This just in: Mistletoe is in short supply this year due to a drought in the southern US.  There are several species of this hemi-parasite, including one that causes the witch's broom effect on jack pine in and around Prince Albert. But the 'kissing' type is the one that's affected.  Some suppliers are bringing it in from Europe, but at a price. For more, here's an article in the NY Times

Photo from Swamibu

Christmas trees

Published in Saskatoon Sun,
Dec. 11, 2011

Last week I dropped by Dutch Growers in Sutherland to get a picture for an article on how to choose and care for a Christmas tree. I went there because I knew they would have a great selection of quality tree not all bundled up. And, inside an unheated greenhouse out of the worst of the weather. I had no intention of buying one, but I was sorely tempted when I walked into their greenhouse and was hit by the amazing evergreen aroma. WOW. The trees were all lined up with lots of room to pull a few out to compare one against another. I know you pay a bit more compared to grocery store lots, but you know what you're getting: no bare spots, no flat sides (unless you want them), no fat bottoms, no
skinny tops. Dutch Growers isn't the only place in town where you can go and select an unbundled tree. Others that come to mind in Saskatoon include Lakeshore Garden Centres, Wilson's Greenhous, Highway Greenhouse, and Mayfair Hardware.

Scots pine at Dutch Growers

For a family-friendly outing, you can also go to a Christmas tree farm to pick your own still in the field. The Saskatchewan Christmas Tree Growers' Association maintains a list of 'Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Growers'. Phone before driving out to make get their hours. For the real adventurer, you can tromp up north to a Provincial forest and hunt down the perfect wild tree. You don't need a permit if you are just cutting a few for personal use. Visit a Saskatchewan Environment office to get a list of recommended cutting areas. The SK Ministry of Environment posted an article 'Oh Christmas Tree' with more details on cutting trees in a provincial forest.

Because of the home renovations this year, we won't be putting up an Xmas tree. The closest thing we have is this Christmas ornament.

My seeds

My first blog. My first post. My first seeds. We'll see what grows.


Despite the fact that I have a degree in horticulture, I was an avid gardener, worked in the horticulture industry, and had over a 100 houseplants.  I just couldn't get enough green.  But slowly, something changed.  Maybe it was too much.  Now my job, while still agriculture related, has little to do with plants, my home garden is minimalist and formal, and at the moment the only houseplant is a seasonal poinsettia. The strongest link I had to gardening up 'til recently was the fact that I coordinate, edit, and occasionally contribute articles to a gardening column in local weekly newspapers in Saskatchewan, Canada.

What re-invigorated my gardening sap is that I signed up for a community communist garden plot this fall. I had been wanting to have a vegetable garden for a while but it needed to be easy. My own backyard is designed more for ornamentals.  Besides, I have to negotiate most garden decisions with my co-conspirator.  My pseudo-sister-in-law has an acreage where she has generously offered me space in her large deer-proof veggie garden (8 foot high fenced-in enclosure).  But even though it's just outside the city limits, I have to make an effort to drive out (see blog title to get an idea of my MO). My new garden spot is close to home and I can drop by as I bike home from work. And I have free rein in what and how to plant within the borders of my plot.  Except it's supposed to be an 'organic' garden.  Well, I'll cross that path when I get there.  More on the communist plot in the future.

Lately, I've been poring through the few seed catalogues that have made their way into the house.  Even though we're expecting a high of 11C (52F) today, it'll be months from now before I can put seed in the ground. [The normal high for November 27 is -5C.]  But a guy can dream, can't he? So far I have some of the Canadian classics: Stokes, McFayden, T&T, and Veseys Seeds. I've also been looking through last year's Richters Herbs catalogue to get inspired.  I was originally thinking just sticking with the basics - carrots, potatoes, corn and the like. But I need to add a few things to shake things up to get the other community gardeners thinking outside their beds.