Yes, summer is over, but the fall garden brings many delights, as seen in the photo displays below: native bees hard at work, interesting shapes and colours in garden beds, and amazing fall foliage. Some of the photos promise future growth: new trees planted by the City, and a list compiled by Angela Miles of free seeds on offer for contactless pickup. Kate Hamilton and others also provide information about garden programs available online and free of charge.
BEES GETTING READY FOR WINTER
Thanks to Janice Dembo and Richard Longley for these wonderful closeups of bees hard at work in early October, and to Lydia Wong for bee identifications: tiny sweat bee, common Eastern bumblebee, Virginia carpenter bee, wool carder bee (scraping fuzz off the leaves to make a nest).
FALL COLOURS AND SHAPES
The colours are more subdued, but there's lots to look at in the mix of seeds and flowers. Thanks to Diane Roblin and Angela Miles for these photos.
NEW TREES!
There was much joy last week on Major and Robert Streets when a city contractor brought and planted a truckful of good large trees in front yards. This wouldn't have happened without Sue Dexter, Daniel Suss and other Harbord Village Gardeners getting the City to recognize that our tree canopy desperately needs renewing. At least 65 young trees will soon add to colourful fall streetscapes throughout Harbord Village.
STOCKING UP ON SEEDS FOR 2021 GARDENS
A number of Harbord Village Gardeners want to share seeds, and some of them also have seed-wishes. Write to the given email addresses to ask for a package to pick up "contactlessly," or write to offer the seeds people say they want (noted in purple font). And enjoy the photos, most collected from the internet to show blooms mentioned.
Angela Miles angela.miles@utoronto.ca.
I have seeds for morning glory, perennial sweet pea, bell flower, hollyhock, scilla (two types) [photo of one type] and rose campion. I also have a well established rose of sharon shrub I’d love to find a home for.
Brenda Louie (brendalouie@hotmail.com)
I have seeds for Italian Sweet basil[photo], and Garlic chives (very hardy!! does well in planters). I also have many, many, many Strawberry runners to offer up. It is a mix of June-bearing and everbearing. Time got away from me, so they should be in the ground / soil sooner rather than later. I live a little further north than the strict Harbord Village area (at Bernard & Spadina), but I would be willing to do a porch drop off anywhere in the Harbord village / Annex / Seaton Village area.
Inge Fowlie (Kali3@rogers.com) Thank you so much. I would like some Zinnia seeds. Especially the bushy kind. I have cosmos [photo], black eyed Susan, daisies. I usually leave them for the birds but I could harvest some.
J Allen (jallentoronto@gmail.com)
I have bee balm seeds [photo]. I am interested in Zinnias and morning glory seeds, and interesting grasses.
Margaret Procter (69procter@gmail.com)
I have far more seeds than I need! -- White cosmos, cleome (pink and purple kept separate, though no guarantee their offspring will stay that colour) [photo], nicotiana and dill. All of these are tall annuals with very small seeds. Sprinkle them on bare ground now or in early spring, with very light soil covering. Or start them inside in late April. Outside, they sprout in early June and then take off. -- Milkweed pods (most not quite ripe yet, fun to crack open when they’re dry), and also two bags of milkweed seeds stored in sand over last winter, which will be in ideal condition for planting next spring after two years waiting. -- Nasturtiums (shades of orange, yellow with markings). Plant outside in mid-May for flowering July to end of season. -- Tithonia (Mexican sunflower, tall sturdy plant, bright orange flowers) [photo]. Start inside or plant directly outside. -- Bulgarian flat beans (prolific vine bearing large yellow beans; mild flavour and tender even though they are bumpy with large seeds). Plant outside in early June for all-summer crop. WANTED: White cleome: 1-2 teaspoonfuls of seeds, or 9-10 seedpods.
Paula Gallo (paulagallotoronto@gmail.com) Good morning. Thank you for organizing this! I am going to have swamp mallow seeds [photo] -- about 10 pods and each pod has multiple seeds in it. Happy to share! Paula
Tessa Cornelissen (tessa.sa.c@gmail.com) I will have marigold [photo], tomato (beefsteak), tomatillo and pepper (bell) seeds to share. I am looking for other tomato and pepper varieties. Thanks for organizing this! I love a seed share!
ENTERTAINING OURSELVES MEANWHILE
1. LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) is offering high-quality native shrubs for spring delivery. You can even get on their list for a pawpaw tree. Their webpage gives more information: https://www.yourleaf.org/shrubs-garden-kits-and-pawpaws
2. The ROM has planted a four-season garden of native pollinator plants along the Bloor St. side of their building. Go and see for yourself, or take this online armchair tour given by the botanist who cares for it: https://www.rom.on.ca/en/rom-at-home/experts-objects/rom-gardens
3. Kate Hamilton sends this reflection and a list of ways to amuse yourself online instead of feeling stuck inside. NOTE that the programs listed have specific dates and times--so sign up ahead and mark your calendars:
It's fall. Grackles are rustling in the Virginia creeper for the purple berries; I heard geese a couple of days ago; the Japanese maples are in full glory. In a farm perspective this begins the learning and preparing part of the year, and since we're not meeting in numbers just now I'm scouting the 'net. All listed below are free of charge. Some distinctly worthy people are available here. Hope you find some fun in this.
Nov 10, 2:30-4:30 EDT - online - free. The roles of winter and summer bees. The importance of winter bees and the functional and physiological differences between the worker honey bee that lives a brief life in the Summer, and her sister who survives throughout the Winter to start the colony into action the following year. Celia Davis's books are often used by those studying for UK beekeeping exams. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celia-davis-presents-winter-summer-bees-tickets-122017392305
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Inge Fowlie (
J Allen (
-- Milkweed pods (most not quite ripe yet, fun to crack open when they’re dry), and also two bags of milkweed seeds stored in sand over last winter, which will be in ideal condition for planting next spring after two years waiting.
-- Tithonia (Mexican sunflower, tall sturdy plant, bright orange flowers) [photo]. Start inside or plant directly outside.
Good morning. Thank you for organizing this! I am going to have swamp mallow seeds [photo] -- about 10 pods and each pod has multiple seeds in it. Happy to share! Paula
I will have marigold [photo], tomato (beefsteak), tomatillo and pepper (bell) seeds to share. 