We may think that we are just beginning a long winter, and if you follow the dire predictions, a harsh winter. But in less than four weeks, on December 21, we will pass the Northern Hemisphere winter solstice and the days will start to get longer again!聽 We gardeners have to remain optimistic!
Now is a fine time to send away for a few gardening catalogues. You probably have your favorites. But if you are not on the mailing list for a seed catalogue, send off a note or go online and sign up.聽 It鈥檚 so encouraging to get a seed catalogue in the mail on a cold and blustery winter鈥檚 day!
Here are some of our favorites: Lindenberg Seeds out of Brandon is a tried and true prairie seed centre. Their site says 鈥淚n 1935 the original Lindenberg brothers started selling seeds to Prairie gardeners with the philosophy that supplying good quality seed at a fair price was always the best value. Now 81 years later, the same Lindenberg family still sells only dependable seed that has been tested and retested for quality, and priced with value in mind.鈥� You can log on to www.lindenbergseeds.ca and order their free catalogue, or send in a note to 803 Princess Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0P5.
If you log on to the Dominion Seeds site (www.dominion-seed-house.com) it may look different because the catalogue is called W.H.Perron. But rest assured that it is the right place, and you can sign up to get the free catalogue that the site says features over 1000 gardening items. If you prefer to request a catalogue by mail, contact them at W.H. Perron, 2914 Cure-Labelle Blvd., Laval, Quebec, H7P 5R9.
Two more favorites, two more prairie gems: T & T Seeds located in Manitoba: drop them a line at 7724 Roblin Blvd., Headingley, Manitoba R4H 1B1; and McKenzie Seeds (www.mckenzieseeds.com) at 1000 Parker Blvd., Brandon, Manitoba R7A 6E1.
I find that the seed catalogues offer so much more than just a listing of seeds: there is often good advice about selectin plants, and great information about new seed varieties.
And I always recommend visiting the library to browse through their selection of gardening books. You can borrow from what is here, or ask them to order a book in for you, if you have heard about something that strikes your gardening interest. I borrowed a great book called 鈥淭he Indestructible Houseplant鈥� by Tovah Martin. If you remember the wonderful television show 鈥淰ictory Garden鈥� you will probably remember Tovah, as she was a frequent guest and very knowledgeable about houseplants. This book talks about 鈥�200 beautiful plants that everyone can grow鈥� in 鈥渁n imperfect, time-challenged world鈥�. I鈥檓 just starting to read it now, so maybe next time we have tea together I can tell you about some of the plants that sounded especially interesting!
Just glancing through, I see that some advice about houseplants is what we鈥檇 do in our gardens, just on a smaller scale.聽 She says we should group plants with similar needs together. What kind of light requirements do they have? We can鈥檛 have a succulent placed next to a fern and expect them both to be happy. Growth habit also is a factor to consider, but she mentions that if you have a rapid-growing groundcover plant and a slow growing upright plant, the two can be quite compatible because they take up different space. Lots of great ideas, we鈥檒l chat more next time!
Just a reminder, the next meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will take place on Wednesday, November 23. This is our members-and-special-guests-only AGM and supper banquet. There will be supper, entertainment, silent auction, and meeting. Members, for more information call Liz.
Have a great week!聽 Visit us at
