May 2016

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Volume 20:05 www.qualicumbeachgardenclub.wordpress.com

Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 7 pm Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St., Qualicum Beach

Speakers: Summer Joy and Jim Webb “A Day at the RHS – Malvern Autumn Show” 7:00 p.m. Come early, socialize, and browse, raffle tickets, tea/coffee/treats 

Avid Vancouver Island gardeners, Summer Joy and Jim Webb, moved to the Courtenay area from England in 2010 and returned to England for a visit in the autumn of 2015. While there they indulged in various garden adventures and took in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Malvern Autumn Show. The RHS holds a spring and autumn show at the big Malvern show grounds with the autumn event focusing on fruit, vegetables and of the season. We invite you to come along with us, by way of a slide show, to spend a really fun day at the show. This horticultural event is vast in scope, jam-packed with fantastic displays and competitions, and also includes numerous vendors for just about anything related to , gardening and growing, including the fabulous food and drink produced from these endeavors. Besides the beautiful displays of plants, flowers, fruit and veg they also have handmade tools (old and new), garden ornaments, handcrafts of all kinds, displays of antique machinery and vintage cars. One part of the slide show presentation features the amazing giant vegetables competition. Summer first got the gardening bug during her late teens/early 20’s when she was living in England. She got serious about creating her own garden during her 17 years living on Hornby Island, where the back-to-the- landers built beautiful homes from nature, with gardens to match. Meanwhile in England, Jim was much into carrying on the garden traditions on the farm where he was born and raised and gathering even more knowledge about plants and English gardens. Summer moved to England to join Jim in 2002 and created a quirky garden full of her recycled artwork, living willow work, and interesting plants, while Jim produced delicious organic food for the table. And they explored many of the gardens of England together, as well as being members of four local garden clubs. They have a shared interest in unusual plants and brought some of their treasured plants with them when they settled in Courtenay. They are now in the process of creating an English cottage garden with west coast overtones. In 2014 they revisited the RHS Malvern Autumn Show, taking hundreds of pictures with the idea of sharing their experience with garden clubs on the Island.

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 1 Upcoming Meetings and Speakers June 14 Brandi Miceli, “Fundamentals of Garden Design”

July 12 Shane Tillapaugh and Dany Fortin, “Crevice Style Rock Gardens – from the Mountains to your garden.”

August No Meeting

Sept. 13 Tanja Pickrell (Nitty Gritty Greenhouse), “September Harvest Hints”

October 11 Jessica Wolf, “Delicious mushrooms to find in the wild and grow in your gardens.”

November 8 Connie Kuramoto, “Planning for the Best Garden Ever.”

Admission Charges Now in Effect for Guests

Beginning in May, 2016 we are going to charge guests $2 per visit. Our membership is only $12 and the costs for speakers, prizes and insurance need to be covered. We have made a decision that everyone should help pay the costs. Other garden clubs in the area have also come to that decision – but worth it to hear a great speaker and have a good night out!

Welcome New Members: There were 6 new members who joined the garden club in April. Please extend a warm welcome to: Celine C Barbara H Connie J

Christine K Judy & Mark M Dianne S

Acknowledgements: Thank you goody donors Anne B, Nancy W, Marilynn K, and Carole C for providing the treats for the May meeting.

Thank you Jo C, Vancouver Island Master Gardeners’ Association, for providing the article on “Spring-Planted Bulbs” and a couple of lovely pictures from your garden to go with it

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 2 Classifieds FOR SALE: Wrought Iron Vine Support - attractive, 1-foot wide x 4 feet tall, in the shape of a globe topped by a cone. Paid $78, sacrifice for $20. Contact Judy W.

Stainless steel holder with 2 shelves – 3’ tall x 3’ wide, 14” deep. $10. Pictures available. Contact Judy W.

Upcoming Events Alpine Gardeners of Central Vancouver Island is holding their Giant Plant Sale Saturday, May 7 from 9 am to 1 pm at 886 Primrose St. in Hermitage Park, Qualicum Beach. There will be alpines, annuals, perennials, vegetables, shrubs, gardening bits and bobs and more. Come early for best selection. More info? Contact June at [email protected].

The Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society presents the Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Tour, May 7 & 8. Fourteen beautiful and creative gardens to enjoy in Qualicum Beach and Parksville for $15. Also, art, music and floral arts. Tickets available at: Mulberry Bush Book Stores, Arrowsmith Greenhouses, Milner Gardens, Ken-Dor Garden Centre, Buckerfield’s, Cultivate Garden & Gift, and Colyn’s Nursery and Garden Centre (Port Alberni). For more information, phone 738-0138 or marsrhodos.ca.

The Mount Arrowsmith Bonsai Club is having its annual bonsai show on May 7th at the Old School House Gallery in Qualicum Beach. It runs from 10:30 am until 3 pm. There is no charge and everyone is most welcome to observe and get an introduction to the art of bonsai. In addition, there will be some plants for sale. Any questions contact Frank Hovenden at [email protected].

Nanoose Garden Club is having their Annual Plant Sale, Saturday, May 7th, 9 am to 1 pm at the Nanoose Library Centre, Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose. Featuring vegetables, Heritage tomatoes, and perennials. Master Gardeners in attendance. There will also be a Library Fundraiser inside the hall. Book sale, white elephant, kids’ toys and collectibles and curios. Refreshments & treats. Bring your family, friends and neighbours. For more info contact Loraine (250-468-9749).

Reg & Eva are selling off their dahlia tubers and Eva will be at the upcoming garden meeting selling dahlias. $4 each or 6 for $20.

Kathy Claxton’s 6th Annual Plant Sale – Columbia Beach, May 13 & 14th, 9 am – 3 pm 1596 Marine Circle, Parksville. Tomatoes: heirloom and some hybrids. Other veggies: cucumbers, squash, pumpkin. Perennials, shade loving hostas, shrubs, lots of variety to choose from. Also garage sale and PEO fund raiser table. For info or directions contact Kathy at [email protected]

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 3 The Eaglecrest Garden Club meets on Wednesday, May 25 at 7 pm at the Fall Plant Sale – Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St. Qualicum Beach. Speaker will be Items Needed!!! Connie Kuramoto, “Cuttings and Propagation Techniques” New members and guests welcome. Non-members: $3.00. Contact Susan 250-594-7468. We started lots of winter veggies for AGCVI presents David Sellars on Monday, May 30, 1-3 pm. Qualicum Beach our fall plant sale Civic Centre, 747 Jones, QB. “Pyrenees Flora in Perspective: from Andorra to this past weekend – Gavarie” and “Photographing Alpine Plants: A Landscape Point of View.” $10 and we’re not at the door, includes entry in prize draw & coffee/tea and goodies. There will finished yet! Please also be a plant sale. (See attached poster.) help by donating QBGC Members’ Garden Tour – June 11th from 10 am to 4 pm. We’re clean 4” pots and looking for more volunteers who would like to open their gardens for the metal venetian tour – there are 3 so far. Last year was a lot of fun and the members who blinds for our opened their gardens enjoyed it as well, you get ideas and what grows in tags – preferably the area. Please let Sue Beatty know if you’ll be part of the tour! She can cut and ready to be reached at [email protected]. If no one volunteers, Sue will start use. PLEASE BRING bugging you in person!!! THEM TO THE NEXT MEETING! “All About the Garden Sale” Thank you for Saturday morning, September 17 at the Qualicum Beach Museum helping make our Members, please remember to plan ahead for pot-ups and plant divisions fall “All About the for the sale. We will be sending around the sign-up form for volunteers at Garden Sale” a the June and July meetings. success!

I love deadlines. I love the sound as they go whooshing by.

– Douglas Adams

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 4

ThThinning:inning: A Ann O Objectbject L Lessonesson From: Good Growing News – West Coast Seeds, June 2015 From: Good Growing News – West Coast Seeds, June 2015 HereHere we wehave have a diverse a diverse blend blend of carrots of carrots locked locked in an in amorous an embrace,amorous which embrace, is endearing which isin endearingone way, but in one also way, illustrates but the need for also“thinning.” illustrates Thinning the need refers for to“thinning.” removing Thinning some seedlings refers to from a row removing some seedlings from a row to make room for to makeothers room to grow for othersin. It can to begrow tricky, in. It tedious can be work,tricky, buttedious it’s work, butvitally it’s vitally important. important. I find I carrotsfind carrots and lettuceand lettuce seeds seeds some some of of the hardestthe hardest to sow tobecause sow because they’re they’re just so justsmall. so So small. I tend So to I get a few tootend many to seeds get a plantedfew too manyin the seedsrow and planted when in the the seedlings row and come up, theywhen can bethe pretty seedlings much come shoulder-to-shoulder. up, they can be pretty much shoulder-to-shoulder. TheThe twisty twisty embrace embrace of carrot of carrot roots roots exemplifies exemplifies perfectly perfectly the need for thethinning. need forBecause thinning. they Because were so they close were together so close as they grew, theytogether became as entwined. they grew, This they process became begins entwined. early inThis the plants’ development.process begins So, withearly carrots, in the plants’ I like to development wait until the. So seedlings, with are not more than just over an inch tall before removingcarrots, some. I like If toyou’re wait planninguntil the onseedlings harvesting are notbaby more carrots, or if you than just over an inch tall before removing some. If you’re planning on harvesting baby carrots, or if you have planted one of the dwarf carrots like Mignon or Little Fingers, you can thin so that each carrot is 1-1/2” have planted one of the dwarf carrots like Mignon or Little Fingers, you can thin so that each carrot is 1-1/2”apart apart in the in row. the Biggerrow. Bigger carrots carrots like the like chunky the chunky Chantenay Chantenay and Kuroda and Kuroda Nova, Nova,might mightwant to want be 2-3”to be apart from 2-3”their apart neighbours. from their neighbours.

ThinningThinning is isdelicate delicate work. work. You You wantwant toto minimizeminimize disturbance toto thethe rootsroots ofof thethe seedlingsseedlings left left in in the the row. In some row.cases, In some it’s better cases, to it’s simply better pinch to simplythe stems pinch of the seedlingsstems of theyou seedlingsare thinning, you and are leavethinning, their and roots leave in the ground. their roots in the ground. This depends on the structure of your soil, and how much of it is disturbed as This depends on the structure of your soil, and how much of it is disturbed as you pull out each seedling. you pull out each seedling. ThinningThinning is isa avaluab valuablele lesson lesson for for new new gardeners. gardeners. The The recommendations recommendations found found o non seed seed packets, packets, in in catalogues, catalogueetc. are sintended, etc. are tointended help the to gardener help the visualizegardener the visualize space theneeded space between needed plantsbetween in each plants row in –each as well as the rowspace – as between well as the the space rows themselves.between the After rows all,themselves. you want Afterto be all,able you to wantget in to and be doable weeding to get inand and harvest do your weeding and harvest your crops easily, without disturbing plants in a neighbouring row. crops easily, without disturbing plants in a neighbouring row.

TIP: Try this method for planting tiny lettuce and carrot seeds, as well as the round seeds of mustards and TIP: Try this method for planting tiny lettuce and carrot seeds, as well as the round seeds of mustards andother other Brassicas. Brassicas. Take Take a length a length of 1 of x 11 lumberx 1 lumber that that is square is square in cross in cross section section (could (could also bealso a belength a of 2 x 2), lengthand pressof 2 x it 2), firmly and intopress the it firmlyrow with into the the angle row with side thedown angle so itside creates down a soV-shaped it creates trough. a V-shaped When you drop trough.the seeds When into you this drop trough the seedsthey tend into tothis roll trough to the they bottom, tend whichto roll makesto the bottom,for a very which straight make ands for even a line of veryseedlings straight once and eventhey emerge.line of seedlings The seeds once can they also emerge.be covered The to seeds a consistent, can also accurate be covered depth. to a consistent, accurate depth.

Despite the gardener’s best intentions, Nature will improvise. Despite the gardener’s best intentions, Nature will improvise. – Michael P. Garofalo – Michael P. Garofalo 5

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 5

Spring-PlantedSpring-P Bulbslanted Bulbs By Jo Canning,By Jo Canning, Vancouver Vancouver Island Master Island Gardeners’ Master Gardeners’ Association Association

Ancient OriginsAncient Origins

Bulbs areBulbs the perfect are the low-maintenance perfect low-maintenance perennial. perennial. Because Becausethey also they represent also represent a unique abotanical unique botanical niche, understandingniche, theirunderstanding attributes their helps attributes us manage helps them us with manage less themwork andwith more less work success. and more success.

75% of all75% garden of all bulbs garden fall bulbs into three fall into families: three families: amaryllisamaryllis (ex: agapanthus (ex: agapanthus), iris (ex:), crocosmiairis (ex: ), and lily (ex: alliumcrocosmia). All ),evolved and lily on (ex: the allium fertile). marginsAll evolved on of harsh theclimates, fertile developingmargins of doubleharsh climates, systems for developing double systems for storage and storage and nutrient uptake, as well as double nutrient uptake, as well as double reproductivereproductive systems systemsto optimize to optimize their survival their in both goodsurvival and bad in bothyears. good Although and bad gardeners years. Although refer to the wholegardeners group refer as “bulbs” to the theirwhole extra group storage as “bulbs” systems theirare divided extra storage into five systems botanical are groups: divided true into five botanical groups: true bulbs, tubers, bulbs, tubers, tuberous roots, corms, and rhizomes. tuberous roots, corms, and rhizomes. Pick any Spot, Pick any Season Crocosmia from Author’s garden Crocosmia from Author’s garden.

Bulbs thrivePick in a nay wide Spot range, Pick ofan yconditions, Season from drought loving lycoris to bog loving Fritillaria meleagris. Others, like the iris, are found throughout the whole range, from the Louisiana iris in wet shade to the bearded iris thrivingBulbs in Zonethrive 4 inxeriscapes. a wide range But ofdon’t conditions, confuse frombloom drought time with loving planting lycoris time. to bog Most loving autumn Fritillaria planted meleagris. bulbs Others, like the iris, are found throughout the whole range, from the Louisiana iris in wet shade to the are spring bloomers, yet this group also offers summer and early autumn blooming plants. The spring planted bearded iris thriving in Zone 4 xeriscapes. But don’t confuse bloom time with planting time. Most group favoursautumn summer planted through bulbs are autumn spring blossoms. bloomers, yet this group also offers summer and early autumn blooming plants. The spring planted group favours summer through autumn blossoms. Autumn Planted vs Spring Planted Bulbs Autumn Planted vs Spring Planted Bulbs The differences between autumn and spring planted bulbs are few, but very important to their long-term health. ToThe begin differences with, the between autumn autumngroup can and be spring planted planted over thebulbs long are autumn few, but season. very important They need to nottheir only long a - dormantterm season, health. but Tooften begin a cold, with, frosted the autumn one. They group settle can in,be developplanted strongover the roots long to aut feedumn their season. bulbs, They then need sleep, wakingnot only in early a dormant spring season, to treat butus withoften the a cold, quintessential frosted one. shapes, They colourssettle in, and develop perfumes strong of rootsour gardens. to feed their bulbs, then sleep, waking in early spring to treat us with the quintessential shapes, colours and The spring planted group bloom in the same or adjacent warm season in which they are planted and so go perfumes of our gardens. The spring planted group bloom in the same or adjacent warm season in dormantwhich after, theyrather are than planted before and we so enjoy go dormant their florescence. after, rather Plant than them before immediately we enjoy their or they florescence. will deplete Plant their stores andthem never immediately fully recover. or they will deplete their stores and never fully recover.

Right-plant,Right right-place-plant, right applies-place to applies bulbs justto bulbs as with just any as long-livedwith any long perennial.-lived perennial. Bulb packages Bulb packageswill tell you will all tell about plantingyou all andabout care. planting Well, almost:and care. unless Well, they almost: are unlessthe small they group are theof bog small plants group make of bog sure plants your makebulb beds sure drain easily.your Nothing bulb beds will drain do-in easily. bulbs Nothingfaster than will rot do from-in bulbs soggy faster soil. thanWell rotcomposted from soggy soil soil. and Well good composted drainage is soil and good drainage is key to the long-term health of all bulbs. key to the long-term health of all bulbs.

6

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 6 AnotherAnother difference difference is is the the spring spring planted planted bulbs bulbs are are considered considered more more tender tenderAnotherthan thethan difference autumn the autumn group. is the group. springIn some In planted somecases casesthisbulbs is thistrue.are isconsidered In true. colder In colder zones more you must Another difference is the spring planted bulbs are considered more zonestenderlift them, you than must or the store liftautumn them,their group.pots or store in In a cool,theirsome potswell cases ventilatedin thisa cool, is true. well winter Inventilated colder spot. Yet many winter spot.tender Yet than many the tender autumn bulbs, group. like In the some florist cases this is (true.c. In colder zonestender you bulbs, must like lift thethem, florist or store cyclamen their (potsc. persicum in a cool,) have well hardy ventilated varieties, like zones you must lift them, or store their pots in a cool, well ventilated persicumwinter spot.) have Yet hardymany varieties,tender bulbs, like thelike spring the florist bloomin cyclameng c. repandum (c. the springwinter blooming spot. Yet c. repandummany tender and bulbs, its autumn like the blooming florist cyclamen cousin, c.(c. cilicium . andpersicum its autumn) have blooming hardy varieties, cousin, like c. cilicium.the spring If youbloomin love gcyclamen c. repandum you If you lovepersicum cyclamen) have you hardy can varieties,have something like the blooming spring bloomin at sea glevel c. repandum on the canand haveits autumn something blooming blooming cousin, at seac. cilicium. level on If the you coast love allcyclamen year long. you and its autumn blooming cousin, c. cilicium. If you love cyclamen you cancoast have all somethingyear long. blooming at sea level on the coast all year long. Take a littlecan extrahave somethingtime to appreciate blooming the at c seahanging level seasonalon the coast conditions all year long. ofTakeTake your a a littlespring little extra extra planted time time bulb to to appreciate appreciatearea before the the you changing changing put them seasonal seasonal in. Their conditions conditionswater of Take a little extra time to appreciate the changing seasonal conditions needsofyour your duringspring spring planteddormancy planted bulb bulb vary area are mucha before before more youyou than putput the themthem autumn in. Their-planted water needs of your spring planted bulb area before you put them in. Their water group,needsduring duringand dormancy is mostdormancy important.vary muchvary much Severalmore more than years than the ago, autumn-plantedthe I autumnplanted -aplanted three group,- and is needs during dormancy vary much more than the autumn-planted seasongroup, andbed isof most blue important.bulbs in rich Several soil that years was ago, a bit I plantedheavy. I a three- most important.group, and Several is most years important. ago, I Severalplanted yearsa three-season ago, I planted bed a of three blue- Cyclamen cilicium choseChionodoxa and Muscari followed by Cyclamen cilicium seasonbulbs inbed rich of soilblue that bulbs was in arich bit soilheavy. that I chosewas a bitChionodoxa heavy. I and Muscari Camassiaseason quamish bed for of spring,blue bulbs Agapanthus in rich soil that was a bit heavy. I Cyclamen cilicium choseChionodoxa and Muscari followed by followedchose by CamassiaChionodoxa quamish and Muscari for spring, followed by and T. brodiaeaCyclamen for cilicium summer, thenCamassia reblooming quamish Iris germanica for spring, toAgapanthus take the Agapanthus and T. brodiaea for summer,Camassia then reblooming quamish for Iris spring, germanica Agapanthus to take bedand throughT. brodiaea autumn. for summer, The edges then of reblooming my neighbour’s Iris germanica weekly lawn to takesprinkling the and T. brodiaea for summer, then reblooming Iris germanica to take the moistenedbedthe bedthrough through the autumn. bed autumn. through The edgesThe the edgesdry of monthsmy of neighbour’s my (Ineighbour’s don’t waterweekly weekly my lawn lawns sprinklinglawn in sprinkling bed through autumn. The edges of my neighbour’s weekly lawn sprinkling summer)moistenedmoistened so thethe I thought bed bed through through I’d done the the a dry finedry months monthspiece of(I (Ibusiness.don’t don’t water water All, my includingmy lawns lawns in the in summer) moistened the bed through the dry months (I don’t water my lawns in irissummer)so I(unlike thought so the II’d thought once done-blooming aI’d fine done piece group, a fine of business.piecere-blooming of business. All, irisincluding want All, aincluding thebit ofiris (unlike the the summer) so I thought I’d done a fine piece of business. All, including the summeriris (unlike moisture) the once sur-bloomingvived nicely, group, but re the-blooming brodiaea iris died want out a afterbit of the first once-bloomingiris (unlike group, the oncere-blooming-blooming iris group, want rea bit-blooming of summer iris wantmoisture) a bit ofsurvived season.summer Not moisture) only did sur thatvived end nicely, of the but bed the get brodiaea too wet, died it was out shaded after the for firsta nicely, butsummer the brodiaea moisture) died sur outvived after nicely, the butfirst the season. brodiaea Not diedonly outdid afterthat endthe first of coupleseason. of Not hours only, midday did that, inend summer of the bedby a getdeciduous too wet, shrub. it was The shaded brodiaea for a the bedseason. get too Notwet, only it was did shaded that end for of a the couple bed getof hours, too wet, midday, it was in shaded summer for bya needscouple full of hourssun and, midday drought, in once summer it begins by a deciduousits dormant shrub. season The with brodiaea some couple of hours, midday, in summer by a deciduous shrub. The brodiaea rainneedsa deciduous protection full sun shrub. and as well drought The as brodiaea fast once draining it needsbegins soil full itsduring sundormant andwinter. droughtseason In addition, withonce some it I beginsgot its needs full sun and drought once it begins its dormant season with some theraindormant corms protection season on sale, as with wellso they someas fast were rain draining old protection and soil not during inas the well winter. best as fastof In condition draining addition, whensoil I got during I Camassia quamish planted them.rain protection as well as fast draining soil during winter. In addition, I got thewinter. corms In addition,on sale, so I gotthey the were corms old andon sale, not inso the they best were of conditionold and not when in the I bestCamassia quamish the corms on sale, so they were old and not in the best of condition when I Camassia quamish planted them. Camassia quamish of conditionplanted when them. I planted them. For all the dry that many spring planted bulbs needFor all after the bloom,dry that alway manys springsoak them planted very bulbs well at For all Forthe alldry the that dry many that springmany springplanted planted bulbs needbulbs planting.need after Water bloom, carries alway nutrients,s soak them and very they well need at a after bloom,need after always bloom, soak alwaythems very soak well them at planting.very well at boostplanting. before Water bloom. carries Some nutrients, and demand they need a a planting. Water carries nutrients, and they need a heavyboostWater wettingbefore carries bloom. or nutrients, they Some simply and species do they not need demandbloom. a boost a before boost before bloom. Some species demand a Zephranthesheavybloom. wetting Some (rain or species they lily) simplyis demand the mostdo anot heavyextreme bloom. wetting or they heavy wetting or they simply do not bloom. example.Zephranthessimply do not (rain bloom. lily) isZephranthes the most extreme (rain lily) is the most Zephranthes (rain lily) is the most extreme example.extreme example. Finally, whenexample. your bulbs finish, let them die back atFinally, their ownwhen pace. your Dobulbs not finish, cut down let them the greens. die back Finally,Finally, when yourwhen bulbs your finish, bulbs letfinish, them let die them back die at back Allat theirbulbs own need pace. late Dogreens not cutfor sunlight’sdown the nutrientsgreens. their ownat their pace. own Do pace.not cut Do down not cut the down greens. the All greens. bulbs toAll replenish bulbs need themselves, late greens and for to sunlight’s help them nutrients need lateAll bulbsgreens need for sunlight’s late greens nutrients for sunlight’s to replenish nutrients naturalize.to replenish This themselves, is especially and important to help them for your Agapanthus to replenish themselves, and to help them firstnaturalize.themselves, year bul Thisbs. and I’mis especiallyto sure help there them important are naturalize. plenty for of yourThis other is naturalize. This is especially important for your Agapanthus Agapanthus jobsfirstespecially yearmore bul pressing, importantbs. I’m surebut for if there youyour can’t arefirst plenty yearstand bulbs. ofit, othertie I’m sure them intoAgapanthus stooks with one of the , or twine. first year bulbs. I’m sure there are plenty of other there are plenty of other jobs more pressing, but if youjobs can’t more stand pressing, it, tie thembut if intoyou stookscan’t stand with it,one tie of the jobs more pressing, but if you can’t stand it, tie them into stooks with one of the leaves, or twine. leaves, orthem twine. into stooks with one of the leaves, or twine.

7 Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 7 7 7

Feeding Bulbs Feeding Bulbs Older books and articles recommended a biannual regimen of fertilizer whose numbers are above 20, plus a Older books and articles recommended a biannual regimen of fertilizer whose numbers are above 20, big handful of dolomite lime in the bottom of the hole at planting. Recent studies show a leaner spring feed is plus a big handful of dolomite lime in the bottom of the hole at planting. Recent studies show a leaner best.spring Bulb feedfertilizer is best. needs Bulb to fertilizerbe 4-10-6, needs and tono be after 4-10 bloom-6, and feed no is after needed. bloom Overfeeding feed is needed. causes Overfeeding most species to declinecauses inmost bloom species quality, to declineopting toin producebloom quality, an abundance opting to of produce bulblets, an cormels abundance or bulbils of bulblets, in lieu ofcormels healthy parentsor bulbils and quality in lieu florescence.of healthy parents After justand one quality season florescence. most spring After planted just one bulbs season do well most with spring the plantedannual spring compostingbulbs do alongwell with with the the annual rest of spring the garden, composting and a bitalong extra with if their the rest genus of thedemands. garden, On and my a establishedbit extra if spring their genus demands. On my established spring planted bulbs, I put castings from my worm bins and a planted bulbs, I put castings from my worm bins and a half teaspoon of 4-10-6 around lilies and dahlias. half teaspoon of 4-10-6 around lilies and dahlias. Tradition of a handful of dolomite lime in each hole at planting is no longer considered a good practice. The Tradition of a handful of dolomite lime in each hole at planting is no longer considered a good practice. highThe magnesium high magnesium values in values dolomite in dolomite do not help do not the help ore importantthe ore important calcium calciumuptake, anduptake, make and an make already an acidic soil alreadymore acid. acidic If you’ve soil more had acid. success If you’ve with lime had try,success at planting, with lime a half try, teaspoonat planting, of aagricultural half teaspoon lime, of or better, rockagricultural phosphate lime, or gypsum or better, mixed rock well phosphate into the holeor gypsum bottom. m ixedAny fertilizerwell into directlythe hole in bottom. touch with Any thefertilizer bulb will burndirectly the bulb. in touch with the bulb will burn the bulb.

If youIf you are arefertilizing, fertilizing, I recommend I recommend our ourlocal local Welcome Welcome Harvest Harvest Farm’s Farm’s Flower Flower Power Power (4-10-4) (4-10 with-4) awith small a small amount of greensand (0-1.5-8) for heavy soil. For DIY, you might try the one I make: 2 parts rock amount of greensand (0-1.5-8) for heavy soil. For DIY, you might try the one I make: 2 parts rock phosphate (0- phosphate (0-3-0 + Ca), 2 parts kelp meal (1-2-2 & trace minerals) and 1 part alfalfa meal or flakes. I 3-0 combine+ Ca), 2 parts a half kelp teaspoon meal (1-2-2 per 2 &oz. trace of compost minerals) that and I mix1 part 50/50 alfalfa with meal my orworm flakes. bin’s I combine castings. a Thishalf teaspoonis per good2 oz. forof compost two bulb that holes, I mix and 50/50 is stirred with intomy wormthe soil bin’s in the castings. bottom This of theis good dibber for hole.two bulb holes, and is stirred into the soil in the bottom of the dibber hole. It is not necessary to feed your bulbs after bloom, even if they did not give you a good show. Often the It isfirst not yearnecessary of spring to feed planted your bulbs bulbs are after not bloom, their best. even If if you they are did conce not giverned, you dig a onegood up show. to see Often if it is the first yearhealthy. of spring If so,planted add some bulbs compost,are not their worms, best. and If you worm are castingsconcerned, around dig one the upplants. to see Try if ait littleis healthy. fertilizer If so, add again in the spring of year two, but don’t overdo it. If the bulbs are shriveled or diseased, dig them out some compost, worms, and worm castings around the plants. Try a little fertilizer again in the spring of year and replace them with healthy bulbs. Life is too short to spend time on dour neighbours and dying two,plants. but don’t After overdo all, life it. is Ifa thegarden, bulbs so are dig shriveled it! or diseased, dig them out and replace them with healthy bulbs. Life is too short to spend time on dour neighbours and dying plants. After all, life is a garden, so dig it!

Alliums and Welsh Poppy – Author’s garden Alliums and Welsh Poppy – Author’s garden.

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 8 8

Garden To-Do-List: May Clean up rhododendrons and azaleas after flowering. • Finish pruning forsythia, ribes (currents & gooseberries) and chaenomeles, (quince) cutting out dead, diseased and damaged wood and reducing shoots to strong buds or leafy side shoots. • Pinch the tips of chrysanthemums and asters to promote bushiness. • Shop for annuals and other summer colour plants at the end of the month and plant them out after the risk of severe frost has passed. • Transplant half-hardy annual seedlings after the risk of frost has passed. • Plant tomato seedlings in a warm, dry sunny spot, ideally under an overhang or cloche to protect plants from excessive moisture. Try to make sure the planting spot is not one where you have had problems with tomato blight in the past. • Replace winter-flowering pansies, wallflowers and pot primulas with annuals and perennials. • Empty spring bulb containers and refill with summer colour plants. • Plant out dahlia tubers with a stake to support the mature plant. • Bring out tender exotics like brugmansia, fuchsia, lantana and tibouchina from the greenhouse. • Put out hanging baskets. Water daily and feed with half-strength 20/20/20 once a week. • Plant ornamental grasses, remembering that warm-season varieties like miscanthus and pennisetum will not start to grow vigorously until the soil is warmer. • Plant Brussels sprouts, bush beans, pole beans, pumpkin, squash and corn. • Mulch to suppress weeds, reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture. • Clean up ponds and water features, and service pump and filters. Make sure water flow is still adequate for waterfalls and fountains. • Add new aquatic plants to your pond, such as water lilies, water lettuce and water hyacinth.

Credit to: Whysall & Whitecap Books, “The Vancouver Sun’s Best Plant Picks.” From NorthWest Edible Life www.nwedible.com

Sow Outdoors: Basil Beans (all kinds) Beets Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage (early types) Carrots Cauliflower (early varieties) Collards Corn Cucumber Kale Kohlrabi Melon Parsnips Potatoes (short season types) Pumpkin Radishes Salad greens (heat tolerant types now) Scallions Summer squash Swiss Chard Winter squash

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 9 Functions and Contacts: Newsflashes: (Sue B) Plant Sales : (Gail G and Darlene R) Sue will manage Newsflashes on an ‘as needed basis’ Loonie * Toonie * Fiver Sale: only. Please submit your items to the newsletter *If you have some plants to spare, please consider before the cut-off date. Sue can be reached at qbgc@ bringing them to the meeting. gmail.com. *When digging up plants please place them in Membership: (Shiralee M/Kathy H) appropriate, manageable containers and label *Guests are welcome to attend one meeting for free, them. Garden-related items are also accepted. but are expected to join when attending a second *Price what you think is fair – loonie, toonie, or fiver meeting due to a matter of insurance and of and place beside the ‘Plant Sales Table’ prior to the contributing toward hiring space, speakers, etc. meeting. *Membership is as low as $12.00/year, including ten *Get a free ‘Lucky Raffle Ticket’ for your contribution newsletters by e-mail or $18/year with a hard-copy to the sale. through the mail. *Any unsold items must be taken home with you. *Fill out a membership form and make your cheque Refreshments: (Laurie R, Cora P, and Grant S) payable to “Qualicum Beach Garden Club” or, you don’t forget to “Lug your Mug” can pay by cash at the meeting. Treats are graciously provided by volunteer members. *Please notify Shiralee or Kathy of any changes to If you can provide some tasty morsels for an your contact information (address, phone, e-mail). upcoming meeting or help serve, please let Allison, Library: (Anne P – Coordinator); Assistants: Barry T or Bridget know. A reminder call can be made shortly and Eileen M. before the meeting date. One of the great benefits of being a Club member is Master Gardener’s Table: (Kim H) browsing all the varied books available at the lending Speakers/Programs: (Evelin K & Helen C) library table when you come to the meetings. Please feel free to recommend any books that you consider Evelin and Helen are putting together a great lineup a valuable addition to the Club library. of speakers for you this year. At this time the library is not accepting donated Do you know someone who is located on the books due to storage issues, but perhaps you could Island who would love to share their expertise and consider them for the Plant Sales Table. knowledge on gardening topics, and be of interest to our gardening group? Please notify Evelin or Helen Newsletter: (Betty J) so they can make enquiries and possibly add to our Our newsletter can be fun and informative – speaker’s program. please consider sharing any gardening tips, special Sunshine Lady: (Teresa K) techniques, funny stories, anecdotes, etc. to enlighten other members or bring a smile? It doesn’t Please contact Teresa if you know of a Club have to be formal or long. member who is ill or is in need of sympathy or encouragement. Please submit your Classified ads and Newsletter content no later than the 25th of each month. Show What You Grow: (Linda F) If you have made any changes to your personal Share something you grow with the club and get a information and/or you didn’t receive your free ‘Lucky Raffle Ticket’ for your effort. newsletter, please notify Sheila B. “Please bring your item(s) to Linda before the meeting starts.” Tours: Darlene R and Sue B Draw Ticket Sales: Shiralee M and Kathy H Qualicum Beach Garden Club Newsletter May 2016 10