With over a thousand varieties, Begonias are famous for their rose-like appearance and ability to create beautiful hanging baskets, window boxes and all other containers! Not only do Begonia’s make the perfect container plant, but they can also be used for bedding in shadier areas! Let’s see what else there is to learn about Begonias.
About Begonias
Originating in the tropics of Central and South America and parts of Africa. Begonia’s enjoy the moisture and shade that tropical rainforests have to offer. Over centuries we have cultivated Begonias to grow in the warmer and dryer conditions that we have to offer in North America.
It is said that when given a Begonia it can represent uniqueness, caution and/or gratitude. Though each and every colour of Begonias possesses its own unique symbol. Pink Begonias represent romance and love. Blue Begonias represents creativity or passion. Yellow Begonias represents wealth and happiness.
Varieties
With thousands of varieties in different colours and shapes, there are four main types of Begonias; Fibrous, Tuberous, Canes and Rhizomatous.
Fibrous Begonias are known for their waxy appearance with round leaves. Performing well in both partial shade to full sun. Varieties that fall under the Fibrous Begonias category include Cane Begonias and Dragon-wing Begonias.
(Pink Waxed Begonia)
Light
Partial shade to full sun
Temperature
23 C
Soil
Rich, well drained soil
Moisture
Prefers neither too dry nor too wet. Aim for 1 inch of water per week.
Cane Begonias are sometimes called “Angel Wing” Begonias for their uniquely-shaped, spotted wings. Cane Begonias are easy to grow and flower year-round indoors when cared for in the right conditions. Varieties that fall under Cane Begonias include Polka Dot Begonia, Albo Picta and Tamaya.
(Albo Picta)
Light
Bright indirect sunlight
Temperature
18-23C
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil
Moisture
High-humidity
Tuberous Begonias offer big colourful blooms in shady areas that most flowering plants can’t tolerate. They come in a variety of shapes and colours. Popular varieties of Tuberous Begonias include Double Begonia Cemlia Orange, Fibriata White and Pendula Yellow.
(Double Yellow Begonia)
Light
Shade, with afternoon sun
Temperature
23C
Soil
Rich, well-draining soil
Moisture
Maintain medium moisture
Rhizomatous Begonias range from small table size plants to huge 3ft floor plants. Rhizomatous Begonias are known for their unique and robust foliage and not their flowers. Great indoor plants for bathrooms and kitchens, as they prefer low light and high humidity.
(Eyelash Begonia Tiger Paw)
Light
Light shade, low-indirect sun
Temperature
14-22C
Soil
Rich, well-draining soil
Moisture
Medium-low moisture
Planting Begonias
Whether you’re looking to add colour in shady areas or create masterful hanging baskets with long-lasting blooms, Begonia’s are just about in season for planting! Browse through our huge selection of Begonias to find your favourites. Also, check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow with Gord Nickel and Jasmine Bala, below to learn more about planting your very own begonias this year.
Being in the gardening industry we can safely tell you that seeds are the most popular item this time of year. While we wait for warmer weather there is no time like the present to get ahead on growing. Whether you forgot to leave room for vegetables in the garden, or you don’t have a yard, container gardening is increasingly popular every year. Since it’s the best time to germinate, we thought we would share with you the five best vegetables to grow in your containers this year!
1. Tomatoes
Tomato? Tom-ato? Either way, this delicious fruit has snuck its way into the vegetable category for years and it’s no wonder why! Tomatoes are not only juicy, but they’re also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Used in salads, eaten raw, cooked, or canned, the tomato is a household staple. These easy growers are at the top of the container-friendly vegetables for their high yielding ability and low maintenance care. Popular container varieties are Tomato Sunchocola, Tomato Stupice & Organic Tomato Sweetie. Here is everything you need to grow your patio tomatoes.
Harvest your tomatoes when they are fully ripe and red with colour. Be careful not to keep your ripe tomatoes on the vine for temperatures above 23 C as they can soften.
Tip: The bigger the container, the better the harvest! Be sure to use a vine cage to support healthy growth.
2. Peas
Pea seeds can be grown all season long and they’re simple to grow! Enjoy sweet peas, snow peas, and snap peas with little effort and high yields in containers. Peas are great for storing, stirfry, salads, and even right off the vine. They are a healthy source of vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and other antioxidants.
Full sun, 6-8 hours but will tolerate partial shade parts of the day.
SOIL
Well-drained soil, with well-rotted manure or compost.
GERMINATION
7-14 days
DAYS TO HARVEST
60-70 days
SPACE
1-3 inches
ZONE
8
MAINTENANCE
Maintain moist soil, do not overwater when in bloom.
Shelling peas are ready for harvesting when the pods have matured to a cylindrical shape. Flowering peas are ready to harvest 3 weeks after their flowers bloom.
Tip: To help your pea plant grow to its fullest potential use a trellis to allow your pea plant to grow with support. This will also allow for easier harvesting.
3. Squash
Squash is a great source of vitamin A, B6, C, folate, magnesium, fibre, riboflavin, phosphorus and potassium. The two groups of squash are summer squash and winter squash. Summer squash has thin skin whereas winter squash has thicker and darker skin. Popular varieties of winter squash include Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Buttercup Squash, and Pumpkins. Popular summer squash varieties include Zucchini Squash, Scallop Squash, and Crookneck Squash.
Avoid watering leaves, maintain consistent moisture. Water 1-1.5 inches per week.
CONTAINER SIZE
24 inches or more.
When harvesting squash, press your fingernail into the skin. If the skin was easily pierced, it is not yet ready for harvesting. The skin should be non-glossy, firm and rich in colour when it is ready for harvesting.
Tip: Squash plants are drought tolerant. If your plant becomes dry, it will happily receive a good amount of water but not on its leaves as this could cause bacterial wilt.
4. Lettuce
Lettuce seeds are fast-growing, space-efficient, and easy to grow vegetables in containers. With lettuce’s fast growth, planting small amounts frequently will allow you to have consistent harvests throughout the growing season. Packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. Lettuce is great for topping sandwiches, having in salads and as a bread substitute!
When your lettuce leaves are 3-6 inches long, they’re ready to harvest! For regrowth, cut back the entire plant at once down to 1-2 inches in the morning with sharp sheers, giving the plant time to recover before sun exposure.
Tip: To protect your lettuce from burning, make sure to water the plant directly at the root in the morning.
5. Peppers
Peppers are one of the most flavourful vegetables you can grow in a container! From sweet to red-hot-spicy there is a pepper for everyone. Peppers are low in calories, high in vitamin A and C, fibre and folic acid. From the colours of the rainbow to every dish you can imagine, peppers are a huge favourite.
When harvesting bell peppers, they will be ready for picking when they are 3.5-4 inches and firm. Other varieties should be harvested once they achieve their expected colour.
Tip: Keep pepper seeds warm when germinating. Between 26-32 C for best results. This can easily be achieved by using a heat mat.
For more inspiration for growing in containers, check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow, Tips For Planning What Your Garden Will Look Like, below.
We’re counting down the days until spring and we bet you are too! As we plan for our best garden yet, we’re sometimes reminded of something that we missed the mark on last year. We adorned our flowers and harvested many vegetables but something might have been missing. It’s not until Diane from next door offers you some of her homemade jellies and pies, that you might remember just how much you’ve been wanting to harvest fruit for that exact reason! Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get started on finding compatible fruit plants to get you jarring, jamming and jellying in no time.
Currants
Belonging to the Ribes family, currants can be found in a variety of colours and flavours including Currants White, Currants Black and Red Currants. Originating from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK and North America. These small shrubs enjoy warm summers are cool winters. Tasty and versatile, currants are popular in jams, jellies, tarts, pies and fresh!
Planting:
These excellent ground covering shrubs are deer resistant and grow in zone 3. Growing up to 6 ft tall and 3-6 ft wide, currants require well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade.
Harvesting:
In June and July, you can expect a huge harvest of currants grown in clusters called ‘racemes’. Pick your currants when they begin to soften. Chilling or freezing them for an excellent prolonged life!
Tip:
Space your currant plant 4-5 feet apart. After planting water your plant thoroughly, then maintain even moisture throughout the spring and summer for best results.
Grapes
As part of the Vitaceae family, grapes are adored for their versatility. From snacking from fresh to homemade jams, jellies, juices and of course wines! Although native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia grapes can grow all over the world in zones 4-10. Popular varieties of grapes that can be grown in Canada include Grape Himrod Seedless, Grape Vanessa Seedless and Grape Sovereign Coronation.
Planting:
For the healthiest results, place your grape plant in a full sun location with well-draining soil. Growing 4-10 ft tall and 6-10 ft wide, grapes are natural climbers who will use their surroundings for support. To help your grapes grow nicely, it is best to use a trellis for easier harvesting.
Harvesting:
In Canada, you can expect to harvest your grapes from September to October. With up to twenty pounds of grapes produced from a single mature grapevine! Dependent on the variety and location of your plant, grapevines can produce an optimal harvest for 20-40 years, giving you plenty of grapes for years to come!
Tip:
When watering your grapevine, be sure to apply water to the root source only. Watering the foliage could eventually lead to disease. Water 1/2 inch to 1 inch per week initially. Once matured, increase watering to 5 gallons over 3×3 ft.
Blackberries
As a part of the Rosaceae family, blackberries are related to Roses. From all over the world, blackberries have been cultivated for food, medicine and dye in Asia, America and Europe. The three types of blackberries are Erect Thorny Blackberries, Erect Thornless Blackberries (Blackberry Triple Crown) and Trailing Thornless Blackberries (Blackberry Chester).
Planting:
For best results plant your blackberries in full sun with well-draining soil that has a pH level of 5.5 to 7.5. Growing anywhere from 3-10 ft tall and 3-10 ft wide, be sure to set your rows 10-12 feet apart.
Harvesting:
Depending on the season, you can sometimes harvest your blackberries end of June but will likely get the most out of your harvest in July and August. Each blackberry plant will produce 10 to 20lbs of fruit per season! Great for freezing and adding to smoothies or thawing for baking!
Tip:
Use a trellis system to support your blackberry plant. This will not only allow your blackberry plant to grow nicely but it will make a much easier harvest!
Blueberries
The most popular plant of the Ericaceae family! Blueberries are an exceptional perennial berry that has a great number of health benefits including vitamin K, antioxidants, minerals, immune boosters and more! Originating in North America blueberries can now be found growing naturally all over the world.
Planting:
For a healthy harvest plant, your blueberry plant in zone 3 in at least 3/4 sun as blueberry plants do not tolerate shade. It is also important that blueberries grow in acidic soil, so be sure to test your soil levels beforehand and aim for a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Your planting space has to be determined by the variety of blueberries you choose to plant, some varieties can grow up to 12ft tall and others only 4ft tall.
Harvesting:
Blueberries are easy to pick, if you find yourself pulling the berries from the branch they are not yet ready. Blueberries should almost fall off the branch when they’re ready. Each summer you can expect 5-7 pints of fresh blueberries ready for eating or freezing from July to August.
Tip:
Blueberry plants can be susceptible to root rot. To avoid root rot maintain even moisture at 1″ deep, never soggy.
Loganberries
A beautiful dark red berry, crossbred between the North American Blackberry and European Raspberry! Very flavourful and an essential source of Manganese and Vitamin C. Belonging to the Rosaceae family, Loganberries were discovered in California in 1881.
Planting:
In zone 5, Loganberries perform best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Although maintenance is easy, be sure to have well-draining and fertile soil for best harvest results. Growing up to 10ft tall and 5 feet wide, Loganberries require trellising to prevent them from dragging across the ground, causing them to lose berries.
Harvesting:
Loganberries can be harvested later summer, from August onwards. With a single plant producing 15-18lbs of fruit each year, you can expect to be making plenty of juices, jams, pies, tarts, syrups and more in no time!
Tip: Loganberries harvest at different times and should be picked weekly. Harvest berries when they appear dark-bright red.
Goji Berries
A member of the Solanaceae family and superfood family! The Goji Berry is known for its many health benefits including weight loss, better sleep, increased performance and much, more! Originating from China, Tibet and Mongolia the Goji Berry can now be found across the world in zones 5-9.
Planting:
When planted in full sun with slightly alkaline soil (pH range 6.8-8.1) Goji Berry plants can grow from 3-13 ft tall and 1-3m wide. If planting more than one bush, space your plants 5 feet apart for easy access for harvesting.
Harvesting:
Goji Berry plants will produce a harvest after two years, with each plant producing 2-6 lbs of berries per year. Once the berries have turned red allow them to remain on the vine for several weeks before harvesting. If the berry is not yet ripe it will taste slightly bitter.
Tip:
Try dehydrating your Goji Berries in the oven for a quick and tasty treat filled with health benefits!
Raspberries
Raspberries belong to the Rosacea family and are believed to be native to Turkey but can now be spotted growing wild all over the world, including Canada, the USA and Europe. These versatile berries are easy to pick, low in sugar, cold and heat tolerant, self-pollinating, thornless and are a great source of nectar for bees.
Planting:
Although raspberries are willing to tolerate partial shade, they much prefer full sun with at least 6 hours of bright sunshine. The more sun you’re able to provide your raspberries, the more fruit you can expect to harvest! Raspberries prefer well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. If your soil is on the heavy-clay side, it would be best to use a raised garden bed to provide proper drainage.
Before planting your raspberries, be sure to provide your soil with the proper nutrients by mixing a well-aged compost or general potting compost into your soil before planting. This is especially important, as raspberries need plenty of nutrients to bear fruit. The ideal pH for raspberries is 6.0 and 6.5.
Harvesting:
There are two main categories of raspberry plants to consider when planting. The plant you choose will depend on when you are looking to harvest your raspberries and how much.
1. Summer-fruiting – Also known as summer-bearing raspberries, grow fruit on the canes that grew last summer. If you plant your raspberries this year, you can expect raspberries the following summer.
2. Ever-bearing – Also known as fall-bearing raspberries, grow fruit on canes from the summer of the same year. If you plant raspberries this year, you can expect raspberries this autumn.
If you’re someone who wants fresh summer fruit, summer-fruiting raspberries are a great choice for you. If you’re someone who would prefer lots of berries that are worth the wait, ever-bearing raspberries are your best choice. Though, if you ask around it is highly recommended to go with both! Giving you two harvests a year!
Tip:
Avoid planting raspberry plants where tomatoes, peppers and potatoes have grown to reduce the risk of verticillium.
If you’re lucky enough to have a pond, you know the joy it brings to your home and your backyard. From attracting nearby wildlife to lulling you to its relaxing sounds. Ponds create magical landscapes and beautiful homes not only for ourselves but for pond fish too! But what happens to our fish friends when we take to the cozy indoors for the winter? Good question. In this blog, we’re going to discuss the dos and don’ts of winter pond fish care.
Pond Fish
To keep your fish safe during the winter, you will need to start by identifying whether your fish can withstand cold winter temperatures. Here is a list of popular pond fish that can survive in outdoor ponds during the winter months.
Sterlets
Koi
Goldfish
Sticklebacks
Golden Rainbow Trout
Rosy Red Minnows
Feeding
Due to their natural ability to hibernate, you must not feed your fish during the winter months. To survive such cold temperatures their bodies adapt by lowering their metabolisms and using their energy to stay moving, instead of digesting. Feeding your fish during this process is likely to cause damage or death by choking or toxicity.
Winter Pond Care
There are two key elements when it comes to helping your pond fish survive the winter. The first is to ensure your fish don’t freeze and the second is to ensure they’re getting adequate oxygen. To do this, you’re going to want to have a Pond Aerator or Aqua Jet Pump. Both will create a more stable environment for your fish by increasing air circulation which will prevent your pond from freezing and provide your fish with the oxygen they need to survive while preventing unwanted gas build-up.
Frozen Pond Tips
If your pond is already frozen, do not break the ice. Breaking into a frozen pond could be deadly for fish either by striking them or stunning them from the vibrations. For the best tips and tricks to help your pond fish in the winter, check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow with Gord and Jasmine below.
January is coming to an end and you know what that means? Spring is just around the corner! Well, almost. We still have a little ways to go, but until then let’s do what we can to pass the time. In this article, you’ll find a few ways to keep you busy and your garden at its very best, no matter what zone you live in.
JANUARY
Depending on where you live, you might have a whole lot or a whole lot less to do in the winter months. That’s perfectly okay! Even if you are over your head in snowdrifts, nothing is stopping you from planning out your perfect garden from the comfort of your own home. Plus, with the power of online ordering, there’s no time like down time to scoop up all of your favourite seeds and bulbs to make the garden of your dreams a reality this year.
Live Christmas trees should be planted as soon as possible.
For winter colour, plant viburnum “Pink Dawn”, Chinese Witch Hazel, Christmas Rose, Winter Heather, Jasmine, and Sarcacoca.
If the ground isn’t frozen there is still time to plant narcissus, tulips and hyacinth for spring colour.
Mulch your sensitive plants with bark or peat moss and use burlap to prevent softer trees from windburn. Water plants under the eaves to prevent drying out.
Come in and get your seeds and start to plan for spring.
FEBRUARY
As February approaches we’re growing closer and closer to spring. Snowdrops peek their way up through the ground with crocuses to follow and soon after, daffodils! It’s almost our time to shine in the garden and we can’t wait to get started!!! Before we jump into spring, February is the last chance we get to tie up all our loose ends so that we don’t waste any time in the spring. Here are a few items to check off your to-do list this February.
Look for Aubrieta, Arabis, Hardy Primulas to start arriving.
Look for potted spring bulbs to brighten your home.
Time to start pruning – make sure all equipment is clean, sharp and disinfected.
Plant small fruits and fruit trees now, use bone meal fertilizer.
Start broad beans, chives, onions for early crops. Purchase your flower and vegetable seeds early for the best selection and keep them in the fridge until ready to plant.
Cut back deciduous ornamental grasses before new spring growth starts.
Spray roses with Sulphur before bud break to help combat black spots and mildew.
If your winter weather has a cold hold on what you can accomplish, try starting some of your seeds with a heat mat. A heat mat is a great way to activate germination by encouraging root grow by providing your seeds with the warmth they need to growth healthy and strong!
Live Christmas trees should be planted as soon as possible.