master Gardeners.  Hope you enjoy.

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2015

It is December.  Gardening season is so far away.  What is a gardener to do?  Get ready to start your seedlings indoors.  This month we focus on what you need to grow your own seedlings, Read more

Gardeners New Years Resolutions

Two of the top New Year Resolutions are Lose Weight and Exercise More.  Spending more time in your garden (especially the vegetable garden) helps you accomplish these goals.  When making your New Years Resolutions this year, think of some ways you can make your garden even better.  How can you include your garden in your resolutions?  These resolutions give you different options for each topic.   Read more Happy New Year from Lanark County Master Gardeners!

Santa Loves Lanark County Master Gardeners Website

Santa uses our website when he wants to go to his garden and Ho, Ho Ho!  He is quoted as saying:
"Bless our Social Media Buttons and follow them too!".  Merry Christmas to all from Lanark County Master Gardeners.

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2014

This edition of the Edible Garden Newsletter shows how one gardener plans Christmas Dinner from this summer's Vegetable Garden.  Also, learn about the benefits of Companion Planting.  Recipes, Book Reviews, Gift Suggestions and more.  Read on

Christmas Tree--Real or Fake?

Can't decide whether to buy a real Christmas Tree or a Fake one?  Read on to help decide.

Christmas Gifts for Gardeners

Do you have a Gardener on your Christmas List?  If you are having trouble deciding what to give them, Read more