Mark's
Gardening Connections
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Things To Do
Lawn Care. As soon as you can get on the lawn without leaving the impression of your shoe sole on it, get out there and give it a gentle rake.
Take it easy - no need to tear the roots out of the ground. All that you are trying to do is to get the grass blades to stand up on end to allow the air to move through the crowns of the grass plants. This will encourage early growth and discourage snow mold as the lawn continues to dry out.
Next, apply Golfgreen lawn fertilizer. This is the only fertilizer that I use on my lawn as it has the most sophisticated form of slow release nitrogen in it of any product on the market. That means that it provides the most needed nutrient to your lawn as it needs it: as the temperatures rise and rain falls the nitrogen is released. You will get a greener lawn for a longer period of time.
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Dormant Spray
Dormant spray smothers overwintering insects and disease thereby saving you a ton of work later on in the season.
It also gives your ornamental plants a much better appearance: minimizing, for example, black spot on roses.
I also use dormant spray on fruit trees and flowering trees like crabapples.
Apply dormant spray when evening temperatures are reliably above 0 C and stay there through the night. It is important to note that dormant spray must be applied before buds open.
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Sow Veggies
As soon as the ground is dry enough to work, sow some (but not all) of your carrots, leeks, peas, onion sets and plant pre-started transplants (from your local retailer) of cabbage, broccoli, kale and all of the 'gassy' veggies.
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Project NestWatch
Sign up for Project NestWatch with Bird Studies Canada.
Project NestWatch is a program aimed at getting people across Canada involved in collecting data on nesting birds.
Data gathered through this project are used to follow the health of bird populations through long-term monitoring of nesting activity.
The data also provide valuable information on changes in the environment, as birds are good indicators of the condition of the habitat they live in.
More info.
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Contest
I'm calling this contest the 'No Patience for Impatiens' contest.
I want to know what you plan to grow this year to replace impatiens.
I'm giving away 2 copies of Miriam Goldberger's new book, Taming Wildflowers: Bringing the Beauty and Splendor of Nature's Blooms into Your Own Backyard.
"...a richly photographed tribute to the dazzling beauty and profound ecological value of Nature's "original" flowers. This is the ultimate DIY book on wildflower gardening and floral design: part wildflower/pollinator awareness, part gardening how-to, and part essential primer for designing with these breathtaking cut blooms and dried flowers (including a workshop for designing a one-of-a-kind wildflower wedding)."
I'm also giving away 5 other prizes of 4 packets of Mark's Choice garden seeds each. [$8 value]
Send your entry to [email protected].
If you're wondering "why shouldn't I grow impatiens this year?" - You can read all about it here.
I will select the winners randomly from all entries.
Deadline for entry: April 28. Winners will be announced April 29.
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Stay in Touch
You can stay in touch with my gardening tips by visiting my:
Weekly blog post - From the Garden Shed - every Wednesday
Weekly audio tip - The Green File - every Wednesday
Daily Facebook page updates
Daily Tweets
And Weekly Canada AM segments, on Wednesdays
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Submit Your Event Listings
Do you have a 'gardening' event you would like to promote, I would be happy to include your event listing in my monthly e-newsletter.
Send your info to [email protected] with the subject line 'Newsletter Event Listing'. Please provide a brief description of the event, along with a website for further information.
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Plant Paradise Country Gardens Workshops
Ontario
April 19: All About Pruning with Sid Baller
Time: 10am
Hands-on demonstrations on how to prune a variety of flowering shrubs & evergreens.
April 26: Drought Tolerant Gardening with Janet Allin
Time: 10am
Learn to create a low maintenance, drought tolerant garden.
Must pre-register for all workshops.
Location: Plant Paradise Country Gardens, 16258 Humber Station, Caledon, ON
More info.
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Low-Maintenance Gardening by Dan Cooper
Ontario
Guest Speaker: Dan Cooper, from 'Gardening from a Hammock'
Everyone welcome.
Date: April 18
Time: 7:30-9:00pm
Location: Chedoke Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, Ontario
Contact
Date: April 21
Time: 1:15-3pm
Location: Albert McCormick Arena, 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo, Ontario
Contact
Date: April 23
Time: 8:00-9:30pm
Location: Royal Canadian Legion, 105 Industrial Pkwy North, Aurora, Ontario
Contact
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Butchart Gardens
Vancouver Island, BC
Easter Bunny Hunt
Date: April 18-21
Times: 9am-5pm
Kids can pick up a handout at the admission gate. Find all the ceramic bunnies throughout the gardens, mark them on your sheet and redeem your completed map for an Easter treat at the Information Centre.
More info.
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MacLeans Home Hardware Presents
Exeter, Ontario
Latest & Greatest for your Garden with Mark Cullen
Join me at this great event.
Date: Tuesday, April 22
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm
Location: South Huron Recreation Centre
Tickets are $12 in advance at South Huron Welcome Centre, MacLeans Home Hardware and any Communities in Bloom member.
$15 at the door
More info.
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Bobcaygeon & District Horticultural Society
Ontario
Date: April 22
Location: Bobcaygeon and Surroundings
Event: Earth Day Celebrations
More info.
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North Bay Horticultural Society meeting
Ontario
Date: April 22
Time: 7pm
Location: Christ Church, 890 Vimy Street
Please join our general meeting. After our meeting and social, our guest speakers from Board's Honey Farm will speak about "The Importance of Bees in Our Gardens".
More info.
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African Violet Society of Canada
2014 Convention, Ontario
Date: April 23 -26
Location: Westlin Prince Hotel, 900 York Mills Rd. Toronto
See and purchase beautiful African violets and Gesneriads grown by experts from across Canada and the world.
Open to the public April 25: 2-5pm and April 26: 9-noon and 1-4pm
To register for the convention, visit www.avsc.ca
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Utopia Gristmill Restoration Fund
Ontario
Join me at this great event.
All proceeds go directly to the restoration of the old Mill.
Date: April 24
Time: 7pm reception
Ticket price: $20
Location: Utopia Hall, 8396 6th Line, Utopia, ON
Join us for a Bloomin' Great Evening with Mark Cullen.
Book your tickets early for this very special evening or gardening and community.
Order by calling 877-499-HALL or visit www.utopiahall.ca
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Green Living Show
Toronto, Ontario
Date: April 25-27
Location: Direct Energy Centre, Toronto
Over 400 exhibitors with thousands of products, services, food, innovation and more - all designed to help promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle year-round.
More info.
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Royal Botanical Garden Member's Mulch Day
Hamilton, Ontario
Date: April 26
Time: 8am-3pm
Members! Help yourselves to our mulch - a small donation offsets the cost of providing this opportunity. Bring your own containers, shovel or scoop and your membership card as this event is exclusive to RBG members.
More info.
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Nifty Nag Derby & Dinner
Beausejour, Manitoba
Date: April 26
Location:
300 Veterans lane, Beausejeour, Manitoba
Fun filled evening for the whole family. Advanced seating sales only.
Fundraiser for the Beausejour Daylily Gardens
More info.
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