Dear Helen: I have a free-standing, V-shaped planter that is 180 centimetres long, 75 cm wide and 40 cm deep along the centre. Last year, the carrots I tried growing in it did not do well. The planting mix I used was a blend purchased at a garden centre.
B.S.
Most commercial planting mixes consist of peat, vermiculite, perlite, lime and a wetting agent.
I use one of them as a base for my container soil mixes, but I always add some real, sterilized soil for enhanced substance and staying power, which is especially important for longer-term vegetables such as carrots and peppers. I often add a little fish compost as well, for extra growing power in the mix.
With these additions, along with a slow-release fertilizer, all the care my vegetable and flower planters need over the summer is watering.
When buying a sterilized soil, look for the term 鈥渁ll purpose鈥� on the bag. I use Island鈥檚 Finest Premium Sterilized Potting Soil. Directions for seeding on the bag are another indication that the product is suitable for all uses and not just for prompting bloom in ornamental container plantings.
In a V-shaped planter, grow the carrots along the centre line, where the depth is greatest, and lettuces and other more shallow-rooted plants on either side.
Dear Helen: I鈥檝e been trying to get more winter colour into my garden, and was intrigued by a daisy-like flower in bloom in a friend鈥檚 garden in mid-December. Can you identify it and give me some ideas for other plants with features of winter interest?
E.W.
Your flower is a gazania, possibly 鈥楰iss Yellow Flame.鈥� Gazanias are commonly grown as annuals. Even the hardiest ones usually succumb to our climate鈥檚 wet winter conditions. You saw the plant before winter really set in,
There are many plants that bring points of interest to the winter garden with flowers, fragrance, and colourful berries, bark and foliage. You鈥檒l likely find some that attract you on tours through local garden centres in winter. Russell Nursery in North Saanich has an extensive and detailed list of ideas on its website. Type 鈥淩ussell Nursery + Plants that shine in winter鈥� into a search engine.
As I look out my office window, I see a tall Mahonia media with substantial sprays of yellow flowers shining in brief bouts of winter sun. Small white flowers on two Himalaya sweet box (Sarcoccoca humilis) plants are perfuming the back garden.
Skimmias bear red berries or red buds all winter. Golden-hued evergreens glow in the winter landscape. Examples are a choisya called 鈥楽undance鈥� and golden yews.
Brightly coloured stems of yellow-twig and red-twig dogwoods are winter garden points of interest and striking additions to winter and holiday arrangements. Winter-flowering heathers fit easily into most landscapes.
At almost every garden centre, you鈥檒l find plant enthusiasts keen to offer more suggestions from their own personal favourites.
Garden Events
Floral arts. The Mid Island Floral Art Club will meet on Thurs., Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. in St. Stephen鈥檚 United Church Hall, 150 Village Way in Qualicum Beach. The meeting鈥檚 theme is Have Fun with Valentine鈥檚 Day. Bring an arrangement to share with the group. Guests are welcome. Drop-in fee is $6. Information at 250-752-1858.
Seedy on Salt Spring. Island Natural Growers will present Salt Spring Island鈥檚 23rd Annual Seedy Saturday on Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Farmer鈥檚 Institute, 351 Rainbow Rd. There will be vendors, food, a seed exchange and children鈥檚 activities. Salt Spring Seeds鈥� Dan Jason will be on hand with his new book: Awesome Grains & Seeds.
HCP workshops. The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific at 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich is offering several workshops. To register, call 250-479-6162. hcp.ca.
鈥� Plant Identification & Culture. The next session in this monthly course (which can be joined at any time) will be on Sat., Feb. 17, 1 to 4 p.m. In each session, Diane Pierce introduces 25 new plants, with descriptions, preferred growing conditions, landscape uses and maintenance. Cost to HCP members per session is $35, others $45. Cost for 12 sessions: members $350, others $450.
鈥� Pruning ornamentals, Monday and Wednesday, Feb. 19 and 21, 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Two lectures and a Saturday hands-on session will help participants understand pruning techniques and put them into practice. Members $95, others $115.
