The most easily effective shading is achieved on rows of block plantings
Scurrying about the vegetable plots arranging shade over young heat-sensitive plantings was not exactly a barrel of laughs when high heat arrived suddenly early this month.
Fortunately, I’d already arranged an old length of row cover on wire fencing to give a lane of shade to the young staking tomatoes planted along the base of the fencing.
Finding and erecting suitable supporting stakes and other structures to keep shade cloth lifted above the carrot, beet and bok choy planting took time. Settling more shade cloth over the two parallel rows of peas was something I’d done before, but this year delivered the realization that the most easily effective shading is achieved on rows of block plantings arranged in an east to west direction rather than in a north to south arrangement.
The fierce heat of 2023 propelled me into the hot-weather practice of suspending and securing shading material over heat-vulnerable plantings — a practice that also introduced me to simple wooden clothes pegs as indispensable gardening aids.
What’s this?Over the past few months, I’ve managed to enlist some great help with heavy-duty projects in this big, rambling garden — old shrubs to dig out, rampant vine growth to cut back, paths to widen, steps to be made safer. My dynamic trio of strong and supremely pleasant young men have been a godsend
I have a list ready when they arrive, and walk them around to explain how I would like each item done. Whether I’m working in the garden or in the office while they are here, I check on them now and then.
Often, one of them has a question. Recently, at a corner of a rather wild plot by a side fence. Ryan asked about a patch of pink bottlebrush type flowers. I found and showed him a pictured and identified entry of the plant in one of my references. He photographed the entry with his phone.
The almost maintenance-free planting is Polygonum bisorta ‘Superbum,’ begun as a single plant over three decades ago. That plant has spread very slowly, creating a carpet of slender, vividly veined and pointed oval leaves hovered over by the bottlebrush flowers in June and July.
Next weekend.I’ll be taking a break from writing the Saturday column around holiday weekends. I’ll be back answering your questions on July 2.
Orchid Auction:The Victoria Orchid Society will hold their annual orchid auction on Monday, June 23, in the Celebrations Room of First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Dr. Entrance is at the end of the parking lot south side. Doors open at 6:40 p.m. for viewing. Auction begins at 7:15. Everyone, members and non-members, are welcome.
HCPcourses. The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering the following Adult Community Education courses. For details, and to register, visithcp.ca. Or register at 250-479-6162.
• Learning about plants. The next session in the Plant Identification and Culture series will be on Saturday, June 28, 1 to 4 p.m. This is an ongoing, monthly course on the last Saturday of the month. Jane Tice will introduce 20 mew plants that suit our climate. Cost to HCP members per session is $40, others $50.
• Wildfire resilient gardening. Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn about choosing fire resilient plants and designing gardens that look beautiful and increase the protection of your home from wildfire loss. Cost to HCP members $45, others $50.
• Abkhazi news. Abkhazi Garden, 1964 Fairfield Rd. in Victoria, has launched the following ongoing events. For details type “Abkhazi garden summer events 2025” into a search engine.
• Summer biking. Through to the end of August, visitors who bike to the Garden can enter a draw for an afternoon Tea for Two at the Abkhazi teahouse. Winner to be announced Sept. 1.
• VCM musical performances. Friday afternoons, 1to 3 p.m. through mid-August. Victoria Conservatory of Music musicians will be playing in the garden.
• Artists in the garden. This summer, local artists are invited to come and paint in the garden from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Government House plant sales.The Nursery at Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave., is holding sales of perennial plants on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., every week through to Sept. 30. The Nursery is located across from the Tea House.
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