February 28, 2012

SUBJECT - Wireworms - handling them the natural way.

We have been asked by quite a number of people how to handle wireworms,
without using chemicals.

The problem with wireworms is that their life cycle is very long so they are
hard to get rid of.  Their adult form is the Click beetle - but is the
larva, the wireworm that ruins our radishes, potatoes and carrots.

They love to burrow and eat.  So you have to deal with them in the soil.
Here are a few ideas:

1.  Till, then retill.  You should start as early as you can in the spring -
say early February even.  Till 3 or 4 times (when it is dry - hard in Powell
River, I know).  In between tillings birds will eat the wireworms

2. After your repeated tilling plant a cover crop of buckwheat, mustard, or
oil radish.  Buckwheat being the cheapest and most readily available (we
have it in stock now).  These plants deter wireworm.  Once they have grown
up and you are ready to plant potatoes, say end March or so, just till the
cover crop into the soil.  Don't remove it.

3. Set traps.  My favourite is the coffee can.  Get a largish coffee can.
Cut off the top and punch holes in the bottom and the sides.  Bury it to the
rim in your garden.  Fill it with carrot and potato peels.  Empty at least
once a week.

4. Another trap - Potato on a Stick.  Get big potatoes and put them on
sticks.  Put them in the garden a couple of weeks before you want to plant
potatoes and during the season.  Bury them in the ground with the stick
sticking up.  Dig up and either remove the worms or replace the potato twice
a week or as they fill with worms.  Discard and replace.

Good luck, wire worms are a very frustrating problem.

See you in the garden

February 17, 2012

We had our session on starting seeds on Wednesday.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.  If you would like to take a look at some of the information we shared during the class, it is available in one of our articles. 

Take a look at the new tabs we have at the top of the page.  We will be adding more with pictures of our products as we go.

February 11, 2012

Hello all.  It actually hit 10 degrees yesterday.  I almost feel that going into the greenhouse would be fun!  Well maybe not.  It still pretty grey.

Folks are starting to order seeds for spring and we see the little shoots of crocuses coming up.

Crocus Shoots in the garden. Spring is coming.

If you want to order fruit trees for the spring we are taking orders now.  Click on the tab at the top - Fruit Trees/Shrubs to see what we will have.

January 31, 2012

Well its starting to hint at spring.  No really - the days are a little longer.  Here in Powell River it seems a little warmer - or that is just me wishing.

We have been teaching classes at the recreation comples in Powell River for three weeks now.  Folks seem to be having a great time in the classes and are signing up for more.  So thats good.  Our topic tomorrow is Ecological gardening.  All about gardening while preserving the earth.  Next week is 'Soil'

For those in our area - this is the time to reserve your fruit trees.  We have plums, apples, peaches, cherries, etc on order.  If you reserve now you are sure to get what you want.

Also - Seedy Saturdays are starting up.  This Saturday February 4 we will be in Qualicum Beach.  There is a really popular seedy event there and we are pleased that we got a spor.

See you in the garden!

January 21, 2012

Hi all.  It is time to start thinking about the spring garden.  If you are in Powell River, think about attending our gardening classes, held at the Complex every Wednesday at 630 pm.  You can find out the topic in the recreation calendar sent out a while ago or on-line at the Recreaion complex.

Soon it will be time for early planting.  Stay tuned

Jan 16

Time to get those seed orders going if you want to grow herbs, onions and leeks.  You will want to start those in February.  Perennial flowers can be started now for many varieties - see the link at the right for some good ones to try.

A great place to go for seeds and seedy information are the many Seedy Saturdays around the country.  We will be attending the following:

• Qualicum Beach - February 4
• Comox/Courtenay - March 3
• Powell River - March 10

These are great events.  There are workshops on various topics, lots of enthusiastic gardeners to talk to and, of course, seeds.  See you there!

January 5, 2012

What's up in the garden? Not much really.

Things are looking pretty brown. We have no snow here in Powell River but it is 8 degrees out today; I even saw the sun for 15 minutes or so.

We are past the shortest day of the year and heading into spring. Its time to start thinking about planning your garden. Map out your garden on paper and take a look at sun paths and yard conditions. If you are in Powell River you can join us at the Recreation Complex for our Wednesday evening workshops on gardening.

Take a look at the seed you have left over from last year. If you saved it in a cold dry place, it may be fine to plant. Seed does age wherever it is stored, but most does fine for a couple of years. Make a list of what you want to grow and compare. What do you need to buy to get going for the year? Our seed catalogues are nearly ready and you can shop on-line at www.eternalseed.ca at any time.

Things to start indoors in February – herbs, onions and leeks from seed. Perennials can be started from seed now too. Take a look at my article on Suite101 for some tips.

Here in Powell River you can dig in some spinach, lettuce and corn salad seed and they will pop up when it is warm enough for them. Elsewhere in the country – if your ground is frozen you will have to wait until it thaws out to plant these things. 

If you have been winter gardening take a look at your winter lettuce. Hopefully you have some nice salad greens.