>> Margaret Hantiuk
Looking back over 10 years of my Garden Gleanings column for the Village Vibe, I am thinking of the ways that gardening is trending here in Fernwood (and all over):
- Going organic: We realize that every backyard that goes organic and stops using pesticides and herbicides mean less poisons going into the air, soil, and water systems, as well as the birds, bees, and other animals in our world (including ourselves). We need to be informed in order to recognize the good from the bad bugs, and then learn to garden with safer methods of deterrence (Read more about this here: lindagilkeson.ca/gardening_tips.html). Choose disease resistant varieties and then support the plants so that they are as strong and healthy as possible. Use allies and learn what the problem is and the best strategy to help.
- Build the soil: Start from the ground up: Compost! Mulch! — every year. Save your leaves. Do a soil test. Use good soil amendments and fertilizers carefully and wisely. Check our Integrity Sales on Keating Cross Road for good soil amendments and soil tests, and the Compost Ed Centre on North Park for information on mulching and composting.
- Permaculture: This involves the evolving development of integrated and natural systems for stewarding your land, e.g. having chickens and using their manure. The Compost Ed Centre has information and courses on permaculture.
- Food gardening: Mix your food garden into your ornamentals (and vice versa). Food gardens can be in containers, against vertical walls (especially south and west facing), in raised beds, and, with cold frames, hothouses, cloches, and various plastic shelters, can be year-round. (Linda Gilkeson’s website and the Compost Ed Centre can help with tips on best winter veggie varieties and year-round gardening tips.)
- Wildlife habitat/food: growing early flowering shrubs and the perennials that are host foods for butterflies, bees, and birds is not only essential for the success of your garden, but for the whole ecosystem; it has gotten to that point that every bit is crucial. Leave some “wild” in your garden for habitat. Have some water out in a dish. Keep a bird feeder that is rat- and squirrel-proof. Plant shrubs with berries. Grow some native plants. Have some (small-holed) birdhouses and bee boxes for native bees. And (sorry to say this) keep your cat inside — domestic cats are one reason that songbirds are disappearing (and songbirds consume a lot of bad bugs!)
- Drought tolerant gardening: A thick annual mulch of compost, leaf mold, and tree chippings is the best way to keep your soil from drying out. Choose plant varieties that suit our wet winters and dry summers. Water wisely: in the mornings or as early as possible, by hand or with low flow/drip irrigation systems (many can be set up by hand on the soil surface). Know your site and group plants for their watering and sun/shade needs. Harvest rainwater and use gray water. Let your lawn brown in summer — it’s the new “green”!
- Easy care gardening: Plant easy care, hardy, and disease-resistant varieties that suit your site and soil. Use raised beds. Rake leaves onto beds for mulch. Mulch more to weed less, and use groundcovers. Install an efficient watering system to keep your garden watered sufficiently in our late summer droughts.
- Garden as refuge: Let your garden develop naturally. Make spaces to sit and enjoy being in it and create play areas. Place (winter) flowering shrubs by entries or in view of windows. Create private and intimate spaces with fragrant plants and screens. Encourage and enjoy the wildlife, as well as the fresh food you harvest. Life is good.
