Showing posts with label TEG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TEG. Show all posts

Sunday, March 1, 2020

Edible Garden Newsletter March 2020

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter for March 2020 is now available. This month, our feature article is all about Winterizing Herbs from the garden.  Sage, as shown in the picture, does not need to come indoors as it happily produces all winter long. We also focus on Rosemary.  One gardener tells how she and some friends preserve a tradition by canning Grandma's Chili Sauce.  Finally, a gardener talks about the pleasure of growing blueberry bushes.
I am sad to report that this is the last issue of The Edible Garden Newsletter.  We are combining this newsletter with another existing newsletter, Trowel Talk.  We will be taking the best from the two newsletters and creating one, retaining the Trowel Talk name.  It will be available of the 15th of each month.  If you subscribe to The Edible Garden you do not need to do anything to keep your newsletters flowing.  Thanks to all for your support over the past 6 plus years.

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Edible Garden Newsletter February 2020

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter February 2020 is now available.  In this month's issue, we discuss the pros and cons of growing the various varieties of currants.  They are nutritious and delicious but are also the first step on the process that leads to Pine Blister Rust.  February is the time when people's minds turn to starting seeds.  While it is still too early to start your tomato seeds, it is a wonderful time to get prepared for the big day.  Do you like Pesto? Read on for delicious and different approaches to making Pesto that you love, including using Garlic Scapes.  Finally learn all about the benefits of worm castings (poop)!
However, in our northern forests, Mor soils predominate.  These are soils in which organic matter is practically unmixed with mineral soils below that are more or less matted or compacted.  The forest floor is covered in organic matter, also called detritus, duff and the O horizon.  Within three or four years after introduction, Earthworms can transform Mor soils to mull soils where the organic and mineral layers are mixed.  They can remove the duff layer, disrupting plants whose roots feed in that organic layer.  Plants like spikenard, Solomon's Seal, Bellwort, Nodding Trillium, Large flowered Trillium and Goblin Fern begin to dissipate.  Tree species shift and Invasive shrubs like European Buckthorn and Honeysuckle benefit and thrive and ecosystem disruption ensues.
What on earth(worm) can I do?
Some simple ways to help stop the spread of earthworms and protect our soils in Ontario's Forest Ecosystems are:
    • avoid transporting soils, leaves, mulch, and compost to different areas
    • wash the treads of your vehicles and shoes when moving from one area to another
    • throw unused bait in the trash, not on land or water.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Edible Garden Newsletter January 2020

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter January 2020 is now available.  Happy New Year to everyone.  On this New Years Day as you are contemplating your New Year's Resolutions, we hope that you will make one to help your garden, more than any other resolution can.  That resolution will be to improve your soil.
In this issue of the Edible Garden Newsletter, we continue our series on soil.  We talk about Soil texture and also introduce you to some simple and fun ways to test your soil.  Your children will love to help out with these tests.  We also compare the properties of sand, silt and clay and how they contribute to the well being in your garden.
Our unusual vegetable series continues with a mouth watering look at Delicata Squash.
We hope that all our readers have a wonderful and productive 2020 and enjoy your upcoming gardening season.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter December 2019 is now available.  In this issue we have an in depth article that discusses how pre-Columbian agriculturists adapt to vastly different climates and geography? How well will we adapt to population growth and climate change? Can we learn from our ancestors, both ancient and recent? Can we develop sustainable gardening practices that respond to the world of today?
Our Bee-Line column discusses how not only is the native bee population declining but also many of our favorite birds and what we as home gardeners can do about it.
This issue completes our sixth year of production.  We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and fruitful New Year.

Friday, November 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter November 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter for November 2019 is now available.  In this issue we show you that there is more to Edibles than eating as one author combines ornamentals and edibles to create a garden in a vase for all occasions.  Our Bee Line series continues with a visit to a beehive to reap the rewards of owning a share in a beehive.  Our unusual edibles series continues by providing information on lovage, a perennial herb that is beautiful and delicious.   Finally, a small tribute to the fruit, berry and seed producing shrubs that help our feathered friends survive the winter. 
One day in November, I found two apples in a Robin's nest in one of my apple trees.  Not sure if the Robin was saving them for a bed time snack or the Squirrel found it a handy spot to store a couple of apples for later.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter October 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter October 2019 is now available.  Our Edible Gardeners share with us the ways they enjoy their harvest.  One garden has successfully experimented with making Flower Petal Jelly and shares her successes.  Another tells us of even more ways to share rhubarb, a tart and tasty summer treat.  Yet another gardener tells us of an unorthodox approach she took to harvest an abundance of red currants and an even more unorthodox approach to pruning.  Our Bee Line series continues with a visit to the Corner Pollinator Garden. Enjoy.
Still time to register to our Ontario Native and Invasive Plants--Friends and Foes on October 26. For Details see Featured Post to the right.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter September 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter for September 2019 is now available.  Many of us look forward to the fresh sweet taste of Ontario Strawberries that we buy at Farmers Markets or go out to a Pick-Your-Own farm but not a lot of us grow our own.  Our feature article this month walks us through the steps to create your very own Strawberry Patch.  Jerusalem Artichokes provide a beautiful daisy like flower and deliver Sunchokes year after year.  Learn all about growing this interesting perennial vegetable.  Our Bee Line column focuses on a different pollinator in a celebration of Monarchs.  Part 4 of our ongoing Introduction to Soil series focuses on Soil Texture.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter August 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
Edible Garden Newsletter, August 2019 is now available.  In this issue, we focus on attraction pollinators and other beneficial insects to our garden.  We start with a tour of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, located in the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa right next to the Arboretum.  Another gardener talks about building a simple and easy water feature in her vegetable garden that attracts birds, bees, butterflies and frogs and toads to name a few.  Many people run if they see a Hornets nest but they are another important pollinator and protector from many of the invasive insects that target our gardens.  Finally, we continue our Introducing Soil series with an article on Soil Profile.  Frequently, we are asked "When can I harvest my vegetables?"  We have included a link to our August 2014 Newsletter that describes when your crops are ready and how best to preserve your abundant harvest.

Monday, July 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter July 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter July 2019 is now available.  In this issue, we are all about growing things in containers.  We describe how to create  Pollinator friendly containers as an additional method for attracting pollinators to your garden.  Also, as many of us downsize our gardens, learn how one gardener still grows vegetables in containers. Gardeners often complain about weeds taking over our garden but in this issue we describe the benefits of eating two prolific weeds--Purslane and Pigweed.  If you grow Plums or Cherries, you may have been impacted by the dreaded Black Knot.  Discover what you can do to treat this problem. Finally a book review of Matthew Biggs book Grow something different to eat.  The butterfly in the above photo found its way to a container on the 9th floor.  A welcome guest.

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter June 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter June 2019 is now available.  In this issue, we describe how and when to harvest, enjoy and store potatoes, including something we all look forward too, New Potatoes.  Do Potato Towers work? Check it out.  Our Bee Line series continues with information about Honeybees, Native Bees and Butterflies.  Part 2 in the series Introducing Soil describes what components make up soil.  The Herb of the Year for 2019 is Anise Hyssop.  We feature one gardeners experience of growing, and loving this plant.  Finally a recipe for Chive Vinegar.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter May 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter May 2019 is now available.  In this issue, we discuss planting our favorite garden staple, Potatoes.  A current major environmental concern is the amount of plastic that is finding its way into the food chain.  We discuss steps we home gardeners can take to reduce the amount of plastic we bring into the garden.  Finally, our ongoing Bee Line series talks about World Honeybee Day August 17, 2019.  The attached photo is of my Dad, showing off one of his favorite vegetables, a potato. Photo credit Kim Allen.

Monday, April 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter April 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter April 2019 is now available.  This month, we feature a very rarely grown legume to our part of the world--Peanuts.  It is doubtful that Peanuts will become a cash crop in Eastern Ontario but for those who like a challenge, it is possible to grow them here and even harvest a few.  Swiss Chard is native to Southern Europe and will tolerate heat but it grows best in our cooler climate.  It is not a demanding vegetable and some think it is almost "too pretty to eat".  Our author has also provided information on some of her favorite varieties.  Carrots are another popular vegetable.  While they sometimes seem fussy to start, they grow well here and are one of the root vegetables that are easy to store and in the right conditions can last most of the winter.  We even include a recipe for an easy to make and delicious Carrot Cake. Finally we start a new series on Soil, focusing on the terms we use to describe it.

Friday, March 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter March 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter March 2019 is now available. This month we continue with two of our ongoing series.  First is the BeeLine with Trees for Bees.  The next is our unusual vegetable series with an introduction to Yacon.  Birds in Winter rounds out this edition.

Friday, February 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter February 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter February 2019 is now available.  This month we explore the world below our feet with a look at fungus.  We focus on two broad groups--mycorrhizal fungi and endomycorrhizal fungi.  These are magical organisms that can dramatically improve your soil and plant health and increase yields.  Do you live in an apartment or hate to go outside in the winter to empty your kitchen scraps into your composter then you might be ready to take up Vermicomposting pictured above).  Finally, how about trying a new (old) kind of beans, Indian Woman Yellow Beans.  They are delicious.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Edible Garden Newsletter January 2019

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter January 2019 is now available. Want to become a Modern Bee Keeper?  This issue will tell you about one self-taught apiarist.  Seed Catalogues are coming in fast and furious.  Now is the time to start dreaming about spring with their help.  It is dark in the morning when I get up.  It is dark when I make supper.  Spring seems so far away.  Still lots can be done to help our gardens and ourselves thrive in this dark season.  Finally, a Garden Procrastinator documents a year in the life.  Happy New Year and great gardening to everyone from the Master Gardeners of Lanark County and Ottawa Carleton.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2018

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter for December 2018 is now available.  As it is December, some of our Master Gardeners have provided a gift wish list.  You might like to leave these pages laying around for your favorite gift giver.  One of our authors writes about visiting Manitoulin Island and coming home with a taste for "Hawjelly".  Cannabis is now legal to possess and use in Ontario and we provide information and links to make sure you grow and use it legally.  The December 2018 marks the end of 5 years of creating this monthly newsletter.  Our leader, Edythe Falconer, is stepping back from her leadership role but she assures us we can look forward to her interesting and informative articles.  The rest of the team is staying in place.  Thank you Edythe. Merry Christmas to all our gardening friends.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Edible Garden Newsletter November 2018

Lanark County Master Gardener
The Edible Garden Newsletter November 2018 is now available.  In our October Edible Garden Newsletter, we discussed the benefits of using a Grow Tent in your home to grow plants.  This month, we describe how to install the Grow Tent.  We also describe a Prairie Farmers family's War on Weeds and how weeds can become a benefit to the home garden.  Our series on unusual vegetables continues with a discussion on two perennial onions, the Walking Onion (shown above) and the Potato Onion.

Monday, October 1, 2018

Edible Garden Newsletter October 2018

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter October 2018 is now available.  This months newsletter provides an introduction to the world of Indoor Grow Tents.  These tents come in a variety of sizes and are beneficial for gardeners who want to start plants or those who wish to actually grow produce in their own homes.  As many of you know, October is garlic planting month.  Whether you are a novice garlic planter or have been doing it for years, there is something in this article for everyone.  October is also the time to deal with leaves, leaves and more leaves.  Finally see what one gardener learned about Roadside Vegetable Gardens on a recent trip to Newfoundland.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Edible Garden Newsletter September 2018

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter September 2018 is now available.  Our feature article focuses on helping your trees and shrubs survive the drought, such as we have had this summer.  Many of our favorite edibles, Apples, Cherries, Plums, Chokecherries, Hazel nuts and Currants grow on these woody plants.  We have likely all heard of Green Manure.  We follow one gardener as she attempts a green manure crop.  One of our Master Gardeners discusses her experience of being Armchair Mayor and her idea to make Ottawa a bee-friendly city.  We finish up this edition with a book review on "The Complete Mushroom Hunter", an illustrated guide to foraging, harvesting and enjoying wild mushrooms, by author Gary Lincoff.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Edible Garden Newsletter August 2018

Lanark County Master Gardeners
The Edible Garden Newsletter August 2018 is now available.  Virtually all parts of Ontario have been in severe and long lasting drought.  We polled some of our Master Gardeners and learned their secrets for dealing with drought.  This may be too late for this year but are excellent strategies to employ.  Ever hopeful  and thinking August may be a little wetter, we have recommended some plants that you can plant now and still have a vegetable harvest this year.  Sage is a herb that most of us have in our kitchens.  Learn more about this valuable herb--its history and methods to propagate.  Goji Berries are touted as having great beneficial properties.  Learn more about this delicious and surprisingly easy to grow tree/vine.  Jicama is not a vegetable that would easy to grow in our area but could become a welcome addition to your dinner table.  Finally, our Tool series continues with an article on choosing the ever important Shovel.  Sorry about the snow for August but Sage is tough and can be harvested in winter.

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