Sharon Hanna notes how the blooms of early-spring bulbs encourage us to slow down and appreciate the moment

Thanks to all the kind folks in my neighbourhood (and other neighbourhoods, too) who take the time to create beauty in out-of-the-way corners, under boulevard trees, and in laneways for others to appreciate.

I think these unexpected plantings bring joy to passersby and spread good feelings. The little crocus seems to have minds of their own—who knows how they get from one spot to another?

Crocus 'Tommasinianus', aka "Tommies," are the early-blooming ones with smaller, harder dark yellow corms. They're the ones you can plant in your lawn. The later, larger-flowered ones have big-netted corms and don't spread like the Tommies, necessarily... but attract a zillion early bees when they open in the sunshine.

Anyway, 'nuff said.

Bulbs that naturalize to throw in here, there and everywhere:

If you have any more ideas of things to tuck in unexpected places, let me know!

Happy spring, everyone!

Could the Guerilla Gardening video game inspire covert gardening of neglected public spaces in real life?

Just as a blank wall is an invitation for graffiti, unused, unkempt city and privately owned property is an invitation for guerilla gardening.

The growing trend in making cement-crowded public spaces beautiful has guerrilla gardeners arming themselves with spades and seeds and planting anywhere that needs some green—and often under the cover of night. Their work can pop up anywhere from the space among unused railroad tracks to the cracks in a sidewalk.

And like any good real-life trend, there's a a virtual answer. That's where the Guerilla Gardening Game comes in. Still in its prototype stages, the game is "about overthrowing despots and growing plants where you shouldn't," according to the developers, Spooky Squid.

The objective is to bring cheer to citizens by planting in public spaces. But, you'll have to attract the citizens to the space, do the planting and avoid the police.

While the game looks a little lo-fi, it does seem like a non-violent way to get a video game fix.

It's also inspiring. If you could bring that much cheer to virtual people in the virtual world, imagine what a plant or two could do in your real-life city.

Here's the trailer for the game:

I had the bright idea to start spinach, arugula and other greens inside my unheated greenhouse in a big wooden box. Why not?

Everything started to come up nicely... and then...

Magnolias blooming in February? Is this proof of global warming?!

On my walk to the Skytrain station for work this morning, I happened to notice the magnolia trees in my neighbourhood starting to blossom. Glad I had my camera with me so I could snap this pic, above.

Given the fluke warm weather we've been experiencing in Vancouver, with cherry blossom and plum blossom trees suddenly starting to bloom last week, I thought it seemed a bit early for magnolias. But a quick glance at ShutterMoments.com's guide to What's in Bloom in Vancouver shows the tree is only a little ahead of schedule.

Here's ShutterMoments.com's list of what else you can expect to be in bloom through February and March:

February

Berries: Cotoneaster, Holly
Bulbs: Crocus, early Daffodils, Snowdrops (Galanthis), Winter Aconite (Eranthus hyemalis)
Flowers: English Daisies (Occasional), Helleborus, Pansies, Polyanthus
Shrubs: Daphne, Heath, Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica), Mahonia, early Rhododendrons, Winter-Flowering Jasmine
Trees: Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas)
Cherry trees (Prunus): Accolade, Autumn Rosebud Cherry (Autumnalius Rosea), Cherry Plums (Prunus cerasifera), Whitcomb Higan Cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Whitcombi')

March

Berries: Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, Skimmia
Bulbs: Anemone blanda, Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinth, Narcissus, Scilla, early Tulips
Flowers: Aubrieta, Bergenia, Cyclamen Coum, English Daisy (Bellis), Helleborus, Pansies, Polyanthus, Polygala, Pulmonaria, Rockcress (Arabis), Vinca (periwinkle)
Shrubs: Camellia, Corylopsis, Daphne, Forsythia, Heath (Spring), Lily of the Valley (Pieris), early Rhododendrons, Viburnum (tinus and bodnantense), Winter-Flowering Jasmine
Trees: Magnolia
Cherry trees (Prunus): Accolade, 'Akebono' Yoshino, Cherry Plums (Prunus cerasifera), Shirotae, Weeping Higan (Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'), Somei-Yoshino

David Tarrant discovers two fascinating plants growing amidst Mexico’s ancient Mayan ruins

Last month I was in Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula taking a Spanish language course. On the weekends, in between school, I took the opportunity to visit some of the amazing ancient Mayan sites that dot the area.

One of them is Tulum (pictured left), which is located in a spectacular location on the coast in the State of Quintana Roo. It dates back to the period of 1250–1550 AD. And while the historical facts of the site are amazing I always find the plants growing on site fascinating.

Cordia Sebestena, better known as the Geiger Tree

Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'

The first small tree growing near the castle is Cordia sebestena, which often goes under the common name of Geiger Tree. It is native to the Caribbean region and wildly used as an ornamental street tree throughout the islands. Its manageable overall height of six to eight metres makes it a perfect candidate for such plantings.

As you can see, the flowers are a spectacular orange-red, followed by large white, waxy fruits. It would not be hardy in BC but possibly could be grown in a large greenhouse, however it would require much sun to encourage flowers.

The second plants growing on the ruins will be more familiar to you either as a houseplant or one of those dramatic feature plants you can have outside in summer, either as a hanging basket or patio feature. It is Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea' and it is native to eastern tropical Mexico.

The rich violet purple foliage is eye-catching; the colour intensifies in bright sunlight and if the plant has it roots restricted (as verified in this picture). Also in summer it has tiny bright pink flowers in terminal cymes.

During the winter months up north, it makes a most attractive houseplant for a sunny window ledge and roots easily from cuttings in spring.

'Gardens & Landscapes' blogger Senga Lindsay's tips for creating a Mediterranean style garden

I love Europe—especially France and Italy. One of my favourite memories involves a 10-day culinary tour at the Villa Delia home of famous Vancouver chef Umberto Menghi (pictured left).

Here, a picturesque, 17th-century country estate sits among 75 acres of fragrant olive groves, gardens, vineyards and pine forests. The sun beats mercilessly down, but the overhead leafy canopies of shade trees served as good shade. The scent of lavender permeated the air as I lounged on one of many patios accented by terracotta pots filled with herbs and geraniums.

Overlooking the rolling hills of vines whose grapes ripened under the blistering heat, a nearby stone fountain provided cooling relief. In the distance, our teacher and chef made his way toward the kitchen garden via the gravel lane framed by stone walls and tall, dark pencil-thin Italian cypress.

What is Mediterranean style?

This look is inspired by such areas as the south of France or the more arid regions of southern Italy and Spain. If you are a purist, then look to each region for a very specific look; for example, a French country garden will look distinctly different from a Moorish garden in Spain. But in each region there are recurring elements and materials consistent within the Mediterranean style.

Key elements of a Mediterranean garden

Formal style

Italian Renaissance garden in New Zealand

Gardens and their elements are laid out in neat, ordered geometric shapes and square, sharp edges. The overall site design is usually symmetrical. Lawns and hedges in a formal garden must always be kept neatly clipped. Trees, shrubs, and other foliage are carefully arranged, shaped and continually trimmed.

The simplest formal garden would be a box‐trimmed hedge lining or enclosing a carefully laid out flowerbed or garden bed of simple geometric shape, such as a knot garden. The most elaborate formal gardens contain pathways, statuary, fountains, trellis and beds on differing levels.

Informal style

An interpretation of the Mediterranean style in New Zealand

Celebrates curves and gentle, wide arcs that flow from one view to another. Informal planting is softer and more relaxed. The planting is organised and coordinated, but the effect is more an attempt to imitate how it's done in nature, perhaps using flowing drifts of plants, bulbs poking up through the lawns and wildflower meadows.

Planting palettes

Many of the plants in the Mediterranean garden have small, textured foliage clothed in subtly greyish hairy leaves that conserve moisture and prevent damage from the hot sun. Some produce boldly coloured flowers—and, in some cases, fruits—that provide bright accents. These plants require well‐drained soil and full sun. This palette is perfect for xeriscaping.

Key plants adaptable to North America and associated with Mediterranean gardens are:

Lavender and thyme garden	Grapes as vines (image: cascadechalet.com)

Hard materials:

All the Mediterranean materials come together in this patio space.

Garden elements:

Kitchen garden in Italy

Herb garden in New Zealand

Use arbours as overhead canopies and informal gravel patio surfaces to shade seating areas.

Sustainable features of Mediterranean-style gardens:

1) Water infiltration and permeability: Use of gravels for patios.

2) Low water use: Use of xeriscape plants.

3) Attract wildlife: Small water features are key to attracting wildlife and plants such as Lavender are wildlife magnets for birds and insects (bees and butterflies especially).

4) Edible landscapes: Potager, herb and vegetable gardens are often integrated into these landscapes.

5) No use of pesticides and fertilizers: Plants used in landscape are generally highly resistant to pests and actually detest rich soils so fertilizers are a no, no.

6) Recycle materials: Rustic arbours and furniture made out of tree limbs and mosaic ornamental pots made from broken pots and glass. Mosaic-like paving materials can also be made using broken pottery, concrete, glass—use your imagination.

Arbours made of trees trunks (recycled material)	Fountains attract wildlife, and gravel surfaces create water infiltration

Looking for inspiration?

Here are some of my favourite historical gardens to get your creative juices flowing!
(Images: www.interamericaninstitute.org)

French informal and formal

Monet’s garden in Giverny illustrating formal layout of the gardens

Italian formal

Villa D’Este, Italy

Spanish formal

Generalife, Spain

Sharon Hanna takes a trip out to West Creek Farms in search of good, high quality organic soil

Last spring I wanted to take my Gaia ‘Growing Food In the City’ program class somewhere to see how soil was “made.” There seemed to be a real problem finding a source of organic soil for people to grow food—even amongst all kinds of people involved in programs all over the Lower Mainland. It struck me as odd that you can buy 50 million different kinds of useless things every time you turn around, but sourcing good soil seemed a mystery, even for professionals.

Years back when I worked with Odessa Bromley at her nursery in Southlands, we used a beautiful, high-quality gritty potting mix to pot up the field-grown perennials. Turns out it had come from West Creek—that’s all I knew, so I gave the place a call.

West Creek Farms in Fort Langley

So I took my class out to Fort Langley to check out West Creek Farms, which involved a beautiful drive out in the country on a sunny Sunday in May. About 30 of us showed up for a tour, led by Frederick Munn, co-owner of the company.

Those of us in love with soil and soil amendments were led swooning around the huge area, smelling the mile-high piles of bark mulch being aerated with pipes—like aged tobacco or fine Cabernet—as well as big cargo containers of organic rice hulls and other stuff in various stages of mellowing.

The experiment: Which soil mix for what veggie

Frederick and I struck up a soil-based friendship and began a conversation about trialing various soil mixes to see which grew what veggie best. For example, I’ve always had a hard time growing beets at home—so we’re going to try beets in all the mixes to see which one yields the best.

Truck driver Rob King, a jack of all trades, whipped up six raised beds, 4 feet by 12 feet. We thought we’d try three “organic” and three “conventional” types of soil mixes, and garlic seed was planted in mid-October.

Operations manager Tommy Floyd got too way enthusiastic—carried away even—and arranged to do 18 more beds for 24 in total! So there’s lots of room for growing food this year. Looks like West Creek will have a demonstration garden ready for viewing sometime this summer… Right, Frederick? ☺

The aisles between, I said to Frederick, were way too wide: “such a waste in all that full sun.” So “we” have decided to plant lots of pumpkins and squash in those wide swaths, allowing them to run all over the place and using the lasagna garden method of building up an instant garden. It will be no problem getting the organic material for all the layers.

Frederick attended the workshop I had the pleasure of leading for landscapers last Friday, put on by the BCLNA. Not having been a grower of food up until this point, Frederick has a steep learning curve ahead of him but I think he’s up to it.

“I am very excited to launch this project as it provides an opportunity to use our experiences, skills and creativity and at the same time gain additional knowledge about soils,” he says. “Working with Sharon has been a rewarding experience and I look forward to making a contribution to the further development of organics!”

'Frederick's Organic Concoction' soil mix recipe

Here’s the recipe for “Frederick’s Organic Concoction,” one of the three being trialed:

“…A blend of mushroom, duck and other composts. Includes kelp, fish meal, worm castings, red wiggler worms (actual worms) and more.”

Stay tuned—I hope to do a few more postings about how this pans out…

How to learn from the mistakes of last season and start putting our garden dreams into action

Maybe it was the warmer weather; maybe it was the clear sky. I'm not sure what it was that tipped me off but this weekend I sure did get that feeling. You know the one. The sense that spring is lingering on the coattails of each breeze, and soon it will be time to put in motion the year's garden plan.

Last year was my first go at veggie gardening. I did okay. Not everything lived but the most important thing was that I learned some great lessons. Namely, pay attention and do the research. At the best of times, when I was giving my undivided attention to each and every one of my balcony container plants, they thrived. At the worst of times, I was overzealous and didn't do my homework, assuming what was best for the tomatoes must certainly be best for the pumpkin (I assumed wrong).

Trouble starting seeds

Of my biggest lessons learned it was the seedlings who challenged me the most. While at first they very courageously grew and grew and grew, raising their little heads to the sunlight filtering into my over-crowded kitchen, eventually every single one—from the beets to the arugula—croaked on me.
What did I do?

Well, for one, I didn't do my research. I didn't read my books carefully, skimming them instead so I could hurry up and get outside to do my planting on the deck. This meant I didn't ensure the seedlings were each receiving adequate time in the (in-direct) sun and I didn't check to see at what temperature it would be safe to send them out of doors (oh my poor, frozen little beet seedlings!).

Doing the homework, accessing resources

So this year, I'm taking my lessons to heart and putting in the time to ensure my seeds are sown properly so they can develop big and strong and eventually become delicious fruits and vegetables. For reference, I've picked up copies of Carolyn Herriot's book A Year on the Garden Path and Mark Cullen's The Canadian Garden Primer: An Organic Approach.

I also plan to go back through and reread Carolyn's as well as Carol Pope and Sharon Hanna's GardenWise blogs. If you're considering growing a food garden this year, I highly encourage you, dear readers, to do the same, as there's a wealth of great information in their blogs!

Just today I discovered this excellent post by GardenWise editor Carol Pope about testing and starting seeds: Going to Seed. I love that she keeps such a big stockpile of seeds in her arsenal; I'm inspired to start saving my own seeds (especially from some of the heirloom tomatoes I plan to get from the farmers market later this year!). She also gives some great tips on tools for seed starting.

Ask the professionals for advice

On my path to successful seed-starting, I'm also planning to take advantage of GardenWise's excellent Ask The Pros resource. Anyone can do it. Simply take a snapshot of the problem and email it with your question (or, if you don't have a photo, send your question via our form), and one of the region's foremost experts on exactly your issue will respond with an answer to your question posted on our Ask The Pros page.

Reach out to the gardening community

I'm also planning to do more talking. This spring there are plenty of gardening events going on around the province, many of which promise resident experts to answer gardening questions. My plan of attack: set some time aside beforehand to write down questions and notes so I can bring them along with me (that way I won't forget anything!).

Seedy Saturdays are a particularly good opportunity to get advice, as is the farmers market. Check out our calendar to find a gardening event near you.

Do you have any resources to recommend? Where do you turn for gardening advice, troubleshooting tips or DIY fix-its?

Find seeds worth saving—the best of the best!—at one of this season's many Seedy Saturdays around B.C.

Local produce is hot, locally made is hot and that’s not all…

“Local seeds are hot!” says Mary Alice Johnson, farmer, seed-gatherer and owner of Full Circle Seeds and ALM Organic Farm in Sooke.

The coming season will find thousand of new and experienced gardeners all over Canada milling through the best swap meets in town—this year’s incredible lineup of Seedy Saturdays. Just check our What’s Up listings for where and when.

At the shows, “you’ll find seeds that have been saved by people for 20 years—and by their family for 20 years before that… seeds that have been selected because of special qualities, seeds you couldn’t find anywhere else,” says Mary Alice, who reminds us that “seeds are exciting!”

Seed packagers at Qualicum Beach’s Seedy Saturday.

Kale gone to seed and drying in a recycled paper bag.

Kale seed collected from my garden.

GardenWise columnist and gardener extraordinaire Carolyn Herriot will be attending a slew of Seedy Saturdays this season to provide seminars on organic growing and sell her own line of seeds grown at The Garden Path in Victoria.

“Seedy Saturday is a unique opportunity,” says Carolyn, “held just once every year, when seed savers gather to sell and swap their collections of organically grown, open-pollinated heritage seeds—seeds you can save seeds from!”

Carolyn has just finished writing her second book, The Zero-Mile Diet: A Year-Round Guide to Growing Organic Food, to be released this spring, with lots step-by-step guidance on growing and saving seeds. She even reveals her hammer trick for the most stubborn specimens!

If you have seeds to bring, simply grab them and go. Seed packagers at the show will assist you with all the needed preparations.

FAQ: Do you need to bring seeds to swap?

A frequent question is “Do you need to bring seeds to swap?” The answer is No! You are welcome to attend sans seeds: Plan to hunt down seed treasures, join workshops, chat with Master Gardeners, check out the exhibits and meet many of BC’s local seed sellers. 

In North America, Seedy Saturdays are unique to Canada, says Mary Alice, who notes they do not exist in the United States. 

“Seedy Saturdays make it possible for my little seed company to exist, help me to keep my farm gong and encourage me to keep honing my skills as a seed saver, to keep building up my collection.”

In short, Seedy Saturdays are helping all of us to secure our supplies of the best of the best seeds around—which would be a very good reason to attend, if it wasn’t just so much fun!

Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday kicks off the season with its annual seed swap event, February 6

For those fortunate enough to be on Vancouver Island this weekend, don’t miss one of the garden events of the season: The Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday.

GardenWise columnist Carolyn Herriot (pictured), who has a brand-new book coming out this spring, will share invaluable tips on working toward a “Zero-Mile Diet” of fresh organics from your own garden. If you miss her 11:45 a.m. presentation, catch her for a chat at her Seeds of Victoria booth.

Another GardenWise contributor, Linda Gilkeson, will be sharing strategies for squeezing as many vegetables as is humanly possible in a teeny-tiny space. Catch her at 10:30 a.m., or if you’re around on the Friday evening (February 5), join her at 7 p.m. to learn about year-round gardening.

Knowing both these delightful and knowledgeable gardeners, I can tell you it’s worth attending the show just to hear from them alone. Still, there’s much more to enjoy: 

According to Birgitta Mick of the Qualicum Beach Seedy Saturday Association, the show will be a very healthy mix of organic farmers, seed growers, nurseries and plants people including Master Gardeners.

Last year’s show drew more than 1,800 people, forced to trudge through the snow to get there. With this February’s surprise sunshine, there is even more reason to get into the gardening groove.