BEYOND

My 2024 Veggie Garden

Gardens

It was the year of Tomatoes. 

My first Roma Tomatoes.

Well, we won’t start there.

Spring of 2024  I planted 3 types of Tomatoes, Pot-a-Peno Peppers, 2 kinds of Lettuce, Green Onions, Bean, Peas, Cucumbers, and harvested my best Garlic yet.

Getting ready to make fresh Salsa. Lemonboy Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, Pot-a-peno Peppers, Garlic, all from the garden.

My Beans and Peas were complete failures, so strange.  Been growing both successfully for about 10 years.  I did try new varieties, but I think in the end maybe just too much sun in their new location. 

Pot-a-peno Peppers go outside a little later when the nights are warm so had to get creative about finding sunny indoor spaces. Had to hand polinate the plants since no bees in the house.

Cucumbers I’ve never done well with but managed to get a few decent specimens this year.  Also, a new variety. 

Diva Cucumbers.
One of the indoor spaces for seedlings.

The Peppers did fantastic so I think next year I will add a second variety.  My Dad has put in a request for Hungarian Peppers so will see what I can do.  Found a new favorite Lettuce, Buttercrunch.  I think it’s the same as the Boston Lettuce you get at the supermarket.  Anyway, a winner.  Spinach I’ve had no success with at any point so just won’t try again.  Green Onions are so easy and great for salsa.  Definite keeper.

Buttercrunch Lettuce…my new fave.
I raise things up so the dogs won’t pee on them and the rabbits who sneak under the fence don’t eat my greens.

There are so many awesome local farmers to buy from in the summer (check out my friend Noah at New Caledonia Farm) there is no sense fooling around with things that don’t work in your own garden.  I’m not a farmer as much as I joke around so for me, I just want to plant a few things that require little effort and produce well in my plot.

First time I covered the Garlic with straw and it worked great.
Garlic scapes are lovely in stirfrys.

So, Tomatoes, oh my.  For some reason I decided to try Roma.  Well, they sure were eager to please!  One packet of seeds turned into hundreds of Tomatoes for me, as well as healthy producing plants for about 6 friends and neighbours. 

I underestimated how much support indeterminate tomatoes would need. Kept trying to add more stakes and tying plants up with string. It really was like a part time job this year! But so fun.

When they first started to sprout, I figured if I had too many plants, I would just sell a few plants.

This is a very small sampling of my seedlings. Totally lost control of my plantings.

People don’t want their plants until the first full moon in June when they can put them in the garden it turns out.

So started to desperately turn people into gardeners, whether they were willing or not.

Then I realized I did not have enough containers for the plants I was keeping.  Oh yeah, remember I also had two other varieties to find space for.

Decided I needed a box planter built but was short on cash. 

The planter box is fantastic. I lined the bottom with dead branches that were starting to soften up and some topsoil from the yard and then used good potting soil and compost for the top layers.

Since I ended up with about 400 tomatoes, the cost of lumber and soil has paid off already!

Tiger Lilies and Tomatoes. Love mixing veggies into my flowers.

I learned a lot about Tomatoes. I had only grown determinate varieties in the past, mostly Cherry tomatoes, and this time I planted two indeterminate varieties from seed. They sure do grow big! One of the things I learned is to plant them a little later, and when they are ready to put in the soil they have to be planted very deep. These are basically all roots that I left exposed. It all turned out just fine but will be great to refine the process next time.

All these little sprouts at the bottom are basically roots and should have been planted deeper.

I ripened a lot of them in the window to keep a step ahead of the earwigs. My first ripe tomato had an earwig inside it so I immediately pruned them back and every morning did an earwig check. I figured out what it looked like when they had laid eggs and picked them off every morning. Worked like a charm!

Lots of Tomatoes ripening at once I had friends who wanted green tomatoes too so that helped. Was constantly trying to decide what to keep and what to give away. Some even went to our local Community Fridge which really made me happy.
When the Earwigs lay eggs they cover them with a bit of leafy material so you know where to pick the eggs off.

I’m writing this post in January 2025 because I spend so much time gardening there is no time for blogs…haha…and it’s almost time to buy seeds again and start all over. 

Can’t wait to have fresh veggies from the garden again…yummmmm.

Salsa complete with green onions from the garden.
First time cooking with fresh Tomatoes. Life changing!
Tomatoes, lettuce, cukes all from my garden.

One of the primary reasons my garden was so successful this year (in addition to the awesome weather), was the huge population of bees on my property. I leave a lot of my property wild and have tons of pollinator plants. We do get bees who visit from a local beekeepers hive, and also many varieties of native bees. I’ve started identifying them and learning a lot, but that’s a whole other blog I will have to find time to write one day.

Next month is February and the crocuses will be up. The days are getting longer. I’m getting excited, hope you are too.

Puffins, Whales, and Caribou (and still no Steller’s Sea Eagle)

BEYOND, Travel, Wildlife

It’s June 22nd and I’m leaving Newfoundland today. I have not had a chance to write my blog but will do it in the next few days (update just getting to it on June 26th).

A nemesis bird can be very challenging mentally, but as well may take you to fabulous places.

The Steller’s Sea Eagle continues to evade me, but I had awesome encounters with Puffins, Humpback Whales, and Caribou during my free time in Newfoundland. Also met some great people, both tourists and locals. (Great to meet you Caroline, Andrea, and Tracy. I have some great photos for you Caroline if you get in touch btw.)

Anyway, my work took me across the entire island and because the days were very long I was able to squeeze in some nature time. I also took one day off in Trinity.

My goal for wildlife encounters were the same as last May. To see Caribou, Puffins, and the Steller’s Sea Eagle. I blogged about that too, massive dip trip. But never a bad time on the rock, and for me work takes priority so I miss things. It’s a dream that one day I can go to Newfoundland strictly as a tourist. Newfoundland and Greece are my two favorite places in the world. Fortunately, in Greece I was just a tourist. Perhaps I’ll retire there one day. Anyway before this becomes a whale of a tale…

Amazing to get a view of the baleen on this amazing Humpback Whale.

Before I did any work on the island I took my day off. I had booked a boat tour in Trinity for the morning and figured it was a slam dunk for me to see Stella. The giant Sea Eagle had been spotted every day for 2 weeks previous to my trip. But that was the one day she/he was not spotted. And of course, this beautiful Steller’s Sea Eagle was spotted the next day and many times since. And so to you Trinity, I say we will meet again! Stella must think I have more to see before we meet.

I did manage to get a little bit of time with the Puffins in Elliston the evening before. Not as close of an encounter as I had hoped, but really you are always battling time in Newfoundland as it’s such a vast province and so much to see. You just need to enjoy and try to go with the flow. I enjoy it all, even if it seems as though I’m disappointed, I’m always left wanting more, and always return.

Even though I didn’t see Stella, I had a great tour of Trinity Harbour with Captain Steve from Trinity Eco Tours. Beautiful spot, great tour company.

So off to work across the island. All the way to the West Coast. I decided to spend the night in Rocky Harbour instead of Cornerbrook since it would take me the same amount of time to drive back to St. John’s to see clients. The morning of the Solstice I had a 7 hour drive ahead of me so that I could see stores on the following morning.

I had a hunch, and also knew it would be the longest day of the year, so took a detour up the Viking Trail to look for Caribou.

In my wildest dreams I would not have imagined such a wonderful sighting.

The Caribou babies almost melted my heart on the Summer Solstice on the Viking Trail. One of my favorite wildlife encounters of all time for sure.

Mother Nature sure delivered on my favorite day of the year. I have never been away from Nova Scotia on the Solstice. For about 30 years I’ve been celebrating the Solstice at home with day trips and nature. Always drinking in the beauty. Always a beautiful day. This day in Newfoundland I felt like a vampire the beauty was so palpable. My heart got filled to the brim and I will remember it always. The wonderful thing about travel is you can dial up a memory anytime you need a little boost. This one will work wonders for melancholy days and insomnia!

Back to work I went in St. John’s the next morning. When I finished up in the afternoon I was rewarded with enough time to drive down to St. Vincent’s to see Humpback Whales that were close to shore chasing Capelin. This is something I have hoped to do for about 5 years now but it never lines up, and did not disappoint!

When I arrived the sand was hot and so I took off my shoes and walked in my bare feet. As soon as I was far enough away from my car that it didn’t make sense to backtrack I realized the error of my judgement. Capelin like a pebble beach. Ouch and hot…LOL. I thought I could cool my feet in the water. Once I got close to the water I looked at the tide and thought that it looked very dangerous. I did let the waves that were coming up to the sand touch my feet but was very careful and glad I could sense the danger. I’ve found out since that the drop off is 60+ feet deep right by the shore, which makes perfect sense as there are giant sea creatures swimming right up. Also, brrrrrrr! Even the wet sand and tiny contact with water was sooooo much colder than the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s since been pointed out to me it’s the North Atlantic.

Mother Nature is wild and wooly sometimes and gentle and forgiving at other times. Keeps me on my toes.

Thank you to the hospitality of many wonderful Newfoundlanders during my visit. Special thanks to the lady from Fogo Island who offered me home made fish and brewis while we were chatting at breakfast in Grand Falls.

Everything about Newfoundland is completely different than anywhere in the world.

A little reminder that wildlife does as it wishes.

Visit if you can, it will change your life.

With love to “the rock” and all your creatures, 2 footed, 4 footed, winged, and finned.

Early June update on my plantings

BEYOND, Gardens

Year 3 is really the year a garden starts to take root. Of course I’m already dreaming of dividing perennials next summer!

I did a lot of planting in 2022 when I bought the house, and then a lot more planting last year in 2023.

Fast forward to the 3rd spring and things are really coming together.

One of the best things yet is that my Percy Wiseman Rhododendron finally bloomed. I bought it as a sad little sale plant in the fall of 2022 and didn’t know if it would make it. As well it’s not for our gardening zone so little hope for it really. But it made an appearance in late May and it is just gorgeous! Yeah, my Border Collie is too I know…

I will write more later too busy gardening now! I’ve been snapping lots of photos though so lots to work with.

Daffodils and narcissus super deer and bunny resistant
This area was all Dandelions and other weeds so first year I moved in turned it into a Tulip garden. The Tulips are Cape Breton Highlands Mix by Vanco. Slowly adding more things Last year I added Daylilies. My neighbors just gave me these great rocks that replaced the old rail tie.
I planted Anemones for the 1st time in the fall and so glad I did! I almost dug up as a weed this spring because they aren’t much to look at before they bloom. I check iNaturalist and PlantNet apps before removing things as I’ve made mistakes in the past.
Rainbow Rock Cress is a favorite of mine. I seeded at my last house and here I did seedlings indoors. I thought they did not germinate but just in case I mixed them into the soil last spring and voila here it is this spring. This happens quite a bit, I’ve learned not to give up on things too easily.
I brought some Heather (blooms white) from my old house. I inherited it there. It’s looked almost dead since I brought it but year 3 is bringing it lots of life. Again, don’t give up too easy as things need time to root.
Creeping Phlox should be an easy plant. I brought 3 colors from my old house. They were all given to me and did so well there. I have not been able to establish them some critters were digging them up every day! So I moved some inside the dog fence, even though they are deer and rabbit resistant and they are doing much better back there. But this one bit in front powered through and is doing great too.
Did Columbine from seed indoors last year and transplanted out in the spring. Lots of plants came up very healthy but none flowered. Now in their 2nd year they are all starting to bloom.
Ninebarks in two colours – struggling as the deer are hard on them but they will eventually be big enough it won’t matter
Spirea and Dwarf Burning Bush are thriving
had to relocate this Boxwood that was turning orange in a boggy area doing great now
Columbine I did from seed 2 years ago, 1st bloom for them, Lamb’s Ears from Dad, Tiger Lilies from a neighbor, Spurge from Dad
Spurge from Dad
site of the old Chicken Coop
shade garden in between the shed and garage (added Wild Ginger from Maria in back this year)

There will definitely have to be a post devoted to Tulips when I get time. So many plants, so little Thyme…

May 8 2024 plants from Maria

BEYOND, Gardens

I had a visit to a friend’s garden this week and she sent me home with a bunch of perennial prezzies!  The garden on their property is one of the nicest you will ever see.  No grass anywhere on the property.  All mosses and thyme, pine-needle paths, and so many amazing perennials.  It was really something to see so many flowers at the beginning of May. 

Maria and Lazslo’s beautiful garden coming to life

My goal also is for less areas to mow and more pretty foliage.

She gave me the following deer resistant, shade tolerant plants:

3 Rhododendrons – planted 2 in back in an old log and 1 in front in a tree stump.

Leopards Bane – tall clump forming spreader perennial of the sunflower family likes moist soil and shade.  Will reside exactly where the chicken coop once stood.  The soil there is very rich.  I have a theory…LOL

It is getting nibbled a little, maybe by the Snowshoe Hares, but doing great generally.

Red Phlox – tall and dramatic – spreads full sun to partial shade moisture air circulate and mulch to keep cool. Planted at back of little garden where a big dirt pile and tarp and chicken wire once was. Will have to add some mulch.

Bonfire Spurge – put in with some Columbine and Corral Bells will be good to have another big splash or color outside the fence it’s great for bird photos.

Wild Ginger – not sure which variety. Spreads and currently there is a huge mess of Buttercups to replace and there was quite a bit of Bindweed when I moved in so even though it’s a little naughty it will be much better than those things.

Bee Balm – added to my front garden. I did some from seed too but not sure if they will take. I also have some weeds in another garden area that may be Bee Balm I planted last year but won’t know for a while until they bloom. Happy to have a sure thing. I’ve always had difficulty with this plant for some reason.

Angelina Sedum – have some in my little dog garden but happy to have a bit more to spread around as it’s nice to have the all year yellow foliage.

Columbine – I have quite a bit I’ve done from seed but always happy to have more and think these will be a different color.

Happy Return Daylily – along back of house where more colorful foliage was needed.

Red Daylily – put in one of my rock gardens near the deck will post pic when it blooms.

Masterwort – It prefers to be planted in part shade to full shade. Astrantia grows best in moist soil with plenty of organic material. Since masterwort plant needs moist soil, it needs to be watered frequently during times of drought, otherwise it will die. Planted it in a shady area of mosses and wildflowers. Once it’s well established I can take out the placeholder bricks and in the meantime I should really get some nice beach rocks to replace them. So much to do!

Persicaria bistorta (Knotweed) – They grow 2- 2½ ft. tall, and spread to form 3 foot wide mounds. Excellent ground cover plant, especially when planted along the edge of a pond, a stream or in boggy areas.

They are very easy to care for plants that can be grown in full sun or light shade,Knotweed should be planted in fairly rich, constantly moist but well-drained soil

Planted in area we don’t mow that is full of wild flowers and ferns and next to a small stream. Put some little Joe Pye seedlings around it but not sure they will grow I think I opened the milk jug too early and they are not strong seedlings.

Common Orange Daylily – in front of garage

Geranium  – in front of garage – replaced some European Knapweed and Dandelions. The Knapweed is very pretty and the pollinators love it, but we have way too much and it’s considered invasive so slowly taking some out. Will try to achieve some balance over time.

Pachysandra – deer resistant and tolerates drought, shade, and heavy clay soils. Excellent groundcover for weed control, as it spreads to form a dense mat that inhibits weed growth.   It can be invasive as it spreads by rhizomes but planted in the goutweed which I hope it may overcome, and will surround by rock borders as Maria did with hers.

And I decided to move my existing Hellebores over by the Coral Bells in the old chicken coop area with some of her Columbine. I brought 2 Hellebores with me from my old house. 1 died almost immediately and the other one has been struggling. But it loves it’s new home and I have high hopes for it. Will add more in time in this area if it’s successful, nothing like a winter rose!

Will update as more things bloom.

Thank you Maria!!!

Bits and bobs…and moving rocks about

BEYOND, Gardens

A number of years ago I saw an ad on Kijiji for perennials really cheap like 1-2 dollars each so I drove into Halifax as fast as I could. When I arrived I met a lady who had been gardening for a really long time who had a lovely garden and at first I was surprised the pieces were so tiny but then she explained that gardening is all about moving little bits and bobs around so they will spread out where you want them. I was intrigued, and it was a life changing moment.

Seasoned gardeners will also tell you that a weed is just a plant you don’t like.

And so for a few years I’ve been moving this weed around, treating it as though it is Irish Moss, and for me honestly it works just as well. This is Pearlwort (I’m pretty sure) I just learned yesterday from a little gardening group online. To avoid digging weeds or whippersnipping, you need groundcover or moss in between stones and so I dig out grass and weeds and replace with this little moss-like plant. Voila.

This seems to have popped up in a few spots and I hadn’t noticed it before so must have come in with a perennial additions, it happens. It’s a little weedy, but I love it and I just learned that it is Thyme-leaved Speedwell. So now I have a new crack filling plant. I’ve started pulling it out of the garden and replacing grass and weeds. By the fall things will look a lot tidier and require much less maintenance, so tired of buying spool for the weed whacker…much prefer to spend it on a local brew to enjoy in the garden!

It seems like a ton of work but I have been through all this in a smaller space and about year 3 you see payoff.

Partially due to finances, and primarily because I hate to waste anything I would prefer to slow garden and move things around. I just group things together and move them out if they don’t tickle my fancy over time. I weed in stages. So I pick a demon weed every year. Once again here it is Buttercups. You need to dig deep to remove them and nothing grows where they are. Takes time, especially in an area as large as I’m dealing with now. Other stuff like Chickweed you can just pull out by hand as you go. As you go you learn each year. And usually learn the hard way not to pull every shoot that comes up because you end up chucking out things you planted.

It may be hard to believe, but by June this will be fabulous.

When I moved in 2 years ago it was just lawn and some established perennials on the edge with rail ties to separate it from the driveway.

Again, you really don’t make big progress until year 3, which for me will be this spring/summer so I expect by fall it will be pretty close to perfect and tidy.

The first year I was here I added some shrubs and started weeding and removed one of the rail ties. Last year I started adding perennial flowers and making the area bigger. I just removed a second rail tie yesterday and moved a bunch of giant rocks from other areas of the yard. This is big heavy work and doesn’t look real purdy yet but it will, I promise.

I drag the old rail ties down by my Garlic patch to create a boundary for what will become an expanded veggie garden once I figure out what I can grow other than Garlic that is deer and rabbit resistant. In the meantime that area is starting to fill up with Russian Sage and Allium until I figure it out. More flowers never hurt right?