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

Do you have unknown overnight creatures eating your new plantings like I do? I have spent many hours labouring in my flower and vegetable garden to wake up one morning and find there has been an overnight feast. Many gardeners spend a great deal of money on plants only to have them desecrated by wildlife of some form. I have searched to find a simple, environmental and economic way to stop this from continuing. I thought that my answers to this would maybe help some of the many gardening enthusiasts, hence the following:

Rabbits which are my particular problem at this time will eat any new sprouts of most plants overnight. They do not like any plant that has a strong odor so it is advisable to incorporate herbs such as garlic, chives, oregano and lavender throughout your garden. Annuals that are strong smelling look nice and act as a deterrent like Marigold.

Sprays are available at most nurseries but can prove expensive so after some research I found some suggestions which I am going to try using. Ammonia sprayed around beds leaves a strong smell. There is a mixture of hot red pepper, garlic and dish soap which can be mixed and sprayed on plants but needs to be repeated often. If all fails and your “bunnies” are like mine you will have to put a low netting up to keep them out.

Deer will eat Hostas in an unfenced garden so the same mixes will work for them according to most of my research. Chipmunks and squirrels like to eat strawberries and small tomatoes and raccoons will raid your mature corn overnight.

Other wildlife may be munching on your garden but most do not like strong smells or bitter plants. Skunks will dig small holes in your lawn for food, primarily for the grubs which we try to eliminate. Toads will keep many insects under control. Therefore wildlife is not all bad and makes for an interesting outlook but also a challenge for gardeners.

There are many plants that are resistant to rabbits and deer. An interesting list can be found at http://www.gertens.com/learn/Animals/deer-rabbit-resistant-plants.htm.

Many thanks to all the businesses who have purchased the urn/planters under the recent venture for the 150^th Anniversary and we hope to continue in the future to see more participation to improve the appearance of our town, especially to visitors.

The large planters of which there were eight last year are back with the addition of more so please take the time to admire them.

During the summer recess there are two planned events for everyone to enjoy. The first one is a Garden Tour named “Beyond the Garden Gate” – a tour in conjunction with the Station Arts Centre on July 8^th  from 12:30 – 4 pm featuring five gardens with three artists, Annandale House (discount to view the museum) , Tillsonburg Garden Gate where there is a 10% discount on purchases for ticket holders and Station Arts Centre where you can view an exhibit ”True North-Strong & Free” and 150 posters along with refreshments. Tickets available @ Station Arts Centre, at the gardens on the tour and Tillsonburg Garden Gate – $10 advance $12 at the gardens on the tour.

The other event will be on August 8^th at Whistling Gardens in Wilsonville, a unique and very interesting venue. There will be a barbecue and entertainment – the Gentleman of Harmony from Simcoe plus a 150^th Anniversary cake. Also it is the 35^th Anniversary of the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society. Cost is $30 (including admission to the Gardens). For more information contact Barb Hunter @ barb.hunter@live.com.

Both events are open to anyone. If you are looking for ideas for your garden these events will certainly be of interest and a great encouragement to start gardening and maybe become a member of the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society. Hope to see you at both as it should be a great time for all.

Regular monthly meetings resume Tuesday Sept. 5th in the Seniors Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. To keep up to date look at the website www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or join us on Facebook – Tillsonburghorticultural.

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.