Growing Outside the Box: Unusual Edible Plant Varieties an Oasis Of
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Invite wildlife to your An oasis of greenery Pacific Northwest garden in the heart of the city May is Gardening for Wildlife Month in the serviceberry, whose deep purple fruit attracts Narrow yards, patios trapped between two buildings and even the smallest of balconies can United States, but there’s nothing stopping songbirds, squirrels and deer, among other all become beautiful green spaces with a bit of planning. In the city, urban gardens play a Canadians from taking part in the move- woodland dwellers. major role in making a space more liveable. Dear city dwellers, here are a few tips for trans- ment. Support your region’s fundamental forming your surroundings into that green haven you’ve been dreaming of! biodiversity by providing local critters with Salmonberry, also known as salmon rasp- food and shelter in your backyard. Here are berry, is great for both attracting wildlife and • When space is scarce, every corner counts. Forget about traditional horizontal gar- a few suggestions to help you create a wel- adding colour to your landscaping. Its bright dens, and focus instead on vertical planters. Flowerpots, trellises (on which you can coming wildlife garden using plants native pink flowers and yellowish fruit are prized by hang pots or let plants climb), fences, shelves, vintage furniture, and even those ever- to the Pacific Northwest. a number of bird species — the Swainson’s popular wooden pallets can serve as the foun- thrush is even nicknamed “salmonberry bird” dation for your flower creations. The Oregon white oak is the only oak tree because of its fondness for the shrub. Another indigenous to Washington and British Colum- visually stunning berry bush is the blue elder- • Mix and match planters of all colours and sizes. You bia. The sweet acorns that this dense, rounded berry, whose white flowers and pale blue fruit can use these containers to grow your annuals, peren- tree produces are like candy for wildlife — are especially enticing to valuable pollinators nials, vegetables, herbs and cacti (which will be thrilled and you can eat them too! If you’re looking for like butterflies and hummingbirds. Oregon’s to bask in the sun) as long as you make sure they all something extra-tall, consider the majestic state flower, the Oregon-grape, also attracts receive the appropriate number of hours of sunshine. Douglas fir: grouse, deer and elk adore its an assortment of birds with its bright yellow leaves, while birds of all kinds like to snack blooms and bluish black berries. What’s more, • Does your yard or balcony give directly onto your on its seeds. A smaller option is the Western it’s able to withstand less-than-ideal soil neighbour’s? You can delimit your space with a conditions as well as exten- few fast-growing trees and shrubs. ded periods of drought. • Synthetic grass is an excellent option for city dwel- Building a wildlife garden to lers looking to add some green to their outdoor showcase the diverse flora in- space. Furthermore, avoid cluttering your little oasis digenous to your region helps by choosing compact patio furniture. support the delicate balance local ecosystems need to sur- For more ideas on how to create your very own vive. In addition to being an urban garden, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a environmentally sound prac- specialist at a garden centre near you, or contact a tice, gardening with native landscaping architect that services your region. plants is much easier than with foreign species. After Populate your garden with plants native to your region to ensure maximum compatibility with surrounding wildlife. all, they’ve been part of the local landscape for a lot lon- ger than we have. Growing outside the box: unusual edible plant varieties You may have noticed some of the fol- tiple uses in the kitchen. Its root — which has Homegrown treats lowing fruits and vegetables in the specialty a similar flavour and texture to broccoli stems produce aisle, but did you know that you could — can be enjoyed raw as well as cooked, for pets of the northeast grow them at home? It’s true: these four and its leaves can be used in salads inter- hardy varieties — which add an unexpected changeably with other collard greens. Your four-legged friends benefit just as much spinach contains oodles of antioxidants that touch to gardens and salads alike — are suited as the rest of the family from eating a variety are beneficial for your pets’ overall health. to most climate regions in North America. ROMANESCO BROCCOLI (BRASSICA ROMANESCO) of foods from different sources. A great way to Most dogs and cats prefer it cooked and ser- If your kids aren’t fans of good old broccoli, ensure that your pets are getting all the essen- ved atop their regular food. PINEBERRIES (F. x ANANASSA) this psychedelic-looking variety might just tial nutrients they need is by including garden- With their white skin and red seeds, pine- change their minds. Sow romanesco seeds fresh treats in their regular diet. Even carnivo- CARROTS berries look like strawberries on opposite in a sunny spot at the beginning of May; rous kitties are known to enjoy the occasional The beta-carotene in crunchy carrots is great for day, but taste like tiny pineapples. Plant their lime-green spiky heads should be ready plant-based snack! Here are a few suggestions your pets’ peepers too! Cut these cold-hardy them in the spring, once the ground has war- to pick by the end of July. of veggies that thrive in the cooler climes of veggies into small pieces and steam before ser- med up somewhat, and pick the berries as the northeast for you to plant this spring. ving them to your cat or dog. Bunnies and they mature to aid production. As always, the pros at your local gardening rodents love to munch on the leafy green tops. centre can offer valuable advice on growing GREEN BEANS CUCAMELONS (MELOTHRIA SCABRA) all sorts of tasty plant varieties, from the fa- Vets often recommend giving overweight pups HERBS While these adorable fruits are native to miliar to the far-out. green beans instead of regular treats, but Peppermint, rosemary and (of course) cat- Mexico and Central America, they can thrive these filling yet low-calorie veggies are great nip are staples in any pet owner’s garden. in nearly any climate. They look like grape- for pets of all sizes. You might be surprised Cats, dogs and virtually all other domestic sized watermelons and taste like tangy by how much your cat loves them too! animals love snacking on these easy-to-grow cucumbers. Add some to your summer greens that pack a nutritious punch. side dishes for a crowd-pleasing con- SPINACH versation starter. Like other dark CEREAL GRASS leafy greens, Cereal grasses like wheatgrass are an excellent KOHLRABI (BRASSICA OLERACEA) source of essential nutrients, and cats and Part cabbage, part turnip, kohlrabi is dogs love to graze on their tender sprouts. a versatile annual vegetable with mul- For best results, germinate them indoors before planting them in a shady corner of your garden. STRAWBERRY ALLERGY? READ THIS Common garden strawberries turn red as VARIETIES TO AVOID they ripen thanks to a protein called Fra a 1, Don’t feed your pets tomatoes, onions which isn’t found in pale white pineberries. or rhubarb, and don’t let them come Fra a 1 also happens to be the cause of most in contact with morning glory, lily of strawberry allergies (but not all, so always check The pineberry Online search option: the valley, daffodils or clematis. These with your doctor); therefore, individuals is an albino strawberry Special section packages Drop-down menu selection: common garden varieties can cause who are allergic to regular strawberries can that tastes like pineapple. Landscaping harm to cats, dogs and other animals. often consume pineberries without concern. Yes, really. The photos and images in this issue are available to download 20 / MAY-JUNE 2017 / NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX in black & white and in a larger size from the online page folder..