_ ,Uardening TheReview Wednesday, October 14,1992 — A21 Old garden diary documents frost and high winds in October “I’ve been reading with interest my old garden diary dating back to 1984 and °85. Each of those years, just about this time, we had both sharp frosts, and very high winds. In 1984 on October 12th we had such a gale that one apple tree and our pre- cious fig tree were both blown over, and the wisteria ripped off the end of the garage roof. The fig tree was so Jarge that it couldn’t be righted, and had to be * taken out. We never did replace it. The apple tree was young enough that, with a certain amount of friendly presuasion, and a lot of muscle power, we got it back, more-or-less upright, and it now bears a pretty respectable crop each year. October 8th, 1985 we had a sharp frost, but in 1984 the first_ real frost arrived on October 16th. This is doubtless a warning signal that we may expect something similar before too-long. The wind worries me more than frost. It seems to do such a lot of senseless damage. Tomorrow I must firmly tie my beautiful huge chrysamthemums -* to either taller stakes, or the wall of the greenhouse, against which they are placed. They are in five-gallon pots. The original plan was to move them inside into the greenhouse at about this time, but they are now so tall and rangy I know damed well we would break off at least some branches trying to transport them. Then “himself’and I would probably have a great fi ight over “who” bumped “what” against “where,”, also ‘chow’ and “why?” I think those “mums are just going to have to take their chances outside! “Mums really can stand a lot of cold, so its the wind that will concem me most. At the moment they are both sheltered, and sup- ported by “himself’s” enormous dahlias, but one real freeze and the dahlias will be done-for. When that happens, I may yall have a change of heart and shift the chrysanthemums inside, bro- ken branches or not! I still have “house” plants out- side against the back wall of the house; three jade plants, several cactus, and a collection of amaryl- lis in varying stages of disrepair. They will all have to come indoors. The amaryllis look pretty terri- ble night now but when they come inside I'll cut off the dead leaves, shorten the live ones, and not water them again until about November 15-20th. At that time theyll be re-potted in fresh soil, each given a thorough soaking in tepid water, then fertil- ized with half strength Miracle Grow (15-30-15). The excess water will be tipped out of the pot-saucer, and they’ll be set in a bright window and not watered again until fresh growth appears. This is usually the tip of a flower bud whose stalk grows so quickly it seems unreal. ‘Amaryllis are a truly spectacular plant, each flower may be eight inches in diameter, and there are often four or even five blossoms clustered together at the end of this slender stalk. : If you have never grown 0 one of these before, you'll have fun try- ing. PS. You only have to re-pot _ amaryllis bulbs about every three years, but replace some of the old soil in in-between years. I’ve left our plants out longer than you should unless you have a “cool” greenhouse, which means boutiques casual European elegance’ - We to our new location in Sidney! at Sidney Station House 9768 Third Street generousity of: Peninsula Signs Peninsula Boat Works Island Farms Dairy Dicksons Coffee Coca Cola Botilers David Bowman Joan Stubbs ; Lettie Larson Tony Eng Beacon Bankers Harvey’s Sporting Goods THANKYOU!!! The recently held North Saanich High School reunion was an opportunity for all of us to share times and memories with our classmates, teachers and friends. The reunion could not have come about without the time and effort of class representatives, volunteers and the The reunion was a great success. Living Family Albums Slegg Lumber Van. Island Helicopters Cornish’s Book Store Hotel Sidney Sidney Pharmacy Sparling Real Estate Gordon Hulme Ltd. Island Furniture Shoppers Drug Mart Tanners Book Store N.S.H.S. Reunion ’92 1924 pIZE5 it is unheated until it gets really cold. Already I’m being punished by one hibiscus which, about a week ago, I brought into the HOUSE, rather than the greenhouse. It was fine for several days, showing off with some delightful bright pink flowers, but, since then, every time I look at it, it throws a bud or two at me! Now its leaves are. begin- ning to look dull and lifeless. I hate it when this happens! Guilt city again! Strangely enough the yellow- flowered one, brought inside the same day, looks just fine, thank- you! Maybe I shouldn’t say any- thing in its hearing or it too will go all sullen, and into a steady decline! Most of you will be cleaning out flower beds just about now. In that case it is probably time to shop around a bit for winter pansies, polyanthus, and wall flowers to fill these beds. You can plant these on top of, or close beside your bulbs. The bulb greenery will come up either “alongside or through them. Try to find tight, sturdy, smallish plants, rather than those looking somewhat sprawled out, and possi- bly already in bloom. These win- ter plants have a long season ahead of them to grow, spread out, and flower, Incidently, I swear I’m going to giow my own polyanthus next year. What a price they are, and seeds cost relatively little, even the really good ones! Ho, Hum! Always something to learn, mmmm? A suggestion for all of you with children or grandchildren ... Don and Lorraine Smyth, who live on the corer of Downey and West Saanich Roads, are holding their annual Pumpkin Patch sale, Satur- day, October 24th from 12 noon until 4 p.m. All proceeds from this sale go to the Save the Children Fund. Besides pumpkins, the Smyths usually have other vegetables, and fruit on their stand, so its always worth the trip ... and such a wonderful effort on their part to try to help save at least a few of the Starving children of this sick old - world! Please, Kerrie wants to know if any of you have a quicker way of shelling sunflower seeds than doing them one-by-one using either your teeth, a hammer, or the nut-crackers. There has to be an easier way! Help, please! Saanich North and The Islands Constituency CLIVE TANNER M.L.A. 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