FROM THE EARTH TO THE TABLE Eco-friendly Kitchen No Waste Tips All about Peppers
BERRIES Safe Bets Varieties to discover Growing in a container
HAPPINESS IS IN THE GARDEN Winning combinations The perfect recipes
AN ECOFRIENDLY GARDENING Myriam's tips ! Natural or synthetic fertilizers
FROM THE EARTH TO THE TABLE
2
BUY, SOW AND HARVEST
local happiness Travel may be on hold and family vacations redefined, but know that summer will not be cancelled ! The beautiful season has arrived bringing with it all the little pleasures that nature has to offer: the joy of walking barefoot in the grass, of reclaiming our outdoor spaces and of diving into our gardening projects. And why not grow a vegetable garden? Imagine how convenient and economical it would be to just go to your garden to stock up on fresh vegetables and fruits lovingly grown by you at home. Not a green thumb, you say? A visit to your local garden centre will convince you otherwise. You'll find not only all the materials you need, but also the expertise to be successful with all your gardening projects. We are 29 garden centers located throughout the four corners of Quebec. Our mission? To democratize gardening and share our passion for "all that grows."
Have fun !
Your 29 Passion Jardins garden centres: partners for your gardening projects
FROM THE EARTH
To the table
ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN
CONSERVE
Composting can certainly help to reduce your waste, but keep in mind that the best waste is the one that is not produced. There are many ways to reduce your waste.
Harvesting and picking too much? Big problem! Avoid waste by exploring different techniques for preserving your fruits and vegetables:
Cold Storage Preservation using heat Preservation by salt, sugar or oil Preservation in an acidic solution (vinegar) Preservation by dehydration Preservation by fermentation
FROM THE EARTH TO THE TABLE
4
NO WASTE
Tips
Here are three simple actions to take to avoid the waste of your crops:
PLAN
SHARE
Some tomato plant varieties are more prolific than others, such as 'Sweet 100', 'Sweet Treats', 'Candyland' and 'Fantastico.' Also, cherry tomato plants produce well into the fall. Refer to your garden center to avoid surprises.
A small " Serve yourself " sign placed near your fruit trees is an ingenious way to spoil your neighbourhood and reduce losses.
REUSE CARROT, RADISH OR BEET TOPS: We often throw away the leaves of root vegetables like carrots, radishes or beets, but why? Did you know that the leaves of root vegetables are a great alternative to spinach? In fact, you can use them in salads, soups and even stirfries.
BROCCOLI STEMS AND CAULIFLOWER LEAVES: What do you do with your broccoli stems or cauliflower leaves? Who said this part of the vegetable was inedible? Incorporate them now in your soups or in your vegetable broths, for example.
CITRUS PEELS: Did you know that it is possible to grow citrus trees indoors? Many garden centers offer a wide and interesting selection of citrus varieties. This small fruit bush produces edible fruit, but it is so sour that it is indigestible. But don't worry! Grate your sweet citrus peels and then put them in a blender to make a powder. You can then add them to your smoothies, yogurts, muffins and sauces.
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE SPICE?
6
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE
PEPPERS OR CHILIES?
?
Illustrations: Mélika Bazin, 2021 There are hundreds of varieties of peppers, ranging from very mild to very hot and even extremely hot. Peppers are larger and milder than chilies. But how do you know how strong a pepper is? The Scoville Scale is a good tool that helps you recognize the degree of heat of a pepper according to its capsaicin content (an irritant that produces a burning sensation).
SCOVILLE SCALE
Carolina Reaper Habanero
EXPLOSIVE
100 000 et +
Piri-Piri
VOLCANIC
50 000 - 100 000
Cayenne
TORRIDE
30 000 - 50 000
Birdseye Chili
BURNING
15 000 - 30 000
Hot Lemon
FIERY
5 000 - 15 000
Jalapeno
STRONG
2 500 - 5 000
Chipotle
HOT
1 500 - 2 500
Espelette
RELEVANT
1 000 - 1 500
WARM
500 - 1 000
MILD
100 - 500
NEUTRAL 0 - 100
Poblano Anaheim Greek Pepperoncini Bell pepper
Piri-Piri
Scoville Scale: 50 000–175 000 The Piri-Piri pepper produces very small, erect fruits, thin and pointed. It is a very hot variety. To be harvested as soon as it is bright red. It is eaten fresh or dried.
Carolina Reaper Scoville Scale: 1 569 300
In 2017, the Guinness Book of World Records declared it the hottest pepper in the world, surpassing the previous record holder, the Trinidad Scorpion. Other varieties can be hotter such as Dragon's Breath, but it has not been officially confirmed.
Habanero
Scoville Scale: 100 000–350 000 Unripe habaneros are green and become colored as they ripen. The most common color variants are orange and red, but the fruit can also be white, brown, yellow, green or purple.
HOW ABOUT A LITTLE SPICE?
8
PLANTATION Choose a location in full sun. Prepare the soil by turning it over to a depth of 20 cm. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones. Space the plants 40 cm apart and plant them about 15 cm into the soil. The rows of plants should be 90 cm apart. Use labels to identify your plants. This is especially important if you are trying different varieties. It is very difficult to determine the variety of peppers from the foliage.
No waste tips Are your chili harvests exceeding your expectations? Dry them out! Use string to tie the stems of the peppers, then hang them in a dry, ventilated and sunny place (ideally behind a window or in a veranda). It will usually take several weeks for them to dry thoroughly. When the color of the peppers turns brown, it is a sign that they are dry.
Greek Pepperoncini
Scoville Scale: 100–500 This ancestral variety from Greece is sweet, crunchy and slightly spicy. Ideal for marinades, salads and salsas. The plants are productive, even in cooler regions with a short season. Harvest peppers when they are light yellow and measure between 6 and 7 cm.
Cayenne
Scoville Scale: 5000 et 15000
Hot Lemon
Scoville Scale: 15 000-30 000 The skin is tender, and the aroma spicy, with a hint of pine. As hot as any cayenne pepper, but with a truly unique flavour. It is better to use it fresh.
This famous chili pepper takes its name from a river in Guyana. It is believed that once the chili was bitten, the habitants would flee to the river to soothe their mouth with a bit of water. Most often dried, in powder or flakes, the Cayenne is commonly used as a spice.
LIMITED OUTDOOR SPACE? Peppers can be grown in containers on a terrace or in a large pot on a balcony. Provide a container of at least 40 cm in height. Proceed as for in-ground planting and prefer a full sun exposure. The key to your success? Our Passion Jardins Container Mix and Passions Jardins Natural Fruit and Vegetable Fertilizer.
10
BERRIES
Berries GENERAL MAINTENANCE
SUMMER IS IN THE AIR... An undeniable sign that the summer season is in full swing, berries are making their appearance in our gardens, and then ending up in our favourite recipes. A staple of our Quebec summers, grown in the ground or in containers, these little summer delights are worth discovering or revisiting.
Berries are best grown in sunny areas sheltered from the wind. Plant them in our Planting Mix, add a good quantity of Sea Compost every year and fertilize every 4 weeks with Passion Jardins Natural Flower and Vegetable Fertilizer. Finally, all berry plants need regular and constant watering. Also, choose a good mulch to avoid water loss through evaporation.
TO EACH THEIR OWN VIRTUES For breakfast, in smoothies or as a snack, berries are in the spotlight. And what about their benefits? These superfoods are packed with vitamins and are an excellent source of antioxidants and dietary fiber. No reason not to have them at your fingertips in the garden this summer!
Strawberry Very good source of vitamin C (the same as oranges)
Raspberry Real anticancer shield (content in ellagic acid)
Blueberry
Champion of foods rich in antioxidants
Blackberry Anti-inflammatory properties
12
SAFE BETS BERRIES
'Pathfinder’ Raspberry
A very productive raspberry with medium to large fruit. The fruit is firm and delicious. This is the first fall raspberry, ready for harvest in August.
'Patriot’ Blueberry
A variety well adapted to our Quebec climate. Produces beautiful bunches with large fruits around mid-July. Self-fertile, its productivity is optimized if the plant is accompanied by a different variety, as is the case with all blueberry plants.
'Chambly’ Red Strawberry
Developed especially for the climatic conditions of Southern Quebec. The fruits are delicious and of good size, easy to pick and to stem.
‘Black Satin' Blackberry
A thornless variety that produces large fruits in abundance. Need a trellis or support.
VARIETIES TO DISCOVER 1
Goji berry
Consumed by the Chinese for thousands of years, it is relatively new here. We like it for its exceptional content of antioxidants, including carotenoids, zeaxanthin and vitamin C.
2
Sea buckthorn
This small fruit with a strong taste is similar to a mix of tropical fruits and has 30 times more vitamin C than an orange !
3
Ground cherry
A small, bright yellow fruit that is shaped like a cute Chinese lantern.
4
Red Lingonberry
The plant produces pretty little pinkish flowers (0.5 to 0.8 cm long) in bells, very melliferous, which appear in clusters between May and August. Not to be confused with the cranberry.
1
2 3
4
Container
GROWING
Urban and greedy gardeners, your plot of land does not allow you to grow berries in-ground? You should know that this is now within everyone's reach. Here are some varieties specially designed for container growing!
Jelly Bean® Blueberry
This variety will delight you with large, tasty fruit in mid-July. The foliage is different from other blueberry bushes, as its glossy green leaves are elongated and turn reddish in the fall.
Photo courtesy of www.bushelandberry.com
BERRIES
14
Silver Dollar ®Blueberry
Its silvery foliage gives it an air of eucalyptus. The white flowers in spring will give a summer harvest of large blueberries.
Perpetua® Blueberry
Another gem from the Bushel and Berry™ Collection. This blueberry bush will give you two crops of sweet, delicious berries! Its fall coloring is spectacular.
Photo courtesy of www.bushelandberry.com
BERRIES
16
Tip
Preservation of berries Berries can be eaten fresh as well as cooked, but do not have a long storage - about 3 days in the refrigerator. You can then freeze them on a plate and put them in a bag or make jams and coulis.
Shortcake® Raspberry
A dwarf, compact, thornless plant. No need for a stake or other pollinator plant; a turnkey plant. Sweet, vanilla-flavored fruit.
VARIETIES IN CONTAINERS; OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Good to know...
Berries do not ripen once picked. They should be picked when they are ripe. Do not wash them before putting them in the fridge, only before eating them.
Berried Treasure® Pink Strawberry ‘Koralle’ Lingonberry
Beautiful and good, this plant produces pretty half-double pink flowers that turn into delicious sweet red fruits.
Honeyberry
‘Delizz’ Strawberry
‘Jonkheer Van Tets’ Currant
‘Baby Cakes’® Blackberry Photo courtesy of provenwinners.com
HAPPINESS IS IN THE GARDEN
18
Happiness the garden IS IN
YOUR LITTLE CORNER OF PARADISE Save on your grocery bill, eat fresh and organic food, do a quality activity with your family... There are really a thousand and one reasons to get your hands in the earth. You don't need to have a big family or large spaces to grow a vegetable garden. Whether it's in a container or in the ground, creating a vegetable garden is easy and possible. Here are five important things to consider before you start.
SUN Your vegetable garden will need at least six hours of sunlight per day.
So an east, south or west location may be appropriate.
WATER This may seem like a no-brainer, but careful watering is necessary for
your garden to thrive. Many plants fail for lack of water, but few die from drowning. The garden should be watered immediately after planting, and then every day.
NAMASTÉ Whether alone, with a partner, the kids or the neighbors,
gardening should be a pleasant and soothing experience. Gardening is a moment of deep gratitude to Mother Nature and the abundance she grants us. In short, take it easy and trust yourself.
SOIL Don't make the mistake of using cheap black earth, it is too low in minerals to support the growth of your vegetables. A planting mix enriched with compost (ideally 3 to 4 inches thick) and/or a natural fertilizer is the essential foundation for starting your vegetable garden.
LOCATION A vegetable garden near (less than 5 meters) trees will
constantly be invaded by roots. Also, consider choosing a location that is sheltered from strong gusts of wind; the presence of a hedge on the northwest side of the garden is an asset, as it will protect the vegetable plants from the prevailing winds. Finally, to facilitate watering, there should always be a water source nearby.
HAPPINESS IS IN THE GARDEN
20
THE PERFECT RECIPE HERE ARE 5 MUST-HAVES TO ADD TO YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN: • Tomatoes, a classic ! • Cucumbers or zucchini • Fast growing vegetables (lettuce, radish or spinach) • Beans • Herbs to your taste
Zesty™ Pink Zinnia
Small dose of nostalgia: remember when your grandparents used to plant Marigolds in the garden? Well, they were right. Planting flowers like Zinnia in the garden attracts the pollinating insects necessary for fruiting.
A VEGETABLE GARDEN IN A CONTAINER A container garden is a particularly interesting solution if you don't have the space to grow in the ground, or if you don't want to kneel down to weed or harvest the fruit of your work. Of various shapes, materials and sizes, the container garden offers you the options to "live up" to your expectations !
WE LOVE IT Rather clever, this Calipso vegetable garden on legs is easy to assemble and ultra light. You can arrange the cells and the greenhouse cover as you wish. Thanks to its integrated water tank, it can be watered for about a week.
WINNING COMBINATIONS To create harmony and increase your chances of success, make sure you make the right combinations in the garden. Indeed, many vegetables are complementary while others may simply hinder the growth of some. Here are some winning combinations:
Basil + Tomato + Cucumber
Beans + Carrot + Lettuce
Beet + Strawberry + Radish
Onion + Broccoli + Celery
TO STAKE OR NOT TO STAKE, THAT IS THE QUESTION... You have made your choice of vegetables and you are now wondering about staking. Is it necessary? Which vegetables need a stake? When to install it? What type of stake to use? The answer to your questions right here !
22 A ECO-FRIENDLY GARDENING
A ECO-FRIENDLY GARDENING Myriam's tips!
Eco-friendly gardening is trendy ! What concrete actions can we take in the garden to make our practices more ecological? Myriam, our sustainable development advisor, reveals some solutions:
1
Use natural fertilizers. Look for the words "Approved for Organic Gardening" on the packaging!
2
Avoid invasive plants.
3
Reduce or even stop watering your lawn during hot weather.
4
5
Recycle your empty bags of soil and fertilizer. Be sure to check your municipality's instructions on this subject ! Recycle pots according to their plastic category: plastics #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 are accepted in the recycling bin and plastic #6 must be put in the garbage.
Did you know? Some garden centers take back plastic pots from plants. It is a good way to reuse material and especially to reduce our ecological footprint. You just have to ask for information at a garden center near you... because every little gesture counts !
NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS? Whether your fertilizers are of natural or synthetic origin, plants absorb nutrients in the same way. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is to follow the manufacturer's instructions and not to use more than the recommended dose. This avoids losses that could contaminate waterways.
SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS: Less expensive than natural fertilizers. Available without phosphorus; Quebec soils are full of it, it is often not necessary to add it. There are several ways of releasing fertilizer into the soil, including slow release nitrogen which provides nutrients over a longer period of time.
NATURAL FERTILIZERS: These fertilizers are usually of organic (plant and animal) or mineral origin. They release nutrients over a longer period of time, thus reducing the risk of root burn. They also contain oligo‑elements that stimulate the biological activity of the soil.
AN ORGANIC CULTURE AT HOME?
COMPOST: A MUST FOR ORGANIC GROWING
If you want to grow organically at home, it is possible ! However, you must make sure that ALL the products used are organic:
Tip for nourishing the soil and increasing the amount of organic matter:
• Seed or plant • Soil • Fertilizer
by adding quality compost, you improve the structure of the soil and contribute to the healthy and vigorous growth of your vegetables.
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Estrie
Lanaudière
MARCEL DIONNE ET FILS
CENTRE JARDIN DANSEREAU
COMPLEXE HORTICOLE BASTIEN
MAURICE BÉLANGER PAYSAGISTE
CENTRE JARDIN FOSTER
PÉPINIÈRE VILLENEUVE
905, rue Lausanne Rimouski (Québec) G5L 8Y9 418 723-1692
95, route 141 Ayer's Cliff (Québec) J0B 1C0 819 838-4906
175, boulevard Saint-Benoît Est Amqui (Québec) G5J 2C2 418 629-4673
Capitale-Nationale FERME BÉDARD ET BLOUIN 2157, boulevard Louis-XIV Québec (Québec) G1C 1A1 418 666-5518
Centre-du-Québec CENTRE DE JARDIN PAYSAGISTE ALAIN CARRIER INC.
749, rue Lakeside Lac-Brome (Québec) J0E 1R0 450 539-3869
JARDIN EDEN
5316, boulevard Bourque Sherbrooke (Québec) J1N 1H3 819 864-6831
JARDIN PRO
2370, route 222 St-Denis-de-Brompton (Québec) J0B 2P0 819 846-4898
LESSARD CENTRE JARDIN 2265, rue Laval Nantes (Québec) G6B 2V4 819-583-2326
2355, boulevard Lemire Drummondville (Québec) J2B 6X7 819 477-3178
JARDINERIE FORTIER
99, route 116 Est Princeville (Québec) G6L 4K6 819 364-5009
4835, chemin Martin Terrebonne (Québec) J6X OB2 450 477-1919
951, rang de la Presqu’île L’Assomption (Québec) J5W 3P4 450 589-7158
Laurentides CENTRE JARDIN PROVOST
270, rue Saint-Jovite Mont-Tremblant (Québec) J8E 2Z9 819 425-3536
Laval CHARBONNEAU L’EXPERT 6, boulevard Samson Laval (Québec) H7X 3Y3 450 689-1934
SERRES LAVOIE
1470, avenue des Perrons Laval (Québec) H7H 3C6 450 625-0279
SERRES P. BRISEBOIS ET FILS
SIGNÉ GARNEAU VICTORIAVILLE 29, boulevard Arthabaska Est Victoriaville (Québec) G6T 0S5 819 477-3178
4100, boulevard Dagenais Ouest Laval (Québec) H7R 1L2 450 963-8693
Mauricie GAUTHIER FLEURS ET JARDINS 4936, boulevard Gene-H-Kruger Trois-Rivières (Québec) G9A 4N1 819 375-4813
Montérégie CENTRE JARDIN VAUDREUIL-SUR-LE-LAC
999, avenue Saint-Charles Vaudreuil-Dorion (Québec) J7V 8P5 450 424-0844
SERRES ET JARDINS GIROUARD 355, rue Saint-Simon Sainte-Madeleine (Québec) J0H 1S0 450 795-3309
Ontario SERRES LEGAULT
1810, Highway 34 Hawkesbury (Ontario) K6A 2R2 613 632-1177
Outaouais ROSSIGNOL
453, rue Sainte-Julie Est St-André-Avellin (Québec) J0V 1W0 819 983-4900
Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
Chaudière-Appalaches FERME HORTICOLE LAJOIE 330, boulevard Saint-Vallier Saint-Vallier (Québec) G0R 4J0 418 884-3124
AMÉNAGEMENT GRENON 2779, route 170 Laterrière (Québec) G7N 1A8 418 678-1515
HORTI-PLUS
LES JARDINS DE LA PASSION
1052, boulevard Vachon Sud Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce (Québec) G6E 2S5 418-386-2380
SERRES LALIBERTÉ
428, chemin de la Rivière-Etchemin Sainte-Claire (Québec) G0R 2V0 418 883-3998
897, QC-169 Albanel (Québec) G8M 3P2 418 276-9632
SERRES DAME NATURE
1252, route 170 Saint-Gédéon (Québec) G0W 2P0 1 800 463-9183
PASSIONJARDINS.COM • 29 local garden centres
We play on your turf Martin, your go-to source for any gardening project