Go Gardening Spring 2010

Spring 2010

Get out Get out there and there and enjoy the enjoy the season.season.

A Special Supplement to the Nanaimo News Bulletin2

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A Special Supplement to the Nanaimo News Bulletin 3

777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, BC V9S 2H7Ph. 250.753.3707 / Fax: 250.753.0788

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Go Gardening is a special supplement to the Nanaimo News Bulletin. The Bulletin is distributed to more than 33,000 homesthroughout the region every Tuesday, Thursday and Satur-day.

A Special Sup

GBthd

Spring 2010


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gardening success starts with soil

Veggie gardensgreat for families

Gardener 'gift wraps' city

4

8

6

Nanaimo gardening connections

Community gardensfoster sustainability

10

11

Bee collapseworrisome

12


GO GARDENING

“Black earth, top soil, lawn soil, and potting soil all basically

look the same,” says Syd Pell at Scotts Canada, a specialist in this

fi eld. “But it's true that choosing the wrong one can lead to poor fi

results.”

“Soils are actually made up of several different ingredients, ffff

GARDENING SUCCESS

starts with choice of soilThe type of soil you select is vital to the

success of your garden project – and yet most of us are confused with the choices.

blended for a specific gardening use. These ingredients may fi

include topsoil, sand, manure, sphagnum peat moss, humus,

compost, perlite and bark. The mix ratio determines how well

the soil will support the specifi c requirements of each plantfi

type, such as nutrients, root support, drainage and moisture

retention.”

Here's handy tip sheet for some the most popular selections:

◆ LAWN SOIL is specifically blended to support over-seeding fi

and the growth of healthy grass. It's a blend of sphagnum peat

moss, compost and manure. These ingredients increase porosity,

allowing more water and nutrients to reach the roots.

◆ GARDEN SOIL is blended to support and nurture the

delicate roots of vegetables and flowers. It often comprisesfl

nutrient-rich ingredients such as composted matter, manure,

and peat.

◆ TOPSOIL AND BLACK EARTH work as a base for gardens

and lawns, filling in holes and levelling. Typically low in fi

nutrients, this soil should be amended with other more nutrient

rich products. Premium topsoils in the Scotts Pro Blends line,

add compost and sphagnum peat moss for improved nutrients

and drainage.

◆ ORGANIC COMPOST is designed for in-ground gardens. A

good choice is Organic Compost, also in the Pro Blends line. It is

Many Sizes Available

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GO GARDENING

a superior blend of compost and manure

containing essential organic matter from

leaves and yard clippings. Add it to flowerfl

and vegetable beds for healthier plant

growth plus more abundant vegetables

and blooms.

◆ POTTING MIX. Since container-

bound plants live in a self-contained

eco system, a specially blended, high

quality potting mix is essential. A safe

bet is Moisture Control Potting Mix in

the Miracle-Gro line. It contains coconut

fibre, which holds moisture and promotesfi

strong root growth and better drainage.

“And then, the finishing touch,” addsfi

Pell, “is to top it all with mulch. This will

not only make your garden look great,

but mulch also inhibits weed growth,

helps conserve soil moisture and acts

as a plant blanket by moderating soil

temperatures. A popular choice is an

innovative product called Nature Scapes

Mulch which is guaranteed not to fade to

gray.”

www.newscanada.com“ g the wrong's true that choosingresults.soil can lead to poor r

Syd Pell

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GO GARDENING

Gardener ‘GIFT WRAPS’ cityFor nearly 30 years, Mike Strothotte painted the town

red – well, actually he used subtle hues of pink, vibrant yellows and shades of green.

Instead of traditional paints he usesplants and flowers as his palette and thecity as his canvas.

For more than 28 years, Strothotte worked for the City of Nanaimo as a landscape horticulturalist. He started in1981 and retired at the end of March.

It’s a job of creation that allows him to use his artistry to bring smiles to people’sfaces.

“We provide the gift-wrap for the city,” said Strothotte. “We create those designs that a lot of people see and brighten uppeople’s lives.”

Strothotte’s work is everywhere in the city although many might not know he had a hand in it. He maintains the

public spaces people walk through or gather to enjoy recreational activities. Hisdepartment gets a lot of recognition forthe work it does, he said.

Strothotte’s favourite project is theterraces he built at city hall. He began the project in 1990 and created terracedflower gardens on the steep banks. Hemade the plan and submitted it to the Parks and Recreation Commission, butunfortunately he could only create twoout of three of the terraces he proposedbecause of budget restraints.

One of his favourite memories is when the city used to put out daffodil plantersin early March.

He and others would drive out at 4 a.m.

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GO GARDENING

“with a truck full of sunshine,” said Strothotte.He said it was like the city was declaring spring, but budget

constraints ended the project.Another fond memory Strothotte has is from a day he worked in

Bowen Park when a little boy came up to him with a question.“I was muddy up to my eyeballs,” said Strothotte.The little boy asked him if he was allowed to get dirty and

Strothotte replied that he was. The little boy didn’t quite know what to say, recalled Strothotte.

Working as a landscape horticulturalist exercises his creativemuscles and also his body.

“It’s really good exercise being out in the fresh air and sunshineand sometimes we joke about getting paid to stay fit,” said Strothotte.

When not working with plants for the city, Strothotte has been busy working with plants for the annual Spring Garden Show eachMarch. For the last three years he’s been the coordinator of the event – this year's was the last show he oversaw before leaving.

When Strothotte retires, he is moving to New Brunswick to be near family. He might also start a nursery. He also hopes to pursue hiscomputer hobby and learn more about website design.

with a truck full of sunshine,” said Strothotte.He said it was like the city was declaring spring, but budg

onstraints ended the project.Another fond memory Strothotte has is from a day he wo

owen Park when a little boy came up to him with a questi“I was muddy up to my eyeballs,” said Strothotte.The little boy asked him if he was allowed to get dirty and

trothotte replied that he was. The little boy didn’t quite kno say, recalled Strothotte.

Working as a landscape horticulturalist exercises his creatmuscles and also his body.

“It’s really good exercise being out in the fresh air and sun

“We provide the gift-wfor the city.

Mike Strothotte

Quick tips for successful patch repairGrass seed is a great solution if your lawn is thin and patchy – but just throwing some seed on it is not going to work. Take a look at these quick tips from Scotts Canada:◆ Early spring is the right time, after the last frost.◆ Prepare the patchy areas with a strong raking to removethatch and to loosen the soil. Aerating your lawn improvesresults.◆ Mow the lawn short around the patches to make it easy for new seeds to make contact with the soil and take root.◆ Use the most advanced seeding products available. Top quality grass seeds improve the results exponentially andthe newest developments can also make the entire process much easier.“We've produced EZ Seed in the Turf Builder line for example,” says Scott MacDonald at Scotts. “It's a 3-in-1 mixture containing high quality grass seed, a premiumslow-release fertilizer, plus a super absorbent mulch – for guaranteed seeding success.“The difference is in the mulch which absorbs and releases ffffeight times its weight in water, surrounding the seed in a moist, protective layer,” he explained, “and continues to infuse the seeds with water and nutrients. The result isgrass that is as much as 50 per cent thicker with half the water – and that's why we call EZ Seed 'water smart'”.

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GO GARDENING

The convenience, cost savings, and the connection to nature

are equally compelling reasons to do it, even if you only have a

small space. Nurturing a vegetable patch together as a family

can also be fun, rewarding, and vigorous exercise.

To do it with ease, here's a handy little checklist from Scotts

Canada, a leader in this field:fi

◆ PLAN: Choose an area that gets at least six hours of full

sunlight daily with a source of water nearby. The soil must have

good drainage too, so consider building a raised bed, or opt for

a few terrace pots fi rst for the experience.fi

◆ PREPARE: Clear the area by removing grass, rocks, or other

debris. Loosen the soil and with a tiller and work in a minimum

of 5 to 8 centimetres of soil. A good choice is Miracle-Gro

Garden Soil Plus . This plantfood enriched gardening soil helps

support strong root growth, holds nutrients, improves drainage,

and promotes benefi cial micro–organism activity to producefi

healthier plant growth with an abundant harvest.

◆ PLANT: Timing is everything. Broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peas,

and spinach like cooler weather so they can be planted after

the last frost. Warm-weather vegetables like corn, tomatoes,

cucumbers, and peppers should be planted in late May.

◆ PREVENT WEEDS: To keep them out, add a layer of mulch

around the plants. A popular choice for maintaining its colour is

Nature Scapes Mulch.

VEGGIE GARDENS GREATfor putting family in touch with nature

Vegetables straight from your own garden – or terrace containers – are likely to taste better than any other source.

WHO HAS . . .tons of high grade band sawn Douglas Fir and Cedar cut full 1” and full 2” that is great for planters, garden

boxes, corrals, barns etc.? Very reasonably priced?

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Phone: 250-754-2278 Fax: 250-754-1754

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GO GARDENING

◆ FEED AND WATER: At the seedling stage, your plants

should be kept moist and when watering, aim at the base of the

plant. Add nutrition with products like All-Purpose Organic Plant

Food in the Miracle-Gro line. With your garden hose, you can

also feed and water at the same time with LiquaFeed.

◆ NURTURE AND CARE: You may be surprised how quickly

vegetables develop. Most grow from a tiny transplant to a full

harvest in 30 to 90 days. Because of this check it regularly for

water, pest control –and for the picking!

www.newscanada.com

◆ FEED AND WATER: At the seedling stage, your pla

hould be kept moist and when watering, aim at the ba

lant. Add nutrition with products like All-Purpose Orga

ood in the Miracle-Gro line. With your garden hose, yo

lso feed and water at the same time with LiquaFeed.

◆ NURTURE AND CARE: You may be surprised how

egetables develop. Most grow from a tiny transplant to

arvest in 30 to 90 days. Because of this check it regular

“ d ou may be surprisedes how quickly vegetabl

develop.

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Helping you enjoy your garden this summer!


GO GARDENING

Central Vancouver Island Botanical Garden Society

at www.cvibgs.org/index.php

Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society

at www.cvios.com

Coastal Invasive Plant Committee

at www.coastalinvasiveplants.com

connectionsGARDENINGNanaimo GardenWise – Garden Clubs and Societies

at www.gardenwiseonline,ca

Milner Gardens

at www.mala.ca/MilnerGardens

Nanaimo & Area Land Trust

at www.gonanaimo.com/Nanaimo/native plant nursery

contact them at [email protected]

Nanaimo Community Gardens Society

at www.nanaimocommunitygardens.ca

Nanaimo Rhododendron Society

at www.nanaimo.rhodos.ca

Seed and Plant Sanctuary, Salt Spring Seeds

at www.seedsanctuary.com

The British Columbia Council of Garden Clubs

at www.bcgardenclubs.com/index.html

Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden Society

at www.virags.ca

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DID WE MISS YOU?

To ensure your listing or ad is published in our next issue, please give us a call 250-753-3707

www.nanaimobulletin.com777 Poplar Street


GO GARDENING

Nick Sanmiya, 3, climbs on equipment at the Pine Street Community Garden.

The Nanaimo Community Gar-dens Society works with people to grow more food in the region because growing food locally is vital to a healthy community andenvironment.

The society's programs and services get individuals and familiesactive in growing, sharing, buyingand eating local foods.

It works in collaboration with indi-viduals, agencies and governmentto get more food grown, shared,and purchased locally, recognizing that sustainable food productionis a vital part of creating a healthycommunity in which all people have access to nutritious food, clean wa-ter, pure air and bio-diverse green spaces.

The society's primary strategy is

to increase the knowledge and self-reliance of community membersregarding their food needs througheducation and hands-on skill build-ing.

For 14 years, it has delivered an educational program based out of a demonstration food garden which teaches families and individuals the skills to grow, prepare and preserve local produce. The program alsohelps people to make informed food choices that support the long-term well-being of our communityand environment, such as buying produce from our local farmer’s markets. The demonstration garden also serves as a training ground for future market gardeners.

www.nanaimocommunitygardens.ca

GARDENSCommunityfoster sustainability

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GO GARDENING

It’s a warm pre-spring day at Sol

Nowtiz’s Jingle Pot Apiary on East Wel-

lington Road and the veteran beekeeper

of 35 years is standing beside rows of

bee boxes that once contained 50,000 to

60,000 bees each.

About 50 metres away in a grassy fieldfi

sits a veritable graveyard of bee boxes,

all of them empty after one of the largest

honey bee die-offs the mid-Island regionffff

has ever seen.

“We should be standing here and the air

should be fi lled with buzzing,” said Now-fi

itz. “Instead, there is this one box here

that has some activity, the rest are quiet.”

By many accounts, the honey bee

population on Vancouver Island is down

90 per cent heading into the spring of

2010. After a die-off of 65 per cent in 2007ff

and a good recovery last year, honey bees

are now teetering on the point of what

Nowitz calls “a catastrophe.”

At his peak a few short years ago, Now-

itz managed 275 colonies capable of pro-

ducing honey and pollinating mid-Island

crops. He now manages 20 colonies,

some of them showing signs of weaken-

ing while others are clinging to life.

“We knew in September it might be a

bad year,” said Nowitz. “Things were OK

in November, but when many keepers

checked their bees in January, they were

dead or gone. At our latest meeting, bee-

keeper after beekeeper stood up and said

they had lost all or almost all of their bees.

We were shocked. These are top-notch

beekeepers.”

A cold, wet summer in 2007 weakened

the local bee population and a hot dry

summer last year reduced food supply,

resulting in queen bees laying fewer eggs.

Since 1997, varroa mites and tracheal

Bee COLLAPSE worrisome


GO GARDENING

mites have also devastated bee populations, and the combined

stress has led to the current decline, both on Vancouver Island

and worldwide.

Mites cause bees to be born with deformed wings or bod-

ies, and eventually the colony is worn down. They were firstfi

detected here in 1997.

Some local beekeepers lost all of their bees over the winter.

Steve Mitchell, owner of Bee Haven Farms in the Cowichan Val-

ley, has a single colony left after managing 18 before winter.

“Our best hope is to have easy access to stocks with strong

queen bees,” said Mitchell. “If that happened, a guy like Sol

would be able to distribute healthy stocks quite quickly. But

right now we are having to import from Chile.”

Current rules don’t allow stocks to be imported to Vancouver

Island from the rest of Canada, forcing local beekeepers to im-

port from off shore locations, even though Canadian stocks areffff

best able to withstand local weather.

Eighty per cent of all crops in British Columbia, including fruits,

vegetables, nuts and soy, depend on bee pollination, as do

trees. However, the honey bee, considered an imported species,

is not the only pollinating bee on Vancouver Island.

According to the Cowichan Land Trust, the indigenous Mason

bee, an effi cient pollinator, has been less affffi ected by mites. They ffff

are, however, affected by a loss of habitat as their specififfff cationsfi

for natural shelter include hollow stems or naturally occurring

holes.

The decline in honey bees has also been seen in the south and

north Island, though some isolated pockets have been success-

ful.

It is estimated there were once 12,000 colonies of honey bees

on Vancouver Island prior to 2007. There are now roughly 2,000.

The effects on local food supply, says Nowitz, may go unno-ffff

ticed by the general public at first. But as demand for local food fi

increases long-term effects may be more apparent.ffff

“Obviously, honey will be in short supply and will be more

expensive,” he said. “There will be less pollinators for fruit and

vegetables, less for hazelnut trees.”

For commercial beekeepers, it also means fewer queen bees

and colonies to sell and higher management costs, as well as

a shift in management practises that have been the norm for

decades.

There are no provincial or federal funding mechanisms for

beekeepers. With so many challenges, beekeepers, both com-

mercial and hobbyists, may just give up. The apprenticeship is a

long one, and start-up costs are getting higher, said Nowitz.

Standing at one of his few active boxes, he lifts up some sugar

candy he made to see some healthy activity beneath. Just a few

feet away, though, lies the bodies of thousands of dead bees

being bleached by the sun.

“What happens if next year is worse?” said Nowitz. “What

would the world be like without them? They are part of our

cultural fabric.”

[email protected]


ADVERTISERS INDEX

ABC WATER SYSTEMSUnit #9, 2180 South Wellington RoadProfessionally trained & licensedtechnicians. Filters, pumps, water tanks,& water conditioning salt & more.250-753-3333See our ad on page 10

AJAC'S EQUIPMENT160 Cliff StreetffSales - Service- Parts & Warranties. Ourproduct lines include John Deere, TroyBilt, Honda, Toro, Husqvarna & Stihl. www.ajacsequip.com 250-754-1931See our ad on page 11

ART KNAPP PLANTLAND6469 Metral Drive, NanaimoVancouver Island's largest & most complete retail garden centre.250-390-1151See our ad on page 2

BUCKERFIELDS#1 - 1277 Island Highway, SouthYour one stop shop for all your garden needs. www.buckerfields.org 250-753-4221fiSee our ad on page 7

CVI BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETYBox 2227, Station A, Nanaimo V9R 6X9Celebration of Island Gardening Spring Festival - Promoting local businesses & community gardeners .www.cvibgs.org 250-758-0306See our ad on page 10

COUNTRY CLUB CENTRE3200 Island Highway, North,Orchid Show April 16-18. Display & sale.www.countryclubcentre.com250-758-1102See our ad on page 13

CROSSLAND SHEDSWe provide top quality sheds built on your property. Why rent when you can own. www.crosslandsheds.ca 250-751-4885 / 250-204-1744See our ad on page...4

DIANA'S GARDEN CENTRE & FLORIST2517 Bowen RoadFull service garden shop carrying a wide range of seasonal products. Florist delivery local and worldwide. www.dianasgardencentre.com 250-760-0065See our ad on page 4

HAUL ALLGabriola IslandRubbish removal, recycling, local moves. Fast, friendly, reliable service.250-668-7231See our ad on page 6

HANDS ON CLAY5363 Sunhaven Place, NanaimoLocal Artist - Marlies Schottke off ers ffffhandmade pieces for sale & special or custom orders. European techniques.Call for class information. [email protected] 250-729-0643See our ad on page 14

HOME HARDWARE STORESApplecross - 6582 Island Highway,NorthBrooks Landing - #115 - 2000 Island Highway, NorthLocally owned with excellent customerservice to help you with all your home & hardware needs of paint, indoor & outdoor living, tools & hardware.www.homehardware.ca250-933-2400 / 250-758-8220See our ad on page 9

European Techniques• NO WHEELS •

• NO COILS •

EASTER SUNDAY (April 4th) 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Come and see the impressive open garden show and gallery in North Nanaimo.

Handmade by award winning local artist - Marlies SchottkeEnjoy and enrich your garden with beautiful ornamental ceramic garden sculptures.

MANY CERAMIC PIECES FOR SALE AND FOR SPECIAL

OR CUSTOM ORDER

Hands ondndsHandHandClayyyyy

OPEN HOUSE

CALL FOR CLASS REGISTRATION5363 Sunhaven Place - Phone (250) 729-0643

[email protected]

Spring 2010


DID WE MISS YOU?

To ensure your listing or ad is published in our next issue, please give us a call250-753-3707

www.nanaimobulletin.com777 Poplar Street

Ladysmith250-245-3221

Cedar250-722-7012

Chemainus250-246-3551

Duncan250-748-2412

How does your How does your garden grow?garden grow?

• Bedding Plants• Potting Soil• Basket Stuffers• Plants & Shrubs• Roses

49th Garden Centres


ADVERTISERS INDEX

LONG LAKE NURSERIES & FLORIST4900 Island Highway, NorthFull line of nursery supplies as well as floral & gift shop. Landscaping supplies, fldesign & installation. 250-758-5012See our ad on page 16

MIKE GOGO CEDAR PRODUCTSHigh grade, band sawn douglas fir &ficedar. Great for decks, planters, gardenboxes, corrals, barns, etc. Fax 250-754-1754 Phone 250-754-2276See our ad on page 8

OLD EARTH GARDENING663 Bowen Road Complete lawn care services. Lawn mowing, lawn renovations, prunning & hedge shearing. 250-714-2780See our ad on page 10

OLD GARDEN TOPIARY3923 Victoria AveGarden centre, topiary sales, garden ornaments, bonsai supplies, ceramic pots, local metal art. www.oldgardentopiary.com 250-729-0211See our ad on page 11

PIONEER FIREPLACE, POOL & SPA419 Terminal Ave, NorthA great selection of grills, spas, wood & gas stoves, fireplaces & more.fi250-753-2353See our ad on page 6

RONA1250 Island Highway, South, NanaimoYour Home Renovation and Gardenstore with over 30,000 sq.ft of productsto choose from!www.rona.ca 250-734-4450See our ad on page 5

SEA SOILNanaimoSea soil is composted fish & forest soil.fiNo need for additional fertilizer. www.seasoil.com 250-729-9965See our ad on page 12

VANCOUVER ISLAND EXHIBITIONBeban Park, 2300 Bowen RoadAn annual event to advance the education of agriculture & showcaselocal farmers. Fun for all ages.www.viex.ca 250-758-3247See our ad on page 6

WESTCOAST FOUNTAINS

6414 Portsmouth Road

Westcoast fountains will create custom

fountains to suit your special needs.

www.westcoastfountains.ca

250-741-6646

See our ad on page 8

WESTERN TURF FARMS

#7897 - 240 Street, Langley BC V1M 3P9

Quality turf at wholesale prices;

Homeowner; Contractors; Landscapers.

Volume discounts. Sand-based turf.

www.westernturffarms.com ffff

604-888-7072


49TH PARALLEL GROCERY

Four locations in Ladysmith, Cedar,

Chemainus and Duncan.

www.the49th.com



GROWING WITH YOU FOR OVER 51 YEARS!ISLAND HIGHWAY

Just South of Nanaimo North Town Centre

Open 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.7-Days A Week

LONG LAKENurseries and Florist

250-758-5012 250-758-4222Good Gardening Starts Here!

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 51 YEARS

NOW IN BLOOM!

Forsythias and

Red Currants

CEDAR HEDGINGSmaragd Emerald Cedars

TIME TO MOSS CONTROL NOW!

Scotts Moss Killer22-2-2

Covers 5,000 sq. ft.

BLUEBERRIES1 Gallon

Winter/Spring/SummerFLOWERING HEATHER

1 Gallon. Deer Resistant.

THUJA PLICATADeer Proof

DOLOPRIL LIMECovers 4,000 sq. ft.

NEW SELECTION OF FOUNTAINS &

BIRD BATHS

BAREROOT FRUIT TREESPlums, Pears, Peaches,Cherries, Apples,Oriental Pears .............

$2699 TO $2999

Multi-grafted Fruit Trees ..................$6999

4’-5’ $30 each or 10 for $2505’-6’ $40 each or 10 for $3506’-7’ $45 each or 10 for $400

6’-7’ $50 each or 10 for $450 $1999

$3999

$799

$1299

3 FOR $2500

60%OFF

VEGETABLE AND

FLOWER SEEDS

Now in Stock!

WE LANDSCAPE!WE LANDSCAPE!• Irrigation• Irrigation

• Block Walls• Block Walls• Patio Pavers• Patio Pavers

• Landscape Design• Landscape DesignCall 250-729-1908Call 250-729-1908

ROSES ARE IN!$2499 each or 3 for $6000

Great SelectionIncluding ClimbersTree Roses

$5999 each

Huge Selection of

WOOD PLANTERSLots of sizes to choose

from including Barrel-type

SEED POTATOESONION SETS

MULTIPLIER SETSNow in Stock!

Asparagus Roots, Strawberry, Roots &

Raspberry Canes

LAST CHANCE SALE ONIN-STOCK

CERAMIC POTS

BULK MATERIALS

BY THE YARD – YOU PICK OR WE DELIVER

New ShipmentArriving Soon

DOLOPR

ON SALE NOW!

THE ONLY

BULK CARRIER

OF SEA SOIL!

each

• Totally Organic Sea Soil • Garden Soil • Lawn Soil• Red or Dark Bark Mulch • Driveway Chip • Drain Rock • Washed Sand

• Landscape Rock • Slate • Steeping Stones

Go Gardening Spring 2010

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Transcript of Go Gardening Spring 2010