Hello my dear gardening friends,

Seemingly we all got excited over nothing. The warm weather brought out the “spring” in us all. I am personally responsible for the snow returning – I took down my heavy winter drapes and put up my light summer ones. Knew it was too soon, but I couldn’t stand being “hemmed in” any longer.

The snowdrops are blooming, and all kinds of things are popping up despite the weather.

I looked out of my window the other day, and to my great surprise, delight and horror, there were two deer in my garden. I did not know what to do - should I rush out and chase them away, set my attack cat on them, or feed them? My dear neighbour has been feeding them most of the winter. He is unfortunately in the hospital and has been there for several days. I think that they had eaten all the food John had put out so they are just foraging. I can spare some periwinkle, but I hate to think that they will return and eat the rest of the garden! So, dear John, hurry up, get well and return to feed your deer who are missing you too. What did I do? I put out a supply of dog kibble and a mixture of peanuts (shelled) and bird seed with corn. Everything was gone in the morning – I do not know who/what ate it, but it was the best that I could do.

One of the daintiest joys of spring is the falling of soft rain amongst the blossoms, The shining and apparently weightless drops come pattering into the maytree with a sound of soft laughter; one alights on a white petal with a little inaudible tap; then petal and raindrop fall together down the steeps of green and white, accompanied by troops of other petals, each with her attendant drop and her passing breath of scent.
By: Mary Webb

It really is April. I was surprised to find that we have come through another winter somewhat unscathed, although I have a dreadful cold right now. If my first marriage had not failed, it would have been 51 years (of servitude). It was also on the third that Oxford beat Cambridge in the boat race, my father and I were listening to the race on the way to the wedding!

April’s chores:

1) Prepare annual beds and add compost to the perennial beds (if you can find them under the snow).

2) Carefully remove rose protection and move dormant shrubs; watch the weather before removing rose protection.

3) Plant cold weather vegetable seeds in the garden, making sure that the ground isn’t “soggy” otherwise they will just rot.

4) Repair lawn with compost – make sure that you remove fallen branches, etc. and neighbouring dogs, visitors, “cards”. Rake and fertilise (late April early May).

5) Plant shrubs, trees and hedges.

6) Remove rose mulch a little at a time, prune off dead stems, etc.

7) Plant early vegetables, peas, onions, radish and beets.

8) Treat birches against leaf miner.

9) Plant larkspur and calendulas outdoors.

10) Cut the lawn if, and when, necessary

11) Check out any garden shows, and open greenhouses.

These are only guidelines, albeit good ones. Do use common sense and watch the weather. The icicle pansies are up in my garden, but the ones that I purchased last week are still in the house.

I have talked and talked to you about preparing your garden for the coming season – now what about you? Are your joints ready?

Stretch Before you Start

You can burn up to 300 calories an hour, so be careful and limber up first; your joints, muscles and back will thank you. To be able to rake and plant without aching, do each of these exercises 5 times, holding each one for 15 seconds. Do not bounce, jerk or strain. Gently stretch, and if painful, you are going at it too vigorously.

Your Thighs: Leaning against a tree, bend your right knee and grasp your ankle with your left hand. Repeat with your left knee.

Your Sides: Extend one arm over your head. Bend left from the waist and then to the right (remember this one from school?).

Your Shoulders: Letting your arms hang loose, rotate your shoulders forward, and then rotate back.

Your Hamstrings: Stand reaching your hands/arms to the sky, bend forward at the waist reaching down towards your toes. See that weed? Go get it!! You will be surprised how little downwards you can reach the first few times.

Your Wrists: 1) Hold one arm out in front of you, palm down bend your wrist until the fingers point to the ground. Use your opposite hand to hold this position. 2) Keeping your arms straight, fingers of one hand pointing up, place the fingers of the other hand on top, fingers pointing down. 3) Place your hands together in the prayer position pressing the palms together.

Your Arms and Shoulders: Hug yourself tightly, and slowly rotate at the waist as far as is comfortable first to the left, and then the right.

Your Back: Sitting in a chair, bend from the hips, keeping your head down reach for the ground. Be careful with this one, and do not topple off the chair.

Overall Conditioning: Take a walk, even on the spot if the ice is still making outside walking treacherous. Ten to fifteen minutes will be enough. Do not forget to lift your knees and gently swing your arms.

Have the right tools for the task at hand.

Ensure that you drink plenty of fluids.

Alternate between light and heavy jobs.

Lift correctly.

Take frequent breaks.

Heavy loads should be shared.

Your feet should be protected with thick soled supportive shoes (no flip flops please).

Before you start warm-up your muscles.

Avoid muscle strain, learn the right techniques.

Change positions frequently.

Kneel to plant and weed (my doctor, Richard Whately, also a gardener said, “Women should only squat when delivering a baby, otherwise it is too hard on our hip joints.”

Spinal check-ups can also help to keep your back healthy.

Taking care of your back:

Back or muscle pain that lasts longer than 48 hours is your body’s way of saying it needs help. See your doctor or chiropractor. Bend your knees to lift with ease.

Get close to the load, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, head up, feet and body pointing in the same direction.

Knees bent, back straight, check the weight of what you are about to lift. Use your leg and arm muscles to smoothly and slowly lift the load.

Make sure that you are in sync, while keeping the load close to your body, pivot with your feet. Do not twist your body whilst you are carrying the load.

Easy does it. Bend your knees and slowly lower the load to its intended place. Do not lift heavy objects above your waist. Avoid heavy lifting immediately after prolonged bending or kneeling.

If you have to lift above your waist, many hands make it work. Literally get some help with heavy and awkward loads. Stand on something solid. Slowly lift the load keeping it close to the body and pass the load to your helper.

Following these tips will allow you to plant and rake without aches and pain for many years to come:

The Right Tools for the jobs at hand. Choose tools that are ergonomically designed with padded handles and spring action where possible. Make sure that the size and weight are right for you, and always choose the proper tool for the job.

A hose is easier to manage than a watering can – always check your hoses at the start of the season. To avoid the frustrations that an old hose brings, treat yourself to a new brightly coloured one – it is easier to find in the garden!!

A good garden cart and/or dolly make moving heavy loads a breeze.

A light weight wheel barrow with two large wheels is a joy to use.

Separate a large load into smaller ones.

Select comfortable, thick soled, supportive shoes.

Cover up with, long sleeves, gloves and a wide brimmed hat.

Use SUNSCREEN whenever outside.

Use ergonomically designed, long handled, lightweightools.

Gardening should be fun, bringing peace and joy to our very souls, not irksome and frustrating. May I suggest the Lee Valley Garden Catalogue? I treated myself and my daughter to long handled “weeders” at the Canada Blooms Show, as I told the gentleman serving us when (not if) I win the lottery, I am going to order two of everything from the garden catalogue…sigh, if only.

Look Up! Look up, look up, at any tree! There is so much for the eye to see
Twigs, catkins, blossoms and the blue of sky, Most lovely, peeping through
Between the leaves, some large, some small. Some green, some gold before their fall;
Fruits you can pick; fruits out of reach; And little birds with twittering speech;
And, if you are quick enough, maybe, A laughing fairy in the tree.
By: Cicely Mary Barker

Some of you are maybe aware that Cicely Mary lived in England, and used neighbourhood children as “models” for her fairies. We have one of the little boy fairies living right here in Lakefield – we must be careful he doesn’t put spells on us – no wonder his garden grows so well!

I have this wonderful little book full of different recipes. As spring is here, it will soon be bringing us Ontario Asparagus; this is one recipe that is simple to make but so delightful…

Asparagus with Sesame and Lemon

1 lb Asparagus
4 tablespoons butter
6 green onions, thinly sliced diagonally
Finely grated peel of ½ small lemon plus one tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of red (cayenne) pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons sesame seeds toasted
1 teaspoon sesame oil – or good olive oil
Lemon slices
Sprigs of flat leafed parsley to garnish

Trim off woody part of asparagus stems, and cut spears into 3 or 4 equal pieces, diagonally (be sure to get out your ruler and measure – or the asparagus fairy will pay you a visit???). Cook until barely tender, in a skillet, melt the butter, add green onions and cook over low heat being careful not to “brown” them. Add lemon peel and juice then stir in strained asparagus. Heat through, and season with salt and peppers. Turn onto a pre-warmed platter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and oil, garnish. Pour a glass of white wine –sit and enjoy. Share this quantity with three friends (makes four servings).

I have had questions about growing tomatoes. I haven’t started mine yet – but this week for sure.

We all know that nothing tastes better than a fresh home grown tomato, but so many times I hear, “I do not have a garden,” or “No sun in my yard,” or “I live in an apartment.” This does not mean that you have to scrounge some from a kindly neighbour. Just think containers. All that container grown tomatoes need is to be bathed in sunshine, a pot that is roomy enough to set roots, soil that drains well and regular watering plus a little love.

Some of the varieties that are compact and perfect for containers are: Patio Hybrid this is a compact 2-foot plant that produces 3 to 4 ounce fruits with excellent flavour – we sold these in Loblaws Garden Centre last year. Look for the opening at the beginning of May. I actually start work on the 5th and am anticipating with pleasure seeing all my friends again.

Super Bush grows to three feet and produces larger fruit than most container plants.

Window Box Roma is a compact variety and excellent “cooking” tomato.

Sweet baby Girl is one of the best cherry tomato plants for containers, producing heavy crops of fruit in long clusters – do not overlook sweet one million and sweet one thousand.

Getting started: A simple rule of “green thumb” is the larger the container the less work involved for the soil will not dry out as quickly. Make sure that the holes are large enough for the soil to drain well. You can add “cages” just as you did in the garden, giving you earlier fruit, improving air circulation and minimizing pest problems. If you are not concerned about the looks of a plant then just let it “sprawl” giving you more fruit, but perhaps not so practical if grown on a deck.

Choose plastic containers over wood or clay pots if you will be moving them around. For very large pots, try half filling them with plastic packing “peanuts”. This will help to conserve the lightweight soil mix, and makes them easier to move and takes less soil to fill.

If you are not going to be moving your pots (to chase the sun), place heavy stones in the bottom – this will help to prevent them from blowing over as mine did last year - I had them growing down by the water, lots of sun, but lots of wind.

Mix a slow release fertiliser in with the soil, but still continue to use the regular fertiliser when watering – one especially for tomatoes.

You can use any kind of planting mix, but if you add equal parts of compost with vermiculite or perlite, the organic matter will retain more moisture, thus cutting down on the watering; useful if you have a limited water supply. Even so containers dry out faster than when growing in the garden, so check daily. You need to keep the soil moist, not soggy. Water whenever the top few inches of soil is crumbly, the excess water should run freely out of the holes at the bottom of the planter.

I read these tips for garden grown tomatoes – this is from someone who grows “giant veggies” for competition.

Work your soil in the fall. Dig a deep trench and fill with humus material (my grandfather did this in England), leaves, grass clippings, compost and soil. Cover this with clear plastic and leave it to “cook” over the winter. I understand that banana skins are most beneficial added to your compost.

In the spring clear away the mulch that has not broken down and underneath is beautiful rich soil. Plant your tomatoes deep, as far down as the first four sets of true leaves. New roots grow all the way along these stems. Stake immediately – keeping the plants neat and off the ground, leaving room to mulch them well. Try not to wet the leaves, if some of the lower leaves do not look healthy just cut them off. Only water the plants once or twice a week, but water deeply. Feed with a liquid fertilizer, 15-30-15 (15 nitrogen-30 phosphorous 15 potash). Control any suckers that appear on the plants- this is any new growth between the stem and the branch. You only need three or four branches to give you lots of fruit, but if you want larger fruit, then only leave a couple of branches. As a judge I will point out that unless it is a class for large fruits and veggies, largest is not the best, and will not win a first prize. Do not use chemicals on your plants. Just look at them, and if they are covered in white fly, try sticky strips (the dollar store sells them) for mealy bugs, or use little white cotton woolly “things” to wipe off with alcohol. For horned tomato beetles, hand pick and stomp on them or better yet, remove to another part of the garden. There has to room for all/every living thing in this world – yes even the deer.

Good Gardening to you all – I was correct last week telling you not to put away those shovels just yet. Hats, gloves, even winter ones, sunscreen, maybe a lighter jacket.

Lovingly, Beryl