by Marcia Hamm Wiebe, Master Gardener
Our garden known as Green Futures North, in Brandon, MB is the second largest community garden in the city. Samaritan House Ministries is able to tend this garden with the following partnerships:
The City of Brandon has offered access to the land free of charge since 2012. The Parks Department also offers soil and compost as needed for the gardeners to add to their raised beds.
The 81 raised beds (dimensions 4 feet x 12 feet) were given to the community garden by Enactus, a student group at Brandon University. The following is a description of the Enactus group from their Facebook page:
Company Overview
“We create programs to address social, economic, and environmental issues in our community. These programs incorporate financial literacy education, environmentalism and entrepreneurial practices to improve the livelihoods of the people in our community. Last year, our team put over 3,500 volunteer hours into eight projects. Working with a variety of local groups, we’ve helped form community gardens, taught new immigrants about Canada’s financial system, and helped small businesses create an online presence.”
by Diana Dhaliwal, Master Gardener
Having put our gardens to bed for the winter, we can now turn our thoughts to gardening indoors. The first thing that comes to mind is to start bulbs indoors. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp. and cvs.) and paperwhites (Narcissus papyaceus) are very popular as they do not require vernalization.
One can buy amaryllis either in a pack with a pot and some peat or coir to grow it in, or as loose bulbs. As they are not cheap bulbs it is worth keeping them from year to year. Keeping amaryllis involves cutting off the flower stalk, keeping the leaves in as bright light as possible indoors, and then planting out once the danger of frost is passed. Feed the bulbs over the summer but don’t overwater. In late summer or fall bring the bulb into a cool dry place, allow the leaves to wither and the plant to go into dormancy. Do not water the bulb. Once the bulb is dormant it can be started up again after 2-5 months of dormancy by potting it into new soil, watering it, and putting it into bright light. Amaryllis will bloom about 5-8 weeks after starting. Of course the very biggest bulbs will give the best results.
Trees Winnipeg (Coalition to Save the Elms) was originally established as non-profit in 1992 dedicated to preserving Winnipeg’s beloved American elm trees through community engagement and education. Since then Trees Winnipeg mission has evolved into protection, preservation and promotion of the urban forest and urban environment.
Trees Winnipeg is an organization committed to protecting and educating Winnipeg on the benefits of its urban forest and threats that impact it. Trees Winnipeg is asking for your help in conducting the Winnipeg Forest Watch Program. We are looking for volunteers to conduct surveys on pre-determined routes. There will be two types of surveys. The first survey will be held in early summer to identify trees that may have been affected by emerald ash borer (EAB). The second survey will to identify potential candidates for the City of Winnipeg’s ash injection program.
Volunteers will be invited to attend two workshops, the welcome workshop and the wrap up workshop. At the welcome workshop, all volunteers will receive the information they need to identify trees that are affected by EAB and trees that can be candidates for injection to prevent EAB.
Trees Winnipeg with the partnership of the City of Winnipeg and dedicated volunteers can help combat and manage invasive pests in Winnipeg. Please, send this notice to any members interested in volunteering.
On behalf of Trees Winnipeg and our executive board of directors, I would like to say thank-you and we look forward to working with you in preserving our canopy.
Preparing Your Garden for Winter Birds
by – Richard Staniforth
It is the middle of October; we have already had snow and cold weather. But today as I write, the sun is shining, the snow has gone, any remaining foliage on shrubs and perennial plants have their delicate colours and there are Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows searching for fallen seeds beneath remains of the perennials. We try not to think of it, but winter IS on its way and we will lose some or most of the autumn charm. Is there any way that we can keep some of the features of October to help us keep up our spirits through the long winter months?
White-breasted Nuthatch
Chances are the Juncos and White-throated Sparrows will be far away before we reach the deep freeze that is February. Nevertheless, there will be other birds to catch our attention and keep us peering through the kitchen window at the otherwise white wasteland: Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and Blue Jays keep us entertained and are frequent in our cities. In forested rural areas to the east of Winnipeg, the inhabitants may expect additional species, such as Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pileated Woodpeckers, Canada Jays and winter finches such as flocks of the diminutive Common and Hoary Redpolls, or the robust Evening and Pine Grosbeaks.
Downy Woodpecker
Aside from the availability of commercial bird food such as suet, or black-oiled sunflower and Niger seeds is there anything we can do to attract and hang on to winter birds by our gardening practices? Two items come to mind: shelter and a natural source of food.
Hairy Woodpecker
Over the years, my wife and I have discovered that densely foliaged trees and shrubs offer protective dormitories for winter birds. Shrubs such as cultivars of various cedars, junipers and dwarf pines (Thuja, Juniperus and Pinus species) and even dense stands of dead stems of perennials (now long dormant) such as Peonies (Paeonia species) and Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum species) may offer protection from powerful winter winds. These are welcomed by birds. The plan to keep the stalks of perennials available for winter birds must be made in autumn before the enthusiasm for efficient garden clean-up takes hold! Strategically placed log piles and solid wood fence lines also play a role in winter shelter for birds.
Soft fruits of many species are long gone by the time winter has set in. They have already been wolfed down by passing flocks of migratory birds until none are left for winter birds. Such species may include cultivated and wild cherries (Prunus species), Dogwoods (Cornus species), Highbush Cranberries (Viburnum opulus var. americanum, formerly V. trilobum ) and Nannyberries (Viburnum lentago). Exceptions to these are perhaps the Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) and certain non-native species that are not in step with our seasons in Manitoba. The dogwood flowers and fruits continuously until the first fall frosts and therefore provides a longer fall feeding period. Non-native species may produce fruit so late that winter arrives before they fall from the parent plants or are eaten. This latter category includes various apple cultivars which may attract a Robin or Varied Thrush if we are fortunate. Of European origin, the Black and Bittersweet Nightshades (Solanum nigrum and Solanum dulcamara) hold their berries well into winter. By the time they are black or red respectively they will have lost all or most of their poisonous chemical, solanine, and are edible to birds – a fact not worth testing by humans!
Dark-eyed Junco
It is certainly worthwhile to leave old seed heads above the snowline; they will likely attract birds! Cultivars of Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Blood Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) and many other garden flowers retain a proportion of their seeds during winter and these attract birds like Chickadees. There are usually tiny bugs hiding in their seed heads which are equally as attractive as food. We have found, by neglect, that the same is true for “weeds” like Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica), Spotted Lady’s-thumb (Persicaria maculosa) and Prostrate Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), Redroot Amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) and Common Lamb’s-quarters (Chenopodium album).
Leaving seedheads
For those gardeners who are anxious to continue with fall clean-up, seed heads which are borne on long stalks may be artistically arranged in planters above anticipated snow lines, attached to the fabric of fences, or displayed in hanging baskets.
Amaranthus
Customise your yard in the autumn to feed and provide shelter for birds during the upcoming winter but both endeavours must maintain a predator free environment for birds to feel safe. Unfortunately, the establishment of your winter bird sanctuary will soon become a magnet for cats. Tricky, because usually the local cat owners may be your neighbours and you may not wish to antagonise them! The price of encouraging birds to your yard, perchance?
Richard Stanifoth was born and grew up in Devonshire, England where he, his sisters and brother benefited from the diversity of landscapes, animals and plants that filled their environment. He went to Bangor University for an Honours degree in Plant Biology and it was there that he met his future wife, Diana Parry. After their marriage, the couple made their home in London, Ontario but eventually moved to Winnipeg where Richard taught plant and ecology courses at the University of Winnipeg for 33 years.
by Laverne Dahlin, Master Gardener
I started growing canna lilies (Cannaceae), which is not a true lily, 4 years ago when a fellow gardener gave me a rhizome of a Red King Humbert canna lily. I planted the rhizome horizontally with its eyes facing up in 6 inches of potting soil in early March. The 8 inch pot was placed in a sunny location by a south window and it was watered, keeping the soil moist. In April I was pleased to see two healthy leaves poking out of the soil.
The canna was kept in a heated sunroom (minimum temperature 60 Fahrenheit or 15 Celsius) that had plenty of bright light. Cannas like 6-8 hours of sunlight. It was watered with a weak mix of all-purpose fertilizer 15-30-15 weekly.
by Sandy Venton, Master Gardener
I came to peonies relatively late in life. Roses and martagon lilies were my first and second passions. The first peony I ever planted was a fern leaf peony. I had seen one in a garden on my way to elementary school. I saw it between the fence posts. I had to have it. And the year after I moved into my own house, it was the first plant I purchased.
About 10 years ago I decided that there was room for peonies in my garden. It pretty much came to fruition when I was asked to look after the Canadian Peony Society Annual Show in Winnipeg. I was hooked.
July 20, 2019 – MMGA Annual Garden Tour
Mark your 2019 calendar for our Annual Garden Tour with 9 unique gardens and our members at each garden to answer your gardening questions.
Plus our Plant Sale at one of the gardens!
Gardens of Southeastern Manitoba – Bus Tour
hosted by Manitoba Master Gardener Association
Saturday, July 6, 2019
9:00am – 6:00pm
A fabulous tour of gardens in the Steinbach and Kleefeld areas of Manitoba with stops at a local greenhouse and Mennonite Heritage Museum!
Our first destination is Kleefeld where we will visit a couple of large rural gardens full of ideas that will inspire you. Continuing on to Steinbach, we will stop at the Mennonite Heritage Museum. You have the option to purchase lunch there or bring your own. Members of the Steinbach and Area Garden Club will explain the gardens around the museum. The gardens are the club’s community project.
The tour continues with a couple more gardens in Steinbach and a chance to check out plants at Sunshine Nursery.
This is an all day tour, leaving Winnipeg at 9:00am and returning at 6:00pm. Attendees are required to meet at 8:45am (the latest) at the Southwest corner, Polo Park parking lot, Portage Avenue & St. James Street with your ticket.
by Elizabeth Sellors, Master Gardener
Introduction
Valeriana officinalis (common names: garden heliotrope, garden valerian, common valerian, greek valerian) is classified as an alien species in North America, having been introduced from outside its normal distribution. It is a plant native to parts of Europe and Asia. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has defined alien species as those whose introduction and/or spread threatens biological diversity, and whose establishment and spread will modify ecosystems, habitats and affect native species. Invasive species grow and spread quickly because they are able to adapt to a variety of growing conditions and lack the usual predators and diseases that control a population. A native species, on the other hand, is one that occurred in the region before human settlement introduced non-natives. Local native species are referred to as “indigenous”.
As experienced in Spring 2019 by Master Gardener Gary Krushel
California was experiencing a “super bloom” this year. What is a “super bloom”? It is a veritable explosion of wildflowers occurring at a number of locations across the state. As most of us have heard, seeds can lie dormant for years waiting for the right conditions in order to germinate. This past winter California experienced unusually wet weather. All that moisture saturated the desert landscape, and when the warmer spring temperatures arrived, the warm, moist conditions caused a significant amount of that dormant seed to germinate, resulting in a riot of colour blanketing some hillsides. This type of event typically only occurs every 10 to 20 years.
To appreciate just how extensive this bloom was there are photos on the web that were taken from space showing large swaths of colour.
