More Perennials Planted and/or Potted Today

Day Lilies

Hostas

Fern

Strawberries

Raspberry Cane

Lily-of-the-Valley

Iris

On Kijiji, (where else!), Mar found Melinda, a nice gardener in St. Catharines, selling perennials for a dollar a piece, which is far less than any garden centre.
We picked up the ones pictured above and have planted or potted them around the garden.
We are not sure where anything will finally end up, so we have plants scattered here and there until we can decide where each should be placed permanently.

Yikes! Get Thee to WalMart!

Holy Smokes! Yesterday, there were tons of deals in what was left of the Garden Department at one of our local WalMarts. Seems they are clearing everything out as fast as possible to make up a Halloween Department ....
In addition to many garden hand tools for a buck a piece, we bought Ruth a bird feeder and bags and bags of red bark mulch to fill the paths we're creating throughout the garden.
Pictured above is the bird feeder we'll have to get up today and what the first bag of mulched bark looks like on the path we started on the east side of the berm.
The huge bags of red mulch bark were marked down to $2.50 from I think $6.99, so if you have an inclination to cover a football field, now is the time to do so!

Don't be Shy! Please Share!

Mar and I ... as we're sure many others would ... like to see some of your gardens out there!
Our E-mail address is at the top of the left hand margin.
Let's see (literally) the fruits of your own labours ... and flowers, and vegetables, and designs, and all your garden stuff.
Start clicking!

A Perfect Sunday Comic for our "The Lighter Side of Gardening!"

A Mighty Locust

(click on this image to maximize the immensity
of the canopy .. being underneath it is nothing
less than extraordinary!)

Today Mar and I were visiting an art show held annually on one of our town's boulevards. The residents have to be some of the most patient people on earth as thousands of art lovers and buyers cram their street from 9AM to 5:30PM.
Since we just planted four of our own locust trees we spotted this sitting in a backyard, towering over one of the homes. As luck would have it, or is it irony, not only did I recognize the resident, but she also has a business called, get this, "Garden Creations"!
Before long our search for art was on hold and we were getting a fabulous tour of their gardens, both in the front and back yards.
While in the back Mar snapped these shots of the locust, estimated to be about 120 years old.
We don't think we'll be around to see our four newly planted locusts become this large!
I'll have to go back this week and snap some images of their perennials. They were beautiful.

Our Bes Pine

We took a close up tonight of the new pine we transplanted yesterday, giving it a spot front and centre in our garden. Naturally, it was only fitting we call it Bes.
We have added a solar light so we can see it from our patio window 24/7.

In Loving Memory of Bes

(l to r) Ruffy, Scruffy and Bes

An extended member of our family, one who was frolicking all over our new garden just last week, was put to sleep yesterday, a kind act, as cancer had spread too far into her gentle being.
"Bes" was an acronym of B for Brian, E for Elizabeth, and S for Samantha, the three children who grew with Bes, from toddlers next door at our old house, to 'Sam' now in college and Brian and 'Liz' both in high school.
Bes had a great life, including innumerable sleepovers at our house as her own family were world travellers, (hey, I should work for Air Canada too!).
Almost daily, Scruffy would start to agitate at the front door ... Bes would come over by herself to play. (Scruff reciprocated this ploy too.)
She also figured out how to get into our house, first through the baby gate used to keep Ruffy, the wannabe runaway penned, then through the loosened screen we devised allowing our two free entrance into and from the back yard.
Just before we moved one night at 11PM, we mounted the steps to go to bed, and there was Bes in her favourite spot at the top of the stairs. Who knows how long she had been there! She came for a sleepover on her own!
We were especially blessed a week ago. Her family went to PEI for the week and Bes came to spend that time in our new home with us. She spent hours and hours checking out the new garden! Little did we know just how soon the end was ... that we would share the second to last week of her life. That will always be extremely special to us!
Bes, you had a great life Girl and gave our own family countless hours of joy playing with you and watching you grow with Scruff and Ruff.
Fittingly, we think, we are calling that little pine we transplanted yesterday into the centre of the garden: Bes.
It will be a constant reminder to us of one of the smartest sheep dogs we ever came to know and love.

..... from our E-mailbag : from Longueuil, Quebec ~ "For Bes and her family"

Bet you're having a great time racing through the meadows in your new home Bes, you good girl, you!
Brodie and Sue LP
(Ed note ... Brodie walks on four legs!)

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

Right Place, Right Time!

Last week our resident Kijiji Queen found a chez lounge for Ruth, (not pictured), in Hamilton being sold by a wonderful couple, Jayne and Chris.
During the course of the mandatory socilaizing done when Kijiji buyers and sellers get together for the exchanges, we mentioned we were doing our whole sloped garden in multiple flower beds, all framed in limestone.
BINGO!!! They took us around to the side of their home and said take all you want. Along the foundation, down the whole length of that side of the house, was has to be tons and tons of perfect limestone rocks, all neatly stacked! Most are quite square, (making their origin direct from a quarry a high probability), but who cares .... they turn amateur masons into instant professionals.
Pictured above is our first haul.
If you are passing through this weekend, bring a strong back or two! It's good for a glass or more of local grape!

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Fast forward to later in the day .....

The Bonsai Garden rocks have company!
We have used about one half of our latest limestone rock supply to build the next stairwell up the berm. This one leads into the pathway being cut out in front of the first locust and scallop of limestone rocks encircling it.
We also did a transplanting of the little ground pine in the left centre of the photo. It was growing on the east side of the house in a "no man's land" area, totally unseen or enjoyed. Now it has taken centre stage in the garden. Hope it survives and thrives.

The Lighter Side of Gardening!

Moe's Beautiful Gardens

Sue LP has graciously sent in these many pictures from Moe's Garden.
Maureen "Moe" Holden was the Champion of our home town of Greenfield Park, Quebec ... who would not let a half-century old travesty die, who started our drive to bring peace and grace to the many, many Victims STILL suffering from the molestation of our Town's pedophile Anglican priest, Walter Bockus.
Sadly, Moe lost the battle to cancer last year and asked that her ashes be put to rest in this garden.
We all miss you big time Moe!











Thanks for the images SueLP!

..... from our E-mailbag : From British Columbia

The Butchart Gardens

Hi Mike & Mar,
Congratulations on your garden - it is looking great and will look even better next year.
Have you ever tried taking your pictures to a garden centre or horticulture society to have identified? They will be more than happy to answer your enquiries.
Or was that a quiz question for your followers of Gardenmania?
I am sorry but I cannot answer your question.
Went to Minter Gardens in Chilliwack last week with my visiting sisters and never before saw so many varieties of just their roses alone never mind all the other plants they had their . . . lol
Monika
----------------
Hi Monika
Thanks for joining us in our garden!
We are hoping to learn all the names of the things we cannot identify through our readers ... yes, it is as much of a quiz as a learning thingie.
My own favourite public gardens are the Royal in Hamilton, Ontario, the Butchart on Vancouver Island, and the Andromeda in Barbados.
Best,
mike

Last Night's HORRIBLE Garden Experience

Poor Little Ruffy This Morning:
Still Shell-shocked and
Smelling Like a Pickle!

Last night, way after our normal too-late bedtime, (compounded by yours truly having just stood for three hours in a cold arena in fall, - not still-unpacked winter - clothes ...... watching Michael trying out for a Junior hockey team), Ruffy indicated nature was calling one more time. (Hey, I know that sentence probably broke all the rules, stroke it up to literary license. Hahaha)
Now where was I? Oh ya, it was in reality already today when I let Ruffy out the back patio door to once again, to my chagrin, probably lift a leg on one of our new prized perennials.
Already half dopey yearning a pillow I was suddenly brought back to full attention by his barking in a new-found decibel range.
Turning on the backyard light I was horrified to take in a scene that happened in a micro-second, all beyond my control, which amounted to the highest pitch I have ever screamed, "R-U-F-F-Y".
It is amazing all our new neighbours did not collectively dial 9-1-1 on their bedside table phones when this one happened.
Up there on the berm, about 30 feet, tops, from the door in which I was framing with my body in horror, he had pinned a skunk up against the planter bench, (our 2008 project), howling his head off. In that micro-second the skunk pirouetted, lifted its tail, and went into maximum defensive mode.
Last night was not calm. There were gentlle little breezes swirling in our yard delivering the net result of all this boisterous action to my nose faster than you can say, "The Toronto Maple Leafs are perennial losers".
Next, Ruffy came yelping down the berm, headed for the door which I was closing as fast as a train.
Meanwhile, Mar had amazingly put 2 and 2 together without full knowledge of the facts. Entering the family room, she saw Ruffy begging to come through the glass and the one-who-should-have-been-in-bed standing there dazed, confused and totally unsure of what to do next.
Praise the Internet! We both immediately rushed to the office to ask Father Google for advice and in seconds came up with a cocktail of vineger, baking soda, and one teaspoon of detergent, the latter supplying the ability to break through the skunk oil Ruffy was now trying to get off his face by plowing his nose and eyes through the grass next to the back door.
Let me tell you: washing a dog in a vinegar solution in the wee hours of today out on the back deck, rather than being on our fresh, puffy pillows brought the bar WAY down on this home's state of happiness.
Anyone out there wanna buy a stupid dog today? He smells like a damn pickle.
Scruffer says he's dumber than a cat!

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Responses

Dear Ruffy,
You are not alone...I too was attacked recently by one of those stinky little rascals. I was just soooo humiliated as you can see by my face in the picture....
My humans just swear by the following recipe. It really, really works and you won't smell like dill pickles afterwards!
Your friend,
Brodie

Skunk smell removal formula:
1 quart of peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tablespooons dishwashing liquid

(can double or quadruple recipe as needed for size of dog)

Mix ingredients in OPEN container, and pour on the dog. Rub into the coat and let stand for a few minutes. The odor will disappear almost immediately. Rince well.

It *really* works. It's far more effective than tomato juice, etc.
*WARNING*:
Don't try to store the solution in a closed container or make it up ahead of time. It creates a chemical reaction that only lasts a few minutes but it throws off massive quantities of oxygen so if you try to bottle it, it will explode.

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Oh ya, poor Ruffy this and poor Ruffy that!
Everyone is coo cooing that dumb pure bred cocker today. Like, has anyone stopped to think that it was I, the Scruffmeister, who had to sleep all night with that foul-smelling pickle???!!!
Scruffer

..... from our E-mailbag : From Greenfield Park, Quebec

Hi Mike,
Here are some flower pictures that I took.
I did not know that you were are gardening enthusiast. Do you find it relaxing? I am a really lazy gardener, just take the pictures of other people's gardens. Ha ha.
Best regards,
Gail
Hi Gail,
Thanks for such great shots ... you are a remarkable photographer.
Yes, I have a love for flowers. (In fact, in the mid 1970s, I purchased McKenna's Florists in Montreal.)
Keep those images coming!
Best
mike

The Lighter Side of Gardening!

Welcome Thelma ... You are a Major Inspiration

Mar and Mike took time off from their gardening this weekend because Mike's cousin Ros was visiting from Longueuil, Quebec on a whirlwind Labour Day weekend holiday in the Golden Horseshoe and a bit beyond.
Ros visited London, Oakville, Hamilton, Niagara, North York and Markham.
Now what has this got to do with our gardening site?
Mar and Mike escorted Ros on a few of her stops, including her last with Thelma, pictured above at her computer.
Thelma was very interested in our garden and so we visited Gardenmania! together, in her home, explaining our progress to date.
She wanted to retain Gardenmania!'s web site address to maintain a watch on our progress ... so when you read this Thelma ... Hi Again! ... and thanks for hosting us in your home!
Now here's the inspiration we received from Thelma.
Last year she purchased her first computer and learned how to use the internet. What is so remarkable about this? Thelma just celebrated her 95th birthday and is enjoying life to the fullest. She communicates with people all over on-line and is throughly enjoying the benefits of the virtual world.
This should be an inspiration to all of any age too anxious to try. Thelma proves you're never "too young" to get on-line!

Taking Shape ....

Here's the latest shot of our garden's southeast corner.
After a few week's of work, don't you think it is definitely taking on character?
We have moved in tons, (yes tons), of Niagara limestone which flat grey colour blends in nicely, not distracting from the flowers and greenery. Over the years we'll be bringing in tons more rock for bordering and retaining walls.
Grow plants, grow!

Happy Labour Day!

May all your expectations come
to flower and fruit and greens!

Mar and Mike and Scruff and Ruff

Sharing Our Garden with Visitors from Around the World

We noticed that today at 7:04:16 am, EST, someone from Hong Kong visited Gardenmania! That is the fifteenth country to do so. Welcome!
How could we ever explain to Gram, an amazing gardener who passed away in 1964, that people from all over the world share our flowers virtually every day? Amazing.

The Root of Mike's Gardening Bug

My Gram is pictured on the right with her sister is this undated photo taken in the early 1900s.
They were born in Bermuda, emigrated first to England, then on to Montreal, Canada, and finally to the "South Shore" of Montreal in Montreal South, (annexed to Longueuil, Quebec in 1958).
Imagine coming from the little island of Bermuda where land is so scarce, and at a premium, to the vastness of Canada!
Gram bought a home on about 1/2 an acre and dug in. As a child I remember visiting almost every summer day and playing in her vast flower beds, which always took top prizes in the St. Lambert Horticultural Society's annual judging.
I can see her bent over weeding and pruning for hours on end, but always taking time to explain the art of gardening to her young grandson, usually over high glasses of ginger ale with an added scoop of ice cream.
Thanks Gram! I'm carrying on ....

Two Cherry Tomatoes That Didn't Make it Into the House Today ... They Were YUMMY!!!!

Help! What is this Flower/Bush?

What is this beautiful flower / bush ... called?
For the most part, our new home came with lawn, but in one corner there were several different species of flowers, ground cover and bushes - most of which seem to flower.
This week this one bush came out with these two beautiful flowers. They are about two inches wide with very thin petals.
Can anyone identify them?
The leaves are almost the same shape, colour and size of apple tree leaves.
There's more to identify. We'll add those in the coming days too ...
(Wish Gram was still here ... she could always identify anything!)

Can Anyone Identify These Roses?

There are so many rose varities it is probably impossible to identify some.
We have inherited about six rose plants from the former owner.
None of them had been deadheaded at all this year, so none were in bloom.
When we arrived we pinched off all the old dead flowers and now they are just starting to show their colours!
Perhaps a rose specialist will see these picks and identify them for us.
We'll post them again when they reach full bloom.

The Berm Path has Begun!

This weekend we have started the long path from the east end of the berm, starting from the top of the stairway we built on Friday.
When it is finished, (probably when we're 90!), ending at the base of the Vegetable Garden, it will be well over 100' long.
For the most part it is solid clay mixed with lumps of ashphalt, dumped there 18 years ago when the developer built the berm and privacy wall. In fact the clay allows us to carve the path and give it character.
This two dimensional image does not show height well, (especially since it was taken from on top of a chair!), but on the right you can see part of the new stairway reaching the top of the berm and from the middle to the left, the start of the path.
This path will wind in and out of The Jefferies, (our new four locust trees), and through a garden of bushes, annuals and perennials.
There are several roses, perennials and other bushes already planted in this east end, although we have not identified them all. They had been "let go", so they've all been trimmed and look great in their "new home".
We don't know what to use on the pathway ... there are so many neat things available today ... so for now it will just be hard clay.