This may seem like a quiet time of year around here but actually alot is happening! Right now with the nastier wet weather, we are working inside. Perennials are being put to bed but as long as it doesn't freeze, spring bulbs can be tucked into the earth ready to bring glorious colour to our eyes in the brown of spring time!

Danielle and Darren are planting primula (picture above) for February. Primula are bright, cheery plants that are a must have during the whiteness of winter. Clayt is sorting white pine branches that have been delivered to us for our winter planters, wreaths and other Christmas designs.

Tomorrow Dave and Carol are heading up north to pick up a big truckload of Christmas greens and cedar roping! So keep in mind, we will have bunches of scented greens and beautiful roping for your outdoor decorarting ready by Nov. 1.

Today Dave is gone to the annual meeting at Ontario Flower Growers in Mississauga. www.ontarioflowergrowers.ca He's been on the Board of Directors for 3 years now. We take product there 2x a week most of the year.

Carol is busy in the office most days keeping it running smoothly.

This afternoon Sally and I plan to open up Christmas boxes! We're getting ready to decorate around here for our annual Candlelight Event on Nov. 24-26, 5-8 pm. Check our website http://www.huronridge.ca/ for details.

Poinsettias are colouring up beautifully! It's amazing day to day the change that can be seen in these amazing plants!

We're still growing!

Yesterday I took cuttings from a variety of herb plants. At the end of January, when the hype of Christmas is over and we're hungry for fresh greens, they'll be ready to add flavour to soups, stews, or roast chicken. They can sit in a decorative pot on a windowsill, reminding us that spring is coming! I also planted some basil and cilantro seeds because these are my two favourite herbs!

Festive Workshops

Want a Fun Girl’s Night Out while you create a festive outdoor decoration that will wow your friends & family? Laugh, learn and enjoy some refreshments. Sat. Nov. 26, 2pm; Sat. Dec. 3, 2pm; Tues. Dec.6, 7pm; In the Sat. workshops, you will create an outdoor planter. You can make a basic one using fresh evergreens, dogwood, ribbon & cones; or you can add some bling, or you can upgrade to a WOW! Prices start at $35. In the Tues. evening workshop you’ll create a door swag or mantelpiece, made with fresh evergreens, ribbon, berries & more. Cost for this workshop is $30 Spaces will be limited so call 519-565-2122 to reserve your spot with a $20 deposit. Talk to Carol or Lorraine or you may contact us via email carol@huronridge.ca or lorraine@huronridge.ca if you have any questions.

Christmas Workshops

This year we are planning some Christmas workshops! A great opportunity to explore your creativity, learn floral design and make something beautiful! Details coming soon.

Cabbage Anyone?

These are not roses although they resemble an open rose. They are a variety of ornamental cabbage grown for flower bouquets and arrangements. Outside in a fancy urn or wintery vase, these will last a long time, enduring frost and snow. Put some evergreens and red dogwood with them and voila! You have a lovely arrangement beside your front door that you don't have to worry about. We grow them outside so they've seen all kinds of weather!

Inside your home is fine too but due to the warmth, they will last like the average flower bouquet if the water is changed every few days and the bottom of the stems trimmed. They make a beautiful table centre all by themselves or add some greens and sparkly branches for a masterpiece!

Going squirrely?

Do the squirrels drive you nuts, digging in your flowerbeds, ripping up your tulip bulbs?

Here's a non-toxic recipe that should make them run!

In a hand spray bottle mix:

a few shots Tabasco sauce

1 tsp. chili powder

1 pint of water

dash of dish soap

Shake well and apply to bulbs when planting.

The other option is to plant spring bulbs, such as bright daffodils, unique alliums, fragrant hyacinths, and fabulous Fritillaria, that the furry creatures turn their noses up at. The deer are also deterred from these flowers, passing them over for the neighbour's tulips.

Put your gardens to bed for the winter

This weekend seems too beautiful to think about shutting down your gardens and flower beds for the winter, so I wouldn't! Enjoy the weekend with family and friends, enjoying the last of the garden veggies. When it gets a little cooler, which it will, here is a list of jobs to do.

1. Harvest any flowers or herbs you want to dry, use in arrangements or freeze. Chopping up herbs and placing in ice cube trays with water covering them is a great way to preserve them for soups, stews or sauce.

2. Rake leaves and make compost pile by building a coral with chicken wire.

3. Clean up spent perennials. Trim old flower stalks and dead foliage off, tossing in compost pile.

4.Divide perennials that have grown into large clumps. This will invigorate plants and give them a fresh start in the spring.

5. One final weeding of course!

6. Plant spring bulbs such as tulips, allium, daffodils, crocus and one that is making a come-back, fritillaria.

7. Plant any new perennials you'd like to try for next year. The cooler, wet weather gives them a great start. A bit of bonemeal when planting will help roots to develop quicker.

8. If you have tender herbs that could be sitting on your windowsill for a few month, dig them up and repot into a decorative container (with drainage). Example : parsley, rosemary, or thyme.

Have a great Thanksgiving!