Trowel Talk Newsletter May 15, 2021

 

The Trowel Talk Newsletter May 15, 2021 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This month we feature articles about:

• Invasive plants, Lily-of-the Valley and Yellow Archangel. Both are beautiful but impossible to control.
• Native Plants, Hepaticas and Wood Poppy. Both these beauties prefer woodland settings and are most visible very early in the spring, before the trees leaf out.
• Growing Vegetables in Containers.
• Spring is coming and so is Asparagus.
• Ask a Master Gardener offers options for planting a flowering vine along a fence.

If you would like to receive this newsletter in your inbox each month email us at lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Photo of a Porcelain Berry Vine by Dale Odorizzi

Trowel Talk Newsletter April 15, 2021

The Trowel Talk Newsletter for April 15, 2021 is now available. This month contains articles on:

• Earth Day 2021--This is the fiftieth anniversary of this international events and we include special ways you can honour this day.
• Rhubarb is a glorious spring vegetable.
• Clematis--We answer the common question of When do I prune my Clematis?
• My Favourite Spring Edimentals--some popular ornamentals you can actually eat.
• Creeping Jenny--Our series on invasive perennials continues.
• Ask a Master Gardener column answers the questions:
• When can I divide hostas?
• How do I prune and rejuvenate a large group of lilacs?

Talks and Events are happening in garden clubs and horticultural societies, primarily using virtual meeting software. We have included such events where our Master Gardeners are appearing. Also Check our the series of Trowel Talk Live.

If you enjoyed this issue of Trowel Talk, share with a friend. If you would like to receive your copy in your email box, contact me at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter March 15, 2021

 

The Trowel Talk Newsletter for March 15, 2021 is now available. Spring is almost here and there are signs of it everywhere. This month, we feature articles on:

• Sorrel--Culinary herb or a wild edible perennial?
• Weeds, the Universal Problem--where do they come from and some weed ending strategies.
• Will that be Sage or Savory? Join the great Canada stuffing debate.
• Bloodroot--Gladden your heart at this longed for sign of spring!
• Amur Maple--Gardeners beware! Another beautiful but invasive species from Asia.
• Ask a Master Gardener-Best time to prune trees and reviving last years geraniums.

Introducing a new Lunch and Learn program brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton. Click here to register.

The photo above is of a Serviceberry or Amelanchier canadensis, just as the flowers are turning into berries that the birds always beat me to eat. The Serviceberry is a wonderful native shrub that brings 3 season beauty to your yard.

Trowel Talk Newsletter February 15, 2021

The Trowel Talk Newsletter February 15, 2021, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton is now available. This month, we feature articles on the following topics:

• Hello Aloe--Describes the medicinal properties of the plant and provides tips on growing this succulent, year after year.
• My Kingdom for a Clivia--This is a breathtaking house plant that originates in South Africa. It is not widely available but does often pop up at Plant Sales or even in supermarkets.
• Gardener Beware: Bugleweed--Many of the plants we grow in our ornamental beds turn out to be very invasive. We are starting this new feature, Gardener Beware, to identify these plants and provide for suggestions for bringing Native plants into your garden as substitute.
• A Winter Garden for Birds--Nothing enlivens a winter gardenlike birds. This article discusses plants that will attract Birds, all winter long.
• Ask a Master Gardener--When should I start seeds indoors? and Are leftover seeds still good?
• Book Review--The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature by Sue Stuart-Smith.

After a year of no Master Gardener events, we are pleased to announce Master Gardener virtual appearances at local Horticultural Societies. Check with the host organization for registration details. 

You are welcome to share this newsletter with your friends. If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Trowel Talk Newsletter January 15, 2021

 

The Trowel Talk Newsletter, January 15, 2021 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton. Happy New Year to all our readers. This month, we have something for everyone with articles about:

• Favourite Succulent, the long living Jade Plant.
• Invasive Plants--Where do they come from?
• Creating a beautiful gift for Valentine's Day.
• Microgreens--A delicious edible, especially for the winter months.
• Ask a Master Gardener answers two questions:
• Lack of light for houseplants.
• Storing my tools for the winter.

We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter. If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, contact me at lanarkmg@gmail.com. If you have gardening questions, use one of the contact helplines listed at the end of the newsletter.

Phragmites photo courtesy of the Lambton Shores Phragmites Community Group

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.

Trowel Talk Newsletter November 15, 2020

The Trowel Talk Newsletter November 15, 2020 brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton, is now available.  This month we talk about:

• Beauty or beast? Invasive Cypress spurge--This plant is considered an invasive weed in Ontario but it is also an invasive ornamental that is often grown in home gardens and can still be found for sale in nurseries.
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia--You may remember the popular Chia Pet, popular in the eighties. Follow one gardener's adventure as she grows chia plants.
• Green Roommates--Now that the outdoor gardening season has drawn to a close, we turn our attention to houseplants.
• Bringing nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants--a Book review 
• Ask a Master Gardener--Overwintering Spider Plants and Controlling Spider Mites.

If you would like to receive our Newsletter in your email inbox, contact us at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter October 15, 2020

 

The Trowel Talk Newsletter October 15, 2020  brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton is now available. This month we talk about:

• Garden Magic--Planting bulbs with the kids, a sure fire way to get your kids, young and old excited about gardening
• Who Let the Moths Out--The invasion of Gypsy Moths and what you can do about it.
• Goldenrods--A beautiful but often misunderstood native plant in its many forms
• Fallen Leaves--The collective wisdom of Master Gardeners and their many uses for fallen leaves
• Ask A Master Gardener.

If you would like to receive the newsletter in your inbox, each month, email us at lanarkmg@gmail.com