March 28, 2007
4 Comments
Links Press Seeds You Grow Girl

Blast From the Past

Jennifer Perkins of the famous Naughty Secretary Club just reposted this interview we did… a whole bunch of years ago. I have to admit that when I saw her message in my inbox my first thought was, “Oh [insert expletive here], what did I say to embarrass myself?” Thankfully there is no blackmail material in there. I do find it odd however that I said I was not a vegetable gardener and then went on to list all of the vegetables I had grown. I think I must have still been carrying a touch of that thing where I felt like I wasn’t completely valid as a gardener because I was growing in containers on a rooftop. It’s hard for me to believe I felt that way at one time since I almost exclusively talk and do workshops on growing edibles and consider edible urban gardening my passion and specialty. Go figure!

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In other news You Grow Girl was featured in this month’s Sierra Club Magazine (pg 26 of print version). I did a phone interview with the writer a few months back and was disappointed it didn’t make it into the article — it was one of the best interviews I have ever done! She asked me questions about topics I’ve been itching to talk about from my thoughts on city living to urban agriculture, to ecology and beyond. Interviewers always ask me how to garden, they rarely ask me what I think about it or why I do it! It’s about time I started writing more about these issues here. All in due time.

And because I couldn’t resist….

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First look at Gayla’s tomato bump! They live! It really is amazing isn’t it? Go seedlings go!

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March 19, 2007
7 Comments
Events Links Seeds You Grow Girl

Seedy Saturday 2007

Another Seedy Saturday has come and gone and as usual I went in with big ideas but didn’t quite make it to all the booths. However, this year I can proudly say that I made a list and mostly stuck to it! What’s more, most of my items were trades — a staggering four packs were purchases! Making a list and planning really does make a difference. Who knew?

Seedy Saturday 2007

Here’s a list of what I did get. Of course, you should see the number of items that remain on the list. Scary!

  • Calendula ‘Triangle Flashback’ – An acid reference if I ever heard one (not really but I like to pretend).
  • Cucumber ‘Mini White’
  • Romaine Lettuce ‘Forellenschluss’
  • Bush Beans ‘Dragon’s Tongue’
  • Pepper Cress
  • PEI Wild Roses – From Lorraine Johnson
  • Nicotiana ‘Aztec’ – The trader was unsure about this variety. I am partial to height in nicotiana and find the short varieties to be kind of underwhelming. However I was won over by the promise of jasmine-like fragrance. Turns out this plant grows to around 3 feet tall which makes it a keeper!
  • Pole Bean ‘Violet Trionfo’ – Confusing because I have known these as ‘Trionfo Violetto’ but… okay I’ll go with it.
  • West Indian Gherkin
  • Tomato ‘Whipper Snapper’
  • Tomato ‘Sophie’s Choice’
  • Tomato ‘Mirabelle Multiflora’ – These last three were from forum member, “Sorellina.” Her little boy is quite a gardener in the making, impressing me with a very convincing and sophisticated critique of ‘Whipper Snapper.’
  • Radish ‘Cherry Belle’
  • Cilantro – Sure it self-seeds in the garden but since I’m one of those genetically predisposed to liking it I find I can never turn down a free pack of seeds.
  • Bush Bean ‘Trail of Tears’ – I know these as ‘Cherokee Trail of Tears’ but again… lazy naming or confusion?
  • Lettuce ‘Lolla Rossa’ – Have also seen this called "Lollo Rossa" however ‘Lolla" has stuck.

Seedy Saturday 2007

    Here I am at our table wearing our newest t-shirt design, “Aphids Suck.”

See last year’s event here.

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February 19, 2007
5 Comments
Links Seasonal Seeds

Seedy Saturdays

It is no secret that Seedy Saturday is by far my very favourite gardening event of the year. It’s a great way to trade and purchase local, organic and heirloom seeds and support small gardening and seed suppliers. It is also a turning point in moving forward from out of winter and starting to think about how much ass your garden is going to kick over the coming year!

Seedy Saturday events are starting to pop up across Canada and it seems to be spreading and growing every year. In fact some cities have already had their’s this year!

Vancouver, BC: Saturday, Feb 24.

Mississauga, ON: Saturday, Feb 24.

Winnipeg, MB: Saturday, Feb 24.

Ottawa, ON: Saturday, March 3.

Hamilton, ON: Sunday, March 4.

Halifax, NS: Saturday, March 10.

Toronto, ON: Saturday, March 17 – My local. I’ll be there with a table as always! Check out a photo from last year’s event.

Saskatoon, SK: Saturday, March 17.

Calgary, AB: Saturday, March 17.

Edmonton, AB: Saturday, March 25.

See the full list including locations and contact information here.

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February 18, 2007
7 Comments
Flowers Gardening 101 Links

Lilac FAQs

Guest post by Emira Mears

I saw a comment pop up on an old post of mine from last May about Lilacs that I thought I would pull out and do my best to address here. The comment, or rather question was about a healthy seeming lilac bush that doesn’t seem to be producing much in the way of blooms (or perhaps any). I did a bit of research into this as lilacs are one of my absolute favourites and I do worry a bit that the lack of hands on care that I give our lilac will result in a decline in the plants health. There have been (and continue to be) a lot of plants we inherited in this garden that I need to learn more about. Anyway.

From the reading and web searching I’ve done I can contribute the following info and a few more questions for any of you out there who have more knowledge or tricks up your sleeves:

  • Lilacs apparently don’t need heavy pruning but can do with a bit of thinning out. I know that my own bush sends off suckers and and new shoots a few feet away from the main bush as well as in the centre clump, pruning back some of these will apparently help the plant thrive as it is a heavy feeder or nutrient sucker so cutting back on some of the greedy shoots is a good idea. From what I’ve read I was a bit unclear as to when one should do this, so I’m not sure if it’s a Spring prior to blooming thing or a Summer post-blooming activity. Do chime in if you know. (And I should mention everything I have read has specifically pointed out a need to not over prune, so don’t go too nuts).
  • Cutting off finished blooms is apparently one way to encourage a healthy crop of flowers the next year. Now if you’re not getting any flowers that won’t help, but I do know that this is something I have not done at all really, but have now logged into my garden journal for this June/July to take care of.
  • Soil conditions: limey. Or so says the reading I’ve done. You can spread dolomite lime or other limey additives in November in my climate (zone 8ish/BC west coast).
  • lilac between the hedge and garageDividing or moving: Here’s where my big questions come in. I’m a bit worried about the location of my own lilac (between a healthy growing laurel hedge and a garage as seen in the photo there) and that lack of sunlight due to the physical constraints (it does face south so still gets lots of sun) will eventually cause it to suffer. If I wanted to take some of the offshoots and move them to a different spot in the yard, when would be the best time to do this? Or, say if I wanted to move the whole bush?

If any of you have any other tips for healthy lilac blooms do pass them on. I know I’m keen to do all I can to keep those gorgeous beauties bountiful each May.

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February 16, 2007
1 Comment
Events Links You Grow Girl

Portland 2007

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I’ll be in Portland, Oregon next week to speak at the Yard, Garden, and Patio Show on the topic of growing an edible garden in just about any environment. Of course I also want to check out some local gardens, thrift stores, and make that trip to Powell’s (both of them). I hit three thrift stores last year where I bought some fabric, an old box camera, the best watering can ever for 50 cents, and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” (also 50 cents). I get antsy when I travel to the States because the thrift stores in Toronto are horrible! Your recommendations for PDX goodness are much appreciated! We’re knee deep in snow and freezing temperatures here so any places you can recommend that are big on greenery, spring blooms, and fresh smelling air is critical for preserving my sanity. I can’t wait!

When: Sat. Feb. 24 (at 3:30pm) & Sun. Feb 25 (at 11:00 am).

There will also be book signings at the Powell’s kiosk directly after the presentations. Don’t be shy! I look forward to talking to ya’ll so please say hi.

Growing Incredible Edibles Anywhere and Everywhere: Your patio, balcony, or fire-escape is a potential garden of exciting flavors and beautiful colors waiting to happen. Learn the ins and outs of growing herbs, veggies, and flowers organically in challenging urban environments.

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