29.3.16

"Garden Muses" turns 5!

Happy birthday to my blog!


Garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog fifth anniversary picture of Japanese cheesecake slice.jpg
Yummy Japanese cheesecake!

It's hard to believe that it's been five years since I started this blog. For all my readers, old and new, I want to thank you again for spending your time and attention reading my "muses" about life in and out of the garden since 2011. I'm relatively late to the game, as far as garden blogging goes, but better late than never. Readers who've been with me for a few years know what not to expect: posts on urban farming, vegetable growing, permaculture, sowing tomato seeds, etc.I just find such topics too utilitarian. I'll show pictures of pretty flowers all day instead.

I will also continue to post about the various garden cleanup jobs and new garden installations I've completed through my company. If you're not interested (and I can't blame you; who wants to see weeds?), then just ignore these discussions. I post "before" and "after" pictures and commentary because a) these help potential clients find me via online search and b) there may be some useful design or maintenance "nuggets of wisdom" for you to take home. I try to entertain at the very least.

If you're familiar with my "birthday posts," you may remember that I usually show a piece of pastry with a candle on top to celebrate things. This year's "birthday cake" slice is actually not cake but a piece of Japanese cheesecake. I'd describe the texture and flavour as fluffy and "cake-y" cheesecake, not as sweet, dense or "cheesey" as New York cheesecake. I had to wait five years for a slice but it was worth it!

26.3.16

Playing in the dirt at the Sunnybrook Estates greenhouse

The Sunnybrook (Hospital) Volunteer Association's GreenThumbs:  Growing and selling plants for a good cause



Volunteering in this greenhouse over a Toronto winter seems ideal in several ways. You get to play around in the dirt (usually a soil-less mix) with bulbs, seeds, cuttings, etc. when it's frigid outside and contribute to a good cause through the sale of your work. And by April, perhaps, you're ready to play outside.


I dropped by the greenhouse for the first time several weeks ago on an unusually warm March morning. One of the GreenThumbs' volunteers, Carole Barry, discovered me on Facebook from my previous posts about the various Flower Shows at another (public) greenhouse or, more properly, Conservatory at Allan Gardens. ("GreenThumbs" is the name of the volunteer group specifically working in the greenhouse and is part of the larger Sunnybrook Hospital volunteer association.) She mentioned that I should visit the Sunnybrook greenhouse, check out its operations and get the story out.


It's an interesting story indeed!


Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse hanging baskets by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse hanging baskets 



The greenhouse is located on the Sunnybrook Estates, near the well-known Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Hospital). You can see the greenhouse attached to the McLean Coach House below:




Sunnybrook Volunteer Association McLean Coach House by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Estates  
McLean Coach House  




Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse exterior by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse exterior 


It's not a particularly large greenhouse. I estimate there's about 100 feet long by 15 feet wide (apologies to metric purists!) of growing space with a small "office" next to the entrance. There are also two small rooms used to force bulbs and over-winter dormant perennials.


The history of the greenhouse is quite a saga. It was built in the 1930s but by the late 1980s, it fell into a state of serious disrepair and neglect. Around that time, two volunteers re-potted soon-to-be trashed tulip and daffodil bulbs, over-wintered them and sold them the next spring as a fundraising effort (proceeds to the Hospital). I assumed they made the argument that more fundraising dollars could be raised if a proper greenhouse was available. So in 1990, the initial renovation occurred and the greenhouse was saved from demolition.


Source: A Short History of the Sunnybrook Estates greenhouse


After another 20 years, the greenhouse was really showing its age. A new glass roof was needed and a group of individuals and businesses donated material, time and expertise to replace the glass panels. You can read more about the specific players involved in the 2010 repairs in this PDF produced for all the volunteers at Sunnybrook Hospital. (Look for the section titled "Corporate Donations Help VolunteersRestore Their Greenhouse.")


So the greenhouse is still standing, with a new furnace to boot!




Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse succulents by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse succulents 



I met Stacey McIndless, one of GreenThumbs' Convenors, who graciously showed me around. Here are some pictures showing what was on the shelves ready to be sold or getting bigger for a future plant sale.



Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse primroses by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse primroses



Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse Persian Shield cuttings by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse 
Persian Shield cuttings 


What are the sources of plants? According to Stacey, the volunteers receive spent (already flowered) bulbs from Toronto Parks and Recreation, and perennials, seeds and tropical plants from garden centers and the general public as donations. The greenhouse group also buys flowers and bulbs at wholesale prices for the Ontario Food Terminal and then mark up the prices.


Besides potted plants, the volunteers (in a group called "GreenThumbs") sell finished hanging baskets and other seasonal baskets (for Easter and Christmas for example) to Hospital staff and visitors and participate every spring at the Toronto Botanical Garden's "Get a Jump on Spring" event.


According to one source, GreenThumbs work is a "major year round growing and marketing operation that contributes over $20,000 a year...to the hospital." Not bad for a structure that was slated for demolition 25 years ago. Of course, this is all made possible by the volunteers and public and private donations.




Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse shelves by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse shelves


It's hard to see from this angle but the shelves were full of cuttings of zonal geranium and many tropical plants.




Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse tray of succulents by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse tray of succulents


Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse succulents ready to be potted by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse succulents ready to be potted 



Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse Echeveria by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse Echeveria 



Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse begonias by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse begonias 



Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse Echeveria  by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse Echeveria  


Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse potting table by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse potting table 



Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse sowing seed by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse sowing seed 

Tools of the trade:


Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse hanging garden tools by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse hanging garden tools




Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse watering cans by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse watering cans



Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse plant labels by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse plant labels


I loved this label! I'd hate trying to explain the saying to non-gardeners though.


Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse humour by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse humour 



Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse shelves by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse shelves




Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse hanging baskets by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse hanging baskets


Stacey mentioned that most of GreenThumbs' volunteers are retirees who don't have gardens anymore and wish to continue growing plants without the worry of looking after a large property. The greenhouse operates from September to June and is open from Monday to Friday 9:30-12:30 p.m.

Want to buy plants from the greenhouse (or check availability)? The direct number is 416-480-6100 extension 2444.

Interested in learning more about volunteering at the greenhouse and at Sunnybrook Hospital in general? Here's the link: Volunteering at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

On my way out, I couldn't resist taking these pictures of the emerging crocuses. Proof that spring is somewhere around the corner here in Toronto.


Sunnybrook McLean House greenhouse purple crocus by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook McLean House 
greenhouse purple crocus



Sunnybrook Volunteer Association greenhouse yellow crocus by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Sunnybrook Volunteer Association 
greenhouse yellow crocus 

17.3.16

Allan Gardens Conservatory Spring Flower Show 2016: part 2


Spring in Toronto is in the air!


Inside anyway within the cozy confines of the Conservatory. Outside, it's a mess of discarded cigarette butts and dog excrement and one has to dodge many landmines walking the city streets once the snowbanks have melted. As an antidote to such ugliness, I'll show you pictures of a few more spring flowers down at the local Conservatory. In many "real" gardens throughout the city, snowdrops, crocuses, winter aconites and other early spring ephemerals have been blooming earlier than usual. (March so far has been on the warm side.)  Tulips, daffodils are also poking their heads intrepidly through the soil, knowing full well that another snowfall is more than likely. But let's ignore such trivialities and enjoy these spring (and other) flowers.



White and yellow trumpet daffodils at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
White and yellow trumpet daffodils
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 





White and yellow trumpet daffodils at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
White and yellow trumpet daffodils
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




White and yellow trumpet daffodils at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
White and yellow trumpet daffodils
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Voltage Yellow Osteospermum African Daisy at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
"Voltage Yellow" Osteospermum (African Daisy)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




White and yellow trumpet daffodils at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
White and yellow trumpet daffodils
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show




Iris reticulata Purple Reticulated Iris at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Iris reticulata (Purple Reticulated Iris)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Margarita White Spoon Osteospermum African Daisy at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
"Margarita White Spoon"
Osteospermum (African Daisy)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Margarita White Spoon Osteospermum African Daisy at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
"Margarita White Spoon"
African Daisy (Osteospermum)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Muscari azureum Azure grape hyacinths at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Muscari azureum (Azure grape hyacinths)
 at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Pink Charm narcissus daffodils at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
"Pink Charm" narcissus/daffodils
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Pink Charm narcissus daffodils at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
"Pink Charm" narcissus/daffodils
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Red schizanthus and cyclamen at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Red schizanthus and cyclamen
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Red tulips and dianthus at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Red tulips and dianthus
at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Red tulips and dianthus at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Red tulips and dianthus at the
Allan Gardens Conservatory
 2016 Spring Flower Show 




Iris reticulata Blue Purple  Reticulated Iris at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Blue and purple Iris reticulata (Reticulated Iris)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show




Iris reticulata Blue Reticulated Iris at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Iris reticulata (Blue Reticulated Iris)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Azure grape hyacinths Muscari azureum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Azure grape hyacinths (Muscari azureum)
 at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Azure grape hyacinths Muscari azureum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Azure grape hyacinths (Muscari azureum)
 at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 


Alright, you're asking what do moth orchids have to do with a Spring Flower Show? Nothing, except adding to the beauty of the moment. After all, this blog often is about beautiful flowers and how can you not describe ubiquitous Phalaenopsis as beautiful?



Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis hybrid at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) hybrid
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
 2016 Spring Flower Show 




Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis hybrid at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) hybrid
at Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show




Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis hybrid at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) hybrid
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Moth Orchid Phalaenopsis hybrid at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) hybrid at
Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid hybrid at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) hybrid
at Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid hybrid at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) hybrid
at Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid hybrid at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) hybrid
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show



Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid hybrid at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) hybrid
at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 

I couldn't resist taking these three pictures. The Strelitzia was accommodating and the Brazilian Tree Fern was just unfurling some fantastic fronds.


Strelitzia reginae Bird of Paradise at Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show




Brazilian Tree Fern Blechnum brasiliense at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by garden muses-not another Toronto gardening blog
Brazilian Tree Fern (Blechnum brasiliense)
at the Allan Gardens Conservatory
2016 Spring Flower Show 




Brazilian Tree Fern Blechnum brasiliense at Toronto's Allan Gardens Conservatory 2016 Spring Flower Show by Paul Jung Gardening Services
With fronds like these, who needs anemones?

Want to see more highlights of the Spring Flower Show from previous years? Here are some convenient links to some of my blog posts from past springs:




8.3.16

Danforth Village, Toronto front garden spring clean up

Monarch Park, Toronto front garden spring clean up


April 2016 is around the corner and the weather is finally warming up. I'm anticipating getting business calls and e-mails soon requesting a "spring cleanup," which is not to be confused with a "fall cleanup."  It's really the same type of work (just separated by 5 months or so) consisting of removing old perennial leaves and stalks, pruning out woody stems that died over the winter, and raking out last fall's leaves.

The clean up below, completed last spring, is very typical for what I do in early spring for clients. For this east end Toronto front garden,  I removed old hosta and daylily stalks and leaves, trimmed the lavenders and cut out any dead material. Some clients prefer to have old tree leaves remain as a mulch  (which will break down by the summer) while other customers want them removed for a more "polished" look.

This client also asked me to divide and transplant several perennials so that a more layered look was achieved. (There were a few shorter perennials in this bed tucked away in the back. I simply moved them to the front and middle spaces as they were hidden by the taller daylilies and irises.)

Early spring is an ideal time to move and divide most perennials since they are just coming out of dormancy and air temperatures are still low enough to reduce stress on the newly transplanted perennials and shrubs.

Let's have a fantastic 2016 spring everyone!



Monarch Park  garden cleanup before by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park front garden clean up before



Monarch Park garden cleanup after by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park front garden clean up after 


Monarch Park spring garden cleanup before by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park spring garden cleanup before


Monarch Park  spring garden cleanup after by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park  spring garden cleanup after 



Monarch Park spring garden clean up before by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park spring garden clean up before 



Monarch Park spring garden cleanup after by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park spring garden cleanup after 



Monarch Park  garden cleanup before by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park front garden cleanup before


Monarch Park  garden cleanup after by Paul Jung Gardening Services Toronto
Monarch Park front garden cleanup after




LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...