June / July - Week 1 / 2

 Bit of a June recap in the garden and the wider world

When I started this blog I put in a territorial acknowledgement page so I can use it as a platform for educating myself on what my treaty responsibilities are as a citizen of Canada/Turtle Island in the 21st Century.

I started well by posting a list of reading materials.  I've done less well in actually reading it.

This week as the numbers of unmarked graves at the former residential schools grow, the top of my to do list is to read through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, listen and learn.  I will also be supporting The Woodland Cultural Centre's save the evidence campaign.

I think the time is past for going on our merry way, happily blind to the original peoples of this land.  It is necessary to acknowledge the past no matter how shameful and uncomfortable it is (just know that we cannot begin to imagine how it feels for the survivors and their families) and strive to find a fair and respectful path into the future.

Blanket Flower

Deep breath.

In the garden I have discovered that I have yet again had a dire absence of flowers, and therefore nectar for the bees, during June.  There's not much I can do about that now as it's nearly July so I'm calling this year an observation year.  I have however, identified a few wildflowers that might plug the gap and next year I'll give growing them from seed a go.  Here is a list so I don't forget, I've put in links to Wildflower Farm where I shall probably buy the seed and you can see a picture:

• Penstemon grandiflorus - Beardtongue. Flowers early summer, pale lilac flowers and lovely red stems and foliage
• Zizia aurea - Golden Alexanders.  Flowers late spring to early summer, golden umbellifers that look like dill.  Is a food plant for the Swallowtail butterfly and is apparently very easy to grow
•  Trandescantia ohiensis - Spiderwort.  Blue flowers in late spring to early summer.  This is blue and spikey and I didn't think much of the pictures but it grows at the Forest Heights Pollinator Patch and looks really lovely.

What's poppin' in the garden

As you can see (above) the blanket flowers that I grew from seed last year are rockin'

Shasta Daisies are out in the back yard but not round the front.  Weird because the the back yard is shadier.

Shasta daisies and Achillea grown from seed

Coreopsis is also out.

Coreopsis lanceolata (centre), Bloody cranesbill, Geranium Rozanne and more Achillea

Tiny red flowers starting on the runner beans.

Hummingbirds should like these flowers when they come out

Rose's poppies self seeded from last year are coming out in the veg patch.

Poppies, borage, sunflowers and beans in the background

Arugula and chard popping up in the lion tub.

A single rose on Lady X

Nasturtiums planted from seed on April 18 beginning to bloom.

'Balmy Rose' monarda just peeking out

Tomato plants are looking completely feeble :(

Jobs for this week

Read Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action  July 1

Donate to The Woodland Cultural Centre June 30

Keep trimming back the theoretical wildflower meadow July 3.  Not looking so desperate as I thought, took out some of the weeds to stop them competing with the little plants and chopped the rest to about 6inches.

Begin sowing kale and radicchio for fall harvest Have decided to sow kale direct where the peas are so I'll do that in the next few weeks.

Find somewhere to sow some parsley July 3.  Have sown it in 2inch square pots for transplanting when its a bit bigger

Make a cabbage white proof cover for some of the kale May as well leave this until August or when it's germinated.