Sometimes you just have to chill after gardening and think outside the box. Out there, you can tickle your funny bone and watch what happens. Here’s a glimpse:
Any bee can balm.
I sedum before.
I aster but she said no.
Why don’t trumpet vines make any sound?
Who punched those black-eyed susans?
Why aren’t burning bushes hot?
Globe thistles like to travel. Who knew?
Hollyhocks anything she finds.
Spirea can’t see for looking.
Why don’t fleece flowers ever get sheared?
Lamb’s ear can’t hear anything.
Ribbon grass never made a bow.
Why is Zebra grass neither black nor white?
Has loosestrife ever caused trouble? (rhetorical question)
Why doesn’t goutweed affect your feet?
Ever see dandelions caged in the zoo?
Ever see a weeping willow cry?
Has crooked willow ever done anything wrong?
Rosemary won’t answer if you call.
Joe Pie weed makes me hungry.
Ever hear a valerian speech at a convocation?
Sit astilbe as you can.
Everyone likes the limelight sometimes.
It’s daphne to stop before you finish.
He never scratched so much as when he had chives.
Some roses have large hips.
How can mint hold onto a spear?
Irises will never open their eyes.
Hit your head and you’ll be at risk of artemesia.
Take someone hosta and you’ll be in trouble.
Have you heard the Bells of Ireland ringing at weddings?
I know yew can think of more examples, but it’s thyme to quit before we all go daisy!
Hope this makes your day a little more holly.
Keep sharp!
Thanks to Jocelyn, Jen, Marion & Brenda for pictures.
It’s November and, although we have had two heavy frosts and it is cool now, up until a few days ago gardeners have been amazed by the warm temperatures here in the Chester and surrounding area.
The following are few pictures that were taken during the last couple of weeks, some as late as the 10th of November.
Summer pots still showing off.
The last of the fragile produce, only greens left in the vegetable garden.
Winter arrangements in the near future.
We can now continue preparation for winter in our gardens, enjoy the birds as they make ready for winter and settle in with a good gardening resource for next springs plans. Fall temperatures have arrived.
The Chester Garden Club’s first meeting of 2012 got off to a fine start with a presentation by Logie Cassells, managing director of LaHave Forests, who described the cultivation and use of Haskap berries, a relatively new agricultural product in Nova Scotia. The plants were first brought to Canada in 1967, from Japan, which is where the name Haskap comes from. It has been tranlated as “little present at the end of a branch”. The plant is a member of the honeysuckle family [Lonicera caerulea ] and, thanks to research by scientists at the University of Sakatchewan, who combined the best features of Haskap cultivars from Japan and Russia, we now have four varieties of the delicious berries growing in our province.
Logie provided a comprehensive Power Point presentation
Logie noted that the climate of inland Nova Scotia is excellent for growing the berries and that, with amendments of the soil (cow manure and seaweed were mentioned), the crops have grown substantially in the two years since the first young plants were put in the ground. He stressed the use of biodynamic techniques in growing healthy plants and indicated that the company is planning to enlarge its acreage to accommodate the increasing demand for its products. The company has already been able to harvest enough fruit to supply a limited quantity to several small restaurants for their use in making chutneys and jellies.
Haskap juice got a very favourable rating from those who tasted a sample
Following his presentation, there was an immediate surge toward the table for an opportunity to sip some of the pure juice or try a bit of the dried fruit. Everyone remarked on the great flavour, which Logie describes as something of a cross between blueberries and raspberries. Calling it Nova Scotia’s “ribena”, he reiterated his point that the Haskap berries are very healthy because they have a higher percentage of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants than either of those other fruits. Members of the Garden Club are looking forward to visiting the LaHave Forests farm in June when the company will be holding an “Open Day” for those interested in growing and using Haskap berries. Anyone interested in learning more about Haskap berries can visit the website Lahaveforests.com for information on obtaining plants or products.
