A Baby, Bugs, Weeds, Exercise and Sins

Kate’s baby is expected Saturday, 13th July. Here’s wishing for a gardener’s bouquet of baby rose (Rosa polyantha) and baby’s breath (Gypsophila elegans) to the Duchess. But will the future heir to the throne have Cambridge blue eyes? Horticultural connection: Catherine and her sister Philippa were once upon a time snootily nicknamed ‘the Wisteria Sisters’ in society circles because they were, records Claudia Joseph in her biography, ‘highly decorative, terribly fragrant and with a ferocious ability to climb.’

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It was a cold start to June: plants didn’t know whether they were Angus or Agnes. There was an advantage though – bugs were delayed in the annual rampage. If Noah had been wise, he’d have swatted those two flies. Too late now – Pandora opened that box and the rest, as they say, is gardening history. Shakespeare conjured up protection in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act II sc ii):

Weaving spiders, come not here; Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence! Beetles black, approach not near; Worm nor snail do no offence.

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It is doubtful if the Bard believed this was the answer for gardeners in real life, away from mystic isles. “A lot of folks without experience put in a garden and think that nature will take its course. It’s a fair amount of fertilizing and insect and disease control,” observes Paul Lopes of the University of Massachusetts Extension Service.

Diversion No. 1

A row has erupted in Henley-on-Thames, England, where rows of colourful floral baskets have been banned because the council has ruled they are a health and safety hazard [Source: The Daily Telegraph]

“Big sisters are the crab grass in the lawn of life,” remarked the late Charles Schulz. This is neither time nor place for advice on control of older feminine family members but protecting against an invasion of crab grass is not difficult. Simply put: proper culture. As with chinch bug, which can also be expected to put in an appearance late this month, stressed lawns seem to be particularly prone to attack. Under watered, under fertilized, weed infested turf are the target numero uno for these notorious invasives. Above all, though, cutting the grass to a buzz cut is a disaster in the making. Mow no shorter than 2-inches (5-centimetres). The resulting thick, vigorous sod will smother crab grass seeds attempting to germinate. Did we say lack of fertilizer? Too late and too early for that now in the height of summer; spring and fall are the preferred times. When Popular Science magazine pays attention to gardening something must be out there. And it is – Scott’s new Turf Builder seeds. Coated with phosphorus fertilizer to encourage roots and hydrophilic particles to absorb and retain moisture, there is also a fungicide. This means even if and when approved by Ottawa, it will be automatically banned everywhere east of the Manitoba/Ontario boundary by provincial bungleaucrats.

Diversion No. 2

A study by the University of Iowa found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activities – planting, pruning or weeding – burns approximately 200 calories an hour for men and 150 for women. And you don’t even need to leave you yard to do it, there are no membership fees and you don't have to wait in line at a busy row of treadmills, says Rob Sproule in the Edmonton Journal

Deer at the cottage or in the country garden – oh dear. Unfortunately, in the city also. Almost anything young, tender and green – other than a neophyte gardener – may be morsel to a deer. They adore those two standbys, daylilies (Hemerocallis) and Hosta, along with Hydrangeas, Clematis, Impatiens – and your prize roses. Old favourites definitely disliked – although a hungry deer will eat just about anything – include Barberry, Butterfly Bush, Deutzia, Elderberry, Forsythia, Rose of Sharon, Viburnum and Weigela in shrubs, and in flowers, Artemisia, Astilbe. Beebalm, Bleeding Heart, Ferns, Foxglove, Gaillardia and Heuchera. If all else fails, take an old gardener’s advice: piss on it. Yes, you read it right. Farley Mowat marked out his territory in Never Cry Wolf following copious cups of tea. A more sedate way, less likely to provoke neighbours’ protests, is to fill a spray bottle with urine. Reapply regularly, particularly following rain. Some suggest mothballs make a dandy alternative. Many have tried this and failed to hit one deer yet. Mothballs are also poisonous to pets, children and other wildlife.

Diversion No. 3

Would you join a six-month waiting list for a $200 plant? Hip Sydney dwellers can’t get enough of the fiddle-leaf fig. It is emerging as the ultimate Sydney status symbol, noted The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). The plant is native to some parts of West Africa.

The fiddle-leaf fig, Ficus lyrata, makes a notable if somewhat coarse indoor plant that really looks best in large, well-lit open spaces rather than the miniscule spaces that masquerade as living space in modern condominium buildings. Never mind lack of room to flap a feline; even the mice are hunchbacked. Having space suitable for human as well as horticulture habitat, however, this is an excellent time to contemplate purchasing a larger houseplant or three. Price for a decent specimen are down to between $10-$15. It is also the perfect time to introduce such to a new home allowing time to adjust prior to the dark, gloomy days of winter. Although it is also a good time to transplant older, pot-bound plants into larger quarters, forget it with new arrivals. At the best, move these into new, perhaps more decorative containers than the ubiquitous black plastic grow pots they likely came in. Whether you welcome them with a speech is optional; Prince Charles believes in talking to his plants. But it is generally agreed that music soothes the soil-bound specimens, Classical and light jazz is thought to be best although perhaps not the more vigorous Wagner. And likewise give a miss on rock entertainment.

Diversion No. 4

A cecropia moth caterpillar, which hitched a ride from Ontario to St. John’s in a shipment of dogwood shrubs, has turned into a spectacular moth. Chris Swyers, the owner of C.D.’s Trees in Logy Bay, told CBC News the giant silk moth emerged from its cocoon on the last Wednesday of May.

We get inquiries . . . from Northern Ireland: Paul Finnegan is setting up a program to assist those in their bereavement that will include gardening experiences. He asks if we have any suggestions? Certainly and it merits a separate column in itself. Click on next month for a look at this much-appreciated therapy of yet another advantage gardening provides.

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