Fox tracks this morning now nearly obliterated by a very curious cat!
Winter greetings from City Square!
Here are some images from our last meeting of the year, Dec. 7th.
Our beautiful new sign, created by SPEC volunteers Marcie and Carmen. Thanks so much for your contribution!
Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts still going strong, we look forward to harvesting these in the next couple months!
mmm, already looking delicious...
These were the oats we had planted in September, the most successful of the cover crops we planted. Once turned in, they will help to build the complexity of the soil.
Our gardener Beng, with a celery - harvested in December! Only in Vancouver....
Also parsnips! Although dirty, they are beautiful (and tasty!) A highly recommended crop for winter gardening.
This is one of the many marigolds we planted as a companion to tomatoes and other crops. Now that they have finished their life cycle we can harvest the seeds from the pods for next year.
Just open the dried pods, remove the seeds, and put in an envelope for future use. No need to spend $ on expensive bedding plants.
Our next meeting is Sunday, January 17th at 10am.
Seed catalogues are in, which means soon we will begin planning for next season. Let the fun begin!
Gifting
The bitter cold and snow we’re experiencing right now has me thinking about (and wishing for!) warmer days in the garden. Since gift giving time is right around the corner, I thought I’d offer up some ideas. You may have a loved one that would appreciate a gardening related offering, or you may see some ideas to add to your own wish list!
Today I’ll present a few ideas that you may be able to acquire on-line or with a quick phone call---no braving the cold necessary!
- A subscription to a magazine. A great gardening magazine is educational, inspirational and entertaining. There are many fine how-to publications out there such as Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and Organic Gardening that are chock-full of great information. Some regional home and garden magazines do a good job, too. I especially like Sunset for the western US. However, two of my favorite occasional splurges are Garden Design and Gardens Illustrated. Garden Design is pure eye-candy with lots of outdoor, and outdoor themed, living products and (mostly) estate type gardens featured. Gardens Illustrated is from
- A membership to a botanical garden or arboretum. Nothing beats the opportunity to see mature plants in a naturalized setting, something the garden center can’t always offer. These organizations often offer classes, docent tours, lectures, concerts, and volunteer opportunities as well. A membership is a gift that can be enjoyed all year, and keeps your gardener in touch with the seasons. Here’s the link to Denver Botanic Gardens.
- A membership to American Horticultural Society. This organization was never on my radar; like many things in the horticultural "establishment," it is located in the eastern US and I never thought it could have much relevance for me either personally or professionally. However, I decided to join up about two years ago and have been very pleased with the return on my $35.00 annual dues. Their website is fantastic, but I especially like their magazine. The articles cover all aspects of horticulture, including landscape design, and are well written and with enough detail (though not textbook-like snooze inducing) to make them a cut-above your grocery store variety publication. The most recent issue included “
I hope this gift idea list gives you a few ideas to consider. More to come!
Eeeeek a Mouse!
So the other evening I'm looking out my office window and notice a little mouse feasting on the crumbs beneath the bird feeder. He scurries around, popping down one hole in the snow and back out another. Before long, there's a second one! They're having a great time, running over and under the snow in --pretty much--broad daylight. 
Before I know it, one of the mice has climbed right up the side of the house and onto the window ledge and is peeking inside.
"Wanna come out and play?"
"Thanks, but no."
