PLANTY TO DO IN JANUARY

Dayna, North End Resident and Reader

“I look forward to the always-prompt delivery of the next edition to my mailbox, and to receiving the email alerting me to its availability! I so appreciate that there remains a local community paper at a time when so many others have ceased publication. It’s been a great introduction to the North End!”

Kristina Santone

“Being a part of the North End Breezes board for the past two years has been a privilege. The team does amazing work within the community and serves as a resource hub for all. They are committed, and most importantly, passionate about preserving the North End’s legacy, while also continuing to foster its growth. Whether you are new to the area, or a longtime resident, I encourage you to volunteer with the Breezes in some capacity if you’re able. This team is small but mighty and they are always looking for more support. I’m grateful for the relationships and community I’ve been able to build while serving on the board.

I’ll be joining Welcome Inn as the Executive Director and look forward to taking on a new role in the North End Community while staying connected to The Breezes. “

SUBMITTED BY CANDY VENNING

Wooot woot! This stimulating time of the year is prime time to pore over the online Dahlia & seed catalogs, I mean, what else ya got goin’ on???

Dahlias have been one of my favourite cut flowers, they’re stunning in a garden, easy to grow and last a long time in a vase. Last year I was late off the mark and completely missed out on purchasing Dahlias from my fave suppliers; flowerbulbsrus.com & creeksidegrowers.ca

PRO TIP: to help the bees while also skipping the staking and tying up huge floppy plants, choose ‘singles’. (‘Bishop of Llandaff’ & ‘Wishes and Dreams’ for example) The big fat double ‘dinnerplate’ & ‘pompom’ varieties have no discernable center for bees and butterflies to reach the pollen.

In fact pollinators don’t benefit from any type of double flowers, whether dahlias, roses, peonies or poppies. Basically, If you can’t find the pollen then neither can they.

SEEDS: I did start more seeds last year than in previous years & as a result I was prepared & fully stocked up this year by trading packets with other gardeners via giant envelopes left in the mailbox. Unfortunately, we won’t have our fabulous Seedy Saturday this year for seeds but there will be online classes & speakers – check out greenventure.ca for more event info.

May I suggest the following suppliers to provide all you could desire in the seed category – some things are much easier than others to grow, follow instructions and learn about Winter sowing (more info coming the February article)

Damseeds.com William Dam, for everything, from veggies & herbs to natives & flowers, organic & untreated

Matchboxgarden.ca for organic veggie seeds and unusual heritage varieties

Wildflowerfarm.com for native, perennial plant seeds

Hawthornfarm.ca for organic & heirloom veg, flower, herb seeds

If you remembered to dig up Canna lillies & store the dahlias, January is a good time to check on them. An ounce of prevention can stave off disappointment in March, make sure they aren’t rotting or drying out.

Hopefully you left your native plants untrimmed and may have been lucky enough to see chickadees, goldfinches or Juncos feeding on the seed heads. Soon enough we’ll have birds migrating back in early spring and they’ll need all the fuel they can get – worth considering now, what kind of tree you’d like the city to plant in your front yard. (hint, native trees host native insects which feed those baby birds that can’t eat seed)

Check on your houseplants – they may need a soak or treatment for mealybugs or mites – tremendous info and videos online. If you received plants as gifts – poinsettias or Cactus etc make sure they have adequate drainage, I once drowned an orchid that had no drainage holes in the pot. If you received a plant in terra cotta or clay, consider elevating the plant onto a glass plate or serving platter, combined with the application of some felted ‘feet’, it should protect any furniture surfaces

And finally, if you had a real tree and it’s time for collection, check in with the RBG. They’ve taken Christmas trees in the past for creating habitat, and we hope they’ll continue to do so – remember to remove all tinsel or any tiny decorations as these could prove to be a real hazard to wildlife.