Happy Leap Year, gardeners! What are you doing with this extra day? It's one more day to think about our gardens, and what we are planning to do this year! Several people have asked me if I saw mushrooms in any of the seed catalogues; I checked again, and sadly, I can't find any. It's one of those things that is always there when you aren't looking for it, but when you want to find it, no luck!
Someone also asked me if I have seen calla lilies in any other color besides white: yes, I have seen breathtaking pictures of calla lilies in the T & T catalogue, with delicious names like "Grape Velvet", "Mint Julep", "Pink Diamond" and "Odessa", a black calla lily. And in the Lindenberg catalogue, there are some that sound delightful: "Flame", a yellow, flamed red; "Lavender Sensation"; "Purple Haze", which they describe as burgundy purple with a yellow edge; "Picasso" which is purple with a cream edge; and "Calla Bolero" that is very deep red, fading to yellowish white. But if you love the classically elegant look of the white callas, Vesey's has a giant calla lily that they describe as ideal for a container.
I know that some of you have started some seeds; with the weather we've been having, it actually feels like spring is closer with each day that goes by! My Mom always used to start many, many things from seed. She always carefully labelled the containers with the date that the seeds were planted, and she cross-referenced this with a separate list as well. For certain things, like unusual tomatoes, she also recorded how many seeds were planted; that way if twelve were planted and only four germinated, chances were slim that the variety would "make the cut" next year, unless it was really outstanding!
Mom planted her seeds, labelled them, put them in cardboard boxes cut low to form a tray, covered them with a sheet of plastic, then slid them under the bed. A few days later, the checking would begin to see what was coming up; and my goodness, I don't need to tell you how exciting it was to see those first tender shoots arching their backs and pushing the soil away as they sprouted! From that point on, after the first shoots of any tray appeared, Mom would methodically slide the boxes out from under the bed one by one and check in the morning and in the evening for any new sprouts, because once the seeds sprouted, they needed light. I can still see the absolute delight on her sweet face as she checked "her babies"! So for all of you that have planted some seeds and are waiting eagerly for them to sprout, or are just tending the first new plants, good luck, I hope you have a great year! Mom always was careful about watering them, sprinkling them gently with her fingers and water from a bowl in the beginning; checking for light conditions so they didn't get scorched; and of course, for damping off. So be vigilant!
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society is in full swing for the year, and is already planning the first road trip! Gardenscape in Saskatoon is the destination, Saturday, March 31. It's a great day, all you have to do is get on the bus, sit back, and immerse yourself in a day devoted to gardens! Hort club members, please check your calendars and decide by March 19 if you will be able to go and let Liz know at 782-2830; after this point, if there are still any seats left, the general public will be invited to join us.
And keep in mind that further down the road the SHA 6th Annual Bus Tour takes place July 17 - 19. Till then, our next meeting is on Wednesday, March 21 with Frank Woloschuk and Glen Tymiak talking to us about how to plan, plant and grow in a greenhouse! Everyone is welcome! Have a great week!
