It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – April 2019
by Angela Lassam

It is looking great in all our gardens. The bulbs have survived the winter and are giving us our first burst of spring colour. The perennials are showing new growth, ready to display their glory in late spring and summer.

There are the usual early tasks of branch pickup, raking of leaves and fertilizing the grass. It is now that we can look at our gardens and see what we can improve upon before the mulching begins. A new homeowner can make their yard more inviting and gardeners can change up or renew their garden appearance by defining their flower beds or pathways. There are many products to choose from so here is a breakdown of a few of them.

Most flower beds can be improved by using polymer edging that can be sunk to grass level and hold the soil back from the grass. This is also good for around the base of trees if you like to mulch them. For beds that are deeper there are several options. Concrete decorative wall blocks are easy to lay and come in various shapes to form circles. Field stone will look natural and blend in well as an edge for a flower bed especially if you are trying to create a rockery. Wood used in different ways such as upright short posts placed beside each other can be decorative. For square or rectangular designs use wooden posts laid flat to create an edge. You can use wood layered up to form a raised bed for vegetables.

The same work using wood or stone can apply to making a path where you can fill in between with paving blocks, poured concrete or stone. If you desire a clean look to your pathways there are professional companies who can make edging in various textures, colours and unusual shapes. You must remember this would be permanent and needs to be considered into the landscape appearance in the future.

As a DIY project think of making some personalised stepping stones from concrete to make a path. Leaves as imprints pressed into the concrete before setting can be washed off when they are dry. Maybe grandchildren’s’ footprints or hands pressed into the top could make them personal. Shells used the same way would give the surface a grip. Glass or broken china used as a decoration could be a future talking point. You can use tin foil pans or make wooden frames as the molds. There are endless ideas and can be fun to do.

The Junior Gardeners Program has started with the registration forms available in the schools. The theme is “Planting a Rainbow Garden”. It is important that children learn where their food comes from and experience the pleasure of eating what they grow. Volunteers will judge the gardens and a Pizza Party with awards will finish the program. For further information contact Pat Zeyen phone # 519 983 2928 or email: patzeyen@gmail.com 

Coming in May the Annual Auction and Plant Sale organized by the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society has been planned for Tuesday May 21^st in the Lions Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. Doors will be open at a NEW TIME of 5:00 p.m. and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m. There will be annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs and trees. Also a Bake Sale, draws and garden decor so something for all. Refreshments available. Proceeds allow the Society to do the work necessary to make Tillsonburg beautiful for all. 

 The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday May 7th @ 7:30 p.m. in the Senior Centre Auditorium Tillsonburg Community Complex. Brenda Campbell from Cozyns Garden Gallery, Stratford will demonstrate planting a hanging basket and talk about what’s new this year. Everyone welcome. Non-members $2 per meeting or join for extra benefits. Visit us on our website at www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or Facebook Tillsonburghorticultural for up to date news.    

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – March 2019
by Angela Lassam

As the days get longer we look upon our gardens and feel we should start to tidy up. The first chore to do is to work on trees and shrubs before they show signs of growth and show their leaves.

Pruning is a question often asked as to when and what to remove. It is a learning curve but all you need to know is which trees/shrubs should be pruned in early spring and why it is beneficial.

 There is a rule of four Ds-dead, dying, diseased and damaged. This will show you what needs removing. Winter weather breaks any branches that are dead. Thin branches show up easily without the leaves. You can see the vertical ones called water spouts which on fruit trees will never carry fruit. Any crossing branches will need to be cut out. These will cause disease by rubbing and cutting out will allow the tree to breathe. Fruit trees need to be very open to produce good fruit. All lower branches need to be trimmed to avoid eye poking when going under trees or enjoying the shade in summer.

You will need to start with clean sharp tools, a pair of pruners for the small work and lopping shears for larger branches. There are extendable ones for taller work. Longer strong work gloves are helpful as cuttings will be sharp and sometimes heavy. 

Most trees need pruning while dormant so early in the year is better. All cuts should be diagonal to avoid end rot. The cut will heal quickly. New growth will look good when you have shaped the tree and opened up the centre. New branches will grow in the right direction. Fruit trees will give more fruit. The more aggressive you are the better the results.

Vines and climbers need very little attention apart from the 4 Ds. Again,  remove dead, diseased, dying and damaged parts. Silver vine, passionflower and trumpet vine flower on new wood. Mandevilla flowers on old wood and needs very little pruning. All vines need training to your desired shape and trimmed to allow air for them to breathe.

Grape vines if grown cordoned need vigorous pruning. Cut them back in early spring to the rusty brown wood as they only form clusters on new wood. Any bleeding is only water and will do no harm.  

Shrubs that flower early can in general be pruned when being deadheaded as they flower on old wood. Forsythia, Dogwood and Rhododendron are some of these shrubs. Hydrangea paniculata, rose of Sharon and buddleja are different. They set their buds on new wood. They often bloom best if they have been cut back while dormant in late winter to encourage more new wood to form.

An interesting fact about lilacs – a layer of wood ashes and preferably hardwood provide them with many minerals (copper, zinc and calcium) and trace elements that is an extra benefit for them.                                

Perennials can be improved by being cut back in the fall unless you like to see the flower heads for interest in the winter snow. They will need the centre to be cleaned out as soon as new bottom growth is seen. This is also the time to judge whether cleaning and pruning is enough or if they need to be split up to improve flowering. Remember the Horticultural Society has its annual plant auction in May and now is the time for members to pot up some plants as a contribution.

Pruning is difficult for gardeners as it appears destructive and harsh but the rewards will be seen in the summer. It seems that pruning is a constant task for the gardener who knows there is always something to be done. 

The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday 2^nd April @ 7.30 p.m. in the Senior Centre, Tillsonburg Community Centre. The speaker will be David Chapman with the topic of “Storm Chasing in Ontario” featuring a video of a super cell tornado. Everyone welcome. there is a $2 per meeting fee or join for extra benefits. For further information on the society look on Facebook tillsonburghorticultural or www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – February 2019
by Angela Lassam

This is a good time to think about how you would like your garden to look. Maybe you would like to add new beds, plan a vegetable patch or start a fruit area. You do not have to be a gardener to have a need for a relaxing space around your home. It is very easy today, with all the resources available, you just have to look for them. There are endless possibilities for new homeowners to become gardeners and teachers for the next generation.

Now is the time to visit the upcoming garden shows for the newest ideas and suppliers along with some interesting seminars. Stratford has one February 28 – March 3 and Canada Blooms in Toronto is March 8 – 17. Both are excellent for ideas and a welcome day trip this time of year. Look online for details.

If this is not possible garden catalogues are great for information on plants and garden essentials. Some of them have diagrams on various plants and their possible location in the garden. Most catalogues have collections of plants suitable for very different purposes.  It could be drought tolerant which we need for the climate change and less need for watering. A carefree perennial collection for easy maintenance is a good selection. Consider a butterfly and beneficial insect collection to encourage natural pollinators to your garden. This last collection will create interest for everyone especially children where they can watch an egg change to a caterpillar. Then it will turn into a chrysalis and a butterfly will eventually emerge. They are easy to locate on Milkweed.  

There are many reasons we would like to change our gardens. A garden should be easy to manage so we should think of the shape of beds to make grass cutting easy even changing the shape of an existing bed. When making a larger bed a shrub as a focal point utilises a large portion. Perennials can be added for easy maintenance where as annuals are a continual cost and time consuming every year. Plan to buy some fruit trees, soft fruit bushes and plants. Their blossom comes after the spring bulbs and fill in the space before the summer blooms. Strawberries are a good choice as they will quickly multiply. Then there is the pleasure of picking your own knowing that no chemicals have been added.

Hardscaping has become more popular as it reduces the grass cutting time and care. Steppables planted in the paving cracks saves weeding and are more pleasant to see. A porch can be enlarged to provide more shade and a larger space to socialise as we get older and have more free time. A pergola designed in your garden with paving stones under it is a great idea for barbecuing and family occasions and vines grown on it can provide a shaded place to enjoy your garden.

For new homeowners or those who would like to try the hobby of gardening all of these suggestions apply. You can start with a few trees, shrubs and raised beds for vegetables and soft fruit. Raised beds should be filled with a triple mix soil to get the best results. Alternately many seeds or nursery plants can be container grown. An amusing article suggested using dishpans which can be purchased easily at a dollar store for separate vegetables. I thought this would be great for children starting to garden.

The next monthly meeting of the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on March 5th @7.30 p.m. in the Senior Centre, Tillsonburg Community Centre. The speaker will be Robert Crowhurst. Topic “Bees what’s all the buzz”- a beekeeper’s perspective so come and learn all about the bees. Everyone welcome $2 per meeting or join for extra benefits. For further information on the society look on Facebook, tillsonburghorticultural or www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca.  

It’s Still Just Dirt, January 2019
by Angela Lassam

It is a difficult time of the year to get enthusiastic about gardening other than browsing the colourful catalogues. This month I have decided to do profiles of local people who use nature within their pastime. We have many of these persons in our own area and they may even be your neighbours.

I have three more people to follow my previous years’ profiles. My first one is a gentleman who is a strong advocate for the role bees play in our world. The other two are not directly associated with gardening although on talking with them I realised we all have an appreciation for nature in one way or another.

John Van Blyderveen from Holbrook owns a business named Oxford Honey. He has been involved with beekeeping since childhood, working alongside his father on the farm. He decided he wanted to share his lifetime of beekeeping and knowledge of the importance of bees today. He has been mentioned in programs on CBC, talked about by Martha Stewart, and has a Facebook page which is greatly followed. John has been involved in bee research done by the University of Guelph and has a vast knowledge of the controversy with neonicotinoids in agriculture. He has a great location where any beekeeper can source all their supplies. He also has a variety of products using the honey he produces. He sells a line of cosmetics, beeswax candles and various types of honey with his beekeeping supplies. During the summer months John has a one-hour tour on Saturday with a demonstration and question time. For more information on this check out www.oxfordhoney.ca. 

My other choices are connected to Station Arts Centre in Tillsonburg where you will find a great selection of articles for sale. You can browse their display of giftware anytime set up in the old railway station. 

Linda Hawken is an artist who retired to live in Tillsonburg. She has always been involved in arts and crafts besides being an avid amateur photographer. She enjoys the challenge of painting and has learned through various workshops how to paint great watercolours. I noticed her lifelike watercolour paintings of flowers in Tillsonburg Station Arts Centre and hope you will visit there to see them. Her work can be found in private collections in Florida, England, Hong Kong and Japan as well as Ontario.

 The third one is Joachim Knauer originally from Sweden who also lives in Hickory Hills. He is an amateur photographer who enjoys the outdoors. On retiring he started woodcarving and demonstrated at various shows. Joe has received many ribbons for his work. His talent and enthusiasm is obvious from his many wood carvings of birds and other wildlife. He has carved beavers, deer, squirrels, even acorns and sunflower seeds. To compliment his wood carving he has done some wonderful woodburning pictures from photographs taken on road trips. Some are even done in color using melted wax crayons for the colouring.

Joe has written articles for the Ontario Woodcarver magazine and has a claim to a 1^st in the Ontario Woodworking Championship 2018. He has many pieces of his creations and is proud of all of them. Some can be found in the Station Arts Centre. He has a website www.woodcarvingsbyjoe.net.

 There are many people who have extended their hobby and share their work with others mainly to supplement their materials. In the case of John Van Blyderveen his aim is to share his lifetime experience and knowledge of beekeeping.

 It is notable that we can all find pleasure in the things in nature that surrounds us and transpose it into a hobby to share with others.

The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on Tuesday, February 8^th @ 7:30 p.m. in the Senior Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. The speaker will be Hayden Dooney from Norfolk Growers Association. His presentation is on everything to do with apples. For further information look us up on the website www.tillsonburghortical.ca  and check out Facebook – tillsonburghorticultural. Everyone welcome. Join us for a meeting for $2, or become a member for only $15 per year for added benefits.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – December 2018
by Angela Lassam

It is the time of year to find a gift for a gardening friend or family member. The gift does not need to be expensive. With a little thought towards your own needs for your garden you can think of many small items. They will be greatly appreciated in the spring when all gardeners start the new gardening year. 

Many nurseries have an extensive gift section but look to the small area where you will find all the necessary things to help the gardener achieve a great looking and productive garden. This section has fertilizer, insecticidal soap, Japanese beetle kits and insect sticky hangers to catch aphids and other nuisance insects. Another section has seed starter kits, peat pucks and rooting powder (for cuttings). Bulb kits can brighten a home throughout the winter days. For the person who has many indoor plants there is indoor liquid fertilizer and plant spikes.

 Hardware stores have a selection of small hand tools. A pair of secateurs are always welcome. A weed lifter is great and often overlooked as a gift. Small items like a ball of twine, gloves, hand cream, lollipop sticks for markers and a label maker arranged in a basket is another idea.

If you are a person who likes to give a DIY gift some ideas come to my mind. A gardener’s apron with many pockets would be very useful or a bag sewn from flowery material. A miniature garden is easy to make and can be changed for the seasons. A bookmarker made from pressed flowers and a small notepad for a journal would be well received. A birdhouse or insect hotel can be made from various wooden pieces.   

Many gardeners take wonderful photos and friends and family would appreciate a gift of a selection of them. You can buy photo cubes and personalize them or make a calendar. There are digital photo frames you can prepare from your favorites which will give great memories.         

For children to do over the winter you can make up a growing kit of bean sprouts or herbs in a mason jar or plastic tray. A package using cress seeds is good so that they can make a tray and cut it to use in a sandwich. Maybe this will encourage healthy living and future gardeners. Check out www.pinterest.ca/pin/161637074108078396 for many projects.

 Many housebound people enjoy watching the birds so there are many items which are readily available. It is easy to make up a selection of seeds, suet block or bell in a decorative plant pot. A wire cage for peanuts is great this time of year. If you like to make something it is easy to make balls of food to hang using peanut butter, dried fruit and seeds. A book about identifying birds can be a good coffee table addition.

A gift which has been personally chosen is always a pleasure to receive but a visit or coffee chat means just as much to family and friends. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy prosperous New Year.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society is on Tuesday January 8^th at 7.30 p.m. in the Senior Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Centre. Robert Traut will share his vast knowledge of Bonsai. Memberships are due this month $15 per person. Non-members are welcome – $2 per meeting or join up for friendship and added benefits. More information on www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or facebook-tillsonburghorticultural.    

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – November 2018
by Angela Lassam

We are very fortunate to live in an area where apples are readily available all year. They are one of the oldest and most versatile fruit found all over the world dating as far back as Adam and Eve.

Apple trees are easy to purchase at any nursery where you will find many choices suitable for your zone. After buying your tree plant it in an open space with plenty of sun. You will need to dig a hole 4’ in diameter and 2’ deep. Return some loose soil and place the tree in spreading the roots, add some more soil over them and firm down to avoid air pockets. Fill the hole leaving the trunk above the ground to the graft – a swelling where joined to root stock. Water frequently to establish the roots. When mulch is used round the tree pull it back for the winter to prevent mice chewing the bark.

There are many varieties and they vary according to taste and best use. 

Red Delicious – thick skinned, good raw especially cubed in salads.

Jonagold – a Golden Delicious and Jonathan hybrid, best for both sweet and savoury purposes.

Honeycrisp – newer variety, 1960 US apple, very popular. Good eating apple.

Granny Smith- tart and acidic, good for baking.

Macintosh – most well known and versatile. In 1811 John McIntosh transplanted a dozen saplings found in his woodlot. Only one survived the winter but it became the foundation stock for the Macintosh of today.  

Pruning any apple trees once they have matured is essential to allow for air and light. Any branches that cross others or turn downwards need to be removed and any broken branches cut not just broken off to prevent disease. Insect oil can be applied in spring after the leaf stage but before the buds form to help prevent maggots, fruitworms and codling moth. An alternative is to use sticky hangers in the tree starting in June. A Farmers Almanac tip is to use a solution of 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup sugar and 1 quart water placed in a wide necked container and hang it in any tree to attract insects. 

When the blossom has dropped thin the cluster to one bud (apple) and leave space between each bud remaining on the tree. This will give you bigger fruit. When you harvest your apples they should be easy to remove by twisting the apple holding it in the palm of your hand. Remember to wash it before eating it unless storing it. Winter storage was done years ago by wrapping individually in paper and storing in a cool room. Commercial growers use buildings with heavy air filtration and controlled high carbon dioxide slowing the ethylene induced ripening. This gives us apples all year.

 There are numerous health benefits from an apple. It is full of vitamin C and potassium. The skin is good fibre for digestion. Apple cider vinegar is said to prevent kidney stones. Apple pulp is good for acne and can be used to help eye strain when applied. For vegans you can make a honey from 4 cups apple juice, ½ cup granulated sugar reduced by boiling to 1 cup, add 2 teasp. Lemon juice. Great to use in tea or poured on pancakes. Juice is one of the first baby drinks. For many reasons apples should be in everyone’s daily food.

 An interesting quote – “Baked apples have an excellent effect upon the whole physical system, feeding the brain as well as adding to the flesh, and keeping the blood pure; also preventing constipation and correcting a tendency to acidity, which produces rheumatism and neuralgia.” –The 1898 Old Farmer’s Almanac

The regular meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will resume in January 2019, no meeting in December. For further information check the website www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or join us on facebook  – tillsonburghorticultural.