Travels across Canada

A trip across Canada that we thought would take 5 days we managed to stretch out to 2 weeks. It always amazes me how long it takes to drive across Ontario.
But what a great time we've had.

We left Haliburton before the fall colours were underway, but by the time we hit northern Ontario the colours were peaking' and we found ourselves driving through the brilliant reds and golds of the maple trees.

Then we were in big sky country, travelling across the prairies through the golden fields of just harvested hay and straw.

 

The weather was great until we crossed the Rockies, though still incredibly beautiful. Travelling the highest paved road in Canada we of course managed to hit a snow storm, though the next day in the brilliant sun was like driving through a Christmas card.

 

                        

 

Then we hit B.C and spent a few days in Nelson at our friend Johns place. It seemed to still be summer here, and we enjoyed warm weather and beautiful gardens.

I loved his grape tree. It gracefully draped itself over a sculptured cement tree. This is an idea I think I want to try in New Zealand.
The grapes were yummy too.

We raided his green house and came away with cucumbers, tomatoes, chillies and basil. What a treat

Then it was onto the coast and the land of the big trees.

And lots of low clouds drifting around the mountains.

 Spending time on Vancouver Island we've experienced all kinds of weather and visited many beautiful spots, both man made and natural.
The weather is definitely starting to cool down here and the rain is falling a lot more regularly.
Sad to leave, but I think it is time to head to Thailand and a little tropical weather.

The travelling gardener

We are driving out to British Columbia. A trip that will take maybe 5 days to make. We are travelling in a camper, so like a turtle we can take our home with us.
I was thinking of loading up the plants in pots and moving it all out with me. We'll be there for about 4 weeks in total.

 

 

But in the end I decided to harvest it all. It wasn't all that much in the end, and it will all be eaten within the week.

 

 

So we loaded up the apples, lettuce, beans, peas, frozen basil, chilli peppers, cucumbers and zucchinis and we are set to go.

I am hoping to see a little gardening happening while we are out there. I'll keep you posted.

 

 

 

Raised beds

The other day someone asked me why I had raised beds with solid sides. I hadn't thought about it too much, but after I did I came up with a few reasons.

 

The first most obvious reason is that it is a way to assert a bit of order to what is usually a chaotic gardening space.

Then there is the fact that in the spring the beds warm up and dry out much earlier than they would otherwise.

In New Zealand in my garden where there is no snow but lots of winter rain, the raised beds keep the plants and their roots drier and the paths channel the rainwater away.

The permanent paths mean that I never stand on the planting bed, so there is no compaction of the soil. The beds are 4' wide so that means I can reach all parts of the bed without stepping on them.

Water and fertiliser can be confined to the growing beds where they will do some good, and not on the paths where they could encourage weed growth.

Also it means that if the soil deeper down isn't great for gardening whether it is clay or sand, the raised beds allow another 6" of great top soil for good root development. In my case here in Canada I have pure sand about 6" below the natural surface of the soil. Great for drainage, but not great for growing veges in.

 

I think the garden is ready for winter.

The garlic has been planted, and the perennials that I wanted moved have been moved around to their new homes. The summer growth on the perennials has been cut back and the annuals composted.

The green manure that I sowed a month ago is growing, and hopefully will grow a little more before getting frozen back. This year I used peas as my green manure. I had a lot of dried peas from several years ago, so it was a good way to use them.

I'm not ready for winter, so I am out of here until I hear that the snow has gone next spring. Nice to know that once again the garden here will be waiting for me when I return.