• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Home Hardware Mark’s Choice
    • New Products
    • Hand Tools
    • Cutting Tools
    • Boots and Gloves
    • Hose and Watering Accessories
    • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
    • Container Gardening
    • Seeds and Bulbs
    • Plant Supports
    • Gardening Accessories
  • CIL Iron Plus
    • C-I-L Iron Plus Lawn Fertilizers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
March 2, 2016

Garden Sickness Part Deux: The Well-Established Garden

Last week I introduced you to the concept of garden sickness. Rather than home sickness when we’re away from our homes, gardeners get garden sickness when we’re away from our gardens.

We may not want to get back to our gardens right away but that doesn’t stop us from thinking about them.

Last week I tasked you with making a sketch of your garden. I did one of mine. My gardens are well-established but that doesn’t mean I can’t vacation-proof them. Or at least make them a little more resistant for those times when I’m away.

This week I will discuss tips for well-established gardens. Next week, new gardens.

Mulch.  

I talk about mulch a lot. Not only does it keep the weeds down, it insulates the soil and protects it from the sun. That is, it reduces evaporation. It also holds onto water (including morning dews).

There are a lot of mulch varieties to choose from. I prefer finely ground cedar or pine bark.

Pro tip: get yourself a mulching fork. It will make the task a whole lot easier on your arms and back.

Compost

Compost isn’t just great for replenishing the soil’s nutrients: a good organic blend will hold moisture and keep the roots content. It also draws underground decomposers that help to open the soil, allowing the roots to travel further for water.

I make my own compost but if you don’t, there are many options: bagged (the bag should be pretty heavy – that’s how you know it’s the good stuff), or delivered by the truck load. Some municipalities will also offer it to you for a small price at certain times of the year.

Annuals

If you’re putting in annuals this year, try placing a water wick into the hole before the plant. The water wick is essentially a tea bag filled with a little bit of natural plant food and some absorbent granules. Completely biodegradable, it’s perfect for the annual plants you use to add a bit of colour between perennial bloomings. 

Soaker Hoses

This is the more technical option and may require a helpful, friendly neighbour. Soaker hoses are great – they deliver water to the root zone, reduce diseases caused by excessive moisture on the leaves, and can be hidden and left in place all season long. For this, you have two options:

  1. You ask a neighbour or friend to stop by, turn on the water, and find peace wandering through your garden for 20 minutes while the soaker hose does its thing. The promise of a souvenir from your vacation may entice.
  1. Your second option requires no additional human help: a water timer. It’s a simple case of set it and forget it. The only caveat is that you can’t tell it that rain is on its way and don’t bother. A number of options are available on the market, many of which are extremely affordable (others, not so much).

I hope this has been helpful for the lot of you who have well-established gardens. If you’re new to gardening and don’t have much going on besides a few annual beds (or even nothing at all), check out next week’s blog.

Keep your drawings handy – we’ll be looking at them next week.

blog_March2

← Previous post
Garden-Sickness

Next post →
Garden Sickness: The Last Installment – New Gardens

Search

Recent Posts

  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020
  • Around the Acres this Week November 2, 2020
  • Around the Acres This Week October 23, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Mark Cullen
22 Jan

This spring we are joining gardeners across Canada to plant yellow "Hope is Growing" gardens https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/01/20/show-off-natures-best-shades-of-yellow-with-a-2021-hope-is-growing-garden.html?fbclid=IwAR0J5pqyVf-qgdqTv4wZVlk8K3G9KMmbj7bAojalXlSenjfQBofFeGOlr3Q

Reply on Twitter 1352520011378798593Retweet on Twitter 1352520011378798593Like on Twitter 13525200113787985934
21 Jan

#tbt Last year, @MarkCullen4, pleaded for help in saving Toronto's oldest tree. This year, we are excited to be able to say that it's been saved. City Council voted to cover the remaining cost & purchase the property that this centuries-old tree resides at. https://twitter.com/HOHTribute/status/1214240219135926273

Reply on Twitter 1352327035222417408Retweet on Twitter 13523270352224174085Like on Twitter 135232703522241740813
12 Jan

A review of @suestuartsmith new book - great winter reading! https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/01/12/new-book-cultivates-hope-through-both-the-physical-and-passive-acts-of-gardening.html

Reply on Twitter 1349023794342621191Retweet on Twitter 13490237943426211913Like on Twitter 13490237943426211916
3 Jan

Probably the most important house plant advice that can be given! So many plants die from overwatering! Stick your finger in the dirt. Don’t be afraid 😁 If it’s cool and moist leave it alone! Thanks @MarkCullen4! And thanks @ABurbidge! https://twitter.com/ABurbidge/status/1345484646075740160

Reply on Twitter 1345680506915074049Retweet on Twitter 13456805069150740495Like on Twitter 134568050691507404914

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑