A Plant wants What a Plant wants!

As a parent, the natural tendency is to provide the very best you can for your children. Nobody's perfect, but as parents, we have the very best of intentions.

It seems I have transferred a little of this parenting style outside into the garden. 

How I wish this were my own Lavender!

I have always strived to provide my plants with the very best I possibly can. 

I began by amending and improving the soil on our property. 

And then, every spring I add compost, bone meal and manure. To complete the process, I top dress the flowerbeds with mulch to keep the soil moist and weed free.

When summer heats up and rain is scarce, I take pity on my plants and out comes the garden hose. 

I battle red aphids every summer.

When pests line up I strike back (organically of course). I can't tell you how many green worms I have handpicked off my roses or red lily beetles I have swished under foot.

Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia at Edward Gardens in Toronto

I am well aware that plants like different soil types, but for some unknown reason, I haven't paid that as much heed to that as I should. 

Following those parental instincts I reasoned that if I gave my plants the very best soil, they should perform perfectly. Right? 

Wrong! 

A plant wants what a plant wants. If that means poor, sandy soil, it wants poor, sandy soil.  If it needs gravelly soil with really good drainage, then that is just what it wants.

My long line of failures is testament to the truth in this.

Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia at Edward Gardens in Toronto

Russian Sage. You think with the word "Russian" in the common name, it would have no problems overwintering here in Canada, but I kept losing my plants every winter for years. 

Most recently, I put my latest Russian Sage in the sheltered herb bed. It made it through winter all right, but it failed to prosper. 

I gave it protection, but what it really needed was the right soil. Russian Sage is a huge, flamboyant perennial that can grow to 150 cm (3 to 5 feet), yet my sorry specimen is pathetically scrawny. 

This is what I aspire to: Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia at Edward Gardens in Toronto

I think it's finally sinking in: get that soil right or it is never going to perform well. 

Other than heat and sun what it needs most is loamy, loose and airy,well-drained soil.

Ditto on the lavender. 

Right now it is in the same herb bed and it is sulking just as much as the Russian Sage.  The best soil for growing lavender is gritty or sandy loam, so no wonder it is not doing well in the black top soil of the herb garden.

I have done some research and I need to either move it or amend the soil. There is already plenty of organic matter for good soil aeration, but I need to make the soil much more free-draining with fine crushed stone. I think I may also have to add some lime (apparently lavender likes soil with a pH factor between 6.0 and 8.0).

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora Ontario

A closer look at the thyme lawn at Merlin's Hollow

One of my projects for this spring is inspired by the thyme lawn at Merlin's Hollow, David Tomlinson's garden in Aurora, Ontario. 

In my case, it is going to be a thyme walk that runs along the path to the back garden (pictured below). 

Out with the boring grass and in with the fragrant thyme!

Like Russian Sage and Lavender, thyme likes really well-drained soil. I have learned my lesson the hard way and this time I am starting with the soil. 

Thyme likes sandy, dry gritty soil and that is just what I am going to give it!

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Hauntingly Beautiful Spot and a Murderous Tale

I was honestly worried that the man lying motionless on the wet grass was dead. Eyes shut, arms held stiffly at his side, the old man was lying flat on his back with his legs extended straight out like a body in a morgue.

All around the little courtyard park where he lay, there were rows of townhouses, but no one was about. It was well before dinner hour and I had happened by only on chance, while looking to meet up with my husband.

It was freezing cold and a light rain was falling. Could he be sleeping? No. Surely, no one in his right mind would choose to sleep on the wet grass in the rain.

I stopped walking, stood still for a second and watched to see if the old man's chest might rise and fall with the measured breath of slumber. I could see none, but then, perhaps I was just too far away. Too much of a coward to approach him myself, I rushed off to the spot where I knew I could find my husband.

A few minutes later, my husband was standing over him, "Are you okay, sir?" I heard him ask. The man opened his eyes (I sighed with relief!) and mumbled a slurred response.

"Can I call someone to come help you?", my husband asked. I heard the old man muttered something nonsensical. Then he mumbled something about a daughter. He tired to sit up, wobbled wildly and fell back hard on the wet grass. My husband noticed there was a beer can at his side. Mystery solved. The man was simply fall down drunk.

Though his problems were self-inflicted, we could not in all good consciousness leave him there lying in the cold. Alcohol thins the blood and can make a person, especially a man in his early sixties, more susceptible to hypothermia. It seemed clear enough to us that this was a man who needed some sort of help.

This brings me the point of my story: when faced with a complete stranger, it is not always easy to tell when to step up and offer assistance. It can feel akward and even uncomfortable to step into another person's private problems.

Let me tell you another story. This time I will put you in the driver's seat.

There is a dog, a white, mop-head of a dog. He is a harmless, goodnatured, goofy dog who you have noticed sitting out at all hours of the day and night, in every kind of weather, in an outdoor pen. In the summers, the grass is uncut and a water dish seems absent even on the hottest days. In winters, his ramshackle dog house is stuffed with straw. Mostly you notice that he prefers to sit outside shivering in deep snow. What is most distressing, is the fact that a rash has begun to spread across his rump.

Then one day you find him loose running wildly through the neighbourhood, giddy in his excitement to be free of the pen. You might feel glad for him except you see that he is covered in his own green excrement.

Are you ready to call in the authorities?

Get ready of the complication.

You don't know his owner, but you have heard tell of her drinking problem from a close friend. There is a lot of sadness in her life, because it has been recently discovered that her husband is dying of cancer. The most recent operation has left him barely able to stand. As this man's health has deteriorated, their small business has begun to falter.

How do you help the poor dog? It is gut wrenchingly hard isn't it? Knowing when and how to step in is not easy.



I know this post is getting really long. Just one last story! This one is both sad and true.

But first, let me set the scene for this story. Along the banks of the Credit River there is a chain of valleys, I live in one of them.

The valley to the south of us is in my estimation the most beautiful. Unlike the more northern valleys, it is a broad plain that sits low on the water table.

In summer it is lush and green. 

In fall, the valley is filled with ochres, reds and orange. 

In winter, its beauty is more haunting.

This valley was also the sight of a local murder. 

If you are a mother, I am sure you will be able to identify with this terrible story. Again, I am going to put you into the story:

You are in the middle of a weekend shopping trip to the mall when your daughter asks to use the washroom. The problem is that you have your 9 year old son in tow and he is refusing to be seen in the women's washroom at his age (this story occurred 10 or more years ago before family washrooms became common). 

You understand of course. He's growing up so fast. Maybe you even experience a brief moment of pride at the thought. 

You don't want to send your daughter into the washroom alone, so you opt to leave your son who is older on his own in the hallway. You'll only be a few minutes and he is right outside the door.

Moments later your son is abducted from the hallway by a man recently released from prison. People witness the abduction: it's popular mall. But here is the part of the story that especially breaks my heart: no one steps forward and no one intercedes. It is not that they are heartless or don't want to get involved. Most witnesses see a boy struggling with a man, but fail to recognize the situation for what it is. Instead they see a misbehaving child and decide the man is most likely his father.

The abductor brought the young boy to the picturesque river valley assaulted and murdered him. Then the deeply disturbed man turned himself into police.

This true story haunts me a little. I have a son who is about the same age as the boy who was murdered and we often shopped at that very same mall. I pass by the valley where the terrible deed was done at least a few times a week.

How I feel for that poor woman who left her son on his own for just a brief moment! As a mother, I find myself wishing someone had stepped forward, even though I know that confronting and questioning the actions of a seriously disturbed man was a potentially dangerous thing to do.

But then, aren't most mothers willing to through themselves in harms way for the sake of their children?

So what happened to the man we left lying in the grass a few paragraphs back? We stayed with him until police arrived to handle the situation.

And the neglected dog? That was another true story, and as you may have guessed, it could not possibly have end well. One of my neighbours tried to help out with the care of the dog, but she could only do so much. I took action the day I found him roaming loose covered in excrement and soars. With a heavy heart, I called the SPCA. I begged them to use compassion with the woman whose husband was so seriously ill. I told them that I hoped a new or temporary home could be found for the dog during the ongoing health crisis.

I am not sure anything like that happened. I was walking our dogs when the angry dog owner confronted me in a drunken rage a couple of weeks later. The only good thing to come out of this story is that the poor, neglected dog did go to a new home.

I worry I could have handled the situation better, but I am still glad that I interceded.

A Little Inspiration

Private Garden in Forest Hill, Ontario

It is always nice to incorporate a spot in your garden where you can sip a drink or eat a meal. Here is a little inspiration to help you get started in creating that perfect place to sit and relax.

Private Garden in Mississauga, Ontario

Not everybody has a large yard, so here and in the next shot are two smaller gardens.

Private Garden in Forest Hill, Ontario

1. Raised flowerbeds surround this bistro-style table and chairs and frame 

the courtyard patio beautifully.

Private Garden in Forest Hill, Ontario

Glass is a table option that does not block to the view of the surrounding flowerbeds.

Private Garden in Rosedale, ON

2. A found object, in this case an old church steeple, gives this space a romantic feel. 

You probably won't want to go this grand, but even on a smaller scale a unique object or garden ornament can really help to set the mood.

Private Garden in Mississauga, Ontario

3. If you are thinking about adding a water feature this spring, why not place it right off the deck area where you will be sitting? 

That way you can watch the fish darting around and listen to the symphony of water noises, frogs and insects.

Private Garden in Mississauga, Ontario

4. If your backyard gets lots of sun, it might be an idea to incorporate a little manmade shade cover.

Private Garden in Forest Hill, Ontario

5. In this and the next shot we have a modern take on a courtyard seating area. A dining table and pair of casual chairs means this area does double duty.

Private Garden in Forest Hill, Ontario

Private Garden in Rosedale, ON

This more formal space also has a clean, contemporary feel to it.

Private Garden in Rosedale, ON

6. If you are lucky enough to have a large garden, you may want to create several different zones for a myriad of possible purposes: entertaining, outdoor meals or perhaps just sitting and reading the newspaper.

In this traditional garden a gravel pathway leads around the house to a raised terrace.

In the same garden, there is a second seating area overlooking a ravine.

Private Garden in Rosedale, ON

And at the front of the house, there is a set of chairs right outside a set of french doors.

A pond opposite the chairs adds some water music.

Private Garden in Forest Hill, Ontario

7. Wouldn't this fireplace be nice on a chilly evening?

This is my own very casual spot to unwind. 

8. A place to de-stress need not be fancy. 

All it needs to be is a space that makes you feel comfortable and at ease.

Before and Afters (with a little Photo Wizardry)

A view that's pretty enough...

Private Garden, near Port Dover ON

but has the possibility of being so much more! 

It is amazing the impact a few carefully chosen, well-placed objects can have. In this post, I look how simple design moves can really effect the way we experience a garden.

Here we have a nondescript corner of a country garden. Now add in a simple ceramic pot.

Private Garden, near Port Dover ON

Before you might have walked straight in, stood there a moment, glanced around quickly and then turned on your heels and left.

Now that a big pot has been added, I think you are much more likely to stroll in a circular fashion around the pot and slowly take in the plantings.

A second look at how a well-placed object can really add that little bit extra.

It is not a clutter of things, but a single ornament that makes the best place for the eye to rest.

In this shot, there is a lawn.

Private Garden, Mississauga, ON

In this version, there is a pathway and a clear invitation to come, sit and relax.

It is always nice to send visitors down a garden path with a destination; a place to sit 

and appreciate the journey.

Larkwhistle Garden, on the Bruce Peninsula 

Bookmark this post with a Pin.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Word Prompt

I came across this word prompt format for a blog post and thought I would put it to the test. So here goes:

wondering: how it is possible that I can be blinded by sunlight here at my computer desk and yet it is
-33 degrees Celsius (with the wind chill factored in).

drinking: too much coffee

loving: the pot of daffodils on my kitchen windowsill.

wishing: there were more hours in a day

reading: Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingslover. Technically speaking, I am listening to it. I got the audio book out from the library after reading Rose's review.

watching: oh, my goodness a real mixed bag of shows off the internet. Over the holidays and into the new year: Season 4 of Downton Abbey, the first season of Masters of Sex and the first two seasons of Homeland. 

Are you a Downton Abbey fan? I am. Sad to say, I found that this season of Downton Abbey to be my least favourite. The plot lines ramble in all directions and seem to go nowhere significant. I'd still sign up to watch season 5 though...

If you like Mad Men, you would probably like Masters of Sex. Set in the 1950's, this Showtime series fictionalizes the lives of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson who did pioneering research on the subject of human sexuality.

Homeland is an older television series that we missed initially (I think they are in Season 4 now). We went back to watch most of the first two seasons.  The show's premise in a sentence: "When Marine Nicolas Brody returns after eight years of captivity in Iraq, CIA operative Carrie Mathison is the only one who suspects he has been "turned"by the enemy." The television series centres around an ongoing threat to national security that I, as a Canadian, can't fully identify with, but every episode ends with a cliff hanger that keeps you hooked and watching. 

Will Brody get assassinated at the end of the second season? Don't tell me! We still have one more episode in season 2 to watch.

listening to: the CBC radio. We have great public radio here in Canada. I am embarrassed to admit that I have listened to this podcast interview with Fran Lebowitz at least 3 times. She is such an amazing character! I also really enjoyed this interview with Malcolm Gladwell author of the newly released book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants. 

longing to: escape to somewhere warm... at least in the movies. Movies set in sunny Italy are my cure-all for the Canadian winter blues. A favourite? My House in Umbria with the superb Maggie Smith in the lead role. I love the big, white house, the walled garden and the golden hues that seem to pervade every scene. Oh to have an evening meal on a garden terrace just like the one in the film!

thinking: I should make some cookies.

needing: more exercise...hmm maybe I shouldn't make those cookies.

feeling: restless. Dare I brave a walk outside in the cold?

While away a Wintery Afternoon with Fork to Fork Videos

Fork to Fork is a British gardening series made a little over 10 years ago. Monty looks a good deal younger and appears in the series along with his wife Sarah and their three children.

Though there are some elements about the series that feel a bit dated, growing things organically, bringing the food you grow into the home kitchen and preparing simple, delicious meals is still very timely.

Here is what Monty Don says in his introduction:

"I am definitely a morning person; always the first one up in our house. I can't wait to get outside into the garden. Being in the open air feels like liberation. I feel like a child let out of school: rain or shine. I get a sense of what the weather has in store; taking in the quality of the light and the mood of the sky.

Accepting what nature throws at you is part of the whole organic thing. It's about going with the flow, following your instincts and doing what seems right for you. And that's what this series is all about. Over the next six weeks Fork to Fork will show you how to grow organic ingredients and turn them into some of the best food you have ever eaten."

To fill a wintery afternoon, here are the first three shows in the series:

Fork to Fork: Episode 1 

Potatoes, Carrots, Beetroot and Parsnips

Fork to Fork: Episode 2 

Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic

Fork to Fork: Episode 3 

Herbs