November 2023 Newsletter

In Flanders Fields
By JOHN MCCRAE

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The Poppy is a powerful symbol of Remembrance. From the last Friday in October to Remembrance Day, millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to never forget those who served and sacrificed. The red flower also is the symbol of the Legion's Poppy Campaign, raising funds to support Veterans and their families in need. We invite everyone across the country to show their recognition by proudly wearing this symbol of Remembrance.

5 Gardening Trends to Inspire In 2024

5 Gardening Trends to Inspire Your Landscape in 2024

From container to night gardens, expect to see these core gardening trends everywhere next year, according to Martha Stewart.

1. Hortifuturism - Expect to see bold and bright colors in 2024 with gardens that look straight out of a science fiction movie.
2. Delight in the Dark - With interest in gothic gardens growing on social media, this trend leans into Gen Z's fixation with dramatic landscapes.
3. Bugging Out - Expect to see an interest in essential pollinators like bees and butterflies
4. Hanging in There - Container gardening has become more popular than ever with a 200 percent increase in households that engaged in container gardening last year.
5. Nature Calls - An interest in sustainability efforts is expected to yield less curated gardens that are filled with native and carbon capturing plants.

Read the full article here.

Canada's Winter Forecast for 2023-2024

A Winter Whiteout Is on the Way!

The 2024 Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition’s winter weather prediction has been revealed! It is tailor-made for winter lovers across the country: snow and lots of it.

WINTER WHITEOUT: From the Atlantic seaboard to Arctic shores to the Pacific Coast - in almost every nook and cranny that typically sees snow - Canadians should expect oodles of fluffy white throughout the season. This will be coupled with seasonably chilly temperatures at or below normal. Find out more here.

20 Bulbs You Should Be Planting Right Now

20 Bulbs You Should Be Planting Right Now

Planting bulbs in the fall will bring spring and summer blooms. While rabbits and squirrels nibbling on bulbs can be a problem, many flowering bulbs are deer resistant. Whether you choose to plant bulbs in a container, formal garden, or woodland setting, The Spruce has come up with a list of the 20 best bulbs for fall planting. Find the Top 20 list here.

Build A Bug Hotel

Build A Bug Hotel!

"A bug hotel is part garden art and part winter habitat for beneficial insects, the garden army that helps to keep the bad bugs under control. If you are an organic gardener like me, then you will want to be sure that there is a place in your garden for beneficial insects to lodge for the winter. Next spring, when they wake up, lay eggs, and sweep your plants clean of aphids and mites, you will thank me." Here are the directions to make a beneficial bug house from Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy

Growing Lavender

Growing Lavender

Lavender, known for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery foliage, is a popular plant for gardens and landscapes. It’s relatively easy to care for and can be used in various applications, from landscaping to essential oil extraction. Lavender thrives in full sun and clear exposure. Lavender prefers well-drained soil. Alkaline, sandy, or gravelly soils are ideal. Read more on how to grow, care for, and propagate lavender here.

2024 Colour of the Year

2024 Colour of the Year

In collaboration with Communities in Bloom, everyone is invited to plant orange in honour of our Indigenous communities as we celebrate all the ways Plants Love You, by adding the warmth and energy of orange to our green spaces. This gesture is a beautiful way to make a positive and symbolic statement in our communities. Find out more about Communities In Bloom and the Plant Orange campaign here.

Designing With Foliage Over Flowers

Designing With Foliage Over Flowers

Flowers are fleeting, but foliage is forever! Well, maybe not forever, but foliage lasts much longer in the garden than most flowers and provides just as much excitement. In fact, foliage is one of the garden’s most diverse and powerful elements.

From creating colourful echoes to adding texture and shape diversity, foliage is your secret weapon for a stunning garden design. Enjoy this new Garden Design article from Rebecca Sweet to learn how to use foliage to elevate the look of your garden.

Garden Inspiration

Be inspired to travel the world at Hudson Yards in New York City with the newest Fleurs de Villes. Above: Vibrant colours in waves of peach and pink roses, inspired textures, and floral details transport you to India with this incredible creation by Daica of Polycarp Flowers. This won for most creative. Below: Floral Booth (Great Britain) by Cecilia Hill Floral Design. See more of Fleurs de Villes 2023 Voyage Show here.

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Featured Botanical Gardens

Have a gardening question?

Ask an Ottawa Master Gardener: gardeninganswers@mgottawa.ca

Ask a Lanark County Master Gardener: Contact through Website: http://lanarkmg.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html

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