Dame’s Rocket, (Hesperis matronalis)

http://diebah.notlong.com/ 30 May 2008 Dame’s Rocket, (Hesperis matronalis)

Dame’s Rocket, Sweet Rocket, or Dame's Violet (Hesperis matronalis) is an attractive plant, and has has a wonderful odour, but is an invasive plant. Dame's rocket is listed as a noxious weed. My plants are not allowed to seed, and it propagates from old growth yearly.

It was introduced to America from Europe in colonial times. It is often confused with taller varieties of phlox, but Dame’s rocket has four petals on each flower, while phlox has five petals. Dame's rocket has, toothed leaves that grow alternately along the stems, while phlox has smooth-edged, opposite leaves.

Arnold Red Tatarian Honeysuckle

http://omuiti.notlong.com/ 28 May 2008 Honeysuckle Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red'

Arnold Red Tatarian Honeysuckle. This plant produces red berries, which are slightly poisonous. I have never seen birds eating the fruit. This type of honeysuckle is more a small tree than a bush.

http://aevio.notlong.com/ 25 June 2008 Berries of the Arnold Red Tatarian Honeysuckle. The berries are mildly poisonous to humans.

Purple Sensastion (Allium) Flowering onion.

http://aekohy.notlong.com 28 May 2008 Allium hollandicum, 'Purple Sensation', Flowering Onion.

This beautiful Allium flower is one of my favouites. It is almost shaped like a purple snowball. Some seeds were allowed to drop, and there are numerous small plants forming, so I should have a large cluster next year, which should be most attractive.

Showy mountain-ash (Sorbus decora)

This pretty tree, mountain ash is often in urban gardens. Pictures are presented from flowering to fruiting, and the colour of the berries, which change colour over the season.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?GYNHB 28 May 2008 Showy mountain-ash (Sorbus decora)

A member of Rosaceae (Rose Family) . This pretty tree forms red/orange berries in profusion, and apparently some birds ingest them during the Winter, and they are sometimes made into jelly for human consumption. A nice tree in a garden.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VEQRG 7 August 2008 Showy mountain-ash (Sorbus decora)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AHNSZ 28 August 2008 Showy mountain-ash (Sorbus decora)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UIEIG Summary: Showy mountain-ash (Sorbus decora)

Carrots

Carrot germination time.
http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VXKVQ 28 May 2008 Carrots germinated in 12 Days.

These carrot seeds, lmperator and Chatenay on the 15 of May. All have germinated in 12 days. They were planted at the same depth on toilet paper laid in the rows and lightly covered with fine compost. I watered lightly, daily. The temperatures were cool at night and full sun during the day, when the sun was present.

Last night 27/28 May there was frost in many areas around Toronto. Our temperature went to 3C, but I see no frost damage, and the sun is brightly shining this morning. We will have no further frost until the Fall season. It has been a most cool Spring.

Carrots march to the beat of their own drummer. They may not germinate if the soil is too warm, above 80F. I have had them germinate in 11 days and in other cases 21 days, and in some cases not at all.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QOEEB 25 June 2008 Carrots Thriving.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KYTUJ 4 July 2008 Carrot Bed.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ONUAY 12 July 2008 Carrot Bed

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XLPLH 2 September 12008 Carrots Imperator
I prefer the long variety of carrot over the shorter Chatenay.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PXVAC Summary: Carrots.

Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' European Snowball Bush

http://meephe.notlong.com/ 27 May 2007 Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' European Snowball Bush.

There are two European Snowball Bush shrubs on the property, one in front and one in the main garden. 'Roseum' has only the large sterile flowers, which results in a big round three-inch pompom. The result is almost a perfect snowball. This plant is most attractive in full bloom, and lasts for about three weeks. No care is required, and the green vegetation is attractive after the balls have disappeared.

Redhaven Peach Tree.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YGOHE 26 May 2008 Planting Redhaven Peach Tree.

A Redhaven peach tree was purchased today (26 May 2008) and planted. Method is shown in pictures. This is probably an ideal method for most trees, usually I make a circle, but the soil was so hard and packed, that I utilized a rectangle. Total time about three hours from start to finish.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YWEKD 7 August 2008 Redhaven Peach Tree
Much to my surprise there are four peaches growing. I will wait until it is sun ripened, and taste my first tree ripened peach in about 50 years. It should be a delightful experience from the supermarket supplied fruit.

Flowering plants in Garden 24 May 2008

http://liong.notlong.com/ Flowering plants growing in Zone 5 on 24 May 2008.

The garden should be a blaze of colour as the season progresses.

Vegetable and Fruit Garden 24 May 2008.

http://caviek.notlong.com 24 May 2008 Vegetable and Fruit Garden.

These pictures depict what is growing in Zone 5B on the 24 of May 2008.

Grapes

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AOMWC 24 May 2008 Grapes.

There are four grape vines in the garden. Concord, Sovereign Coronation, Baco Noir, and an unknown variety. They are on a trellis and one is along the fence. This is the third year, and I expect a good picking. Last year I let the Concord produce and got 16 large clusters. The plants were planted in the Spring of 2005. This is my first effort at growing grapes, so it is a bit of a learning experience, particularly with pruning. Full sun and adequate moisture seems to be the main criteria, plus watch for bugs, like the Japanese beetle.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UANFQ 14 July 2008 Grapes.
All vines are producing well. The downside is the Japanese Beetle appeared today. I squashed four. The beetles appeared to be quite small, so I assume it is not a good year for them. I can hope.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PVWNZ 25 August 2008 Sovereign Coronation Grape
This is the third year for this vine, and my first fruit production. The clusters are almost ripe and I removed one cluster, and found the quality and taste superb. It is similar in taste to the Concord, without the sharp bite when first breaking the skin. An excellent choice for the home garden. I have a bit of fungus (Downy Mildew) since it has rained almost some part of every day for the last three weeks, keeping the foliage wet, which is ideal conditions for mildew growth.

Sovereign Coronation grape is a table grape variety now in the marketplace. Developed under the Plant Breeding Program directed by Lyall Denby in the 1970's. Created at the Agriculture Canada Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, BC, Canada. Coronation grape is a cross between native North American varieties Patricia and Himrod. The Coronation grape is a fairly hardy variety, ripening in late August, and is available in the market earlier than other traditional varieties. It is virtually seedless.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SYLHD 1 September 2008 Grape Juice made today
One of my four vines produces green grapes, which are pleasant eating, but too many for the table, so I decided to make juice. Procedure is to remove the grapes from the cluster, mash in a pot, bring to a gentle simmer for ten minutes, strain through a colander, then stain again through cheese cloth, then store. This juice is as pure as one can get. The name of the grape is unknown, but it is sweet tasting with only a bit of a tart taste. Total time 2 hours and 20 minutes.One pound of grapes produced about a cup of juice, or 400 ml of juice. Total from the vine was 8 lbs so just over quart of juice. The media periodically opinions that a daily glass of wine is good for people, since there is some ingredient in grapes that protects the heart. No doubt sponsored by the wine industry.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OHFOQ 2 September 2008 Sovereign Coronation Grape Harvest
The grapes were removes from the vine today. Some where starting to split. A total weight of 12 lbs was taken off this vine. They are an excellent eating grape.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KFBMX 6 September 2008 Baco Noir Grapes Harvested for juice
These grapes are basically a wine making grape. Six pounds were obtained from the vine, for a total weight of 7 lbs, and reduced to 6 lbs when removed from the clusters. The juice is a nice dark colour and pleasant to drink. It may be thinned with water, but I prefer the pure juice of the grape. A pound of grapes produces about a cup of juice. The clusters are very crowded, and the grapes are smaller than say the typical Concord variety.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OBQOT Summary: Grape Growing Experience

Trellis Systems

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZCUTY 21 May 2008 Trellis Systems

Various trellises are required throughout the garden.

My method is to utilize material from almost any hardware store; rebar, 4 by 8 concrete reinforcing mesh, fence posts, electrical plastic ties, and a bolt cutter tool for cutting the hard wire if required. The trellis is strong and extremely simple to produce. I paint the unfinished material on a plastic sheet with tremclad paint, and it lasts for many years.

For storage, the concrete reinforcing mesh is stored on pegs on the back of the shed, and the various posts are simply stacked in a five gallon pail behind the shed.

Mulching- Wood chips.

http://audile.notlong.com/ 19 May 2008 Wood chip mulch.

Mulching is relatively simply and practical using wood chips. A few cubic yards can cover a large area, and they are relatively cheap to purchase. I get mine from a City Park free from the city. Advantages are uniform moisture for the growing season, earth worms tend to congregate under the mulch, if thick enough weeds are discouraged. My main reason for using is moisture retention, plus rain water can easily filter through to the plant roots. The soil under the mulch does not get a hard dried out crust, and watering is seldom necessary. Also, rain water doesn't cause dirt to be splashed up onto the plants. Wood chip mulch is easy to move around, I clear a path for the plants until they are large, then move the mulch closer to the main stem.

In the Fall, the mulch is sometime raked to one side for re-use, and often simply rototilled into the soil. I find it mostly disappears in a year, and tends to make the soil more friable. Sometimes I add extra nitrogen in the form of urea pellets (nitrogen) to assist in decaying.

There are other materials that can be used but most have problems, Grass clippings and leaves tend to cluster and prevent moisture from penetrating.

Asparagus Bed and Growth

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ESMNI 16 May 2008 Making Asparagus Bed.

After some research I chose: Guelph Millennium. http://www.hortns.com/asparagus-cultivar00.html


The bed is 41 inches by 102 inches by 12 inches deep. About a cubic yard of soil was removed. Time taken three hours from start to finish. Compost, and and a bit ot bone meal was added and mixed prior to planting the sparagus 'Guelph Millennium' rhizomes. There were a total of eleven rhizomes. The bed will be filled in with compost, sand and a bit of normal soil as the plant grows, similar to hilling potatoes. The rhizomes were spaced about 16 inches apart, and covered with two inches of soil, with the crown just protruding above the soil level.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YHAEB 5 June 2008 Asparagus Bed Completed.
Mulched with free city chips. The plants are all thriving, height is about two feet in 20 days.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XIPHN 12 July 2008 Asparagus Bed (Millenium)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FCQAY 6 August 2008 Asparagus (Millenium)
Plants are superb for the first year of growth.

15 May 2008 Fern-Leaf Peony (Paeonia tenuifolia)

http://aisech.notlong.com/ 15 May 2008 Fern-Leaf Peony (Paeonia tenuifolia)

This plant (perennial) was obtained from a friend in 2005. It has been moved twice, and is still producing. Now it is in a permanent location so should thrive. The deep red of the flowers is most attractive, and is most pleasing in a large cluster. The vegetation lasts all season and is always a welcome addition in any garden.

The European crane fly, Tipula paludosa. Leatherjacket.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LGMYP 9May 2008 The European crane fly, Tipula paludosa. Leatherjacket.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?HIDSO European Crane Fly

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZFXTB Detailed information about this pest

Common name for the larvae is leatherjacket. I always have some in the garden, but since 2004 not enough to be of real concern. When a seedling is dying for no apparent reason, I always scrape the soil around the base of the plant. At night the leatherjackets crawl up the plant and eat leaves.

This insect was first reported in Canada in 1955 on Cape Breton Island. Vancouver, B.C. in 1965.

For a few years its North American distribution was limited to the Western and Eastern Maritime provinces of Canada (British Columbia and Nova Scotia) and on the western coast of the United States (Washington State and Oregon).

In 1996 and 1997 there were several reports of leatherjackets causing damage in turf from Whitby, Toronto and Hamilton mountain area. In 1998 they were identified as European crane fly

I encountered hundreds if not thousands in 2004 in Branford, and they devastated many seedlings. They thrive in Spring in very wet conditions, and can survive under water. I picked hundreds from around some plants. Eventually flocks of starlings, and grackles got them under control. I watched a bird, through binoculars, eating 15 from the lawn in one minute. There were flocks of bird numbering 50 to 100 several times a day in the garden. I now love blackbirds.

The adult crane fly is harmless, and when seen they have probably already laid their eggs.

Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)


http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OUMBQ 9 May 2008 Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
This plant survived the Winter in Zone 5. The first picture was taken in 2007 and the other two in 2008. I did add some wood chips over the plant. It will be interesting to see how this plant produces in 2008. I also have six seedlings now in the garden.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SRLQU 23 June 2008 Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus). The heading on the pictures is wrong it should read Cynara scolymus.
There is not much difference in the size of the seedlings and the one plant that over-wintered.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EUDSJ 20 July 2008 Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) .
Two fruiting bodies are forming on the one plant that over-wintered. Other pictures showing growth of the seven plants.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?DJUYP 19 August 2008 Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
All plants growing well. Rain and high humidity seems to be the criteria. This year we have had much rain and rather cool temperatures.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZGUFR 20 August 2008 Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Fruit
Four heads were cut today. They are a bit small, but I have seen similar size in the Supermarket. The production is about 7 heads from each plant. The heads were larger in 2007, but this has been a cool summer. I boil for about 15 minutes or pressure cook, and pull the scales off, dip in melted butter and eat the flesh from the end.



http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BVBWK Summary: Growing Experience.

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana).

http://saijiv.notlong.com/ 9 May 2008 Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana, syn. Cochlearia armoracia) is a perennial but I treat it as an annual, and propagate the following year's plant from a piece of the current root. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which includes mustard, wasabi, and cabbages. I put it in a convenient place for digging in the late Fall, since the roots are a real hassle to remove from the ground, and the plant gets about two feet in diameter and about four feet tall. When mature in the Fall, horseradish condiment is made from the roots.

http://ieraf.notlong.com/ 15 May 2008 Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) -producing seed.
Apparently seldom does horseradish produce seed in NA. This particular plant was growing a short distance from the main plant in 2007. I chose it for the 2008 planting since it seemed to be well established with leaves. The other plant was grown simply from a root cutting. It has no seed head. I will determine if the seed is viable later in the season.

Rhubarb

http://phonga.notlong.com 9 May 2008 Rhubarb First Picking.

The stalks are pulled not cut. I usually get four pickings, and never pick after about June 20 to allow the plant to store food for next year's growth.

Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?JKXHJ 5 May 2008 Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles speciosa
These were a small twig with a bit of root given to me by a friend in the Spring of 2003. It grew slowly and this year is in full bloom. The flower is a bright red, and is quite attractive. The plant the plant produces a fruit, which is ideal for jams.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Rubra' / Rubra Japanese Flowering Quince I suspect this is the one I am growing.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?HKDXQ 27 August 2008 Chaenomeles speciosa 'Rubra' / Rubra Japanese Flowering Quince
My two plants are bearing many fruit, which will be harvested in late Fall.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SZYNY 31 August 2008 Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) Fruit detail

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?NDZNK Summary: Chaenomeles speciosa 'Rubra' / Rubra Japanese Flowering Quince

City supplied Compost

http://aikuih.notlong.com/ 5 May 2008 Vegetative compost supplied by the City of Brantford.

Vegetative compost is available at no cost from the city during the month of May. This is usually too late for use in the Spring, so I obtain a load every day while it lasts, and store it in one of my bins until placed on the garden in the Fall.

I built a small two tier container equivalent in size to two garbage cans, which fits into the back of my van, to facilitate loading and unloading. I utilize this split box for hauling wood chips, and other aggregates as required.

This is the only fertilizer utilized, and it appears to be adequate for the growing needs of my plants. It appears the compost is screened, and it is absolutely devoid of any weeds.

Tulips

http://thaecha.notlong.com/ 3 May 2008 Tulips.

It rained today and the tulips are almost in full bloom. There are few more in another bed that is not in bloom yet. It has been cool and cloudy so the tulips are a bit slow this year.

http://ugiey.notlong.com/ 5 May 2008 Tulips in full bloom. A rain and warm weather assisted.

http://oodesh.notlong.com 20 May 2008 Tulips still blooming due to cold weather.