MUSEINGS FROM THE POND: MATTERS OF SEASONAL INTEREST

I'd like to invite everyone of our friends here at Chemainus Gardens, long time and new, to join Charles and I at the first opening of the Wednesday Chemainus Farmers Market in the Waterwheel park tomorrow, May 28th. We'd love to see you there and introduce you to this great venue ( for your own things) and to tell us what you think of what we are doing! We have our booth for the summer and will be there with Skipper ( in the RV).

This is for those of you who love roses like I do! I found online a great ( and again it works) solution for powdery mildew.

http://www.growingformarket.com/articles/powdery-mildew-solutions

I was given a rose that had been on a balcony and had powdery mildew on it big time. It was givento be placed in our little church garden ( St. Michaels All Angels in Chemainus) as a memorial for a beloved husband. I was dismayed at the extent of damage already incurred, but went online and found the above address. I thought others would like to try it when the weather gets the roses and the mildew sets in. I use the 90%water to10% milk solution with great effect. You can check out the rose I thought was toast if you are in the Willow Street Cafe having coffee, as Phil Mavis and myself put the mutual garden together this winter.

Just cuts costs!! most the solutions don't work that well, and this one for sure does.

Though BOBBEX is a great deer deterrent Agnes and Brian bought another one from LEE VALLEY that works longer called PLANTSKYDD It lasts through the winter without reapplication and has rave reviews. I bought some, though I am waiting to apply it. It has no noticeable smell either!! It is 100% natural and doesn't hurt animals at all.

Rhododendron and azalea information is at this site:

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/treesshrubs/a/rhodo_azaleas_4.htm

When I first came I had to learn a whole new way of doing gardening, but after 3 years experience, I am finding a lot of joy in doing my own pruning and fertilizing. The Gardens do not provide this service, neither was it promised. Just the "main" front area. I like to care for my own, as I notice most of us do!

Today ( Tuesday) I was delighted to find the gardening crew had begun to clear the pond to look like we left it last year. I have no problem raking and stuff, but the weedeater is just too heavy for my shoulder. So these kids ( good cheerful attitudes, too!) started wacking, I joined in with Rick and we raked up the leavings so they wouldn't clutter up the pond. Now I can see the single white waterlily pads that are across the pond in my view. Kudos to Management!!

We had the get together last night at Honeymoon Point. It was really fun and many attended...we got to welcome Heather and Richard who have just moved in and Karen, too. It's so nice to meet new people!
Got a note from John and Susan, who had planned to attend, saying it was raining there and then sunny and then rain and they couldn't make up their minds whether it had been cancelled ( weather permitting was the caveat ) I gave them Charles' number to check on the weather HERE next time! Hope to see them soon, though.