New beds to play with

In spite of my usual delayed planting this summer I am harvesting veg from the garden. Not a lot but enough. The lettuce, pak choi and arugala are great additions to the table and shortly there will be the peas and beans.

The big change this summer is I finally put in a permanent back fence on the vege garden. Every year it has been expanding by about the size of the compost bins as I moved them further back each year. Finally this year I said enough.
Three 4 x 4 posts and a bag of sacrete later I had the supports in. A few hours with some chicken wire and staples and it was done. The paths and the new beds were lined with cardboard. The raised beds were formed from some old lumber that I had around and filled with the compost from last winters bins. The paths were then covered with saw dust. A heavy rain a few days later settled it all in.
Now I am dividing some of the perennials and putting the transplants in these new 'nursery' beds ready to take out to my new garden on the west coast later in the fall.

Making progress

After being back for 2 1/2 weeks it seems like I am making progress in my garden here in Ontario.

 From the weed infested bed above to weed free below with a few self sowns - parsley and lettuces mainly left in.

Add a row of beans and peas that are growing at great rates. The pak choi and lettuce are doing well in their starter pots and I notice flowers on the tomato plant I bought.

The seedling lettuce I bought 2 weeks ago are ready to eat along with the self sown lettuce around the compost heap.

Lots and lots of rhubarb to enjoy.

And lots of flowers to admire.

As usual I am off to a slow start but there is still lots going on in the garden and I'm thinking I'm catching up fast.

Great expectations

I am back in Ontario now and trying to play catch up again.
The flower gardens survived quite well without me and a little weeding has them looking great.
The vege garden not so well. It needs a little bit more work!

After a lot of rain in the last few days it shouldn't take much time to clear the beds. After one afternoon in the vege garden I already seem to be making progress.

 It's a bonus when I find self sown lettuce plants amongst the weeds.

I managed to find the last 6 lettuce seedlings at the local nursery so I am on my way. Also bought basil and a tomato plant.
I have planted lots of seeds, so now waiting for them to emerge. Hoping for a warm summer so they all grow quickly.

The rhubarb always does well here. The perrenial herbs are doing well. Great to have these perrenials in the garden that show up even if I don't.

A couple of my apple trees have a good crop on them. though one of my trees looks like it is dying.
It was a tough winter.

Off to weed more of the garden. Got to be ready for when the seedlings emerge and need to be transplanted.

Fences and deer

If I want to garden here on the island the first step will be to build a deer fence.
Fortunately there are a lot of gardeners here on Malcolm Island and a lot of deer fences. I have been taking notes and here are a few pics I have gathered for inspiration.
It all started with a trip to Wisterias garden. Yes that is her name and she does have this magnificent wisteria in full bloom.

I thought her fence was simple with an interesting touch.

Then this gate caught my eye and I thought that was a great idea for a gate.

This drift wood fence was a stunner. Given all the driftwood lining the beaches there are a lot of raw materials around.

This fence is simple and open. It wouldn't block the sun, but doesn't provide much privacy either.

Still simple but with more privacy.

Another example of making use of the materials available on the beach.

Another idea adding some colour into the mix.
There are still a lot more fences to check out. Hopefully I'll narrow down my ideas when it comes time to start building.

Sointula, B.C

It is pretty exciting to finally arrive in Sointula (Finnish meaning peace and harmony), Malcolm Island, Brtitish Columbia. Home of my next garden.

It's going to be a while before I get started. In a few weeks we head back to Ontario for the summer. But there is no reason why I can't dream right?

Here is the view from the front window. We are right on the sea with all those fresh breezes. I think I am going to need a small green house to help keep the tomatoes warm.

Above is a nice sunny spot where I'll be starting it all. There are many deer around, so one of the first jobs will be to erect some tall fences.

We have spent quite a few days exploring the village  on our bicycles.

I have discovered the community gardens. Lots going on there. Actually lots of gardening on the island. Lots of inspiration!

There will be a few new tricks to learn. The deer for one, and the cool summers and fresh ocean breezes. The bonus's are the really long summer days and the mild winters with almost no snow and hardly any frosts.

Now I am at the planning stage. Armed with tape measures and graph paper.Lots of dreaming going on.

Back in BC

We have arrived in British Columbia.
The sun is shining and spring is under way. In a few days we head up to Malcolm Island and see the property we have just bought. The container of our stuff will be following us. All very exciting.

OK this colourful lizard isn't from BC. He was visiting my garden in Thailand the day we left.

We hooked up with our camper in Victoria. It wintered over with our friends Scott and Andy.
The next day we were out in the boat checking out Scotts shrimp traps. It was a successful haul.

 
I did like the raised beds on the dock filled with veges.

 Veges in a bath tub also.

In a few days we head north to Malcolm Island and all that will offer us.

Looking forward to a new season

Having given up my garden in New Zealand and then spending so little time in Thailand, I am really looking forward to getting back to my Ontario garden.
Here are a few of the things I can expect this summer there.