Hello my dear gardening friends,

What a scary heading - August already!!! I have to give you another set of chores to do: I think that number one is lie in the hammock with a book, for I understand that the heat is staying with us for the whole of August. I was outside having my coffee just after 7am and already there is that hint of fall in the air but the heat and humidity continues later in the daytime.

I just had the most delightful conversation with Mr. Meredith (Bud) Miller, he is the gentleman that had that wonderful rose garden on Walker Avenue in Peterborough. Sadly arthritis and age have made it so difficult for him to grow roses that he no longer does so – he was a one of a kind person who always took first prizes at the rose shows. We miss you and your wonderful roses. Before Jack and I started to live here, we would drive back to Toronto just to look at his garden – I often wondered what had happened to the roses – today I found out. We are so lucky when we remain healthy!

Mr.Meredith was concerned that I was condemning Hybrid Tea Roses, not at all – they are a lot of work and today people do not seem to have the time to care for them properly, and are upset when they die. I therefore recommend the ones that I know will survive without a lot of coddling. But for those of us who "care enough to grow the best," Hybrid Teas are beautiful and so rewarding. So do give them a chance in your garden. Remember, never buy the ones in plastic bags with bare roots - they usually do not survive even that first winter.

This is quoted from a charming little book that my dear friend Clare Duffy brought me today, called “A Floral A B C” by: Elizabeth Cameron. Thank you Clare - what a delight it is!

A question that has been asked this week is “when should I fertilize asparagus"?

Answer: Asparagus will make strong growth in about 10 short weeks after planting in May, producing the filmy green foliage that is the manufacturing element of the plant. Whenever the sun shines on any plants’ leaves, nature's marvelous alchemy goes to work combining elements from the soil and atmosphere to strengthen growth. Much of this vigour is being stored underground building strong roots for next year's crop. To help these plants, growing a side dressing of the rows in July is advised. As the roots of asparagus grow at least 2 feet in all directions a scattering of 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertiliser is applied in 2 foot paths down both sides of the rows or trench. Be very careful to keep the fertiliser away from the plants stems. When you have done this, pull another two inches of soil in around the base of the plants, leaving the trench about 4 inches deep, and the roots buried in cool, nourishing soil. Eventually the asparagus trench will be filled in and the roots with be safe from accidental damage when you are cultivating around the plants. I suggest that you apply a side dressing to established beds of asparagus at this time, to help them re-build their roots and produce a large crop next spring.

It is a good time to be thinking about planting Chinese cabbage. It tastes a lot like lettuce, so is better eaten raw, although I like it slightly steamed served with garlic butter. Chinese cabbage is easy to grow, provided you do not plant it too soon. If the plants mature during hot weather they just go to seed. Plant anytime from now until the end of August and it will be ready to eat in early fall. These cabbages need a rich, moist soil, high in organic matter and nearly neutral soil. Dig in at least 2 inches of compost with a dusting of ground limestone (or a couple of spadefuls of soil from my garden) drop a pinch of seeds spacing them about a foot apart. You will thin them out later on, keeping the strongest plants as usual, then every two or three weeks a handful of 10-10-10 fertiliser. Keep your eye open for the cabbage worm caterpillar - BTG helps here or just pick them off.

Cannas are so beautiful but seemingly difficult to grow! Cannas are of course tropical in origin, and so must be treated as annuals in this country. You must lift the large, branching rootstock each fall and store for the winter. Trays or benches are ideal resting places. I grow mine in a pot and just bring the container indoors, letting it dry out over the winter months. In the beginning of May I repot in good, rich, loose soil, and water them well, bring into the light of course and let them grow. When all danger of frost is past, out they go into the sunshine. I keep them well watered - they are blooming right now!! Bronze leaves with big orange flowers, they really are a show piece.

Make sure that you do not let the plants go to seed, to prevent this, as soon as the flowers begin to droop, remove them from the spike. The plant does not waste its strength in producing unwanted seeds and allows the plant to store the food it is going to need for next year.

A few guidelines: 1) Always purchase and plant healthy rootstock and 2) Avoid overwatering and wetting the foliage and stems - thus avoiding mildew and other nasties.

It is time to look for lily bulbs; they will be coming into the nurseries and garden centres very soon! To get the best selection go early (and often). My Casablanca's are blooming and despite the fact that they were re-planted like soldiers, in a straight line, by a beloved grandson, when I sit on my porch the fragrance wafts on the night air and it’s delightful. I have filled the gaps with other plantings!!!

All growers agree that lilies must have good drainage. Lily bulbs will simply not survive in soggy soil. Even the few species that normally grow in wet places will die if their roots are too wet and will only thrive when the water above the underground parts is moving.

The second important factor is related to the depth at which the various species are planted. This is of course dependant upon the rooting habits of the different kinds. For instance, it is common practice to classify lilies into two groups: (a) stem rooting lilies - those that produce their roots at the bottom of the bulb and at the nodes of the stem that lie below the ground; (b) bottom rooting lilies - those that bear their roots at the base of the bulb only. Obviously the stem rooting varieties must be set deeper than those of the other group

You must consider exposure and ventilation. When included with other perennials, lilies usually get the partial sun they enjoy, unless their neighbours offer too much shade. Air movement is necessary to reduce stem and leaf moisture. It denies pathogenic organisms a base from which to attack their host. One of the most successful planting has been Lilium Henryi, growing between roses and the cedar hedge. Aside from the usual weeding and feeding, nothing more is done and they have been blooming and having babies for a very long time.

Straw mulch or leaves applied in late autumn will protect the less hardy sorts during the winter months. In fact, mulch, such as grass clipping scattered on the surface of the soil during this hot hot spell will help to retain moisture and prevent the soil from drying out.

My last flower on Beryl Harris has finished today - too bad I was hoping to have one for the flower show.

The Lakefield Antique and Flower Show will take place next week. o dig up your overgrown perennials and bring them to our plant sale - Tuesday would be a good day, and for the rest of you come and buy our wonderful bargains!!!!

It will be our 27th show, featuring 30 plus dealers, so if you are still collecting antiques this is the place to come! It is the society’s big fund raiser - all the money goes back into the community - hanging baskets, flower beds, scholarships to young students, prizes for the community’s gardens and many other projects - plus it will be a lot of fun. Be sure to stop by if only to say hello - you may even wish to become a member!!!! Come and hear our speakers, enjoy the mini flower shows put on several times a year, picnics, bus trips, gardens and best of all pot luck suppers!!!! How my Jack loved those pot-luck suppers.

There was a time when tomatoes were considered to be poisonous. Most people used pewter plates - the acid in the tomatoes leached the pewter, and much like lead, the pewter made people ill, but it was the plates not the tomatoes that killed folk. Thank goodness for there is nothing better than a fresh ripe tomato.

Pinch out the non-flower bearing side shoots and the basal growths at the point which the trusses start to form. Tomato plants need warm roots, and too much foliage diverts the energy of the plant, which should be directed into flowering and fruiting.

In high summer, when there are four or five trusses of fruits on the plant, pinch out the growing point (this is the uppermost growth).

Tomatoes in containers need frequent watering, especially in hot weather. Less frequent watering will result in tomatoes with good flavour, but very tough skins. Feed the plants with an organic Tea every couple of weeks until the fruits ripen.

To get the maximum benefit from tomatoes, pick them on a sunny day and eat them raw, if possible whilst still warm, straight from the plants. Do not, whatever you do, refrigerate them if you are going to use them in salads. Chilling destroys their flavour - especially the cherry types. The bigger beefsteaks can be either used for salads or stuffed and baked. Use slightly overripe tomatoes for tomato and basil soup or with other veggies for ratatouille.

I loved this quote from the Summer Ecology Park Newsletter:

The Ecology Park:
Do you have favourite kids of the 5 to 10 year old variety? Back by popular demand, our summer Earth Adventures program will provide fascinating afternoons of games, crafts, discovery and adventure.

In August, Earth adventures will delight young people every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. A different theme every day!! Parents, grandparents, and care givers can register children for one day or as many as you wish - the cost is just $5 per child per program. Program details and registration forms are available from the Ecology Park and Peterborough Green Up offices - Please Pre -Register – it will save a lot of time and confusion.

Mark your calendar for August the 18th - it is family Night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Music, games, stories and treats are guaranteed at this popular event - do come, bring a lawn chair, insect repellent, perhaps a flashlight, and have a wonderful time with everyone else.

Then on August the 21st there is a Workshop entitled “Introduction to wild Grasses, Sedges and Rushes”. From 2:00pm to 3:30 pm, Paul Haydon of Grow wild nursery will teach you how to identify some basic plants in the contusing. Paul’s expertise and enthusiasm guarantee a fascinating afternoon.

Well my dear friends I hope that your gardens are well weeded - it is too late to run out now - the garden judging has taken place and there are several winners - sooo you will soon be notified. If you did not win this year there is always next time. Be aware that the judges keep an eye out all year round; it is not necessarily judged this one time that we come into your garden. We went into many gardens (so far no one has set their dogs on us) and it has taken several people several days to get this pleasant job done.

Goodnight - good gardening! Hats, gloves, sunscreen - lots of water for you and the plants, not so much insect repellent cause they do not seem to be biting - (other than spiders, I have two nasty bites on my leg) do not forget your hat, it is so very hot out there. Much love to you all, enjoy the summer - come and see us at the antique show August 10th and 11th at the community center in Lakefield (that is the hockey arena).

Lovingly, Beryl!