Preparing garden for next season

Sorry, there’s no excuse for avoiding fall clean up. The last week of September was predicted to herald global disaster. A Blood Moon prophecy and an asteroid or meteor strike were predicted by some enthusiasts to wipe humanity from the planet.

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One is reminded of the four disciples gathered for such an event in the unforgettable Beyond the Fringe skit, chanting, “Now is the hour, the end of the world.” When nothing happens, their leader announces, “Same time tomorrow, chaps. “We’re bound to get it right one day.” This year, Thanksgiving in Canada falls on 12 October. Seven days later Canadians vote in the federal election – but why when all the turkeys are done with? A day before Canadian Thanksgiving celebrates the advent of the World Conker Championships, held since 1965 in Oundle, Northamptonshire, U.K., on the second Sunday in October. Use your own imagination for National Boss Day, after all Halloween is only two weeks away.

Diversion No. 1

Black Thumb? She thought the vegetable Columbus did not want on his ship was a leek

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Cleaning out the containers of their annual display? Don’t discard the sweet potato leaves, a good source of vitamins. A study designed to determine the ascorbic acid, thiamin, and vitamin B6 content in the foliar tissues of sweet potato confirmed that mature and young sweet potato leaves can be a good source of multiple water-soluble vitamins in the human diet, reported researchers in the journal HortScience. Perennial by name but not by nature if ignored. Some vigorous perennials require splitting and replanting every year or two; others need similar treatment after five or six years. A very few – peonies are an outstanding example – perhaps only once in 50 years. October is an excellent time for the operation. The plants have plenty of time to form new roots before the ground freezes and, from a human standpoint, cooler temperatures make to work more bearable. Some perennials such as hostas can build up enormous and tough root systems. These may take a sharpened turf edger, equally sharp spade or, as a last resort even an ax to split. Make sure every last trace of weeds are removed before replanting. If the project is running into a second day, protect the removed plants from overnight frost inside the garage or under a heavy tarpaulin.

Diversion No. 2

Lay in the mulch! Just when you thought you had gotten over last winter, be warned: The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts it will be super cold with a slew of snow for much of the country, even in places that don’t usually see too much of it, like the Pacific Northwest, warns The New York Post, adding that the 224-year-old almanac is believed to be the oldest continually published periodical in North America. However Environment Canada predict a milder winter for the country as a whole.

“Need a good-size rake fer my leeves but son is in town,” claimed Charlie Farquharson in his hilarious Allmynack, written by his alter ego the late Don Harron. Even if your municipality removes them, you could be missing out on the perfect solution to both protect and improve your garden soil and plants. Many tree leaves make an excellent mulch either composted for a couple of years or simple shredded. Most residents will not have a shredder, so simply rake into a heap and run the lawn mower over a few times. Spread inches thick on perennial beds only after the ground has frozen. However, oak leaves and pine needles are acid, meaning they will lower the soil pH. This is excellent for rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries and other plants that demand an acidic soil. Otherwise, allow the municipality to take care of them.

Diversion No. 3

A display of decorated squash with human faces was described as ‘Butternuts with Attitude’ by The New Zealand Herald’s irrepressible ‘Sideswipe’ feature

Celebrating Halloween with the traditional carved pumpkin, last year Sophie Bushwick explained in Popular Science magazine October issue how you could pimp you pumpkin with a miniature smoke machine. Push several nails into the floor of your jack-o’-lantern and place a small foil pie tin on them, with a few tea candles beneath. When you pour a little fog juice (one part glycerine to 3 parts distilled water) into the tin, the candle will heat and evaporate the liquid. This year, the publication goes high-tech. And since it is never a good idea to leave a flame unattended, suggests Sean Michael Ragan, build a flameless Hack-o’-Lantern by wiring up an electronic blinky light. It requires six LEDs with a candle-flicker effect and runs on three AAA batteries, takes an hour to assemble and costs US$30. Simpler, easier and, frankly, more garden friendly is creating a pumpkin planter. Select a large pumpkin, big enough to hold a six-, eight- or ten-inch pot of hardy yellow chrysanthemums or purple dwarf asters. Remove the top, clean the interior and leaved unadorned or carved to fancy. Position the pot so the flowers protrude out the top – this may require propping them up on an inverted discarded pot. Place at the front door and keep well watered, particularly in warm, windy weather.

Diversion No. 4

Hillary Clinton was fêted by a high-fashion crowd at Tory Burch’s majestic Hamptons mansion one recent Sunday – but well-heeled guests got drenched by the designer’s sprinkler system as the presidential candidate stood up to speak, gleefully reported The New York Post. As Hillary, who was on a covered terrace, started to speak to 200 guests who fanned out into the garden, Burch’s sprinkler system suddenly went on, soaking some of the well-attired attendees.

Finally, Donald Trump wants Jeb Bush – who speaks Spanish at home – to stick to the language of Shakespeare. While we have a deep and longstanding appreciate of the Bard from Stratford-on-Avon, out of deference to you, gentle reader, we will continue with more modern English – and Canadian English at that.

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