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Greetings!
Brrr...what an interesting start to June! A customer came into the store this week and asked if our fall mums were arriving this week! HA!
This cool weather is actually great for the plants (as long as the temperatures don't go too low!). There is less heat stress on the plants, giving roots of any transplanted plant a chance to get established. This is good news for anyone still wanting to plant their vegetables. It's not too late...a fresh delivery of vegetables has just arrived, ready for your garden!
This Saturday is our first Urban Farming Day, featuring our Bug Expert Lynn Short. Lynn is the Senior Nature Interpreter at Humber College and will be discussing the benefits of certain bugs as well as the solutions to eliminate the pesky bugs. Lynn has worked at the Mountsberg Conservation Area in the Wildlife Area and is currently teaching about sustainable horticultural practices including plant health care at Humber College. We look forward to welcoming Lynn (Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 11:00am) to the Dufferin Garden Centre! This is a free seminar but we ask that you call the store to register or Click Here for our online registration.
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday. Not sure which plants are best suited to your gardens? Ask our staff, they look forward to helping you find the perfect plant!
Current Hours:
Monday - Friday :: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday :: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday :: 10:00am - 4:00pm
 
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Eating Locally :: Urban Farming in your Own Backyard!
With all the talk about caring for the environment and eating locally, what's more local than your own vegetable garden? Join this growing trend and start planning your garden today. Urban Farming including vegetable gardens are taking root! Location, Location!
 - most vegetables need about 5-6 hours of direct sunlight, with this in mind, choose as spot easily accessible from your kitchen (to make harvesting easier) and close to a water source (tap or rainbarrel) - gardens come in all shapes and sizes, we suggest that you start small to avoid becoming overwhelmed (you can always add more space next year) - gardens can be raised beds that have great drainage and warm up quicker in the spring, containers that can be placed on decks or patios or window boxes for balconies or condos. - whatever shape and size your garden becomes, the soil will need to have the suitable nutrients such as triple blend soil and compost Choosing the Plants:
- this time of year, seedlings or 'start-ups' are the best way to go, they are plants that have already started growing to give you a head start (some of our tomatoes even have fruit!)
- place the larger plants at the north end of the garden so the smaller plants don't become shaded - read the tags and follow the recommended spacing to allow for air circulation Maintenance:
- watering in the morning is best when it is cooler and without the strong winds so the amount of water lost to evaporation is reduced
- water deeply on the roots to encourage better root formation and plant stability - weeds are inevitable but it's best to keep on top of them as they rob moisture, sunlight and nutrients from your edibles - when the garden is first planted, the soil will be rich with compost added in the spring, but as the garden matures, more nutrients will need to be added (water soluble or granular fertilizers) - keep a watchful eye for pests and diseases and keep them at bay by practicing companion planting (onions and garlic around carrots and other root crops or surround your garden with marigolds) - attract beneficial insects - watch what chemicals you use in the garden, after all, the fruits of your labour are going straight to your table! Benefits:
 - involve your children and grandchildren in the planting and harvesting of the garden - this is a wonderful way for the entire family to spend some quality time together - there are some great lessons about nature that can be found in the garden; from earthworms to ladybugs! - when children grow their own food, they are more likely to eat the vegetables they pick out of their garden...for picky eaters, starting a garden is an ideal way to get kids excited about their veggies Keep smiling! Gardening is a great form of exercise and your harvest is worth the effort! There is nothing better than biting into a sun-kissed tomato, still warm from the vine or the crunch of beans that just might not make it to the table! You, your children and grandchildren will enjoy this rewarding experience of seeing where their food comes from!
Do you know another gardener who might enjoy this article?
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Muskie Fish Fertilizer 5-1-1 by Green Earth 
- organic-based liquid concentrate fish fertilizer for general horticultural use
- this non-burning fertilizer may be used on all plants including vegetables, fruits, houseplants, annual and perennial flowers, shrubs trees and hedges - shake concentrate before using, dilute and mix in a pail, watering can or garden sprayer 1kg Concentrate available at the Dufferin Garden Centre
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Safer's Insecticidal Soap
 - for control of aphids, mealybugs, spidermites, whitefly, soft brown scale, psyllids, rose or pear slugs and earwigs on houseplants, roses, flowers, vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, shrubs, trees or greenhouse planting - made of selected soaps that have contact insecticidal properties - spray when insects are first sighted on buds, shoots, stems and undersides of leaves - apply weekly for 2-3 weeks and thereafter as required - insects must be sprayed directly to achieve proper control **Product may be used on fruits and vegetables up to and including the day of harvest. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.**Ready to Use, Concentrate and Attach and Spray Products available at the Dufferin Garden Centre See Below for Savings Coupon
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Top 5 Edible Flowers
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Nasturtiums
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Eating blossoms is a fun and easy way to add colour and flavour to your dishes, especially when they are grown in your own garden. Pick the flowers just after they have opened and give them just a quick rinse of water.
Remember: not every flower is edible and not to use pesticides or other chemicals on or near any plant whose blossoms you plant to eat. If in doubt...leave them out!
5. Chive Blossoms: add to green salads, potato and pasta salads and dips for a mild onion flavour. Remove the central stem to allow the florets to separate
4. Pansies and Johnny Jump-Ups: lovely yellow, white and purple blooms with a wintergreen flavour used to decorate cream cheese, cakes or other desserts
3. Mint: the flavours of these flowers, obvious are minty but will be slightly different depending on the variety. Be sure to try these flowers as a garnish in iced tea this summer!
2. Lavender: has beautiful flowers with a sweet, citrus flavour and can be included into cakes, cookies, sorbets or ice creams. Also can be used in heartier dishes such as stews or sauces. A stunning addition to a glass of champagne!
1. Nasturtiums: numerous varieties from trailing plants to upright and all sorts of bright, sunny colours. Most common of edible flowers with a sweet, spicy flavour added to salads, garnishing platters, cheese trays, sandwiches or can be stuffed with a mousse
Enjoy! Bon Appetit!
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Design Tip - Element of Water in Your Landscape
 Both large and small garden spaces can benefit from a water feature. The addition of water has become a popular choice for landscape designs. They can range from large ponds with rushing waterfalls to trickling and meandering streams to a bubbling container water garden on a balcony. The sound of water is calming, elegant and adds a natural element to your garden. Water features have become more popular as environmental concerns and wilderness appeal has increased. Can you envision this type of element in your garden? Is it a garden pond with koi, waterfall with rushing water to block out the noise of traffic or a simple fountain in a more formal garden. When considering the location of the water feature, take a look at the grade of the ground, accessibility for maintenance, levels of sunlight, proximity to main views and sitting areas? Want to learn more? Dufferin Garden Centre is welcoming Farley See on June 22 at 11:00am. Farley is part of the third generation involved in the family business specializing in waterlilies and aquatic plants. He will be discussing growing water plants in containers. Learn the benefits of including plants in your pond's ecosystem and how to over winter them. This is a free seminar, however, we ask that you register to avoid disappointment.
Please call the store at 519-941-5081 or Click Here for our online registration. (20 registrants are required to hold this seminar) |
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Feature Plant :: Patio Citrus
 New Arrival in our Greenhouse!
- the perfect patio plant for the summer and the perfect houseplant for the fall and winter
- water and fertilize regularly while new growth is developing
- let soil dry longer between waterings during the winter when growth is slow
- trim to shape after fruiting
Choose from:
Calamondin: Very heavy producer, very showy landscaping plant, small oval leaves, thin skinned. Used to flavor drinks, for marmalades, jellies & cooking. Juicy, acidic. Marketed as miniature oranges for houseplants.
Key Lime: Very acidic & juicy. Flesh is greenish-yellow to yellow in color. Peel turns greenish-yellow when ripe. Excellent for cooking & pies. Fairly vigorous , medium size, bushy growth w/ slender branches.
Persian Lime: Harvested while still green; mature fruit greenish-yellow. Flesh is pale yellow. Very juicy & acidic. Similar to lime found in grocery. |
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Gardening 101 :: No Space? No Problem! Grow Up!
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Black-Eyed Susan Vine
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Gardens come in all shapes in sizes; from small balcony and window sills, to patios and decks, to small urban gardens to large country gardens. More and more properties are smaller with less room to grow vegetables and flowers. Look up, look way up and use your vertical space to grow upright crops and flowers.
Benefits:
- monitoring and controlling pests is easier
- better aeration of plants
- harvesting is easier on the knees with no bending
- no more waste due to fruits that are hidden
- maximise garden space
- better accessibility for gardeners with disabilities
- makes an awesome privacy screen and defines spaces creating garden rooms
Vertical Veggies that love to climb
- pole beans
- cucumbers
- tomatoes (love to have the support to keep them off the ground)
- green peas
- gourds, melons
- squash and mini pumpkins
- kiwi
- grapes
Vertical Flowers that love to climb
- climbing roses
- annual vines (morning glories, black-eyed susan vines)
- climbing honeysuckle
- clematis (Now $19.98, Regular $ 24.99)
- trumpet vine
- silverlace vine
Try a small part of your garden growing vertically.
Trellises are on sale this weekend to make it easier to g
(Now 25% OFF)
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Cedar's Corner - Grillin' with Dad
 Well, pint-sized potters...Father's Day is right around the corner (June 16th), a perfect time to honour your Dads. What kind of activities do you have planned? Soccer game? Bike ride? Whatever you end up doing with your family, I'm sure you will have worked up an appetite.
What You Need:
Container: Have fun with the different styles, colours and materials of pots.
Consider the size of space, style and budget available. Be creative! Choose any container such as window boxes, wicker baskets or hanging baskets - anything with drainage holes!
Small Stones or Gravel for the bottom of the Container for drainage
Good Commercial Potting Mix
Starter Fertilizer, Hand Trowel and a Watering Can
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Directions: In a blender combine the parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, oil, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Blend together. Place chicken in a nonporous glass dish or bowl and pour blended marinade over the chicken. Cover dish and refrigerate to marinate for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours. Preheat grill to medium high heat OR set oven to broil.
Remove chicken from dish (disposing of leftover marinade) and grill or broil for about 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
Enjoy your dinner with Dad next weekend! Mmmm...I smell the grill heating up...off to find some treats! See you next time!
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Inspiration Blooms at the Dufferin Garden Centre
Telephone: 519-941-5081
250 'C' Line, Orangeville
Dufferin Garden Centre
www.dufferingarden.ca |
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