Falling leaves are summer waving goodbye…
A time to remember…
Twenty-one folks came to plant on Oct. 19. Two hundred and fifty daffodils were planted at the Henry Road traffic circle and another 250 around town in the adopt-a-beds. Six hundred and fifty pansies will add to the spring show of colour. Kudos to all!
Exciting times Saturday, as Chemainus Communities in Bloom was nominated for a Golden Brush award. The Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary, very deservedly, came out on top, but we feel like winners. A big thank you to those who nominated and supported us.
Now is the time to hunker down and enjoy the ever changing weather … turn the clocks back, and remember those who fought and are fighting for our freedom.
Enjoy those goblins and princesses tonight and …. Christmas is just 54 sleeps away!
We Dig – Do It Now Tips
• Clean, repair and sharpen all tools before hanging them up for winter
• Turn off your water to the outside taps and open taps to drain remaining water in the pipes
• Give roses a final dead heading and prune lightly
• Dig up gladiolas
• A good time to transplant shrubs, plant new trees, and plant tulip bulbs using a bone meal fertilizer
• Running a mower over dried leaves to chop them up hastens their decomposition in compost piles or on the garden
• Cover flower and vegetable beds with leaves for frost protection and added mulch and nutrients
• Apply lime to next year’s vegetable garden excluding the potato patch and lime lawns to help prevent moss growth
• Mulch asparagus beds
• Tie up shrubs and vines against wind or wet snow damage
• Prune raspberry canes, cutting out the old and tying the new
• Continue planting spring bulbs … remembering that deer love tulips but not daffodils
• Plant garlic and over-wintering onions
• Plant paper white narcissus in pots for indoor Christmas flowers
Did You Know?
…the flower of the month is the chrysanthemum meaning desolate heart?
…hard shelled gourds have been grown for over 5,000 years?
…cilantro and coriander are different parts of the same plant? Cilantro is the leaves and considered a herb while coriander is the seed and considered a spice.
…that a full moon on Halloween occurs only every 18-19 years?
Pick of the month…Ornamental gourds
They are part of the Cucurbitaceae family and are related to edible squashes and pumpkins. They prefer full sun and rich, well drained soil. Sow seeds outdoors after frost is no longer an issue. They take about 180 days to mature. When grown to full maturity and dried they are very colourful and fun to use in fall décor. Varieties of gourds include: Speckled swan, Bottle, Dipper, Penguin, Powder horn, and Caveman’s club.
AND … what do you call a vegetable after an elephant runs through your garden? Squash!
Chemainus Communities in Bloom next meets on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Steeples activity room. Newcomers always welcome.
Google us at wedigchemainus.ca for current news and past editions of We Dig.