Dear Helen: I鈥檝e heard that it鈥檚 possible to create a plot for planting in areas where there is no currently plantable earth. How is this done, and when is the best time to start such a project?
R.M.
It is possible, on some surfaces, to create a garden bed by defining the area and piling varied compostable materials on it. The process is commonly described as lasagna gardening, sheet composting, or the creation of听a听鈥渃ompost sandwich.鈥�
First, look for a patch of lawn or a superfluous area in a bare-ground or gravel driveway. The surface should be porous, not sealed off as with concrete or asphalt.
Define the boundaries of the bed-to-be, and lay cardboard over the surface. Top the cardboard with about a five-centimetre layer of newspaper. Next, if听possible, spread a loose layer of straw over the paper.
Building the bed after this base is complete is a matter of alternating layers of green (high-nitrogen) materials, brown (high-carbon) materials, and garden soil.
For the greens use grass clippings, manure, young weeds, coffee grounds, tea leaves, compost, and fine garden trimmings. Some brown materials to use are leaves, straw, shredded newspaper, fine bark, wood shavings and aged sawdust. Aim for roughly twice as much brown as green.
Continue adding materials until the pile is at least 60 cm high. It can be higher. The mass will settle over time. If the bed is to be used for vegetables, consider bordering the area with bricks or boards.
The best time to begin building one听of these beds is late summer to听early autumn, but it鈥檚 not too late now. 鈥淟asagna鈥� beds are often made in听late winter or early spring for planting almost immediately, but with听much more topsoil used in the mix.听If the abundant rains and mild temperatures continue a little while longer, the heap of organic matter you听create should decompose and deflate nicely.
Once the heap is thoroughly moistened with the rains, consider covering it with a tarp as temperatures dip close to freezing. In the spring, spread topsoil over the area before planting.
A project like this is much like planting squash or pumpkin atop a partly decomposed, soil-topped compost pile in the spring.
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Dear Helen: I鈥檓 familiar with the 鈥渓anguage鈥� of flowers, and from time to听time come across lists of flowers and their traditional meanings. Have you ever seen similar information in reference to herbs?
L.S.
In one of my herb books there is a chapter titled The Language of Herbs. Here are a few meanings the list gives of some popular herbs.
Basil: good wishes and love; Sweet bay (Laurus nobilis): glory and reward; Borage: courage; Thyme: bravery, courage, strength; Rosemary: remembrance; Sage: wisdom, esteem, domestic virtue; Mint: eternal refreshment; Lavender: devotion, luck; Parsley: festivity; Garlic: healing; Coriander (cilantro): hidden worth.
Small bouquets of flowers and herbs were at one time used to convey messages of esteem or advice.
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Dear Helen: Where can I find seeds for the Phacelia bolanderi you mentioned in an October column? We have a few bee hives and this sounds like a good ground cover for bees.
R.R.
My seed source was Plant World Seeds (plant-world-seeds.com) in Devon, England. So far I鈥檓 very impressed with this carpeting plant. Flowering is supposed to be May through August, but I听still had some bloom in October.
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GARDEN EVENTS
Holiday workshops. Patio Gardens, is offering the following workshops in November at 6536 West Saanich Rd. Details and registration at patiogardensvictoria.ca or call 250-652-8338.
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鈥� Free Holiday Demo, Saturday, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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鈥� Holiday Planter, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
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鈥� Holiday Wreath, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6:30 to听8 p.m.
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Workshops at HCP. The Horticulture Centre of听the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering the following workshops. To register call 250-479-6162. Details at hcp.ca.
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鈥� Handmade Herbal Gifts, Saturday, Nov. 26, 12 to 3:30 p.m. Participants will make and take home herbal products, including a holiday tea blend. Cost to HCP members $60, others $65.
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鈥� Wreath Making, Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. both days. Bring secateurs and garden gloves. Members $35, others $45.
