29.12.11

Where's the snow?!


All Toronto gardeners want for Christmas is........decent snow cover!

My garden is desperately in need of the "white" mulch.


We normally think of mulch as some shredded bark-like material (not red, I trust!) that is thrown loosely on the garden's surface. Other mulches include shredded leaves, chipped bark, straw, pea gravel and compost.

Benefits include:
  • suppressing weeds from germinating, reducing our weeding efforts
  • keeping the soil temperature relatively stable
  • reducing transpiration and, thus, watering
  • finishing off the garden's appearance (aesthetics)
But there's a type of mulch which is equally important to have in the Toronto area that boosts your plants' chances of surviving brutally cold winds and is free! 

Snow!

A thick and persistent layer of snow insulates the frozen soil and keeps it frozen. A cycle of freeze and thaw can kill many marginally-hardy plants in our area as the crowns (tops) of perennials are exposed and often plants are heaved out several inches. (I've lost coral bells (Huechera) due to this process.)

We haven't had a significant amount of snow in Toronto yet which is a driver's dream but a gardener's curse. A good foot of the white stuff will let me sleep better (but my back will undoubtedly complain after tackling the driveway!)

Why snow is an excellent mulch in the garden

We normally think of mulch as some shredded bark-like material (not red, I trust!) that is thrown loosely on the garden's surface. Other mulches include shredded leaves, chipped bark, straw, pea gravel and compost.

24.12.11

Happy holidays!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas or the holiday of your choice this season and a prosperous and healthy 2012!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas or the happy holiday of your preference! And a prosperous and healthy 2012 to all!

23.12.11

Happy Holidays and hoping for a short winter!

I would like to thank all my clients, new and old, for their business in 2011! Looking back, we had a late and terribly wet and cold spring but the rest of the year had mainly superb weather. I've been privileged to create and maintain some wonderful gardens and projects throughout Toronto. My sixth season in business has been the best so far and I'm very anxious to make 2012 even more successful. I anticipate business will start at the beginning of April which seems far away but let's be optimistic!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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