Top 10 Perennials

I found an article recommending the Top 10 perennials that perform all season. I will share them with you. If you'd like more detailed information on these plants, go to www.homebasics.ca/viewarticle.asp?articleid+3293 1.Black eyed Susan (rudbeckia fulgida) 2.Bugbane (Cimicifigua) 3.Coneflower (Echinacea) 4.Coral Bells (Heuchera) 5.Day Lilies (Hemerocallis) 6.Fernleaf Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) 7.Hardy Geraniums 8.Hosta 9.Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida) 10.Lungwort (Pulmanaria)

Cuba!

This week Dave and Carol are enjoying a beautiful week in Cuba! We haven't heard too much about it as internet connections are slow there and they are too busy having a great time! Dave was hoping to go on a tour of the island to see a bit more of the landscape than just the resort and Carol was just looking forward to some r&r. :) This is the first time they've been off the continent and it is well deserved after a very busy season. I'm sure we'll hear all about it when they return.

Kittens anyone?

We have 2 new kittens here at Huron Ridge that are free to a good home! They are about 3 weeks old so will be ready to go in about 3 weeks. The fluffy grey one is a male and the tabby is a female. They are used to being handled and are quite tame. If you're interested, please give us a call at 519-565-2122.

To do list for the Fall

Here are a few things you can do in your gardens before winter.

*Remove any diseased plant material

*It's not necessart to trim all plants back before winter. Perennials left standing can be pretty when lined with snow and it protects the crowns of live material underneath.

*Annuals can be left to break down over winter and feed the soil.

*Rake leaves off the lawn so it can benefit from the sunlight.

*Rake leaves onto your flowerbeds if you like. They make a great winter mulch and add nutrients to the soil. The exception to this is black walnut leaves. They are poisonous to many other plants causing them to die out or not do as well as they should.

*Plant bulbs, trees and shrubs until the ground is frozen. Fall is the best time for this.

*Make sure new transplants get watered well. They need the moisture to make it through the winter.

If all this is done, relax and enjoy a walk on a trail or with a friend!

It's looking like a "green" Christmas...

Whew, it sure is fresh out there but the sun is shining! In our greenhouses, that can make the difference between having the heat on or off.

You might wonder what we have in our greenhouses right now. We're growing many different colours and varieties of Poinsettias! As you can see in the pictures, they are still green but by the end of October, we will begin to see colour. Many of you might wonder how poinsettias change colour. It has to do with the light levels that happen in the fall. Starting end of September, beginning of October until end of November, poinsettias must be in complete darkness for approx. 15 hours each day. (5 pm- 8am works well) For the remaining 9 hours, the plant should be placed in a sunny location. When watering, mix some water soluble fertilizer into it until

the dark/light period is over. Now you can bring your

poinsettia out into the light for everyone to enjoy. So

unless you are home everyday for 2 months to cover,

uncover and move your poinsettia around, it's a lot easier

to come here and choose from our many different colours. =)

We can even paint them blue!

Mark your calender for our annual

Christmas Openhouse &

Candlelight Event

November 27-29

Friday 12-8, Saturday 10-8, Sunday 1-5

Candles will be lit at 5 pm

Have a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a beautiful day out there! Very little wind and lots of sun! I have much to be thankful for this year. I have a fantastic family, a beautiful & warm home, good health, a job, good neighbours, and a peaceful country to live in. I'm sure I could name more but those are the first things that come to mind. Count your blessings as you give thanks this weekend.☺

We wish you a great and safe Thanksgiving weekend!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

You've probably seen all the pink products in the fliers and the stores lately

and that's due to the fact that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Many companies are donating a portion of their sales to breast cancer research

and we are joining in this opportunity! When you purchase a pkg. of mixed pink- coloured bulbs, we will donate $1!

Starting this Friday, our assorted bulk bulbs will be 25% off! If your weekend is too busy to plant them, don't worry about it, they'll be fine until next weekend.

On a different note, after Thanksgiving we plan to start putting our perennials to bed.

Until then, they are still on sale at Buy one, get one Free.

Tulips,daffs and more

Don't forget that from now until the ground is too hard to dig is the perfect time to plant spring bulbs! These are the bulbs that pop up in the spring with beautiful colour for our hungry eyes! Cheery yellow daffodils, regal tulips, scented hyacinths, mammoth alliums, early crocuses and snowdrops and more. If you have squirrels that like to dig up your bulbs and rip into your flowerbeds, I can recommend a few ideas for you to try.

Bonemeal is a great deterent as well as a fertilizer for your bulbs. Mix with soil under each bulb when planting.

Acti-sol granular Hen Manure is used in much the same way. It comes in a milk-size carton and to apply you just sprinkle on top of soil. I've tried this on my perennial beds to keep the squirrels from digging in them and burying walnuts and it really does work! The squirrels don't like the smell or texture. As the Acti-sol dissolves, it fertilizes your plants and soil. It's natural and safe for children and pets. See their website http://www.acti-sol.ca/

This recipe is courtesy of Canadian Organic Growers. It's a non-toxic concoction you can whirl up in your blender. I've never tried it but I think it should work.

To Repel Squirrels:

a few shots of Tabasco

1 tsp. chili pwd.

1 pint water

dash of dish soap