H&g vanderwees spring2014

VANDERWEES SPRING 2014

Rob Sproule

Container Gardening Secrets Bernie Whetter

Something New Under the Sun Ken Beattie

Respect the Red Mike Miller

Landscape with Confidence Feature:

Great New Perennials for 2014 Brian Minter

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CONTENTS Container Gardening Secrets 9 Gardening author Rob Sproule

Did someone call “Tee Time”? For an afternoon of fun in the sun for the whole family, visit the miniature golf course at Vanderwees Home & Garden. Now in its third year, the course has seen some pretty fine golfers and also helped to raise some pretty fine funds for local charities. Totally 18 holes, these links feature an interesting combination of putting greens that are challenging enough for adults but still not too difficult for children. In fact, some of our best golfers had to get their parents to drive them here. Something new for the mini-golf course for 2014 will be our Golf Birthday Parties. Bring your birthday friends out for some minigolf fun and great food from our café. The golf course is also available for corporate functions and charity events.

Just down the road from the golf course is our animal farm and nature trail. With 4 adorable alpacas, rabbits, geese, ducks, chickens and goats, the farm is a favourite with children and adults alike. Beside the animal farm is our 1 km long nature trail. Cutting through the backwoods, the trail winds through aspen stands, past a beaver pond, and along some marshlands. Informative posts can be found along the trail explaining the different plant species found in that area. If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to walk amongst nature, then our trail is the perfect spot for you.

Whether its mini-golf, hiking, visiting farm animals or shopping in a full service garden centre, Vanderwees Home & Garden is a great place for the whole family.

We hope to see you soon!

Yes, There is Something New Under the Sun - Bernie Whetter

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Feature: Great New Perrenials for 2014 - Brian Minter

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How Does Your Garden Glow?

- Ken Paulusma

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Respect the Red – Canada's favourite gardener, Ken Beattie

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Demystifying Your Tomatoes - Henry King

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Create Your Landscape With Confidence – Mike Miller

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Welcome the Warmth: Trends to Inspire - Jackie Cornwall

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Fashion: Dare to be Bold - Erin Van Raay

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Tapas Trend - Mark DeWolf

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6488 Mapleward Rd Thunder Bay, ON P7G 2J9 (807) 767-3666 www.vanderweeshomeandgarden.com Vanderwees Home & Garden Magazine is published by Carle Publishing Inc. All content, copyright © 2014, Carle Publishing Inc.All rights reserved.

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John Christenson Stacey Cowperthwaite Rob Sproule Bernie Whetter Brian Minter Ken Paulusma Ken Beattie Henry King Mike Miller Jackie Cornwall Erin Van Raay Mark DeWolf Andy Buyting (National)

coordinators

John Vanderwees (Local)

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All images sourced from thinkstockphotos.ca unless otherwise identified.

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Spring Greetings!

T

here is a proverb that says “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow” and we here in Northwestern Ontario are certainly looking forward to spring after what seems like an eternity of winter. After weeks of bitter cold and mountains of snow, the green of new leaves and gardens bursting with spring flowers are a welcome sight.

Our greenhouses full of new seedlings and the rich, earthy smell of fresh soil let us know that gardening season is upon us once again, and not a moment too soon.

If you are like me, you are eager to get out into your garden and see how everything fared over the winter. Clean up is first on the list of jobs, followed by taking note of areas that need replanting, or possibly the creation of a new bed or two. We have an amazing selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and vegetables ready to be planted, as well as all the gardening tools, fertilizers and soil you need to make your spring and summer gardens look fabulous.

New products are always arriving at the garden centre and this spring is no exception. From garden accents, ceramic pots and gourmet food to home décor and fabulous fashions and accessories, spring at Vanderwees is a great time to visit.

Always hoping to make your shopping experience a memorable one, Vanderwees Home & Garden offers some great family activities – play 18 holes of golf on our miniature golf course, visit our animal farm, take a walk down our nature trail and enjoy a delicious lunch at Tulips Café located in the garden centre.

With over 300 years of gardening experience, our dedicated staff is here to help you with your gardening questions and give you the best advice possible. Their love of gardening is infectious and shows in their enthusiasm and hard work for which I would like to thank them. I would also like to thank our advertisers and ask you to consider them as you read this magazine.

We welcome spring this year in particular at the garden centre with greenhouses full of bedding plants and exciting new products for you and your garden. Gardening expert Ruth Stout could not have said it better “I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden”. I invite you to visit Vanderwees and remember… gardening is for life, make it part of yours!

I look forward to seeing you soon!

John I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. ~Ruth Stout

Tulips Café…

It’s Uitstekend!

(Dutch for the Best of the Best)

While shopping at Vanderwees Home and Garden, you will often detect the mouth-watering scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, or spicy bubbling cheese and sizzling bacon. No…you are not dreaming, but are more likely near Tulips Café, the culinary gem nestled in the south corner of the garden centre. Surrounded by a stunning mural depicting scenes from Holland, Tulips Café has become the place where shoppers can stop and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a full-course gourmet home-made lunch.

In response to customer’s many requests for a café in the garden centre, Tulips was a welcome inclusion to the plans for the new building which was constructed in 2005. With a street scene from Amsterdam as the backdrop for the café, glass-topped bistro tables hold seating for about 32 patrons, and are enclosed by a picket fence, giving the air of an outdoor eatery. Tulips Café also has an outdoor patio, with a view of the tree nursery and new miniature golf course, and is a popular place to enjoy lunch on sunny days.

The café fare is made fresh to order. Customers can choose items from a menu diverse in its cuisine selections; melts, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads and of course Laura Vanderwees’ famous home-made soups. Laura’s Leek & Potato Soup has gained a particular reputation at Tulips and is sought after by regular and new patrons alike. Made from leeks, onions and potatoes grown right in Joe and Laura’s own gardens, the ingredients are the freshest possible.

Laura’s Tomato Basil soup is made from tomatoes grown in Joe’s tomato greenhouse, as is the café’s specialty – the Tomato and Cheese Melt. Served on a lightly toasted Ciabatta bun, it is positively mouthwatering!

It is always best to leave room for dessert at Tulips as the café’s manager Lynn is always baking up something tempting. From warm and chewy Chocolate Chip cookies to Red Velvet Cake and everything in between, the pastry case is hard to resist. The café’s signature Tulips Torte is a heavenly combination of pineapple, coconut and banana in a moist cake with layers of cream cheese icing. The perfect complement to the café’s desserts is their special blend of freshly brewed coffee, or their award winning Tulips Gourmet brand teas. The teas are served at your table and timed to perfection to ensure the flavor is at its peak.

A unique dining experience is what Tulips Café strives for, and you will often find the staff offering customers samples of a new gourmet item from the gift shop, a new tea or a sample of fudge from the fudge counter.

Offering fresh new menu items is important at Tulips, and you will find Lynn and her staff constantly trying new recipes and looking for new ideas to present to their customers. The café also has take-out, so be sure to stop by on your way home or out to the cottage for a special treat to take with you. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxed place to eat that is located in a fabulous place to shop, come to Tulips Café…it’s Uitstekend!

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Spring's Features

DREAM CHAIR

Recline in comfort in your very own dream chair. Perfect for resting, reading, or simply relaxing this stylish, foam padded hammock comes with a pillow to support your head and neck, as well as an umbrella for shade on hot sunny days. It’s four, rubber capped legs, and sturdy base make it safe to use indoors and out, while it’s free-swinging design rocks your cares away.

SOLAR TWIG LIGHTS

A simple and attractive way to add a little light to your home. Solar twig lights charge naturally during the day, and show off their warm LED light at night. Stunning on their own, grouped together, or in displays, these elegant lights are perfect for any season!

GARDEN SOLAR LIGHTS

These beautiful solar lights will enhance your outdoors while also reducing your electricity costs. Easy installation with no wires; simply mount in the desired location and a built-in photocell sensor turns the fixture on automatically at dusk.

CORONA TOOLS

With a lifetime warranty, these exceptional garden tools are easy to use, and perfect for the backyard gardener. See our selection of pruners, loppers, shears, snips, and more, as well as Corona’s line of ergonomic, extendable-handle tools – perfect for reaching in your garden, while saving your back.

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

Welcome hummingbirds to your garden with our selection of easy to use hummingbird feeders. These bird-friendly feeders can be displayed in your garden, or on your patio, and offer and unique, up close view of these exceptional little birds.

CONFETTI MIXES

For the fullest looking planters, and a stunning burst of colour in your yard, try our new confetti mixes. These sun-loving plants are a combination of several plants, together in one planting, and can be found in a variety of bright, colourful mixes for you beds, hanging baskets, and planters.

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Container Gardening Secrets Rob Sproule

Excerpted from “Edible Container Gardening for Canada�, 2013, Lone Pine Publishing

G

orgeous containers aren't just found in glossy magazines and Martha Stewart specials. They're within our grasp no matter how black our thumbs may be, and I have a few secrets to help you along.

Here are two things I've learned from my years in the gardening trenches. You don't often read about these tips, but they're essential in my book. You’ll notice that both of them are about maintaining healthy roots, which are the key to good plants.

Choose your Container Wisely Container gardens are like icebergs. We Ooh and Ahh at what we see, but it's the complex structures below the surface that keep the whole thing afloat.

Savvy gardeners know that terrific containers are all about moisture and heat management at the root level. The type of pot you use, which is the material in direct contact with the roots, is often an afterthought but can be pivotal to how your flowers perform.

Mulch Heat loving annuals and edibles, like petunias and tomatoes, are thirstier than Bavarians at Oktoberfest.

Containers are enclosed systems, and big, aggressive plants often become root-bound by mid-summer, every drop of water being greedily sucked up by parched moisture lovers.

The stress that repeated drying out causes tropical species (which comprise the majority of trending annuals and edibles), can quickly lead to a lackluster look. Savvy gardeners are saving from twice a day watering by harnessing the moisture-retaining advantages of mulch.

Once reserved only for perennial beds and strawberry fields, organic mulches like cedar and straw help keep the soil moist by decreasing evaporation into our dry, hot summer air. More consistently moist soil, which is what tropical species love, will result in better summer performance and a less exhausting watering schedule.

Make sure to stick to untreated, organic mulches (ie. were once alive), and avoid treated inorganics like rock and rubber, which can dry the soil by heating in the sun and/or leech nasty chemicals down to the roots. A couple inches of mulch are all you need.

For starters, I'd avoid terra-cotta or clay unless you have a shady, humid spot. While amazing in England, our air is so dry that the porous material will act as a wick and suck the moisture right out of the roots, leaving your poor pansies parched.

When it comes to plastic or glazed ceramic, consider the pot's colour. Reserve dark colours, which get exceptionally hot in direct sun, for heat lovers like peppers and gazania.

Synthetic pots, usually made of lightweight, high-end fiberglass and resin, are the best for the root systems but, with their steep price tags, the worst for your wallet. Keep an eye on them though, as they grow the best performing plants and are consistently coming down in price.

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Yes, There is Something New Under the Sun! Bernie Whetter

G

ardening in a country like Canada demands that a plant must be adaptive to a wide range of environmental conditions if it is to be used successfully from coast to coast. Canadians experience the extremes of flood to drought, hot to cold, fertile to sour. These conditions can even occur in a single location within a short time period. Just try gardening in southwestern Manitoba!

Breeders of floriculture have a challenge to find those rare plants that are tolerant to our wide range of conditions and yet maintain visual appeal. Here on the prairies, a colourful plant with drought tolerance is a welcomed bonus to most gardeners. Up to the present time, selecting a new plant for the garden meant first determining the conditions of the location, particularly as it relates to shade or sun. Sun lovers exhibit intensely coloured flowers with less significant vegetation whereas shade plant flowers are less colourful but display lush, vivid vegetation. That all being said, there were a few exceptions.

Impatiens performs only in shady locations but it also has brightly coloured flowers presented in a dense cover.

The advent of New Guinea impatiens 20 years ago allowed for some exposure to sunshine but still with poor performance under hot conditions. And now, Sakata Ornamentals introduces SunPatiens®, the newest member of the Impatiens family. It is a sun tolerant variety of the tried-and-true favourite annual.

One of its parents is the New Guinea type, but unlike it, this new sun lover does not wilt in full sun. Much of the information presented here is gleaned from the website www.sunpatiens.com.

A revolutionary new hybrid, these remarkable plants represent a breakthrough in flower breeding: robust, sun–loving, heat–loving impatiens that thrive in full sun or part shade. Described as blooming earlier in the spring and keeping the profuse bloom until frost, these beautiful but tough plants combine massive flower power with low maintenance.

SunPatiens Spreading

SunPatiens® offer a myriad of possibilities in beds, planters, hanging baskets and commercial landscapes.

Their ability to tolerate a broad range of light and temperature conditions allows for seasons of enjoyment. Three season performance is the hallmark trait for the full series, so regardless of which variety you select, your SunPatiens® will be covered with beautiful flowers from spring, through the heat of summer, right up to the first hard frost. All types produce flowers that are 2 to 3 inches wide.

The SunPatiens® family consists of three unique series, each offering a distinct growth habit that is perfect for nearly every garden application.

Photos courtesy of Sakata Seed 10 ) SPRING 2014 HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE

1. Vigorous - plants are upright, V-shaped and will fill out aggressively. They will grow 36 to 48” tall and up to 36” wide. Ideal for the landscape or mass planting.

2. Spreading – plants have mounding, spreading habit. They will grow 30 to 40” tall and up to 36” wide.

Expect smaller plants when containerized. This type is recommended for hanging baskets as well as beds.

3. Compact – plants are bush type and well branched. They will grow 24 to 36” tall and equally as wide. Expect smaller plants when containerized. Recommended for containers as well as beds SunPatiens Vigorous

These plants want to grow so don’t crowd them. A 12”to 15” spacing is ideal. You may notice some wilting during hot, dry weather but the plants respond quickly to watering and because of their aggressive growth, they are hungry. Supplemental feeding is necessary. Healthy plants will develop thick leathery leaves giving the plants tolerance to cold weather and resistance to disease. As with any new introduction, gardeners should experiment in their own environment. You’ll be delighted with the colour and performance of SunPatiens®.

SunPatiens Compact

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Great New Perennials for 2014

Brian Minter

P

erennials are continuing to play more significant roles in home gardens for many reasons. The newer varieties are being bred to bloom over a longer period of time and with fewer disease and pest problems. For the most part, they are becoming more compact, making them ideal for small space gardens and especially containers. Many new perennials are also bee, butterfly and hummingbird attractors which greatly adds value to their role in the garden.

So many new varieties are being developed each year that it’s hard to keep up, and many have not had enough time in various trial gardens to fully measure their versatility in a number of climatic and weather situations. So it’s important to check with your garden centre authorities for advice on some of the newer varieties. Here are a few superstars that will make a significant contribution to your garden this year.

It’s been around for a number of years now, but the perennial geranium ‘Rozanne’ (zone 5) is in a class by itself. We grow them and use them in our gardens and in summer containers with other annuals.

Their beautiful

Geranium Rozanne

blue flowers just never quit. They also have great weather tolerance in heat, cold and even rain. ‘Rozanne’ is a favourite of our native bee population which will help greatly with pollination in your garden.

Rudbeckia Goldstrum

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Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum’ (zone 4) is, without a doubt, the standard against which all other perennials are measured, but two great innovations have come along that have made a significant difference. Rudbeckia ‘Early Bird Gold’ (zone 4) is an identical looking variety I have watched for three years now, and it truly blooms two weeks earlier than ‘Goldsturm’ and flowers just as long into the fall. It is more of a spreader, and in a few short years it will give you a ‘wow’ backdrop border all summer long, and if you mix in some more compact miscanthus grasses, you’ll create a very sophisticated look. To keep things

a littler shorter, the compact (16x16 in./40x40cm) R. ‘Little Gold Star' (zone 4) is simply superb in small spaces and in container gardens. It also blends well with dwarf pennisetums and miscanthus.

We’ve all had a little difficulty with some of the fancy new echinaceas these past few years. They look stunning, but many are not the best repeat performers. Two types, however, have certainly caught my attention. The Pow Wow Series ‘Wild Berry Pink’ and ‘Wild Berry White’ (zone 4) are stunning with their

The new ‘Lady Series’ of ‘Emily’, ‘Diana’ and ‘Susan’ all grow about 18 inches (45cm) tall and bloom just like the tall ones.

There are more on the way too: A. ‘Cinderella’ and A. ‘Pocahontas’ (zone 5) will both add a great pink punch to late summer and fall. Morning sun with afternoon shade is their preference.

summer into fall. Most are tall but there’s a new shorty out there this year called ‘Short and Sassy’ (zone 4). It grows only 18x18 inches (45x45cm) high and wide, and in our trials last year it just kept blooming well into fall.

It’s a significant improvement in heleniums.

Coreopsis are simply great garden performers with long lasting colour from early summer through fall. For the most part, they are hardy and tough, but the colour range has been virtually all yellows and golds with a blotch of red and burgundy. Red is a terrific garden colour, and coreopsis ‘Mercury Rising’ (zone 5) is one of the first truly hardy and resilient red coreopsis. It’s quite compact, growing 18x18 inches (45x45cm) and blooms continually in diverse weather conditions. We trialed this one too and are very happy with its performance.

Japanese Anemone Fantasy Cinderella

‘Jack Frost’ and ‘Looking Glass’ brunnera (zone 3) certainly revolutionized the brunnera market, and there are more to come.

Brunnera ‘Sea Heart’ and ‘Silver Heart’ (zone 4) will add very large, unique silver foliage patterns to your shade garden, especially in dry shade areas under trees and around buildings. They are both fabulous container plants and look great with hostas.

slightly smaller blooms that never seem to quit. They will both really power up your summer garden. Try them and you’ll see what I mean. The other new echinacea series, called ‘Cheyenne Spirit’, (zone 4) has that ‘prairie look’ for which we’ve all been waiting. This AAS Selections winner has beautifully blended colours of yellow, orange, salmon and red and is a very tough and resilient plant with a ‘no quit’ attitude.

One stunning plant that no one seems to know or talk about is a very hardy aralia called ‘Sun King’ (zone 3). The name is ironic because it likes shady areas like you wouldn’t believe … but even more curious is the fact it will tolerate full hot sun once acclimatized and will be the ‘eye popper’ in your garden. It grows to about 1m x 1m.

Japanese anemones (zone 5) are wonderful plants to extend the summer season into fall, but often I find they grow quite tall and become just a little sloppy. Well, no more!

Heleniums are great for late summer colour, and I love their autumn hues that help transition

Echinacea Pow Wow Wildberry

There are many other great new perennials this year but these are a few outstanding garden performers.

So make some room for them in your beds and containers, and you’ll be delighted.

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hile your yard and garden are basking in the rays of the sun throughout the day, many forms of solar lights are absorbing these rays to charge up their rechargeable batteries, providing you with many forms of decorative and practical lighting throughout the evening.

Solar lighting has come a long way through the years from lights that would only light for a short period of time after a full day’s charge, to lights that now charge up on cloudy days and hold their charge through adverse conditions, staying lit overnight and into the next morning.

Some of the most unique solar lights I have come across are 2 and 3 head yard lights that provide a very useful light when placed in an appropriate position on a deck or pathway. They utilize a much larger battery to sustain the higher intensity light and home owners are thrilled with the ability to have lighting just about anywhere without the aggravation of cables and wiring.

Other forms of smaller solar lights can be used on pathways, steps, gazebos, docks, under patio umbrellas and even as a lamp you can carry to light your way.

How Does Your Garden Glow?

Ken Paulusma

The design of some of the lights used on steps is a surface mount that can be simply attached to the step to light each stair. The same light can be used on a deck or a dock to light up the perimeter, or to just accent a specific area.

More styles now have higher intensity and multiple Leds to really highlight an area in the form of spotlights. A popular form of this is a security light that is motion activated and extremely bright. Even a shed light is available to light up a small garden shed while the charger sits on the roof where it will charge the batteries during the day.

With the evolution and improvement of Led lighting has come a year round light string called crab lights. The most popular model is 9 feet long and consists of 240 small wide angle lights in clusters. The effect is dramatic and can also be set up to chase or fade with the help of an added controller which can now be controlled by a blue tooth function on a cell phone. These lights can be used to highlight gazebos and pergolas, decorate fencing, divide property etc. Keep in mind that Christmas is not the only time to use lighting to accent areas of your yard. The crab lights are available in cool white, warm white, blue, or red and are powered by a small 24 volt transformer.Lanterns with timers are another form of landscape lighting that has gone solar. Coming on when you decide, these lights make deck and garden accenting a breeze. For a dramatic effect twig lights that are available in solar, as well as battery and plug in.

These look amazing in outdoor arrangements and can be used for highlighting entranceways, stairs and driveways.

Using solar lighting in your landscaping will make it as attractive at night as it is during the day, so go solar and give your garden a healthy glow!

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Respect the Red

Ken Beattie

R

ed is often a colour associated with heat, anger and in many cultures it means good luck also. I for one have found red in my landscape one of the more difficult of the array of hues to incorporate, at least in the early years. After several decades of planning, planting, huffing and puffing I have come to admire and respect the red end of the spectrum.

Some of the first thoughts may be to jump to the common annual herbaceous plants such as the salvias and petunias with vibrant reds in a great range, but there are oodles of other choices in foliage as well.

For the shadier nooks of the garden there is the coleus gang with its many hues and combinations of colour.

Recently, in the past decade or so, coleus have made a steady, trending comeback on the retail scene. I for one am very impressed with the range, and of late, durability of this plant. Coleus are found in many shapes and sizes and have made their way into mainstream container gardens too.

As a child I was introduced to coleus by my maternal grandmother who just loved to garden; I’m pretty sure that her passion was a huge influence on me.

There was a tidy wee spot in our front garden that was in rather deep shade for the most part of the day. My job was to select, plant and of course maintain this little portion of the garden. Trial by fire indeed: as a clumsy kid I broke off many a chunk of coleus landing securely on the horns of a dilemma. Do I come clean and let others know my misadventure or do I hide the evidence? Door number two: I hid the evidence in the moist, shady soil. Lo and behold the dismembered pieces rooted and the wee garden plumped up beautifully. The point of my story is that even if you have never gardened before, or perhaps are as clumsy as I was, coleus are great plants to consider, sun or shade.

The range of reds that is available in coleus is astounding! Deep maroons of the ‘heritage’ varieties have regained popularity, particularly when paired with lime green. Some of the older varieties actually have borders and venation in this contrasting green. Brick red is very popular also, one variety, ‘Sedona’, has been on the market for about five years now, sporting large leaves that are fairly

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sun tolerant. Check with your garden centre or greenhouse staff to learn which of their available varieties are sun tolerant, as the list is ever expanding.

Red foliage is also common in many tropical plants. Don’t overlook crotons, the brightly coloured, extremely sun loving plants. Check in the tropical plant section for these bold coloured tropicals, typically in a range from 10cm pots up. Crotons will make a delightful, centre bold feature in a container or as a backdrop for smaller ground coverings.

Striking and very tolerant, crotons however tolerate no frost, so judge yourself accordingly. A great substitute for the “spike” or dracaena that appears so systematically in the centre of many Canadian planters, is phormium or New Zealand Flax. Looking very much like a broader leafed dracaena, its twin sister could be the red dracaena which is rather more burgundy or deep red. Both plants are very tough and can actually survive some drought but, alas, are not hardy in most of Canada. I have overwintered many of these plants in the cool of the basement as I don’t have enough room with sufficient light (not already taken up by other plants).

Finally you might consider the deep venation and markings on varieties of geranium. Mrs. Cox and Skies of Italy are predominantly yellow with red to maroon blotches: beautiful! These geraniums have salmon shades of flowers but by my optics are insignificant. Combined with bright, candy apple red these plants will just pop in the border as with light blue and purple partners.

Colour preference is, of course, very subjective, but bear in mind, that it’s ok to change your palette and your mind periodically. Reds can be used discriminately or in a full blown explosion of colour. It all works. It’s your garden after all!

Ken Beattie is the Manager of Habitat Programs with the Canadian Wildlife Federation

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Demystifying Your Tomatoes

Henry King

OMG

– it must be GMO if it is not an heirloom variety! The goal of this article is to demystify the various types of tomatoes that are available to you, the consumer, so that you are able to make an informed decision when you arrive at the garden centre to buy your tomato plants or seeds.

Let’s start with the heirloom varieties. There is discussion about the exact definition of what constitutes an heirloom variety, but in general an heirloom is a variety that existed before the Second World War. If you think logically, what is a family heirloom? It is something that has been passed down from generation to generation. This also means that heirloom varieties are open-pollinated--meaning that, unlike hybrids, seeds you collect from one year will produce plants with most of the characteristics of the parent plant. And that’s key to their survival. The drawback to some of the heirlooms is the exact dichotomy of their strength; there have been no “improvements” to them over the years. Sometimes (big generality here) heirlooms may produce smaller crops and take longer to mature, though you may rest assured that no breeding has taken place that may jeopardize flavour. Some of the most common heirloom varities are Mortgage Lifter, Black Krim and Brandywine.

Essentially there are 4 types available: Heirloom types, Hybrid, Grafted and Genetically Modified.

A hybrid tomato is created when plant breeders intentionally cross-pollinate two different varieties, aiming to produce an offspring (hybrid) containing the best traits of the two parents. This does not mean they are GMO. A simple way of explaining it is that a hybrid variety is one that has been cross bred from a Mother tomato and a Father tomato (by the birds and bees method) so that the best traits of each are preserved and you get the best qualities of both parents.

Usually hybrids offer some combination of the favorable traits that breeders and home gardeners are looking for dependability (you always get the same size of plant and fruit), early maturity, better yield, improved flavor, specific plant size, or disease resistance. Some very strict organic gardeners will suggest that a hybrid is taboo, suggesting that it’s a genetically modified plant.

That is incorrect. In hybridization, pollination is carefully controlled to ensure that the right plants are crossed to achieve a combination of characteristics and the process of developing a hybrid typically requires many years. Cross-pollination is a natural process of crosses within the same plant species. Hybrid tomatoes tend to be very consistent within each plant, whether it’s tomato size, taste or number of days to maturity. In 18 ) SPRING 2014 HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE

contrast to an heirloom, you cannot keep the seeds from year to year as they will not produce a consistent tomato plant from generation to generation. Examples of great hybrids include Early Girl, Supersteak, Sweet Baby Girl and Sweet Million.

Most gardeners are familiar with grafted roses, or grafted fruit trees. Grafting takes the top of a popular plant and deftly pops it onto a root that has demonstrated strong vigour and often resistance to diseases and pests. Just as grafting apple and grape varieties to hardy rootstock produces more productive, disease-resistant fruit, grafting the tops, or scions, of tomato varieties to a vigorous rootstock that has been chosen for its ability to resist or tolerate disease can produce a similar result. Planting grafted tomatoes is a simple technique that home owners can use to increase soil borne disease resistance in tomatoes without chemical fumigants or pesticides.

Grafting tomatoes is recognised as an acceptable practice amongst organic growers as an effective way of increasing yield through much enhanced disease resistance. You will definitely notice increased yield and plant vigour when you grow a grafted tomato plant.

Some home gardeners have reported double or triple yields from grafted tomatoes when compared to heirlooms or hybrids. Grafted vines can grow 8 to 12 feet or more.

Now here is the kicker. You can get both heirloom varieties and hybrid varieties on grafted rootstock. So if you love the taste of Brandywine, or Mortgage Lifter but have been disappointed with their meager production, get a grafted one!

There is one very important thing to remember when planting grafted tomatoes. Although you grow grafted plants in the same way as non-grafted plants, it is vital not to plant them too deeply. We often recommend that you plant tomatoes deeply, right up to their first leaves. Never do this with grafted plants. Roots will grow out into the soil from above the graft and then pick up all the diseases to which the rootstock is resistant .

I have not left much room to talk about genetically modified tomato plants that you might be able to get at your local garden centre. That is because there are no varieties that I am aware of that are genetically modified that are sold at the retail level in the plant or seed form.

Period. So relax, whether it is hybrid or heirloom, grafted or seed, none of them are genetically modified.

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Create your Landscape with Confidence! Mike Miller

I

remember a time when almost everyone would work outside with the elements to create and enjoy with nature. Too many people have lost their connection to the land, and are afraid to get involved in case they do something wrong! Growing our confidence will help us grow great gardens.

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Here are some important basics to help you be at home in your gardens.

Planting perennials, shrubs or trees: not too deep or too shallow!

Knowing the mature size, sunlight requirements, and seasonal highlights of a particular plant will help you determine where to dig the hole. Avoid planting in low or wet areas where water can sit for extended periods of time, or under overhanging structures. Dig a hole wider and slightly deeper than the root ball, removing clods of grass, roots, and stones. In cases of very sandy conditions or if your soil is like mine and you discover heavy clay or gravel, you’ll will want to dig the hole a little larger yet to accommodate amendments needed to get the plant off to a good start.

larger trees and shrubs is plenty unless the plant wilts and shows signs of stress- this is important for smaller shrubs and perennials which may need watering daily. Most plants only need watering during the first season while they’re establishing a strong root system. Unless very dry conditions are experienced, they will be fine on their own afterwards.

Mulching is effective at keeping moisture in the ground, but it’s important not to cover the stem or foliage!

we’ll recognize when they need our help to look their best.

Maintenance: seeing is knowledge When we have an interest in something, we naturally pay attention to details. Details are very important in every aspect of our lives and they should be of no less importance in our landscapes! Try to take the time to enjoy regular leisurely strolls through your gardens while keeping an open eye for signs of drought, insect or rodent infestation as well as over crowding and overgrowth of the plants. It is much easier to deal with problems like these before they get out of hand. The more familiar we become with our plants, the more

Where to go when you need to know!

Your local Independent Garden Centre is your best resource! You can always count on quality plants, great service and value and they can supply you with all you need for success in your gardens. They will always know which plants will grow best for you along with everything that is new and happening, in the gardening world.

They want you to be confident and comfortable as you invest in your home and garden.

While we may not want to talk to our plants, we should try to listen to what they are saying to us!

Hopefully all you’ll ever notice are nature's gifts to you! The buds bursting, the leaves unfurling, the growth spurts, the colour changes with rain and drought, the seasonal flowers, the autumn blaze, and even the clinging snow on the foliage and stems.

Remove the pot and place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with or slightly higher than the top of the ground.

Mix in ample amounts of loam, peat moss, or coir (coconut fibre) when backfilling. Include nutrients like water soluble plant starter or bone meal to promote root growth. Use your shovel handle to pack down the soil as you backfill. With any extra soil, create a wide basin around the plant to hold water or rainfall close to the roots.

Watering: not too much, not too little!

The initial watering is the most important one. Following planting, let water run slowly into the basin settling the soil down and around the roots. When water lies in the basin you’ll know the soil around the roots is fully saturated. How often you water depends on many factors. If hot, dry, windy and sunny conditions exist or if your soil is very sandy, you’ll need to water more frequently.

Remember, you’ll do more harm than good if you water when the soil around the plant is still wet. We want the roots to follow the moisture down. Watering every few days for

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Jackie Cornwall Welcome the Warmth: Trends to Inspire for the Season Ahead

MIke Mille

N

o matter what part of Canada you hail from, there’s a collective sigh of relief and buzz of excitement that the long snowy winter is finally behind us.

It’s winters like this that remind all Canadians to embrace and enjoy every minute of summer, to get outside and soak in the season.

This spring, inspiration isn’t hard to come by. Take advantage of these great trends and make the most of every summer moment!

Big, Bold Colour

Put away the grey! Enliven your outdoor décor with bursts of yellows, oranges, pinks & blues in bright strong shades. A colour boost can be as simple as painting old furniture, adding throw pillows to your patio set, or hanging fun and funky wall décor.

Look for: • Bright pots of planted annuals as patio table centrepieces • Indoor / outdoor throw pillows with graphic and floral patterns • Container gardens and tropical plants in brightly coloured ceramic pots

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er

Planting for the Birds, and Especially the Bees Many people already have a patch set out in the garden planted with flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Full of tubular, nectar rich flowers, these gardens really bring beds to life! As the increasing awareness of the importance of the diminishing honeybee population rises, gardens planted specifically for our buzzworthy friends have become all the rage.

Growing Superfoods Heart healthy, nutrient packed superfoods are high on the radar this season. These sometimes unusual, but fairly easy to grow veggies and fruits are becoming a welcome addition to veggie patches across the nation. Find them on the benches of a garden centre near you!

Look for: • Super tasting berries like Goji & Haskap • Old favourites like kale and garlic that pack a nutritional punch • Wheatgrass seeds and sprout kits for fast and fun growing

Look for: • Native wildflowers, flowering herbs and vegetables, and flowering berry bushes. Fruit trees, if you have the space, are a fantastic honeybee food source • Long blooming or successive blooming perennials (More flowers… more food!)

• Avoid using pesticides and herbicides in any bee, butterfly or hummingbird garden Using the Sun…at Night!

The world of solar lighting has developed leaps and bounds in the last few years. Solar powered lanterns, branches, globes and more allow you to stretch those warm summer nights into hours of long talks, great laughs and good times. Use them to highlight your favourite part of the garden, guide guests to your front door, or simply add ambiance to your evening entertainment.

Just Add Water Fountains have been gracing the pages of every design and home magazine this season. Once strictly large, concrete, middle-of-the-garden features, today’s fountains allow adaptation to any size porch, patio or yard. Sit back and listen to the therapeutic sounds of water washing your cares away this summer!

Look for: • Lightweight resin fountains - great durability but easy to manage • Low fountains that can be encorporated into the garden beds as an easy pond substitute • Table top models for smaller spaces, that can be moved easily for special occasions

Look for: • Lanterns designed for elegance during the day and soft warm light at night • Functional spotlights and motion sensitive lighting

There’s so much to look forward to in the season ahead – make the most of it!

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Dare to be Bold!

Erin Van Raay, Betula Boutique Manager

Spring is always the most anticipated season of the year!

Not only because we just can’t wait for the warm weather, blossoming gardens and outdoor activities but also because we can wear our light and bright wardrobe once again.

Colour is the headline this spring. Rich, Bright, Bold & Beautiful.

If you are like me and have been watching all our favourite clothing stores transform into a whole new colour palette, the new 2014 spring colours are to die for... I mean it’s really a whole new ball game! We’ve moved from introducing beautiful pastels into our wardrobe to incorporating them with every bright and bold colour out there!

You’ll see lime green, rose petal pink, royal blue, fiery orange and soft violet all mixed together in the same prints. Every colour and shade possible is being used. For those of you who can’t seem to pull yourself away from black and white, it’s right back on trend this spring!

Be adventurous and add a hint of colour to your outfit with a pastel scarf or a bold coloured handbag or necklace.

This year the perfect denim colour is snow white. Whether you go for the cozy and casual boyfriend or skinny jean, straight leg or boot cut you’ll want to add that white pair of jeans to your wardrobe! White bottoms compliment the bold patterns and colours in your tops and give you a fresh and clean look!

Don’t shy away from white jeans just because you think they’ll ‘show everything’new fabrics from the top brands have solved that issue completely. Brands such as French Dressing & Not Your Daughter’s Jeans have styles and stretches that will have you re-thinking what looks good, cool and comfortable…even in the bend over!

Throw back to all things 80’s & 90’s inspired. It’s all about the ‘relaxed look.’

Faded jeans and denim jackets, loose flowy blouses, cropped boxy tops, lace and embellishments. Everything from feminine and flowy to borrowed from my boyfriend's closet with button down shirts.

Do the terms Tribal, Nautical & Tropical Fever spark an interest? Be ready to see tribal inspired jewellery and graphic prints everywhere. Designers are bringing back the nautical faze with anchors on dresses, scarves and jewellery. Incorporating navy, white and red is in, but this spring we’re adding hints of ivy green.

Now Let’s Talk Accessories!

If you want to affordably introduce all of these exciting trends to your existing wardrobe, jump on those accessories you’ll find out there now!

Scarves, necklaces, handbags, and shoes in all of these top trends will freshen up your existing wardrobe. As for the metals, you’ll find almost everything in Gold or Rose Gold this year, from your bright and colourful jewellery, hardware on your purse, buttons on your blouse or embellishments on your jeans. Silver is becoming less popular and even being replaced with onyx or gun metal.

Just like last spring, get ready to throw yourself right into bright, bold, and colourful prints!

My recommendation after this long brutal winter… just unwind and go a little crazy!!!

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Tapas Trend

T

he wine industry, more than many industries, is rife with trends. In the 1990’s California and Australian winemakers impressed a nation just learning about wine with Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon of which many showcased a bold, oaky - some might say ‘just hit by a 2 by 4’ – style.

As our collective taste for wood-laden styles waned, fresh and vibrant New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, fruity California Pinot Noir and eventually Argentinean Malbec emerged as new favourites. While the “New World” dominated store shelves for the better part of two decades, Italy, France and now Spain are reclaiming their position as favoured wine nations. I for one am glad.

Savvy sommeliers have identified Spain as one of the next “it” wine countries as tapas (small plates) style restaurants become increasingly en vogue across North America.

Sherry, Cava and Rioja continue to be that country’s most familiar wine styles but thanks to an influx of skilled winemakers familiar with modern winemaking techniques other historically relevant Spanish wine regions are emerging as sophisticated choices for savvy wine buyers.

Mark DeWolf is a food, wine and travel writer. He owns By the Glass which conducts epicurean travel adventures to destinations around the world including Spain.

Many of these styles are tapas friendly. Here are just a few worth exploring.

Albariño: The hottest new Spanish whites are the cool, crisp wines made from Albariño grapes grown in Spain’s cool and wet Galicia region. The most popular of these offer a seductive perfume full of citrus, grapefruit, lemon peel and white peach aromas along with pronounced floral and almond notes.

Tapas Partner: Fresh seafood dishes such as clams or mussels steamed with Chorizo, white wine and thyme.

Good Example: Martin Codax Albarino, Rias Baixas ($18 (Ont.) - $23 (NFLD)) Bierzo: An ancient wine region located in Northwestern

Castilla Y Leon. Best wines are medium-bodied reds with fragrant red fruit and herbaceous tones; not dissimilar to Cabernet Franc.

Tapas Partner: Just about anything with tomato sauce.

Most Bierzo reds make a simple but effective pairing to the tapas staple, Patatas Bravas (cubes of roasted potatoes served with a tomato, pimenton sauce) Good Example: Descendientes de J. Palacios Petalos, Bierzo ($25 (Ont.) - $34.50 (NS))

Garnacha: Traditionally most often relegated to blending partner status but more wineries are producing single varietal wines from Garnacha (aka Grenache) grapes sourced from old vines (some up to a 100 years in age).

The best have dense fruit flavours and complex mineral-like notes.

Tapas Partner: Lamb meatballs Good Example: Las Rocas Garnacha, Calatayud ($16 (NS) $20 (BC)) Rosado: Spanish Rosado (rosé) is really coming into it’s own. The best are Grenache dominated wines from Rioja and Navarra. The wines are loaded with ripe berry flavours and tend to be on the drier side, at least compared to New World alternatives.

Tapas Partner: Shrimp sautéed with garlic Good Example: Marques de Caceres Rosado, Rioja ($15 (QC) – $17 (BC))

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Verdejo: Verdejo isn’t new to Spain. In fact, this white grape varietal has been grown in Rueda for almost a 1,000 years but until recently it was known for an oxidized style.

Verdejo wines from Rueda are increasingly popular. The best are known for their lifted tropical and mild fennel aroma, flavours and refreshingly crisp finishes.

Tapas Partner: Roasted cauliflower with fennel.

Good Example: Lurton Hermanos Verdejo, Rueda ($16 (QC) - $17 (NS))

If you or someone you know has

Parkinson’s…

Paella Balls

Serve with Marques de Caceres Rosado, Rioja DOC 1 litre chicken stock 1 large pinch saffron 5 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 1 cup Arborio rice ½ cup white wine ½ cup fresh or frozen peas ⅓ cup grated Manchego cheese 1 (2-inch) piece Chorizo (Spanish), diced All-purpose flour Egg wash ¾ cup panko bread crumbs Directions: Place chicken stock and saffron in a medium saucepan. Warm over medium heat. Place another pot over medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion to the pot with the olive oil and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the Arborio rice to the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, making sure to coat the rice with olive oil. Stir to make sure the rice doesn’t stick. Add the white wine to the rice. Once the white wine has absorbed add the chicken stock a ladle at a time. Once a ladle of chicken stock has been absorbed by the rice, add another ladle. When there is only a ladle left of stock, add the peas, grated Manchego cheese and final ladle of stock. To finish add the diced Chorizo. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Form the rice into small balls. For each ball, dip them first into the flour, then shake off excess. Next dip them into the egg wash and finally into the panko bread crumbs. When all the balls are crusted with panko, place a non-stick saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining olive oil.

When the olive oil is hot add the rice balls in batches and fry until golden brown on all sides. Add more olive oil as necessary.

We can help!

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Spring's Features NINEBARK SHRUB

With seven different varieties to choose from, these hardy shrubs are known for their unique foliage colours (from yellow to deep burgundy), and their colorful small blooms in spring. See our exceptional varieties, including: Diablo, Amber Jubilee, Dart’s Gold, Summer Wine, and more.

MULTIKAP

Designed by John Vanderwees, this unique outdoor cap features a removable sunshade and insect net, as well as an extra wide brim for maximum sun protection. Perfect for gardening, hiking, camping, fishing, and more, the MultiKap is Canada’s bestselling, outdoor kap!

CERAMIC PLANTER POTS

Whether you are looking for that perfect planter for your favourite tropical plant or a matching set of ceramic planters for your patio, you are sure to find the perfect pots in our pottery collection. Choose from hundreds of styles to suit your plants, and home or outdoor décor.

ROW COVER

A must have for gardeners in Northern Ontario, this handy fabric cover will not only help to prevent frost damage, but will also help to hold in warmth and moisture for faster germination and earlier harvests. Row Cover also helps to prevent insect damage to plants such as radishes, broccoli, and cauliflower.

MIRACLE-GRO BLOOMING PLANT FERTILIZER (15-30-15)

If you are looking to grow healthy plants with tons of blooms; try Miracle-Gro’s Blooming Plant Fertilizer. This water soluble formula is designed to be used as little as twice a month, and works quickly to boost the blooms on annuals, perennials, and tropical plants.

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