My first story is one about the most spectacular horticultural event in Canada ever. And chances are you have not even heard about it. The celebration is called 'Mosaiculture' and it is taking place at the Montreal Botanical Gardens until September 29th and then it is gone.

 

As of last week (when I had my guided tour of the exhibition) over 450,000 people had visited the site this summer. By the end of the event an expected one million will have seen it. Mosaiculture consists of 50 larger-than-life floral sculptures that knocked my gardening socks off. One of them is over 50 ft high - the size of a 5 story building.

 

The creators of these wonderful works of art arrived in Canada in April from 17 countries, each armed with plans for their own unique pieces. As you can see from the photos, I cannot do the quality and creativity that inspired these pieces of art justice by describing them in text. Have a good look. I urge you to visit the website.

 

Some facts:

-  Mosaiculture International is a competition that takes place every 3 years. This is the second time that it has occurred in Montreal.

-  The organizers have made the exhibition as ecologically responsible as possible.

-  There are guided tours, cultural days, planned 'talks' and presentations - go to the website for details.

-   You will not regret taking time to see this!

 

View my album of photos 

 

My goal was to expand my knowledge of the craft so that I could put my woodworking shop to better use.  For the 7 years that I have had the benefit of the space and equipment I have been futzing at making garden obelisks, rough outdoor furniture and garden gates.  All fine and good but not 'fine woodworking' and only good enough for the garden.

 

Here is a picture of my weeks' work - a coffee table and an end table made of solid black American Cherry from the Allegany plains in Pennsylvania.  Not that you need to know that but it sounds good.

 

To run your hand over the top of either piece feels good.  Like satin or patting a baby bunny.    Above all, my head is now full of the knowledge needed for me to kick the quality of my woodwork up a notch: thanks to Dick Guite, my new best friend. 

 

Who says that you can't learn in your 50's?  When time is slipping through your fingers, learn something new: challenge yourself.  With thanks to Mary, who came up with the idea of attending 'Cabinet making' college, I now understand the benefits of that statement more fully.

 

View my album of photos  

 

 

Seed and sod. If your lawn looks amazing right now skip this part. If it has some brown spots, weak areas or is tired looking, now is the best time to thicken it by overseeding with Golfgreen lawn seed (the best in the business). First spread 3 to 5 cm of Mark's Choice lawn soil over the area to be seeded, rake smooth, broadcast the seed by hand, rake again and step on it to firm the soil/seed into contact. Water well.

 

Fertilize with Golfgreen early in September with the regular formula and apply the fall formula in late October through November to winterize your lawn.

 

Prune. Cut back the flowering shrubs that bloomed in July and August. Remove spent blossoms on Butterfly Bush and Rose of Sharon to encourage more blossoms later on in the season.  Unruly evergreens can also be pruned back this time of year.

 

Harvest. My 200 tomato plants are producing like they have never before. Mind you, they ripened a little late but that was due to the cool evening temperatures. Now that they are coming along, I pick every day. I recommend that you do the same just to keep them from rotting on the vine or splitting after a heavy rain.

Harvest early ripening apples and pears.

 

Plant. As your annual flowers begin to wane, now is a good time to plant fall flowering mums, New England asters, sedum and ornamental grasses. No reason to put up with mediocre performance in your garden when you can have a show stopper. All winter-hardy nursery stock can also be planted now. I have better luck with fall planted trees, evergreens and the like than I do come spring. FYI.

 

Reward yourself. If you have kids that are heading off to school be sure to spend some time in your garden alone over the next few weeks. Take the time to enjoy the quiet and solitude. Take pictures - come mid winter you will be glad that you did! And observe the many birds that visit your garden this time of year. Note that many are 'new' as they are passing through right now on their way to their southern winter home. Enjoy.

 

Holland Bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and the like are in the stores now. I know that it feels early, but the Dutch harvest was a good one and the selection of these bulbs is best in September. I urge you to buy yours early to get the pick of the crop: by October all of the hard to find and unusual varieties are gone. Check out the new Mark's Choice bulb collections at Home Hardware. I have created a selection of deer resistant bulbs and another that 'naturalizes' in your garden [it improves with time, rather than regress as some bulbs do] and don't miss the Canadian Tulip collection.  

  

Deadhead roses. Remove the finished blossoms to encourage more.

 

Apply dormant nematodes to your lawn to control common grubs. Available at participating Home Hardware stores and many independent garden centres.

 

Wisteria. Cut back the 'whippy' growth that occurred this summer to encourage flowers next spring.

 

Raspberries.  Prune out the canes on which fruit occurred this summer (July bearing). Allow the new growth room to produce a crop next season.

 

 

Take in the parks and open green spaces in your community in September. There is a reason why this is the favourite month of the year for many Canadians. Get out there and breathe deep!

 

And keep your knees dirty,

 

Yours, as always.

 

Mark

   

My new Marks Choice knife folds to fit in your pocket or you can slide your belt through the pouch for easy access. The Mark's Choice garden knife is medical grade, high carbon stainless steel and it really holds an edge. Be careful when you remove it from the package that you don't cut yourself.  

 

Home Hardware item# 7680-131

  

 

August 7 - North American Bee Decline

August 13 - Attracting Bees to Your Gardens

August 21 - Your Mossy Lawn

August 28 - Euonymus Scale  

  

Rosa 'Sheridan's Anniversary Blush'

This perfumed, pearly-blush beauty is a bedding rose par excellence, outstanding for ease of cultivation and healthy foliage.

 

It can be grown with confidence and makes an ideal choice for anyone not experienced with roses. The perfume is fruity with citrus undertones, a delight when cut for the vase.

 

Grows 80cm (32") tall and 60cm (24") wide. Released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Sheridan Nurseries in 2013.

Hardy to zone 5. 

 

Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month prior to publication.

 

Send your info to [email protected] with the subject line 'Newsletter Event Listing'. Along with a brief description of the event, please include a website for further information.  

Date: August 30-September 2

Location: Historic Gardens, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

 

Come to the Gardens for some very special themed events in celebration of Digby's great motorcycle rally. For a unique experience, you can take your bike INTO the Gardens for a photo among the flowers. How cool is that?

 

More info.

  

Date: September 6 and 7

Location: Selkirk Recreation Complex, Selkirk, Manitoba

Conference includes educational speakers, food and entertainment, networking and tour.

$40 registration fee.

More info. 

   

Time: 2:00pm

Location: Royal Botanical Gardens Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington

A member's forum leads an open discussion on "How did your garden grow this summer? Did you have problems gardening?" Someone can help you! And don't forget to bring those roses from your garden for display.

Everyone is welcome. No entrance fee.

More information: [email protected]   

Time: 7:00pm

 

Event: When Native Plants are not the Answer

Speaker: Belinda Gallagher

Location: Knox Presbyterian Church Hall

  

Date: September 21

Location: Beausejour Daylily Gardens, 1st Street North, Beausejour, Manitoba

 

Help support the Beausejour Daylily Gardens. Large selection of surplus perennials for very reasonable prices.

More info.

  

Tree Tenders Volunteer Training: Toronto

Date: September 24

Time: 6:00-8:30pm

Location: Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E

 

Registration Required

This multi-day course is designed for individuals who want to gain tree-related knowledge and skills. Each session provides basic arboriculture training which includes a combination of indoor and outdoor instruction, and a group tree planting.

More info. 

  

Stewardship in Action Tree Tour:

Uncovering the Magic in Pomono Mills Park

Date: September 28

Time: 1-3pm

Location: Pomona Mills Park, West Entrance by 15 Church Lane, Toronto

Can urban forests help build a community? Join us as we explore the exciting community initiatives in Pomona Mills Park.

More info.  

 

Date: September 29

Time: noon to 4pm

Location: Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Ave. E.

Free Admission

More info.   

 

Time: 10am -5pm

Location: Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, AB

 

Lily bulbs - martagon, Asiatic & other varieties available.

More info.