Go Gardening Spring 2010

Spring 2010

Get out there and enjoy the season.

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Please call to enquire if we have what you want or when it will be coming in. This is the earliest we have started bringing in large quantities of material. Take advantage of this great weather and start planting now!!! Remember Art Knapp Plantland has what the box stores and grocery stores don’t have when it comes to gardening: quality, selection, service and the knowledge needed when it comes to all your garden needs.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Veggie gardens great for families

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4

Gardening success starts with soil

6 Gardener 'gift wraps' city

10

Nanaimo gardening connections

11

Community gardens foster sustainability

12

Bee collapse worrisome

Spring 2010

G Gardening is a special supplement to the Nanaimo News Go Bulletin. The Bulletin is distributed to more than 33,000 homes B th throughout the region every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdday.

Get out there and enjoy the season.

777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, BC V9S 2H7 Ph. 250.753.3707 / Fax: 250.753.0788 www.nanaimobulletin.com

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GO GARDENING

GARDENING SUCCESS starts with choice of soil The type of soil you select is vital to the success of your garden project – and yet most of us are confused with the choices.

“Black earth, top soil, lawn soil, and potting soil all basically look the same,” says Syd Pell at Scotts Canada, a specialist in this field. “But it's true that choosing the wrong one can lead to poor results.”

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

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blended for a specific fi gardening use. These ingredients may include topsoil, sand, manure, sphagnum peat moss, humus, compost, perlite and bark. The mix ratio determines how well the soil will support the specifi fic requirements of each plant 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 fi blended to support over-seeding 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. fl It often comprises nutrient-rich ingredients such as composted matter, manure, and peat. ◆ TOPSOIL AND BLACK EARTH work as a base for gardens and lawns, fi filling in holes and levelling. Typically low in 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

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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 flower fl and vegetable beds for healthier plant growth plus more abundant vegetables and blooms.

“

's true that choosingg the wrong soil can lead to poor results. r Syd Pell

◆ POTTING MIX. Since containerbound 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 promotes fi strong root growth and better drainage.

“And then, the fi finishing touch,” adds 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

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GO GARDENING

Gardener ‘GIFT WRAPS’ city For 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 uses plants and flowers as his palette and the city as his canvas.

For more than 28 years, Strothotte worked for the City of Nanaimo as a landscape horticulturalist. He started in 1981 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’s faces.

“We provide the gift-wrap for the city,” said Strothotte. “We create those designs that a lot of people see and brighten up people’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. His department gets a lot of recognition for the work it does, he said.

Strothotte’s favourite project is the terraces he built at city hall. He began the project in 1990 and created terraced flower gardens on the steep banks. He made the plan and submitted it to the Parks and Recreation Commission, but unfortunately he could only create two out of three of the terraces he proposed because of budget restraints.

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

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

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GO GARDENING

“

We provide the gift-w for the city.

Mike Strothotte

“with with a truck full of sunshine,” said Strothotte.

He said it was like the city was declaring spring, but budg budget constraints onstraints ended the project.

Another fond memory Strothotte has is from a day he wo worked in Bowen owen Park when a little boy came up to him with a question. questi “I was muddy up to my eyeballs,” said Strothotte.

The little boy asked him if he was allowed to get dirty and Strothotte trothotte replied that he was. The little boy didn’t quite know kn what to o say, recalled Strothotte.

Working as a landscape horticulturalist exercises his creat creative muscles and also his body. sun “It’s really good exercise being out in the fresh air and sunshine and 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 each March. 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 his computer hobby and learn more about website design.

Quick tips for successful patch repair Grass 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 remove thatch and to loosen the soil. Aerating your lawn improves results. ◆ 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 and the 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 premium slow-release fertilizer, plus a super absorbent mulch – for guaranteed seeding success.

“The difference ff is in the mulch which absorbs and releases eight 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 is grass that is as much as 50 per cent thicker with half the water – and that's why we call EZ Seed 'water smart'”. www.newscanada.com

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GO GARDENING

VEGGIE GARDENS GREAT for putting family in touch with nature Vegetables straight from your own garden – or terrace containers – are likely to taste better than any other source.

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 fi field: ◆ 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 first for the experience.

◆ 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 ficial micro–organism activity to produce 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.

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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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A Special Supplement to the Nanaimo News Bulletin

Fax:

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GO GARDENING

“

ou may be surprised d how quickly vegetables develop.

◆ FEED AND WATER: At the seedling stage, your plants pla should hould be kept moist and when watering, aim at the base ba of the lant. Add nutrition with products like All-Purpose Organic Orga Plant plant. ood in the Miracle-Gro line. With your garden hose, yo Food you can lso feed and water at the same time with LiquaFeed. also ◆ NURTURE AND CARE: You may be surprised how quickly vegetables egetables develop. Most grow from a tiny transplant to a full arvest in 30 to 90 days. Because of this check it regular harvest regularly for water, pest control –and for the picking! www.newscanada.com

Helping you enjoy your garden this summer!

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GO GARDENING

Nanaimo

GARDENING

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 nalt@bc.ca

connections

Nanaimo Community Gardens Society at www.nanaimocommunitygardens.ca

Central Vancouver Island Botanical Garden Society at www.cvibgs.org/index.php

Seed and Plant Sanctuary, Salt Spring Seeds at www.seedsanctuary.com

Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society at www.cvios.com

The British Columbia Council of Garden Clubs at www.bcgardenclubs.com/index.html

Coastal Invasive Plant Committee at www.coastalinvasiveplants.com

Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden Society at www.virags.ca

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www.nanaimobulletin.com 777 Poplar Street

GO GARDENING

Community GARDENS foster sustainability

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

The Nanaimo Community Gardens Society works with people to grow more food in the region because growing food locally is vital to a healthy community and environment.

The society's programs and services get individuals and families active in growing, sharing, buying and eating local foods.

It works in collaboration with individuals, agencies and government to get more food grown, shared, and purchased locally, recognizing that sustainable food production is a vital part of creating a healthy community in which all people have access to nutritious food, clean water, pure air and bio-diverse green spaces.

The society's primary strategy is

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to increase the knowledge and selfreliance of community members regarding their food needs through education and hands-on skill building.

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 also helps people to make informed food choices that support the longterm well-being of our community and 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

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GO GARDENING

Bee COLLAPSE worrisome It’s a warm pre-spring day at Sol Nowtiz’s Jingle Pot Apiary on East Wellington 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 fi field sits a veritable graveyard of bee boxes, all of them empty after one of the largest honey bee die-offs ff the mid-Island region has ever seen.

“We should be standing here and the air should be filled with buzzing,” said Nowitz. “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 ff of 65 per cent in 2007 and a good recovery last year, honey bees are now teetering on the point of what

12

Nowitz calls “a catastrophe.”

At his peak a few short years ago, Nowitz managed 275 colonies capable of producing honey and pollinating mid-Island crops. He now manages 20 colonies, some of them showing signs of weakening 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, beekeeper 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

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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 bodies, and eventually the colony is worn down. They were fi first 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 Valley, 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 import from off ffshore locations, even though Canadian stocks are 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 fficient pollinator, has been less aff ffected by mites. They are, however, affected ff by a loss of habitat as their specifi fications 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 successful.

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 ff on local food supply, says Nowitz, may go unnoticed by the general public at fi first. But as demand for local food increases long-term effects ff may be more apparent.

“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 commercial 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.” editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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CVI BOTANICAL GARDEN SOCIETY Box 2227, Station A, Nanaimo V9R 6X9 Celebration of Island Gardening Spring Festival - Promoting local businesses & community gardeners . www.cvibgs.org 250-758-0306 See our ad on page 10

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AJAC'S EQUIPMENT 160 Cliff ff Street Sales - Service- Parts & Warranties. Our product lines include John Deere, Troy Bilt, Honda, Toro, Husqvarna & Stihl. www.ajacsequip.com 250-754-1931 See our ad on page 11

COUNTRY CLUB CENTRE 3200 Island Highway, North, Orchid Show April 16-18. Display & sale. www.countryclubcentre.com 250-758-1102 See our ad on page 13

HANDS ON CLAY 5363 Sunhaven Place, Nanaimo Local Artist - Marlies Schottke off ffers handmade pieces for sale & special or custom orders. European techniques.

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CROSSLAND SHEDS We provide top quality sheds built on your property. Why rent when you can own. www.crosslandsheds.ca 250-7514885 / 250-204-1744 See our ad on page...4

ART KNAPP PLANTLAND 6469 Metral Drive, Nanaimo Vancouver Island's largest & most complete retail garden centre.

250-390-1151 See our ad on page 2 BUCKERFIELDS #1 - 1277 Island Highway, South Your one stop shop for all your garden needs. www.buckerfields.org fi 250-753-4221 See our ad on page 7

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DIANA'S GARDEN CENTRE & FLORIST 2517 Bowen Road Full service garden shop carrying a wide range of seasonal products. Florist delivery local and worldwide. www. dianasgardencentre.com 250-760-0065 See our ad on page 4

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Get out there and enjoy the season.

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

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www.nanaimobulletin.com 777 Poplar Street

ADVERTISERS INDEX LONG LAKE NURSERIES & FLORIST 4900 Island Highway, North Full line of nursery supplies as well as floral & gift shop. Landscaping supplies, fl design & installation.

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PIONEER FIREPLACE, POOL & SPA 419 Terminal Ave, North A great selection of grills, spas, wood & gas stoves, fi fireplaces & more.

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MIKE GOGO CEDAR PRODUCTS High grade, band sawn douglas fi fir & cedar. Great for decks, planters, garden boxes, corrals, barns, etc.

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RONA 1250 Island Highway, South, Nanaimo Your Home Renovation and Garden store with over 30,000 sq.ft of products to choose from! www.rona.ca 250-734-4450 See our ad on page 5

OLD EARTH GARDENING 663 Bowen Road Complete lawn care services. Lawn mowing, lawn renovations, prunning & hedge shearing. 250-714-2780 See our ad on page 10 OLD GARDEN TOPIARY 3923 Victoria Ave Garden centre, topiary sales, garden ornaments, bonsai supplies, ceramic pots, local metal art. www.oldgardentopiary.com 250-729-0211 See our ad on page 11

SEA SOIL Nanaimo Sea soil is composted fi fish & forest soil.

No need for additional fertilizer. www.seasoil.com 250-729-9965 See our ad on page 12 VANCOUVER ISLAND EXHIBITION Beban Park, 2300 Bowen Road An annual event to advance the education of agriculture & showcase local farmers. Fun for all ages. www.viex.ca 250-758-3247 See our ad on page 6

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How does your garden grow?

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15

GROWING WITH YOU FOR OVER 51 YEARS!

LONG LAKE

NOW IN BLOOM!

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

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 51 YEARS

Smaragd Emerald Cedars

Deer Proof

6’-7’ $50 each or 10 for $450

TIME TO MOSS CONTROL NOW! Scotts Moss Killer 22-2-2 Covers 5,000 sq. ft.

2699 TO $2999 $ 99 Multi-grafted Fruit Trees .................. 69

$

2499 each or 3 for $6000 Great Selection Including Climbers

Tree Roses 59

each

Huge Selection of

WOOD PLANTERS Lots of sizes to choose from including Barrel-type

THE ONLYIER RR BULK CA SOIL! OF SEA

1999

NEW SELECTION OF FOUNTAINS & BIRD BATHS

BLUEBERRIES

WE LANDSCAPE!

Covers 4,000 sq. ft.

$

1 Gallon

• Irrigation • Block Walls • Patio Pavers • Landscape Design

each

ROSES ARE IN!

99

DOLOPRIL LIME DOLOPR

1299 3 FOR $2500

3999

$

ON SALE NOW!

$

$

16

Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Apples, $ Oriental Pears .............

$

THUJA PLICATA

Open 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

7-Days A Week

BAREROOT FRUIT TREES

CEDAR HEDGING

30 each or 10 for $250 $ 40 each or 10 for $350 $ 45 each or 10 for $400

VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SEEDS Now in Stock!

Just South of Nanaimo North Town Centre

Nurseries and Florist

Forsythias and Red Currants

4’-5’ 5’-6’ 6’-7’

ISLAND HIGHWAY

LAST CHANCE SALE ON IN-STOCK

CERAMIC POTS

%

60

OFF

Call 250-729-1908 Winter/Spring/Summer

FLOWERING HEATHER

1 Gallon. Deer Resistant.

$ 99

7

SEED POTATOES ONION SETS MULTIPLIER SETS

New Shipment Arriving Soon

Now in Stock!

Asparagus Roots, Strawberry, Roots & Raspberry Canes

BULK MATERIALS

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

BY THE YARD – YOU PICK OR WE DELIVER A Special Supplement to the Nanaimo News Bulletin