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 10-19th 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 March2-4th 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.