In This Issue:
Things To Do in Your Garden
Frequently Asked Questions
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I never met her, but I know that she was very special.
Mary Franklin Mastin was a pioneer, born to another pioneer of sorts. Mary passed away on October 26th, leaving a wonderful legacy that any Canadian would be proud of.
She was a writer who specialised in the outdoors, making contributions to conservation magazines including: The Angler, Outdoor Canada, Canadian Audubon, Nature Canada, The Ontario Naturalist and The Young Naturalist.
She won high praise for her work, winning the Frank H. Kortright Award, the 'Excellence in Craft' award from the New York State Outdoor Writers Association and more.
And if all of this was not enough, Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from York University at the tender age of 78, in 1999.
I mention this as we move into November, the month of remembrance. As we approach November 11 and reflect on the sacrifices of so many for the freedoms that we enjoy today, I think that it is not such a bad idea to celebrate the past with a nod to the many people who have contributed to the pedigree of life as we know it today. In other words, there are a lot of people who blazed the trail before we stepped foot on it.
A new generation of Canadians is discovering the outdoors: public hiking trails, birding and [dare I say it] gardening are just a few of the old pleasures that are being rediscovered by people in their 20's and 30's. It is like we suddenly have woken up to the fact that computers, central heating and air conditioning and our ability to hop in the car and go most anywhere that we please, do not add up to a full and balanced life.
There is, in other words, no substitute for fresh air and a good heart pumping out of doors.
Mary Franklin Mastin's father was Franklin Carmichael, one of the Group of Seven. Through him she learned to appreciate the natural wonders of the world around her and share them with her public.
Perhaps her greatest legacy is the growing appreciation for the benefits of our great out of doors and the encouragement that she provided to her generation to get out and embrace it. Mary was one valuable link in a multigenerational journey of discovery that, hopefully, knows no end.
She was a gardener too, by the way.
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Things To Do in Your Garden
As I write this there is a 'monster storm' expected in our area in a couple of days. I have never heard the term before: 'monster storm', but it sounds ominous. I am thinking that some of you will be battening down the hatches when you receive this message and to you I say, "Hang in there". After the storm: calm. And then maybe you can get back out in the garden to get things in order for the winter ahead.
This reminds me of Hurricane Juan, which struck Halifax head on September 29, 2003. Our daughter Lynn was a newly minted student at Dalhousie University at the time. She lived 17 stories up in Fenwick Towers. When she called home to Ontario that Sunday night she said to me over the phone, "Dad, it is really windy here!" to which I replied, "That, honey, is a nor'easter and they are used to getting them out there. Just go to bed, put a pillow over your head and go to sleep."
She replied, "Dad, you don't get it. There are waves in the toilet!"
Two hours later the building was evacuated.
Shows you what I know.
Winter is the theme in the November garden. Just like changing the furnace filter and putting on the snow tires, your garden has a few demands that are worthy of your attention. Here they are:
- Evergreens that are exposed to prevailing westerly winds are susceptible to wind burn, salt spray damage [if located near a busy road] and often sun burn. Wrap junipers, cedars, dwarf Alberta Spruce, yews and rhododendrons in two layers of burlap. Secure with twine.
- Rhododendrons. Speaking of rhodies, before you wrap them spray them with an anti-desiccant Wiltpruf. This provides an invisible layer of protection against the drying effects of wind and the obnoxiously low humidity of our Canada winter.
- Fertilize your lawn with Golfgreen Fall Lawn Fertilizer. The most important application that you will make all year. And later is better. Paul Straus, the President and CEO of Home Hardware asked me why Golfgreen is a different formula from that of a competitor. Golfgreen has 18% potash, the competitor much less. The answer is that Golfgreen is formulated for late season application [like now!] in an effort to build up the natural sugars in grass plants as the plants prepare themselves for winter. The competitors' product is designed for late summer application. He asked me if I made that up. Ha ha! Funny guy.
- The aforementioned Wiltpruf is good stuff for use on boxwood, yews, hardy blue holly and other broadleafed evergreens. Apply any time now.
- Pumpkins. Take your Halloween pumpkin and put in on the top of your compost pile or composting unit. Cut it with a shovel or kitchen knife and let it decompose there. Whatever you do, do not put it out to the garbage. It is 99% water. What sense does that make?
- Rake leaves, what is left of them, off of your lawn and on to your garden.
- Roses: hill up the hybrid teas, grandifloras and floribundas. Use about 50 to 60 cm of triple mix [not leaves as they will foster mildew]. Cut tall, lanky roses down to about a meter but leave the serious pruning until spring.
- Fruit trees that are less than 6 cm in diameter or are up to 5 years old need to have their tender bark protected with a plastic spiral wrap. This prevents mice, field rats and rabbits from making a meal of the bark. For a couple of bucks it is a good investment.
- Water all of the evergreens around the foundation of your home. The ice that forms is great insulation for the roots. Then put away your garden hose.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For November
Should I cut down my perennials this fall?
No. Leave them standing 'til spring. The seeds will be enjoyed by birds later on and the height that the stems provide add winter interest.
Should I cut down my roses?
No. Unless they are so high that you risk having them break at the bud union down at the root.
Cut back in spring.
Should I cut my lawn short before the snow flies?
No. Just the same as ever - 2 ½ to 3 inches. The fertilizing is most important. Apply Golfgreen Fall Lawn Fertilizer now for a quick 'green-up' next spring.
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