OVER THE BACK FENCE - Autumn 2010
Written by Lynn Near
Photograph of Back Fence by Monica Skinner
What an interesting summer it has been! Spring sprung early, about three weeks ahead of the norm, then May and June gave us unseasonably dry spells to the point where prognosticators said the summer months would bring us a drought. The mosquito population was small due to the heat and dryness. Then July hit us with abundant and unusual rains, record breaking heat, hot and humid nights, and many other unexpected weather blips. Now, of course, rainfall amounts are returning to normal, farmers are ecstatic, and our gardens have become urban jungles! On the down side, extra rain and heat made for a bumper crop of wasps in August. Will the Fall bring early frosts to balance out the season or will our blissful summer days be prolonged into a late Indian summer? The mountain ash trees are full of red berries, which some say indicates a harsh winter to come; leaves are beginning to turn early. Obviously, weather predictors cannot be relied upon this year! However, those first cool nights in early August reminded us that autumn is indeed approaching.
Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable growers describe a superior product at harvest; fruits, including tomatoes, are early, huge and abundant! Although, because of the late frost then early heat and too much rain, strawberries came and went in a flash, everything else is flourishing. Apple, berry and peach crops are the best they have been in years. Hot temperatures overnight, although not optimal for sleeping, have meant that crops continue to grow with high heat units, all through the night.
What does this mean to the urban gardener? You guessed it - lots of healthy weeds! Luckily, weather has allowed us lots of outdoor time for weeding, pruning and gathering wondrous bouquets. Strange and unusual bugs have appeared in my garden; grasshoppers are huge and happy; birds are fat and full of various creepy-crawlies. Nature is singing a joyous song!
Speaking of pruning, it is, unfortunately, time to begin preparing the indoor plants that you moved outside in June to return to the indoor fold, so to speak, before the frost strikes. Prune and shape them back to an indoor size now, give them a new pot with soil in which to spend the winter, hose off outdoor pests and clean them off. One errant frost will kill them, so be aware of night-time temperatures.
By late September dig out the dahlias, callas, cannas and other non-hardly bulbs for storage in a dark, dry place where they won't freeze. Clean up the garden ditritus, cut down unsightly, spent flowers, and start to think about which perennials to move or get rid of. If your trees are harbouring tent caterpillars be sure to cut them immediately, place in a garbage bag and dispose of in waste garbage. Do not compost or burn them.
Of course it is also time to consider planting new bulbs - tulips, hyacinth, grape hyacinth, crocus, daffodil, allium, etc. Fall nursery catalogues abound in the mail and nurseries are stocking wonderful choices to check out. You can plant up to mid-November as long as the soil is still tillable. Remember that your membership entitles you to a 10% discount at sponsoring nurseries listed on the back of your membership card.
As we begin to think about moving our gardening indoors, take note of the Society's fantastic winter season meetings! Many entertaining, informative and fun speakers have been booked and I , for one, am looking forward to attending on the fourth Tuesday of every month, at Dublin Street United Church, at 7:45 p.m.. Remember, also, the freebies table, where you are free to contribute, and/or to take away treasures! Get those flower arrangements prepped for the September and October mini-shows. Start saving "stuff" for the penny sale in November!
The annual Garden Tour was a great success, bringing in over $3000.00; the Flower Show at the Quebec St. Mall was lovely; we have many new members and a flourishing website. Please come along to the meetings, bring a friend or neighbour, and be part of a wonderful organization. The Horticultural Society is always looking for new Board members; if you would like to contribute in this way please let the president or a board member know at the fall meetings - you are all welcome!
Yours in gardening,
Lynn Near.
