It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – May 2017
by Angela Lassam

We have lost many trees due to storm damage and disease and we should consider replacing them. The next question is, “What do we plant?” and “What do we expect from that tree?”.

There are many attributes to trees. They provide shade to keep our homes cool in summer and protection from winds in winter. The roots absorb water to save runoff during storms. They naturally clean the air by absorbing pollutants and convert CO2 into oxygen (one acre of trees equates to 26,000 miles driving or oxygen for 18 people). Trees help erosion when the roots hold soil in place. The roots also act as filters for water before it reaches our natural streams and drinking water.

There are benefits we cannot see but are all around us daily. They tell us the seasons and weather. Trees in towns can create a focal point, a meeting place, muffle sounds, reduce glare, and will encourage new businesses by creating a more pleasant community. People seem to be happier and more serene when trees are around them. Trees can cool a city by 10 per cent and also add some humidity by evaporation.

We are fortunate to live within the Carolinian Zone and have the ability to grow deciduous trees that will thrive naturally. Backus Woods is a great example and there are many of the species to be found there. We also have local nurseries who specialize in these trees.

I have selected a few to enlarge upon:

Tulip tree – also called wild magnolia is a hardwood with large unusual shaped leaves and a cupped green/orange open flower.

Sycamore – also called Buttonball has an unusual camouflage bark and the fruit is an inch size ball. Leaves are similar to a Maple tree.

Honey Locust – an open tree with leaves that are pinnate and the fruit is a long pod. The natural tree has long thorns but trees in nurseries are grafted or hybridized to eliminate the thorns.

Eastern Cottonwood – also known as necklace poplar is a fast growing tree (can grow 6’ a year) and can be used as a windbreak and for shade. Wildlife like the twigs and bark. This tree has various uses in the cosmetic industry (ie lip balm) also good for building canoes and other wood products. It can be a bad choice for people with allergies.

There are some diseases which will decimate trees but some are only cosmetic. Most diseases are hard on the tree but it is the following fungus that will kill it.

Magnolia scale is a disease where large insects kill entire branches by feeding on the tree sap. This looks like mold but it is scale waste (honeydew). The only thing to do is to remove the limb to keep the tree airy.

Tent caterpillar is the larvae of moths and butterflies. The web acts as protection whilst they are eating. Although it is unsightly it is not a killer.

Tar spot is a fungus which is very noticeable on Maple trees but it also affects many others. It is advisable to rake and burn leaves. Do not compost them.

Asian long-horned beetle tunnels into trees making 20mm holes. Then the tree becomes weakened and gets fungal growth and ultimately dies.

The Emerald ash borer is an insect that has eradicated almost all the ash trees in Ontario. The insect feeds off the inner bark cutting the water supply. It may take up to 2 years to detect cracked bark and small holes. In the meantime the foliage will become smaller.

There has been a breakthrough in research in Canada. The Great Lakes Forestry in Sault St Marie have discovered a “made in Canada” parasitic wasp (Tetrastichus) that they are releasing in various locations. The wasp inserts its eggs through the bark onto the borer grub to kill it. It is selective and will only eat these grubs. This wasp is similar to the natural enemy wasp found in China where the borer originated. It is smaller than an ant, and will not bite or sting humans.

Some of the Canada 150 Tulips planted by Horticultural Society members at various gardens in the community.

The recent Garden Auction held by the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society was once again an outstanding success. This will allow the Society to brighten our town and allows us to do the many things that all the members enjoy. Thanks go out to all who contributed or participated to make this a tremendous day. Special thanks go to all the donors – a full list can be found on the website www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca.

Please remember to plant some wildflower seeds for the bees and butterflies. They need our help. Many Monarch butterflies died in Mexico this past winter.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on Tuesday June 6th @ 7.30pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. Nadia Cavallin, Field Botanist from the Royal Botanical Gardens will present Wild Flowers of Southwestern Ontario just in time for a more knowledgeable country walk. Non-members welcome, come and make some new friends. Membership $15 per year.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online. Also find us on Facebook – Tillsonburg Horticultural.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – April 2017
Angela Lassam

Terry’s succulent winnings

A great meeting was enjoyed by members where Matt Fenn of Garden Gate demonstrated how to do a succulent bowl for indoors although it could also be a base for a miniature garden. See photo at left.

He said there is a trend for air plants. They are known as epiphytes and have no soil generally and they are attached to host plants/branches using thread or wire (even hot glue). They feed through trichomes (hairs or prickles). The offsets are called “pups” and when 2/3 of the mother plant in size will make a new plant. They are easy, need very little care just misting. Orchids are in a similar category and he warned failure is usually too much watering – an ounce of water a week is all they need. Both like sunny locations.

Garden Gate has some new products with the usual tried and true ones. There is Stump Remover which is easy to apply and this year we have many damaged trees to cut down. Super Hunter is a new wild animal repellant. Wilson’s Weedout is a new lawn weed killer but it is available only in a limited supply. Japanese beetles are common in all our gardens and this year there is available a larger catcher bag which is re-useable. The Safers kit and accessories is available as usual at Garden Gate.

New vegetable seeds are GMO free from OSC. They have leaf lettuce which is slower to bolt, a spinach that is a hybrid also bolt resistant and disease resistant. Cumin has been added to the herb section.

The flower section has new varieties of Marigold that are dwarf, lemon and orange color. Cosmos appears as some new names. Cupcake (a white/pale pink) looks like a paper cupcake case. A pale yellow one named Xanthos and a white one called Mini Click.

A new rose has come onto the market from the Vineland Research Centre but started its life in Manitoba – the Canadian Shield Rose (vibrant red), the first of a series called 49^th Parallel.  A limited supply will be in selected nurseries. Most nurseries are already preordered and out of stock.

Perennial of the year is Echinacea Puff Vanilla which is an ivory flower with double anemone type blooms.

The Annual Plant Auction is set to take place once again in the Lions Auditorium in Tillsonburg Community Complex. There will be the usual live auction of plants, trees and garden decor at 6.30 p.m. Tuesday May 16^th. Doors will be open at 5.30 p.m. for the Toonie table, $5 table and Bake table. Also the Draw table with many donated items for you to try your luck.

I hope that members have started seeds, maybe potted up some perennials or bulbs (lilies are popular). The crafter members always do great garden décor so hopefully we will see some this time. Then the bakers usually contribute to the bake table, so anyone can help make this a great event.

Funds raised at this important event allow the society to do various ventures in town – Annandale House, Station Arts Centre, Livingstone Centre, Royal Canadian Legion, Woodingford Lodge and Seniors Centre gardens. There is also the Junior Gardeners Competition where volunteers take a large interest in encouraging the young gardeners of tomorrow.

The newest fundraiser called the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society Town-wide Commercial Urn Beautification Project has been started with advertising by both the local radio and newspaper and members have now distributed the information sheets. We hope the local businesses will come together and participate in this. It is a new venture and now we need the support necessary to make a statement throughout the town. Please everyone give this your consideration, deadline is April 20^th.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on Tuesday May 2nd @ 7.30 p.m. in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. Stephen Douglas, an expert on Hostas will tell us all about new varieties and bring some samples to be given away. There will be sign-up for the Spring Buying tour. Non-members welcome, come and make some new friends. Membership $15 per year.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online. Also find us on Facebook – Tillsonburg Horticultural.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – March 2017

by Angela Lassam

Climate change will alter the way we garden in several ways. The garden zoning will alter and we will be able to grow different plants and shrubs as our weather patterns change. Summers seem to be getting warmer and drier and our seed and nursery catalogues appear to be more orientated towards drought tolerance, sun and shade. There is also a trend towards xeriscape to get away from grass and the need for water to keep it green.

Mulches have become normal in gardening mostly on our flower beds and there are some interesting views on the different colored varieties. Dyed mulches are attractive either red or black it makes no difference as all the dyes are treated with vegetable-based colorants. They are non-toxic and non-hazardous to plants and animals. There is however a negative side to coloured mulch as it takes longer to break down into new soil and tends to compact quickly. There are reports that a compacted mulch will grow a white string-like fungus under the top layer which may attach itself to the trunk and roots of shrubs if undisturbed. It is advisable that you rake coloured mulch throughout the summer to keep it aeriated. Untreated wood chips and mulch are cheaper and less likely to cause insect infestation.

Plastic mulch sheeting is another form of moisture preservation and weed prevention. It also helps the soil to warm up quicker and allow better growth. Commercial fruit and vegetable producers use different coloured plastic sheeting and maybe some gardeners could experiment with their vegetables. Different vegetables respond to different colors.

Black sheeting is a common one and helps the soil heat up, keeps moisture in and prevents weed growth. It is also the least expensive and can be biodegradable.

Red sheeting promotes more compact growth, early flowering and productivity. Tomatoes and eggplants have been proven through experimentation to have an increase of 12 per cent production.

It appears silver sheeting is good for peppers and pumpkins where the reflection seems to prevent aphids from attacking the early growth thus creating less virus on the vines.

Other colours have been experimented with – yellow mats will attract insects where you can selectively destroy instead of spraying crops.

Blue sheeting although more expensive has been experimented with when growing melons, cucumbers and squash and has been proven to aid fruiting response from reflection. Also it gives more heat retention than the black sheeting.

All mulches and sheeting help the gardener and the environment in many ways and are worth consideration in our gardening practices but always leave space around plants to allow direct watering.

Progress has been made on the beautification of downtown Tillsonburg. After the success of the eight urn/planters on Broadway crosses of Ridout Street and Brock Street they will re-appear this year with the addition of four more bringing a total of twelve. They will be watered and maintained by the town.

There will be an additional initiative by the Horticultural Society which will hopefully involve the town businesses. This program is to encourage pride in our town with the purchase of a smaller replica of the large planter and a complete care package. This will be to celebrate the 150^th Anniversary of Canada but hopefully it will become an annual enhancement to our town during the summer.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on April 4th @ 7.30pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. The presentation this month is about what’s new for 2017. Matt Fenn from Garden Gate will be giving us an update on the gardening world. Non-members welcome. Come and make some new friends.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online. Also find us on Facebook – Tillsonburg Horticultural.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – February 2017
by Angela Lassam

This time of year we try to think of doing something beyond our normal mundane tasks. Why not try to grow some fresh food to add to our table? It is as simple as buying a packet of seed and planting them. You should find a warm sunny spot with at least six hours of strong daylight. Soilless potting mix is easily found at any nursery. We all buy prepared foods in the recyclable containers so why not put them to another use. They make perfect forcing trays keeping the moisture inside for quick germination and after remove the lid for the continued growth. Many seeds do not need a lot of soil depth to grow.

Spinach germinates well. Lettuce, the salad bowl variety is easy as it will cut and come again. Radishes are good to grow as they do not need depth and will be ready in 30 days for use. Of course we always think of herbs as we can buy these fresh all year round in the grocery store but their growth from seed does not take long to reach a useable size. Spring onions will grow but will be small but still tasty. Bean sprout seeds are more easy to find nowadays and can be grown in a jar which is interesting to watch grow especially to encourage children into future gardeners. www.wiki.com/grow-bean-sprouts-indoors .

If you are a DIY person there is an interesting project on making a heated mat using a rope light at http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/11658/diy-heat-mat-speeds-seed-starting . Then you will be ready to start your seeds that much earlier.

Another easy pastime is making small pieces for a fairy/miniature garden using model clay from a craft store also wire can make gates and fencing. Lollipop sticks are good to cut down for furniture and fences.

As the days are getting longer it is that time of year when the usual garden shows will be happening giving us the new ideas. The usual ones – Canada Blooms is in Toronto March 10-19^th theme is Oh! Canada. Ladies are among the speakers this year. Kate Seaver will be there on several days also Jennifer Reynolds, Jo-ann Mcarthur, Jessica Gale and Cathy Kosma (bees). There are bus trips arranged through Annandale House and local nurseries.

Stratford Garden Festival is also on again this year March2-4^th theme is Earthly Delights with some interesting speakers. London is no longer doing a Spring show. Hamilton is doing events in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum where there will be a Home & Garden Show with speakers March 31-April 2. It is easy to find and free parking (worth a visit).

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on March 7th @ 7.30 p.m. in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. The presentation this month will be Remembering Them from Nancy Abra of London talking about the history and horticultural aspects of the Commonwealth War Graves. An appropriate topic for this time of remembrance. Non-members welcome, come and make some new friends.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online. Also find us on Facebook – Tillsonburg Horticultural.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – January 2017
by Angela Lassam

It is winter and we cocoon ourselves in our homes and only have our houseplants to add some green to our daily life. Have you ever thought you were actually doing yourself and the family a favour? Many plants that we normally keep in our homes are natural air cleaners and are easy to purchase even in our supermarkets.

The most common plants are the Spider plant, Weeping Fig (Ficus), Boston Fern, Bamboo Palm, Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, Dracaena and similar indoor plants. Flowering plants are Chrysanthemum, Gerbera Daisy and Peace Lily. They all absorb the pollutants (VOCs – volatile organic compounds) that can be found in our homes from the outgassing of many things around us daily.

Plants absorb particles in the air by taking in carbon dioxide and process it into oxygen through photosynthesis. Also the microorganisms found in potting soil are responsible for some of the purifying. An added bonus is that plant presence is reputed to lower blood pressure and stress.

Formaldehyde is the one that we all know and can be found in most manmade wood products, furniture and even fabrics used for bedding and drapes. We only remember the banned insulation which caused health problems to many people. As a matter of interest formaldehyde is found in many other common products that we use daily but we must remember the levels to cause problems have to be above .03 ppm to be of concern. For great reading and more information http://greatist.com/connect/houseplants-that-clean-air . Also if you are interested in learning more about formaldehyde look at https://branchbasics.com/blog/2015/04/23-sources-of-formaldehyde-to-remove.

NASA studies on indoor pollution recommend 15 to 18 plants in 6 to 8-inch- diameter containers to clean the air in an average 1,800 square foot house. That is approximately one plant per 100 square feet of floor space. This may sound like a lot but a basket of a variety of these will definitely give us a healthier environment.

It does not matter whether the plants in our home come in this category as any plant growing gives us a show of life and lifts one’s spirits. Flowering plants also add colour during the winter months.

One of the most popular flowering plants in most homes is the African violet which comes in many colours and flower patterns both frilly, plain, single or double. They can be propagated from a single leaf using the recommended potting soil for African violets.

Problems arise when caring for them due to watering and fertilizing. Water should be at room temperature maybe let it sit for a while. The plant should only be watered every two weeks or when dry to touch on the top of the pot. The best way to water them is to sit in a bowl of warm water and allow it to wick up to the roots. The water may have liquid fertilizer generally recommended for African violets added to it (less is better than overdoing it). To repot the plants always use an open free draining soil and do not press out the air in the mix as the roots which are fine and hairy like the air. Lastly they need light to flower so a sunny spot is ideal. A wilting plant may have Mealy Bugs eating its roots so washing the roots and repotting in new soil may save it. More reading on www.africanvioletsforeveryone.net

I hope this will help those members who enjoy this flower and will take some photos to submit to the Horticultural Society’s photo competition in September.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on February 7th @ 7.30pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. The presentation this month will be Pruning given by Natasha Collins, a landscape architect and arborist new to Tillsonburg.

Members – just a reminder that renewals are due. Non-members $2 per meeting or sign-up at any meeting. Everyone welcome.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – December 2016
by Angela Lassam

Merry Christmas to all!  Have you ever given thought to question why we adorn our homes this time of year?

Many tree branches and other evergreens are taken inside for decoration and I wondered the reason. I thought to enlighten folk to their meaning so here are my findings.

Greenery such as cedar, ivy, holly originated as far back as Roman times and even further. They were taken inside to celebrate the Winter Solstice and depict everlasting life. As Christianity arrived holly was thought to replicate the crown of thorns and the berries were the drops of blood at the crucifixion. Ivy was used to show the need for support as it is a clinging vine. Evergreens showed continued life and the rebirth at springtime.

The Christmas tree tradition actually started in Germany in the 16^th century where the peasants believed it would keep illness and evil spirits away. It did not appear as a home decoration until 1847 when Queen Victoria encouraged by Prince Albert, a German started the tradition of a decorated tree to celebrate Christmas. This tree was decorated with many coloured ornaments (the European glass ones) and many other things. She was known for her extravagance with color and style and so it became the tree as we know today. The German settlers started the tradition in America around 1830. They decorated them with apples to represent the Garden of Eden and added nuts and popcorn and homemade cookies and candy.  The trees are usually spruce, fir or balsam.

Pointsettia Festival at Huron Ridge Acres in Zurich

The poinsettia plant has become the most popular plant at Christmas .They are usually red although there are all colors available in most nurseries (blue, cream, pale purple and white /red stripped). Some think the flower resembles a star as seen in Bethlehem and there are many other ideas suggested around the world. It is the red original color that attracted its use at Christmas time and they are the most popular plants especially as gifts that can be almost any size.

The poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) was found in Mexico in 1828 by Joel Roberts Pionsett, a botanist from South Carolina and ambassador in Mexico. He found you could grow plants from cuttings and introduced them to America and later Canada and the world. In Mexico it is sometimes considered a weed or wild shrub. It grows in deciduous tropical forests at moderate elevations and can be up to 10 feet tall.

It is not actually a flowering plant but the colored leaves (to many the flower) are called bracts. The leaves once considered poisonous have been proven to be unsafe due to the milky sap which is latex and a skin irritant. If ingested the leaves will cause diarrhea and vomiting. It is wise to keep out of reach of puppies and kittens especially.

Poinsettias in the home like a sunny location, free from drafts and cooler nights. They do not like wet feet so only water when dry to touch by setting in water then letting drain (make sure if still in plastic there are drainage holes in the bottom). Fertilize the same as any other houseplant.

The Tillsonburg Horticultural Society resumes their monthly meetings on January 3^rd  @ 7.30pm in the Seniors Centre Auditorium , Tillsonburg Community Centre. Allyson McDonald will be giving a presentation on the beautiful English gardens in Cornwall and Devon.

Members just a reminder that annual membership renewals @ $15 are due. Non-members pay $2 per meeting. Everyone welcome.

For information about the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society visit tillsonburghorticultural.ca online.