Monthly Archives: July 2012

Plant selection criteria

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Chrystal

My selection criteria for plants and husbands are similar: (1) low maintenance (2) good-looking (3) robust (4) not too expensive. I should probably clarify that I only have, or have ever had, one husband and that is probably because he … Continue reading →

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Speckled lettuce

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Chrystal

One of the best reasons to shop at farmers markets is to find new or different vegetables. Last year, I fell in love with the speckled lettuce at the UBC farmers market and so this year I decided to grow … Continue reading →

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Rhodo health issues

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Chrystal

Rhododendrons used to be one of my favorite plants, as they are both beautiful and low maintenance….or so I thought. For the last several weeks I have been gradually deadheading the ones in my yard and am starting to share … Continue reading →

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Yard Waste Collection Day

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Chrystal

Yard waste collection day is one of my favorite things. Although we have several big compost bins at the  back of the garden, things like logs, bug branches, dog poo, cedar clippings and weeds can’t go in the compost but … Continue reading →

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A recent tomato ah-ha moment

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Chrystal

Last year was a big tomato year. I planted about 35 tomato plants in the new sunny part of the rock garden and by the end of the wet summer we were left with thousands – and I do mean … Continue reading →

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Garlic advice from the master gardeners

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Chrystal

Today was fabulously sunny, so Small Guy and I stopped for lunch at the Kitsilano Farmers Market. We dropped our bikes off at the bike valet and then wandered through the stalls to look at all the veggies and people. … Continue reading →

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Happy Belated Bill McNabb Day 2012

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Chrystal

When I grew up, my parents always had a big vegetable garden. I remember one in every single house that we lived in: Wetaskawin, Fort St. John, Edmonton and Nanaimo. Every house we lived in had a flat, rectangular back … Continue reading →

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Getting a buzz from Max and Eva

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Chrystal

Our neighborhood would be very quiet during the day if it wasn’t for the teams of gardeners coming and going, mowing, pruning, trimming and blowing, rain or shine. No one ever uses a broom or a rake, preferring instead to … Continue reading →

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Kale report

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Chrystal

Overall, this has not been a stellar year for my vegetable garden.  I will spare you the drama* about seeds that may or may not have sprouted and sprouts that may or may not have been eaten by slugs or … Continue reading →

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Bad ideas for a rainy day

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Chrystal

Because yesterday was supposed to be the last day of rain for awhile, I decided to pump  water into the barrels at the back of the yard. We not only have a large rain barrel that collects from the roof, … Continue reading →

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