June 25, 2013

Maximizing Variety in a Healthy Garden by Christine Boardman



Yellow Iris and Wild Flowers

Nitrogen Fixation in soil.
Nitrogen is an essential element to most plant life, and is an important building block  of most living tissue, both plant and animal.

 



The Legume family, including Clovers and Lupins is an important source.  Nodules in their root system produce Nitrogen which enables all plants to compete with each other for nutrition. Other N fixers include 4 genera of Roseacae, Alder, and a great many others listed on Google under Nitrogen Fixation, as well as a clear description of the chemistry involved.

Hence my obsession with variety in the garden, to include weeds, within reason!  They are important to gaining a balanced ecological system, to benefit plants, birds, bees and butterflies.

I am aware that most wild/weed plants need to be kept under control!

June 19, 2013

What's flowering this week June 16-23?

 
In Nova Scotia, Lupines show up everywhere in June! 

What else is blooming in our South Shore gardens?

Click on the first picture for slide show format

 

Blue clematis and Baptisia australis (False Indigo)

Yellow daylilies
Yellow and blue Iris with wildflowers in background
Viburnum
Oriental poppies
Iris siberica
 
Azalea (Christine named it "Eggy")



Peony

Azalea and Lysimachia

 
Rugoso Roses and volunteer Phlox

Hosta and Ligularia


High Bush Cranberry
 


An inviting shade garden


Chickadee's garden home

Gwen's dogwood

Cotoneaster

Bleeding heart 





June 17, 2013


Strawberry Tea and Garden Tour
Basin Gardeners Association invites you to the Annual Strawberry Tea and Garden Tour to be held on Sunday, July 7th,  from noon to 4:00 pm.

Lovely private gardens will be open for your viewing pleasure. Tea and strawberry shortcake will be served at the Tea Garden located at 65 Wake Up Hill Road, Chester Basin.

Advance tickets may be purchased for $10.00 (Child $5.00) from BGA members, or by contacting Myra 273-2000, or at McDougall's Pharmasave in Chester Basin by July 5th. Tickets will be at the Tea Garden Gate on July 7th for $12 (if available).

June 03, 2013

What is Happening in your Garden in June?

June 2nd in Brenda H.'s garden

Chives in front of a Quince
The dandelion!


Quince, Artemesia, and Sweet Cicily
Sweet Cicily
Bleeding Heart - white
Allium in bud

Bleeding heart - Dicentra spectibilis

Raspberry Patch

Jonquil

Narcissus jonquilla, the Jonquil


Nasturtium

Rhododendron Mist Maiden
 
Hosta