Hello friends! Just wanted to point you toward my new Heavy Petal Facebook page. Please “like” Heavy Petal and I’ll alert you to new blog posts, offer contests and giveaways, share interesting links and new garden-related finds, and keep you updated on my forthcoming book. That’s it! End of pitch.
Now Harvesting: Early June
‘Garden Babies’ butterhead lettuce poses on my balcony. Here in Vancouver, summer is a little delayed. While the incessant rain and cool weather has meant stunted warm season crops, rust on my garlic, and pepper plants that are still biding their time indoors, it’s also meant a bumper crop of lettuce, scallions, herbs, arugula, spinach, […]
Painted Ladies
Another before-and-after post for you this week. This, of course, is a caterpillar, the larva of a painted lady butterfly. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of Lila’s favourite books, so my mom thought she’d enjoy seeing the transformation process up close. Like in a box on the mantle. A few days after my mom […]
A hanging basket story
A couple of weeks back, I received my yearly trial pack of Proven Winners annuals: a giant box filled with six new introductions. Here they are, clockwise from top left: Superbena® Royale Chambray (Verbena hybrid), Golddust™ (Mecardonia hybrid), Lucia™ Lavender Blush (Lobelia hybrid), Supertunia® Pretty Much Picasso™ (Petunia hybrid), Slightly Strawberry™ (Anisodontea hybrid), Superbells® Blackberry […]
Before and after: A leek makeover
I just lined up my posts for the week and by pure coincidence they all seem to be before-and-afters. But who doesn’t like a good makeover story? This story features leeks, the hardy and mild allium. It starts late last summer with the planting of my winter garden. The leeks held strong all winter, really […]
Welcome to the warm season
An explanation of cool and warm seasons in gardening, and why vegetables and herbs sometimes bolt (grow tall and set seed).
Coveted: Shiraleah biodegradeable servewear
The endlessly soggy, gray days we’ve been having here on the Wet Coast have me desperately craving sun and summer. They won’t change the weather, but these cheerful, but eco-friendly plates, bowls, and ice cream “cones” from Shiraleah will brighten any day. This is the time of year to stock up for outdoor eating, but […]
Now Harvesting: late-May
Peas! The peas are here! The sugar snaps made their debut on my balcony veggie garden this week, and MY GOD, there is nothing better. Also: lettuces, scallions, leeks, radishes, arugula, spinach, and herbs. What are you harvesting? You can see what others are harvesting now on Harvest Mondays, hosted by Daphne’s Dandelions.