tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705613474550207382024-02-19T11:51:56.451-05:00Gardening BouquetNotes from the garden...Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-86873845030953950472015-03-22T23:50:00.000-04:002015-03-22T23:53:36.177-04:00Officially Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The official first day of Spring has come and gone, but the weather seems to be still hovering around zero. Despite the winter-like temperature we're still getting, I'm definitely enjoying the longer day and warmth of the sun! </div>
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Here's the first sign of Spring in our house - cat grass! Lucky cat, she's the first one that gets to enjoy this season's veggies. :) </div>
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Seed starting (in take out boxes) are coming along. The cucumber seeds are already sprouting (with green leaves) and the tomato seeds are just starting to sprout. Seedling transfer probably just a few days away!</div>
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~ Rebecca</div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-12933877298425632992015-03-15T02:09:00.001-04:002015-03-15T02:09:31.341-04:002015 Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week we finally got some above zero temperatures and the large amount of snow accumulated is finally starting to melt. We've had one of the most consistently cold Winters (especially February) this year and everything have been frozen solid till now. </div>
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Although the start of Spring is still one week away, I've been having a serious case of Spring fever the last few days. I started the first batch of seeds with the "take out box and wet paper towel" method. These are the seeds that requires the earliest start because it takes a while for the seedlings to grow - various tomatoes, bell peppers, and eggplants. I'm hoping that by starting the seeds early this year I will have stronger plants and hopefully a higher fruit yield. </div>
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Along with that I've started some seeds for cilantro and dill. Hopefully they will get going soon and give us some delicious herbs to use early Summer. This year I'm also going to start some seeds outdoors directly (such as beans, peas, and lettuces) as soon as the soil is warm enough to work. </div>
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Next step is to plan out this year's vegetable garden design!<br /><br />~ Rebecca </div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-59789161199928335772014-10-21T01:32:00.000-04:002015-03-15T01:35:17.886-04:00Bye Bye Summer! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Summer's coming to a close, This little guy (we have named it Dennis the menace) has been quite a hand full this summer and I really don't know how to further squirrel proof other than putting the entire house under one big cage!</div>
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Meanwhile, time to clean up the yard and start planning for next season! </div>
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~ Rebecca </div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-18736200687426426562014-09-06T23:00:00.000-04:002015-03-15T01:35:29.337-04:00End of Summer Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once again, I've been behind with my posting. Here are a few pictures of the beautiful vegetables we've been enjoying so far.... </div>
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This summer the vegetable yield was definitely more about variety versus quantity. On top of that, I've had to pick some of the vegetables such as cucumbers before they're grown to full size just so the squirrels don't get to them (we have a squirrel problem here...) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysnYeVEQ8iJ5VZyJ_YHu5XUmg0RYWLxWuSTUa5_N1iXaup8NVihH6AnrjBpz6v03WO1KxY5WKD5DlV48mbGtBQPZD_48ZLlJPMkOl_cDJr4WKF_0gyu8Ge7-lejeOy-YPWBPLHrAn7xo/s1600/2014-08-23+12.57.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysnYeVEQ8iJ5VZyJ_YHu5XUmg0RYWLxWuSTUa5_N1iXaup8NVihH6AnrjBpz6v03WO1KxY5WKD5DlV48mbGtBQPZD_48ZLlJPMkOl_cDJr4WKF_0gyu8Ge7-lejeOy-YPWBPLHrAn7xo/s1600/2014-08-23+12.57.57.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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On of the most fantastic vegetables are the Candy-cane beets and purple radishes. They are both gorgeous to look at and incredibly delicious. The only thing is they take almost all summer to grow for a single yield and they do take up quite a bit of room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf45GOSsggeZbvl_HkwT7iaim6df6Sghs9bjCDANnIIGVGiu5voqC91SHKXPAyTqXLtRCl3Iahuegnm3hwwEn1H1gQiDfR1NRVq-E3RmkNnyeinJDOnC50bVMj2L-0OxMiszs1BHzGa6c/s1600/2014-09-01+13.14.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf45GOSsggeZbvl_HkwT7iaim6df6Sghs9bjCDANnIIGVGiu5voqC91SHKXPAyTqXLtRCl3Iahuegnm3hwwEn1H1gQiDfR1NRVq-E3RmkNnyeinJDOnC50bVMj2L-0OxMiszs1BHzGa6c/s1600/2014-09-01+13.14.34.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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I also had a variety of tomatoes going this summer. Here in the photo we have cherry tomatoes, Caspian Pink tomato, and the Big Rainbow tomatoes were the tastiest tomato, incredibly sweet and "tomato" tasty - you can just slice them up and eat them as is. For sure will be planing lots of those next year! </div>
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~ Rebecca</div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-73429250264956970952014-07-01T22:30:00.000-04:002015-03-15T01:17:37.610-04:00Mid-Summer Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rDlXmzNk56Tt_DOm5h7A5LGZA9rLWov-Xwe6BV-oyp_KSm4BAvpNRqKbqSuzetS_7GorcZ2xfyQxdwv4lIJD4PsV4auYQJN5hEnXEpMW7pv3MlcedmpZ38EdTXuim_mANTYzVkFK0lA/s1600/2014-06-29+18.53.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rDlXmzNk56Tt_DOm5h7A5LGZA9rLWov-Xwe6BV-oyp_KSm4BAvpNRqKbqSuzetS_7GorcZ2xfyQxdwv4lIJD4PsV4auYQJN5hEnXEpMW7pv3MlcedmpZ38EdTXuim_mANTYzVkFK0lA/s1600/2014-06-29+18.53.07.jpg" height="400" width="327" /></a></div>
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I've been very behind with this Summer's posting. Partly because I am going through some transitional stuff so things are quite hectic. The garden has been coming along great,both the perennials and the vegetables. This is one of my favorite part of being a gardener - enjoying dinner on a beautiful summer evening like this! Stay tuned for more updates later on in the summer! </div>
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~ Rebecca </div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-32485994660954036492014-06-01T23:49:00.001-04:002014-06-01T23:50:22.056-04:00Red Lily Leaf Beetle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I noticed a bright red insect on the leaf of the Tiger Lily plant. At first I thought, wow, cool little bug with the most vibrant red colour, looks beautiful against the bright green lily leaves. Little did I know this is a dangerous littler bugger that can end up destroying your whole crop of lilies!</div>
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I started getting concern after seeing this insect on the tiger lily again a few days later, and then again the next day. It made me wonder if this bug is specific to this type of plant. With a quick Google research and voila, found out this is the Red Lily Leaf Beetle. You can read about it <a href="http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/neweng/2002040522017914.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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Need to keep an eye out for them the next few days and hopefully catch a few of them before they get a chance to eat all the leafs and flower buds!</div>
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~ Rebecca</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-24886072020569481932014-05-23T22:53:00.000-04:002014-06-01T23:50:47.663-04:00May Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's finally starting to feel like Spring!!! The flowering bulbs are in full bloom and perennials and the perennials are coming out of the ground. Here's a round-up of what I've seen so far in the front garden: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4xmog7fBtyzYoT2yclJc9rCXKEskzQzjSmMp9CueIXjobUvJcA7NjCm6CfcXfhj4HTX8QH_R6HaKARKPA_bAb6snyJB6mpFBYzSZXkMNBdR3hgPQxGHxQExwtcRO0sxMPFfC_MzHkTc/s1600/May+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4xmog7fBtyzYoT2yclJc9rCXKEskzQzjSmMp9CueIXjobUvJcA7NjCm6CfcXfhj4HTX8QH_R6HaKARKPA_bAb6snyJB6mpFBYzSZXkMNBdR3hgPQxGHxQExwtcRO0sxMPFfC_MzHkTc/s1600/May+Update.jpg" height="441" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Starting from top left corner, across to right, and down)<br />
<b>1. Crocus</b> "Orange Monarch", <b>2. Hyacinth</b> "Oriental Mix", <b>3. Hyacinth</b> "Oriental Mix" , <b>4. Nasturtium</b> "Alaska Mix" , <b>5. Narcissus</b> "Kedron" , <b>6. Muscari</b> "Armeniacum" , <b>7. Tulip</b> "Yokohama" , <b>8. Tulip</b> "Orange", <b>9. Narcissus</b> "Texas" , <b>10. Violets</b>, <b>11.Daffodil</b> "Sir Winston Churchill" , <b>12. Lamium</b> "Herman's Pride", <b>13. Silvermound</b>, <b>14. Phlox</b> "Emerald Blue", <b>15. Tulip</b> "Rajka".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RCMlSkzWe2R1zRPnm5kvY4PiRzdBm_2Cf7nYrC070VyuG8jt_cWCaMT8kZIA9i2K2XP2vviAuEzkmHpvjamKkISll5nnNwj_r1TA_usRx1YuO_OVVHQ1O7tkxVcQWaZYr8OAmRyTnE8/s1600/2014-03-15+18.35.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RCMlSkzWe2R1zRPnm5kvY4PiRzdBm_2Cf7nYrC070VyuG8jt_cWCaMT8kZIA9i2K2XP2vviAuEzkmHpvjamKkISll5nnNwj_r1TA_usRx1YuO_OVVHQ1O7tkxVcQWaZYr8OAmRyTnE8/s1600/2014-03-15+18.35.36.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a></div>
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One group of bulbs that did not come up are the "Libretto" Parrot tulips I planted in the Fall. These were supposed to be tall, glorious, beautiful pink tulips so I'm a bit disappointed that they didn't come up. Not sure if it was just a bad batch of bulbs or if the squirrels found them before it had a chance to grow. </div>
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Otherwise, most of the plants in the garden survived the harsh winter we had this year. One of the English lavender is a bit roughed up from the cold weather but I noticed that it's still alive (a few tiny green leaves) so there's still a chance to nurse it back to life. </div>
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Next, it's time to tend to the vegetable gardens - divide, re-pot, transplant, etc etc. Updates coming soon!</div>
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~ Rebecca </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-36671821854859847212014-04-30T23:43:00.004-04:002014-04-30T23:44:15.873-04:00Bye Bye April!It's the last day of April and it's still so darn cold out. This year we had a Winter that just won't go away, and now a Spring that feels like it hasn't actually arrived. So far we've only had one slightly milder weekend, just enough for me to spend the weekend cleaning the yard up and began to get the soil in the planters ready for seed sowing. <br />
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The Spring bulbs are starting to peak out of the ground and so far only these red tulips have bloomed. I thought the Crocuses would come out first but I barely see any of them... maybe the squirrels ate them? I'm guessing in another two weeks or so, more of the bulbs will start to bloom... can't wait!<br />
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This year I decided to direct sow a bunch of cool weather vegetable seeds outside right into the planter. I realized that I actually don't have enough space indoors to start seedlings for things like lettuce and radish. Plus, I find the indoor-start lettuce and radish seedlings be on the weak/lanky side (due to the lack of daylight) so it'll be interesting to see if the direct sow method will yield better and strong crop. <br />
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With that in mind, this season I've focused most of my indoor seed starting energy to things like tomatoes (4 kinds!), herbs, snow peas, and cucumbers (and that's cat grass you see there in the center). I probably will have to transplant some of the seedlings to bigger planters soon to encourage more growth. <br />
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Meanwhile, patience, patience, patience......<br />
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And let's see in 20 days if the first batch of "4 seasons lettuce" I directly sowed outside will be ready for harvest or not :)<br />
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~ Rebecca </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-13097510911119181612014-03-20T23:38:00.000-04:002014-03-21T00:09:02.787-04:00First day of SpringIt's officially the first day of Spring, but it's far from feeling like Spring. We did have a few days of "warm up", and by warm up I mean just barely above zero. Because it's been so cold for so long this Winter, even a degree of two above freezing actually feels "warm" in comparison. I think we may have reached 4-degree Celsius yesterday and I was walking around without gloves and a winter hat!<br />
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Seedlings are coming along - more than half of the seeds have sprouted and I have transferred them to small containers of dirt. Due to space constraints, I ended up putting two seedlings per pot, so when they get bigger in a month or so I will probably have to do another split and transfer. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsenL7JXeQqu2BUZIsFYdD-pyrivciMFUUKsft_HWpiEq2_pKI6gXcJjkXvjRYfZJztZcZzVmLUeeInCJ21yt6NENJrGZs6AL2o9j_8koCalovmJh3i1rZpnMd_x3dEYQsrlzXy5cpM-I/s1600/2014-03-16+16.24.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsenL7JXeQqu2BUZIsFYdD-pyrivciMFUUKsft_HWpiEq2_pKI6gXcJjkXvjRYfZJztZcZzVmLUeeInCJ21yt6NENJrGZs6AL2o9j_8koCalovmJh3i1rZpnMd_x3dEYQsrlzXy5cpM-I/s1600/2014-03-16+16.24.22.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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The square planters I saved up from the annuals I bought last year actually comes in quite handy and they line up nicely in the cardboard box. In the photo above, we have several kinds of tomatoes, along with some curly parsley and cilantro. <br />
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Last night I transferred a few more tomato seedlings to the circular pots. Because we only have one South-facing window, I'm need to maximize the seedling placements as much as I can. Here I'm trying out two-tiered placement (essentially taken over a good corner and door of our kitchen), hopefully the plants will like it. I still have a few more seedlings to go (golden bell pepper and eggplants, those seeds takes soooo long to sprout!) so I'm going to have to work my magic and find a few more places to put those!</div>
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Happy Spring! </div>
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~ Rebecca</div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-14143146284228126392014-03-02T22:39:00.001-05:002014-03-21T00:09:12.747-04:00March<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">It's March and we are still in the midst of the deep freeze here in Toronto. Snow, snow, and more snow. I was reading through some of my old blog <a href="http://gardeningbouquet.blogspot.ca/2012/02/spring-is-in-air.html" target="_blank">post </a>from 2012 we were already seeing movements in yard with Spring bulbs and shoots peaking out of the ground by this time already (that was a rare/unusually mild Spring though). </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Seed starting began for me almost two weeks ago and the Cayenne pepper is beginning to sprout. Added some eggplant seeds as well. </span></div>
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This weekend is time to start the tomato seeds. This year I am going to plant 5 types of tomatoes. Technically I only need one seedling of each, but I always plant a few extras because there's always some seeds that don't start or the seedling doesn't survive. And if I end up with more healthy seedlings than I can handle, my family and friends certainly doesn't mind :) </div>
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~ Rebecca</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-60796394735622606272014-02-14T23:30:00.000-05:002014-06-01T23:57:06.792-04:00Seed starting has begun! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMhwuVcBeKujmxQfN57jqqOeT5FWLtqEVflXZJuk_Dgcq7VK-bsSr3ztdSP-gTaEVUnaHqyBlFeSRsOzekPCNTpR_Uk0N6lBVqAO1Rdp9v9xyYrHbdDeiCuo-aOLtTlkSUpedBEeZlgs/s1600/February+15,+2014+122741+AM+EST+-+Copy-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMhwuVcBeKujmxQfN57jqqOeT5FWLtqEVflXZJuk_Dgcq7VK-bsSr3ztdSP-gTaEVUnaHqyBlFeSRsOzekPCNTpR_Uk0N6lBVqAO1Rdp9v9xyYrHbdDeiCuo-aOLtTlkSUpedBEeZlgs/s1600/February+15,+2014+122741+AM+EST+-+Copy-001.jpg" height="400" width="245" /></a></div>
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Happy Valentine's Day! And seed starting has begun! </div>
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I might be jumping the gun with the seeds this year, but with this long cold Winter that just won't east up, I really needed to have some sense that Spring will (eventually) come by doing something gardening related. And thus seed starting is the closest thing I can get to at this point.</div>
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According to the gardening book I read recently, peppers are the first on the list. Here we have yellow bell pepper and cayenne pepper. I haven't had a very good harvest with yellow bell peppers in the past few seasons and I think one of the main reasons is that I start the seeds too late. And since our planting season is so short here in Toronto, the late starter pepper plant doesn't have enough time to fully develop and pump out a good crop of peppers. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that by starting these indoor a good month and a half earlier than I usually do, I will get a decent size plant by the time it's warm enough to transfer the plants outdoors. </div>
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Keep your fingers crossed for me! :)</div>
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~ Rebecca</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-53082808999761127632014-02-04T00:43:00.003-05:002014-06-01T23:56:58.883-04:00Preparation<br />
Time to get planning! After reading a few excellent gardening books by <a href="http://www.gaylatrail.com/" target="_blank">Gayla Trail</a> and learning about some excellent gardening hints and tips, I'm all ready to think gardening! First, let's do some organizing....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu55zjrCrJd51MOQPKDXTHv2RcBOPJzfWJf1QeINzJss5RIQ8YzA2hYF7c4nGtVP94EhnKOKkAM2-txbJAhaGrWKLgybaP8Ej9AaQF5aXFPoqZ3c_1dEybB4DDdAF6DYmIxjboPlrA3c/s1600/2014-02-04+00.16.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu55zjrCrJd51MOQPKDXTHv2RcBOPJzfWJf1QeINzJss5RIQ8YzA2hYF7c4nGtVP94EhnKOKkAM2-txbJAhaGrWKLgybaP8Ej9AaQF5aXFPoqZ3c_1dEybB4DDdAF6DYmIxjboPlrA3c/s1600/2014-02-04+00.16.41.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the slightly disappointing planting season last year (not entirely my fault - the weather really did not cooperate), this time around I'm going to start specific seeds as early as possible - in this case it's peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes. I've started my seed starting and planting chart (above) to get myself organized, but also to review my seed inventory and figure out what seeds I need to replenish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDgNiZNVKB8gn3RyFsvphqjPPMWEmvjPnwB_eIAh88sg8XolBO-G9_RrmAmjhsewVYVLkGHSmh7rBnbnWLkKdMERKqiQevCqcqgQLCDnFYa8QVPw5pXvsC3jwNzlsf3_yoFKT3A_DDQ0/s1600/2014-02-04+00.29.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDgNiZNVKB8gn3RyFsvphqjPPMWEmvjPnwB_eIAh88sg8XolBO-G9_RrmAmjhsewVYVLkGHSmh7rBnbnWLkKdMERKqiQevCqcqgQLCDnFYa8QVPw5pXvsC3jwNzlsf3_yoFKT3A_DDQ0/s1600/2014-02-04+00.29.31.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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Speaking of seeds, do other gardeners have the same problems of buying / collecting too many seeds? It takes me a few seasons to fully finish using a packet of seeds, but every year I still have the urge to buy more (seed hoarder?). I buy almost all my seeds from <a href="http://www.uharvest.ca/" target="_blank">Urban Harvest</a> - they carry heirloom and organic seeds with varieties that are tried and tested for planting in our climate zones (on top of that it's a good way to support local businesses). <br />
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Summary for today:<br />
- seed planting schedule: check<br />
- buy new seeds - done. <br />
- collect and clean planting vessels (this weekend)....<br />
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Almost there! :)<br />
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~ Rebecca</div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-76885277199961035332013-12-21T20:49:00.001-05:002014-01-25T22:36:43.199-05:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET_7uN96U9ysldzAAT7cmkeX2D9WGtN0AXNBp1FCSRbW9FW9z7xPWgbAEylpINYsFGXBEi1cZ1tV9rpKyJ-huK9l7gAOZcLbcQWpOIANpfjHY9wBOALczrN_8Qc9M5K5JwWT4fsckJMc/s1600/2013-12-14+14.48.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhET_7uN96U9ysldzAAT7cmkeX2D9WGtN0AXNBp1FCSRbW9FW9z7xPWgbAEylpINYsFGXBEi1cZ1tV9rpKyJ-huK9l7gAOZcLbcQWpOIANpfjHY9wBOALczrN_8Qc9M5K5JwWT4fsckJMc/s400/2013-12-14+14.48.03.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
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Today is winter solstice, the first day of Winter and the shortest day of the year. From here on, the days are going to start getting longer again, which means in a few months it'll be time to get planting again! Time to research and brain storm about next season's gardening ideas.... :) Meanwhile, </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>have a wonderful holiday and happy new year! </i></span></div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-5764863729905370972013-11-03T20:30:00.000-05:002014-01-25T21:54:30.519-05:00Root vegetables<div style="text-align: center;">
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The root vegetables in my garden were the big winners this year - in particular the <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/ingredient-spotlight-chioggia-109155" target="_blank">Chioggia beets</a>. I enjoyed them quite a bit last year so this year I decided to plant a lot of more of them. As usual, the Chioggia beets will grow in a variety of colours - candy stripe , red, or just pure white. This year, we got mostly candy-striped and one white ones. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J0WpMuZ3gvbt7-jYLbltjQraAnBpdcK7ZuZuFgZChXK-Im9b3aj5-k5p9Mb5PZsAnYFPsJzFqAXRIiVOBuWSraYaaDK8H2bbI0OvtY43n3WDiKoo70YVH6lndsBGSe9t67kkfSVTuyU/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1J0WpMuZ3gvbt7-jYLbltjQraAnBpdcK7ZuZuFgZChXK-Im9b3aj5-k5p9Mb5PZsAnYFPsJzFqAXRIiVOBuWSraYaaDK8H2bbI0OvtY43n3WDiKoo70YVH6lndsBGSe9t67kkfSVTuyU/s320/IMG_2198.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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They not only taste delicious, but they are also beautiful to look at. Look at that colour!! </div>
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I found a recipe from the New York Times for Chioggia beets, quinoa, and walnut salad: </div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/health/spinach-salad-with-red-and-chioggia-beets-quinoa-and-walnuts.html?_r=0">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/health/spinach-salad-with-red-and-chioggia-beets-quinoa-and-walnuts.html?_r=0</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PAD-W0k9bNDCIS3H0XnESK7zXsGyV5bfD-GIe-lV8Qjwi889LlnwHCr22nFQwpkjJM1NGAT9QpuGHuWmEaKJFRop_eKl4EVs45UP9fHkfdWRvIeh8gOtCtSuxPaTKLQm1AaMsCosJ5U/s1600/2013-11-02+14.42.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PAD-W0k9bNDCIS3H0XnESK7zXsGyV5bfD-GIe-lV8Qjwi889LlnwHCr22nFQwpkjJM1NGAT9QpuGHuWmEaKJFRop_eKl4EVs45UP9fHkfdWRvIeh8gOtCtSuxPaTKLQm1AaMsCosJ5U/s320/2013-11-02+14.42.08.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1tv0h-6H9rn534B5snPwzAaGFMbmEj5rqccj-3nTXBN1QITGM_IA5sdk0aLvaT9mdfbapllYHD9kzoOgkeki_Ja8h3frh2lbvjMljxRZmW0nfc91RuA6qb4-19bq4ME5tfa5mIqkHn4/s1600/2013-09-06+18.19.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1tv0h-6H9rn534B5snPwzAaGFMbmEj5rqccj-3nTXBN1QITGM_IA5sdk0aLvaT9mdfbapllYHD9kzoOgkeki_Ja8h3frh2lbvjMljxRZmW0nfc91RuA6qb4-19bq4ME5tfa5mIqkHn4/s320/2013-09-06+18.19.38.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The beets were so successful that they grew well into November. Here are the last few from the end of the season harvest. I boiled them quickly and fried it up with some butter - they were delicious! </div>
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This year I also planted two variety of carrots - Solar Yellow carrots and French carrots. The French carrots had this very cute, round shape root. However, I find carrot growing to be a bit less satisfying (compared to beets) because they take almost the entire season to grow and the final edible portion is quite small (again, at least compared to beets). Still, they were incredibly delicious so I was still glad to have planted them. </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-86647074379223864122013-10-04T22:00:00.000-04:002013-12-21T21:04:56.946-05:00Pesto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every year I regret not planting enough basil, so this year I went to the extreme and literally planted basil everywhere (where ever I could fit them) in the vegetable planters. Most of them were planted near the tomato plants, apparently basils are great companion plants for tomato plants as it's supposed to enrich the flavours of the tomatoes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrWH5R0Fz-_Ah_eIoDZnUmFyaQPcm0T8IMKW4iT5ExACgsTgjRUuFTP915UhIG_e5pQc3tmhggnFECz5LRg3q_Zx8EG_6lveqQlNi5lu3AsT1ZAnZlSFdT_Zu31Fq1z97zVJsUvZc0e8/s1600/2013-09-28+16.55.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrWH5R0Fz-_Ah_eIoDZnUmFyaQPcm0T8IMKW4iT5ExACgsTgjRUuFTP915UhIG_e5pQc3tmhggnFECz5LRg3q_Zx8EG_6lveqQlNi5lu3AsT1ZAnZlSFdT_Zu31Fq1z97zVJsUvZc0e8/s320/2013-09-28+16.55.27.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3sVZ28byzniPyQ_K0zxhyphenhyphenXDgH2dF_8fmARDyIzbZG_4GBG0GZe8eRgfPPhyphenhyphenXZhlVu-LAElam9d1rbTg8Pi40l7yj5cUlPwX9GHxnrx_LvIwiPpFBEffjkrgwQjICjTfePPNFIqkZkzc/s1600/2013-09-29+22.44.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3sVZ28byzniPyQ_K0zxhyphenhyphenXDgH2dF_8fmARDyIzbZG_4GBG0GZe8eRgfPPhyphenhyphenXZhlVu-LAElam9d1rbTg8Pi40l7yj5cUlPwX9GHxnrx_LvIwiPpFBEffjkrgwQjICjTfePPNFIqkZkzc/s320/2013-09-29+22.44.21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was quite pleased with the amount of basil I got to harvest throughout the season. Fresh herbs are just so wonderful and handy to have around - a little bit over here on the pasta, a little bit over there for sauce, and some just to garnish the plate. All together we had plenty of basil share with friends and family this time around, even enough to make a batch of pesto at the end of the season ;) </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-6721651015609777632013-09-27T21:30:00.000-04:002013-12-21T21:05:19.389-05:00Hydrangeas in the Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0hxXvTSnKQwdLglD-X48wxcuxvvRsLVZAGCjpZSTjSoL_Oivmc8ok3V9gGuyiOkSadbF13Jl3cx0gUY4I5mDcH2oAMe5h6ikiyUl5pfKXySOB79qqMarLG8G7OazUNKGFkt4JOE2Lr8/s1600/2013-09-26+18.19.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0hxXvTSnKQwdLglD-X48wxcuxvvRsLVZAGCjpZSTjSoL_Oivmc8ok3V9gGuyiOkSadbF13Jl3cx0gUY4I5mDcH2oAMe5h6ikiyUl5pfKXySOB79qqMarLG8G7OazUNKGFkt4JOE2Lr8/s400/2013-09-26+18.19.26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I know the Fall is coming when the hydrangeas begin to turn pink. These Limelight PG hydrangeas take on a beautiful rosy/blush colour in the late summer / early Fall. It's quite a spectacular plant as the flower clusters grows to quite large size - you can see it from a mile a way (well, not exactly a mile, but far enough). This is probably the plant I get the most compliments on consistently on a yearly basis (and it requires the least amount of work - all I do is trim the branches in the Spring!)</div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-77538047180622971582013-09-14T12:30:00.000-04:002013-12-21T21:03:29.480-05:00Tomatoes this year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This has not been the best summer for my tomato plants. This year, I planted two variety of tomatoes - Caspian Pink tomatoes and Big Rainbow tomatoes. I decided to try planting larger tomatoes rather than Cherry tomatoes like last year to give it a try. I had a late start with starting the tomato seeds this year, so the seedlings were small to begin with at the beginning of summer. The cool and wet summer weather we've been having didn't help either. I took the plants till early August to form fruits. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe95hneaHIOm6Znv8A9MVxEt1dNZyQW0tMIR4YadI2TvgfeqffFuQFJLHOnNVC3ucggNJ5us31qRTN1NTU0HTXXYnU0l30YSYkRSy26t4iyAf_mBVOoLTxjgO1-T8kJ31D9Zm08Ix5Vs/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVe95hneaHIOm6Znv8A9MVxEt1dNZyQW0tMIR4YadI2TvgfeqffFuQFJLHOnNVC3ucggNJ5us31qRTN1NTU0HTXXYnU0l30YSYkRSy26t4iyAf_mBVOoLTxjgO1-T8kJ31D9Zm08Ix5Vs/s400/IMG_2160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The tomatoes actually stayed green for a very long time, almost one month. I think it was almost the beginning of September when the first tomato turned orange/red. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-FkylJWrEXdFqb4n6ziGRRRNQSayFSJcfsgbm6VqvGjXnQsOPVpvj40tO-PbDjqEvKlBpZLW6ZDIEpkiZ8yGRmF9JYUlY3AfFjBX7B1_5p-OlMNWmoXHYSrQsrU3dqO5T7_3J6nAuw4/s1600/2013-09-13+14.54.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-FkylJWrEXdFqb4n6ziGRRRNQSayFSJcfsgbm6VqvGjXnQsOPVpvj40tO-PbDjqEvKlBpZLW6ZDIEpkiZ8yGRmF9JYUlY3AfFjBX7B1_5p-OlMNWmoXHYSrQsrU3dqO5T7_3J6nAuw4/s400/2013-09-13+14.54.38.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxs64ogiFZW-tHUeeRelNImY3w6TBfl2QtrziSf3sklVE01BwuN_P1sn6Yd7Mlu8mncVlzR97em98sgBWnmNPT6OYvUX5fyih_LXZewW9p6w8Qw3K-xZSwXmOi40W-HbU6DrvOFPGwVI/s1600/2013-09-06+17.18.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxs64ogiFZW-tHUeeRelNImY3w6TBfl2QtrziSf3sklVE01BwuN_P1sn6Yd7Mlu8mncVlzR97em98sgBWnmNPT6OYvUX5fyih_LXZewW9p6w8Qw3K-xZSwXmOi40W-HbU6DrvOFPGwVI/s400/2013-09-06+17.18.45.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately I think the tomato plants were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blight" target="_blank">blighted </a>(late blight) so by the time the fruits were changing colour, some of the leafs and stems were starting to turn brown. At the end of the season, we only got a handful of edible tomatoes, rather disappointing results from five tomato plants. I did a bit of research and found some resources on how to prevent tomato blight. I think the key will be in air circulation, as well as having variety of tomato species (going to plan some cherry tomatoes for sure), at which some species are more blight-resistant than others. I will need to start the seeds much earlier next season to ensure the seedlings have plenty of time to develop before going outdoors. </div>
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Also, some warmer summer weather would help as well (keeping my fingers crossed for next season). </div>
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Here's a good link to some resources related to tomato blight: </div>
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<a href="http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/factsheets/dc20.php">http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/factsheets/dc20.php</a></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-6450910649303733822013-08-25T21:00:00.000-04:002013-12-01T02:56:07.879-05:00Garden Bouquet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc6F6PVH0A7PwrJX3ayFl2Vdb5G98QGeKHMfP-fF2v6KhrzghO5cUxnWfBDn3ki3W3YJHJQqjjIn-EyDWsV3EkS38KC3jyGpgdN3L6rKh5UiI3pY0uTpmWYbRnrBu2pnIcg5g31xCVgQ/s1600/2013-08-25+17.35.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc6F6PVH0A7PwrJX3ayFl2Vdb5G98QGeKHMfP-fF2v6KhrzghO5cUxnWfBDn3ki3W3YJHJQqjjIn-EyDWsV3EkS38KC3jyGpgdN3L6rKh5UiI3pY0uTpmWYbRnrBu2pnIcg5g31xCVgQ/s640/2013-08-25+17.35.19.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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A summer bouquet from the garden :) </div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-73212034951496858192013-08-11T10:00:00.000-04:002014-01-25T21:58:25.424-05:00Tips for keeping garden pests away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And..... they are back (my nemeses - the squirrels). They seem to have no fear of human what so ever and love to hang out on top of the backyard fence. You actually have to run outside and stomp of the deck pretty hard and charge at them before they will start to run away. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ouI20byosXhelltM6aNFWxMUOA67tyRZQezZ669j_7r7HcV_UpxlEse5Qpnc5yyVMcr0-BvejUE-twH7ZaNhKpTjQLhSCHXC5DKiyKY4fN_N6VZk1DWO3fPTdFgLc2OYCbCfp1_RxEc/s1600/2013-08-11+18.58.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ouI20byosXhelltM6aNFWxMUOA67tyRZQezZ669j_7r7HcV_UpxlEse5Qpnc5yyVMcr0-BvejUE-twH7ZaNhKpTjQLhSCHXC5DKiyKY4fN_N6VZk1DWO3fPTdFgLc2OYCbCfp1_RxEc/s320/2013-08-11+18.58.21.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimelRejl1e1oRhitYRVhgjLd9i7bT4JT2WjAlQjS9bfDear6MNK9U31ZAlTabS6nCmjMNCS1Bnb1IQlRUP-LIrUr-d998E5htU4N9X25BxDHFE7IPXVk0kIMkPhlwZsafETx_cq1aTE0I/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimelRejl1e1oRhitYRVhgjLd9i7bT4JT2WjAlQjS9bfDear6MNK9U31ZAlTabS6nCmjMNCS1Bnb1IQlRUP-LIrUr-d998E5htU4N9X25BxDHFE7IPXVk0kIMkPhlwZsafETx_cq1aTE0I/s320/IMG_2091.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The latest casualty were the cucumbers. They take perfect little cucumbers and shreds them to pieces and throw half of it on the ground..... </div>
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I know it's the squirrels destroying the vegetables this year because I believe the family of raccoon in the neighborhood have moved away (they haven't been seen too often this summer). I really don't know how to keep them away other than put cages around all my vegetables but that's rather unsightly..... </div>
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Any one have some environmentally friendly & humane way to keep pests away? I was browsing around and found this article - may have to try some of these methods next year... </div>
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<a href="http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/top-five-tips-keeping-garden-pests-away-191806583.html">http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/top-five-tips-keeping-garden-pests-away-191806583.html</a><br />
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-4552386970561662422013-07-20T20:21:00.000-04:002013-07-20T20:23:39.761-04:00July Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Quick update from the vegetable garden. So far we've been able to harvest radish, bak choy, red lettuce, and mint the past few weeks. With his year's late start to Spring and some very extreme weather conditions in Toronto we've been getting this summer (it's either cold, very rainy, or extremely hot and humid), I would say we're having "medium" success with the vegetables so far.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPoYa0CSAlymlkuU56Hh0SoHez3BbpYlFwzMA9QA4f6Enj67SDQmfyutjBrzh8G4qLQou02_b40pKLSknmwl3rRC8BraecYSuroefolQPEpt8Na0frOoDKq1i7ieky5EyAnpMXVcFLp4/s1600/2013-07-01+15.16.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPoYa0CSAlymlkuU56Hh0SoHez3BbpYlFwzMA9QA4f6Enj67SDQmfyutjBrzh8G4qLQou02_b40pKLSknmwl3rRC8BraecYSuroefolQPEpt8Na0frOoDKq1i7ieky5EyAnpMXVcFLp4/s640/2013-07-01+15.16.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Still, I'm very thankful any vegetable we've been able to harvest - food straight from the backyard, it really doesn't get any more "local" and organic than that. Plus, there's just something very satisfying about food that I've planted from seeds..... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RgjDV1Zo8TfGwVR-XV9UO1fGYEYzMYAK5ZiJH3WJaLX_3L91p9qrulfIt6GJOc_FWLQoKjhDMNV1I1iI9ST9VYE_P7CUVqUQWQfveHwGpc8VfEmFFi3uILICntYpm_pbXa9zl9d5WYw/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RgjDV1Zo8TfGwVR-XV9UO1fGYEYzMYAK5ZiJH3WJaLX_3L91p9qrulfIt6GJOc_FWLQoKjhDMNV1I1iI9ST9VYE_P7CUVqUQWQfveHwGpc8VfEmFFi3uILICntYpm_pbXa9zl9d5WYw/s640/IMG_2399.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Caspian Pink tomatoes are finally starting to bloom. The blossoms are small but quite beautiful actually. And I really love the smell of the tomato plant..... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDsNgokDx-uDAP2tOFg0Gnym3YQw-OmrqhV9BipQaVDRrIp0_WuNqKA121BoFFJGjCFIdWfpxL6_YC2BJxRDkmBa9OvWePu4lVxZ4tz9L6t0Gx-4heO2vXwS9eC7BhID48EcqLHrXNMw/s1600/IMG_2404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDsNgokDx-uDAP2tOFg0Gnym3YQw-OmrqhV9BipQaVDRrIp0_WuNqKA121BoFFJGjCFIdWfpxL6_YC2BJxRDkmBa9OvWePu4lVxZ4tz9L6t0Gx-4heO2vXwS9eC7BhID48EcqLHrXNMw/s640/IMG_2404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lettuce are doing quite well in the one planter that is on the shadier side of the deck :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbgTA8kyZJK7SpKzpzTv462TUgNbjATmFYI2GqWERfrWD2jj1_RMB4m345n6kxo4G8Y-OgKgGRsWcBmjyWy7YUlcDQRQ9f9fDcVEDKjXL2hA8U4CXhXrDS0Q6xs0atmgwMpNJ-8vAITI/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbgTA8kyZJK7SpKzpzTv462TUgNbjATmFYI2GqWERfrWD2jj1_RMB4m345n6kxo4G8Y-OgKgGRsWcBmjyWy7YUlcDQRQ9f9fDcVEDKjXL2hA8U4CXhXrDS0Q6xs0atmgwMpNJ-8vAITI/s640/IMG_2408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And cucumbers are coming! Waiting for this first one to be ready.... I think it's almost there! </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-62003023873418102192013-07-05T11:00:00.000-04:002013-12-01T22:53:40.430-05:00Flowers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DCv-qK3gNncKoWzJAxBmsfdy2Aicbz3IGPmWI1UMrq_90eSNIfpfPy-cB9ENCFzET3YXcmA29K6Vm39cVLidM28l7KJfdMa7rEpVMmHTzbv8cUEjtnk7SihYjHA5zh80lRJ8v4Y6x98/s1600/2013-06-23+13.28.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DCv-qK3gNncKoWzJAxBmsfdy2Aicbz3IGPmWI1UMrq_90eSNIfpfPy-cB9ENCFzET3YXcmA29K6Vm39cVLidM28l7KJfdMa7rEpVMmHTzbv8cUEjtnk7SihYjHA5zh80lRJ8v4Y6x98/s640/2013-06-23+13.28.44.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Happy Friday! Colourful flowers are blooming! </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-44601903274872160272013-06-28T18:41:00.000-04:002013-07-20T18:43:14.645-04:00Clematis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The clematis in the backyard this year is FINALLY growing into the shape I've been training it to. The eventual goal is to have them grow onto the large tree trunk that's along the fence and covered by the beautiful purple flowers and foliage. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfOPxlqQiJz5LHouVddeK1tm04hBn-ehtotFaH9XUwnRPhvx9CtvZlB-pd-nHAnPkHQAIXSsno0qtCqY9m5NPddUIQb-skyaR_NC3ee2AJvzAOOm201cjR9i3rcfdOxC-JOSFM8i8kpg/s1600/2013-06-26+19.09.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfOPxlqQiJz5LHouVddeK1tm04hBn-ehtotFaH9XUwnRPhvx9CtvZlB-pd-nHAnPkHQAIXSsno0qtCqY9m5NPddUIQb-skyaR_NC3ee2AJvzAOOm201cjR9i3rcfdOxC-JOSFM8i8kpg/s640/2013-06-26+19.09.27.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I never know how to prune back clematis during the off season (Fall? or Spring?). So I did a little bit of research on the "inter-web" and found some useful links:</div>
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<a href="http://www.raymondevisonclematis.com/main/guidesPruning-simple.asp?a=1">http://www.raymondevisonclematis.com/main/guidesPruning-simple.asp?a=1</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/clematis-pruning-guide.aspx">http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/clematis-pruning-guide.aspx</a></div>
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Also, I've been trying to figure out what kind of clematis this is as it was planted by the previous owners of the house. After some research, I think this is the common "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clematis_'Jackmanii'" target="_blank">Clematis Jackmanii</a>" - purple in colour and four-petal configuration. </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-3429765931463253362013-06-17T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-20T18:26:32.616-04:00Strawberries<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcMxKiqsDpN335sW94aF7JhEUjkmduDMMQw-kefJMN0NAYhY3iyLacBOnajpQCHlzmMKsG5tDOPyXKbjxRG9FfLcWrwWI0gtaEd8ODhsQeiNqzD58ySoAv4SbStzLVOace8DJvWmbT2Y/s1600/IMG_2224-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcMxKiqsDpN335sW94aF7JhEUjkmduDMMQw-kefJMN0NAYhY3iyLacBOnajpQCHlzmMKsG5tDOPyXKbjxRG9FfLcWrwWI0gtaEd8ODhsQeiNqzD58ySoAv4SbStzLVOace8DJvWmbT2Y/s640/IMG_2224-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spring and Summer had a late arrival this season, so did the strawberries in our yard. The strawberry blooms didn't start until almost the end of May...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbimSz8-BlO3qZ6q78tW3oIV-dxfeGW3HEVNNuvpbhvsK0u_Wv9xFBePgULvSxAyKbmIpaiqXkpGRseO0Cgkls18qGfoNJ6ZYPLvIYiSh5V8aMnWqw2VGwl4LzXp_tqQWDfiG-WFR6f5Y/s1600/IMG_2227-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbimSz8-BlO3qZ6q78tW3oIV-dxfeGW3HEVNNuvpbhvsK0u_Wv9xFBePgULvSxAyKbmIpaiqXkpGRseO0Cgkls18qGfoNJ6ZYPLvIYiSh5V8aMnWqw2VGwl4LzXp_tqQWDfiG-WFR6f5Y/s640/IMG_2227-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The fruits finally started to form after Memorial Day. I used the plastic bird prevention net and ground stakes again to help protect some of the crops, knowing that it'll probably be a light year for strawberries this season, so I had to protect whatever we can get.... </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, first strawberries ready to eat on June 10th. It didn't help that it's been such a rainy Spring/early Summer, that some of the fruits started to rot before they were even ripened. </span><br />
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I'm still extremely thankful that I got to enjoy fresh strawberries from my own backyard. Even though they are not the sweetest strawberries, they are so much more fragrant than the ones from the store, which makes the perfect for SMOOTHIES! </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-27662950674156823742013-06-15T18:28:00.000-04:002013-07-20T18:30:02.286-04:00Colour in nature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovm6PJLCkeWQaKmXcr6nxCy_b45YgCZp_AEgZ3a6zszYSkWxebRY3pdUX21ahAHCeWmYj3_pzS-R-bOgqPSHWIpTLNrFzFqQjt_Ft9oVCdY5g4WaKLdKzcNUabClqtGf0tH7LCbHkQFM/s1600/IMG_2221-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovm6PJLCkeWQaKmXcr6nxCy_b45YgCZp_AEgZ3a6zszYSkWxebRY3pdUX21ahAHCeWmYj3_pzS-R-bOgqPSHWIpTLNrFzFqQjt_Ft9oVCdY5g4WaKLdKzcNUabClqtGf0tH7LCbHkQFM/s640/IMG_2221-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beautiful colours - all from nature! </div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2070561347455020738.post-87951092239044414812013-06-07T21:52:00.001-04:002013-07-20T18:25:41.933-04:00Rain, rain, and more rain.... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Although not preferred by people, Spring rain is extremely good for plants... and water/dew drop photography! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9D2n7GcmcanPu01ULRx9hDE8t3U1dr8Lk2TrYKhyphenhyphentRaTpSvnOCMbbH0vm5pJ5glNEL6Fh2_DB8A_zjRaWA8UfHY1fbpF2goMgrqK8hc5MMtHJeCqDGkMHXsPoE3aawy8B44YhUBqGGQ/s1600/IMG_2243-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9D2n7GcmcanPu01ULRx9hDE8t3U1dr8Lk2TrYKhyphenhyphentRaTpSvnOCMbbH0vm5pJ5glNEL6Fh2_DB8A_zjRaWA8UfHY1fbpF2goMgrqK8hc5MMtHJeCqDGkMHXsPoE3aawy8B44YhUBqGGQ/s640/IMG_2243-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnRDu2SAF29YMCmiDgmF86wCvMrX8B6OOZ2hBedK982cCAYgmj-mcSsF1vqQdk-GvGhFWRqAHFDh4WMKa-bm-wRI2VFdvDfOY8EP0pYAAQzepI7-zhgvmvCmFUqpirhDpxnssRmVF6Yk/s1600/IMG_2246-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnRDu2SAF29YMCmiDgmF86wCvMrX8B6OOZ2hBedK982cCAYgmj-mcSsF1vqQdk-GvGhFWRqAHFDh4WMKa-bm-wRI2VFdvDfOY8EP0pYAAQzepI7-zhgvmvCmFUqpirhDpxnssRmVF6Yk/s640/IMG_2246-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love how the water drops are beaded and suspended on leaves and branches... </div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11254160438212631793noreply@blogger.com0