The garden needs to be improved, made more foody. Good to see that there are a variety of fig trees to be had at Grimno Nut down at Niagara-on-the-Lake. We have a south facing brick wall and that should do the trick with some potted plants. Chiltern in England has olive seeds - could one actually plant that in a pot and bring it outdoors each spring?
This place looks worth visiting but I have no idea about the rules about importing plants by car. Likely banned. I bought figs from these guys once and there was a certification requirement.
Comments
Gordo - December 26, 2006 8:47 pm
You work 150 metres from a Customs office, Alan. I expect they probably have a telephone, as well. :-D
Alan - December 26, 2006 11:28 pm
Would that be the customs office with the rocket scientists who could not convert the Australian dollar and scoffed as I suggested they were off? I think not.
gorthos - December 27, 2006 10:17 am
Qood morning Alan. I am gardener extraordinaire. Okay, I TRY to be. Iff'n you wish some assistance, email me directly and I shall assist. I too have a series of gardens (5+) at the new homestead that nead to be re-designed. A tiny one was "foody" and I need it to be twice the size. THis past year was my biggest yet with a hugo variety of veg, herbs and such. I also grew a nice lavender patch yet my tree growing failed due to accidents. I have but three sweetgum tees that are 8" + high that need to be replanted in the spring. Olives should now be able to grow here if properly protected from the winter the same as they can now grow in central/south england.
Paul - December 27, 2006 11:32 am
We have to keep our olive trees (in pots) in a glazed section of our garage in the winter and we're in the more moderate climate of the UK so I guess you'd have to take extra care - they don't like frost, they also weigh a tonne !
Alan - December 27, 2006 11:40 am
Interesting. Likely cheese makers and mummers as well are you all?
Gordo - December 27, 2006 11:40 am
Alan, I would think that even a federal civil servant would be able to look up the plant material importation regulations for you. Currency conversion tables are hard, dontcha know ...
Alan - December 27, 2006 11:46 am
I dunno - there was a lot of angst at the whole "you are asking me to move from this spot to that spot" issue. But I am all zippy over the idea of fig trees within province from Grimno. That is task #1 as far as the garden is concerned. Are you planning to hack back the grapes again? T'is the season for grape pruning again.
gr - December 27, 2006 11:58 am
A first for this northern resident: little pansies blooming in the garden on Christmas, planted in May, still blooming on Dec. 26th, looking a little ragged today in the light snowfall.
gorthos - December 27, 2006 12:01 pm
Alan
#1 Tree seed merchant I have bought from:
http://trees-seeds.com/about.htm
#2 FYI since you aren't at work, slacker, Classic has all used movies on sale for 1/2 price. Youknow, in case your spouse like mine pines for that gawd aweful flick, Lakehouse. Else, there are newer non-Reeves movies.. w00t
Gordo - December 27, 2006 1:28 pm
I usually prune the grapes in late-winter. I've had several bad seasons of freeze-back and something tells me that it's safer to leave some sacrificial vine available for Jack Frost to nibble on. I have no idea if this makes any logical sense, it's just how I do it. :-D
I've decided that two of the apple trees must go in the spring. One's a pain in the arse to mow under and I want to move the kid's play structure to the spot currently occupied by the other. I seem to have the cedar-apple rust problem licked, so I can sit back and watch my fruit grow next year.
gr - December 27, 2006 2:02 pm
Oh yeah, our 2 apple trees have had some yucky black spot disease on the leaves. They havn't been seemingly sickly, though, other than that. I wonder what that ailment is? The maples have had some yucky black spots on the leaves too. Is this apple rust?
Ok, now that I have been writing on topic like a good boy, do you ever sit back and wonder what went wrong with Cher and Greg Allman back in the 70s? I mean...ACKKK! ooooph.....OK, sorry Alan.....unnnnh....I won't do it....
Gordo - December 27, 2006 5:03 pm
Cedar-apple rust is a weird fungus that alternates between Eastern red cedars and apple (or crabapple) trees. The cedars look like something out of a science fiction movie when it puts out its spores. On the apple side of the equation, you get scabby apples that drop before they're ripe. I took care of it by cutting down the red cedars in my back yard. The back fence is lines with cedars, but only every 5th one is a susceptible red cedar.
That could be tar spot on your maples, Gary.
I also find that I rarely, nay never, wonder about anything in Cher's life.
gr - December 27, 2006 5:32 pm
Wow, that's it Gordo. I think for some reason it went after my apple trees too. Ironic that you are 200 miles north showing me a website for a clinic 5 miles from my house. I am the worst, most apathetic gardener.
If I make any comment about celebrities, Gordo, I may find myself BANNED from gen x at 40.
;^)
Gordo - December 27, 2006 6:27 pm
My Dad is the most vigorous gardener that I know, Gary. He and Mom have a huge lot: a bit larger than 1/3 acre in the old City of Kingston. He grows everything: corn, potatoes, beans, peas, squash, peppers, tomatoes, etc. I don't have his energy, but combine what I absorbed from him as a child with my internet searching kills and I usually do OK. :-D