Show from Aug 26 2007

Good morning Gardeners. What a beautiful morning and it looks like it is going to be a beautiful day, too.

We had a wonderful time camping last week, even though, where we were up past Riverton at Beaver Creek, it was very cold Friday night and Saturday. Then the wind came up Sunday morning and didn’t drop until we were leaving – but we didn’t care. Because it was cold, we went exploring. We had our granddaughters, Julia and Claire and their Dad, David, with us, so off we went in the car, driving up to Matheson Island. And we discovered a new restaurant right beside the ferry. It’s called Island Landing Bar and Grill and Terry makes a great hamburger. Just what we needed! If you’re ever up that way, drop in and say Hi.

On Sunday, we stopped in at Hecla to see what’s happening and we were disappointed to find that the hotel is still closed, apparently under repair. We had a bit to eat at the Golf Club tent and then went on our way to Gimli where we spent the rest of the day. Gimli is such a lovely town.

But the highlight of this day was finding a field of brilliant blue Fringed Prairie Gentian growing on the side of the dusty road not far from Beaver Creek.

Have you ever seen this wonderful plant? It’s the bluest blue and looks a lot like a lisianthus which it is related to. These wonderful flowers are fairly rare here – this is the first time I have ever seen them growing in the wild, but they are absolutely beautiful. The petals grow in a whorl, closing in a spiral when the sun goes away. Each petal has a fringed edge that looks as though someone had carefully cut tiny slices into it. The petals are a good inch-and-a-half long and three quarters of an inch wide. and there are several blossoms on each stem which is about 18 inches tall, just as in the case of lisianthus. I made Glenn stop the car and wait while I took some pictures. What a find!

Well, aren’t the annuals gardens lovely right now? The petunias have done so well this summer and now that it is cooler, the osteospermum are coming back into their own, along with the swan river daisies and the pansies, so it is almost like spring, there are so many things blooming. Three varieties of phlox are still in bloom in my poor neglected garden and some of the early blooming mums are putting on a show.
I am thinking we may have a long fall – there are very few yellow leaves – even the poplars are still green.

You know, fall really is gardening’s second season. We work hard in the springtime for the glorious show we get all summer, but come fall, it all starts again. We divide some plants. We dig up others and move them. We look in the greenhouses for perennials to fill holes in the garden and we plant trees. And October is my favourite time to bring in new soil and get the beds ready for an early start in spring. Many annuals do best if the seeds are planted in fall – some, such as the gentian I just spoke about, need a frost period to germinate.
Well, with me this morning is one of those garden centre folks who knows just what is available for the fall gardener. Arlene Wheeler is with me this morning, filling in for Harry Schriemer who is feeling under the weather – Harry, I hope you feel better soon. Arlene is Harry’s right hand man at Schriemer’s Home and Garden Showplace on Molson. Good morning Arlene!

PROMOTION
Have you got your subscription to Manitoba Gardener yet? Well, i you’ve been thinking about it, but just haven’t gotten around to it, now is a great time to do it. Jan Pedersen is giving a $20 coupon to Shelmerdine Garden Centre to everyone who subscribes or renews their subscription right now. So why not call Jessica tomorrow morning at 940-2700 and place your order. We take all major credit cards.

Or why drop in and pick up some Spray Clean. Spray Clean is that magical cleaner that works on just about everything. It used to be for sale at Safeway, but has been off the shelves for a number o f years now and I worked very hard to find the supplier, because this is without a question, the very best cleaning product ever.

So the number of r subscriptions is 940-2700 – or you can order on the Internet at www.localgardener.net. Or drop in and pick up some Spray Clean at 130 Cree Crescent.