SPRING 2015
Perfect as a novelty gift for the amateur green thumb or as an unconventional new plant for the experienced gardener, Ketchup ‘N Fries is an amazing plant. Created simply by grafting a tomato vine onto a potato root stock, it is not genetically modified. Ketchup 'N Fries is a unique, fun and space saving plant. A workhorse, it produces an aboveground harvest of hundreds of super sweet cherry tomatoes. PLUS! Expect an underground harvest of heavy yields of multi-use, delicious white potatoes. That's right! From one plant you can harvest tomatoes AND potatoes.
Available late Spring. While supplies last.
14
Feel The heat
24
with Chef Michael Smith
Contents 22
12
9
Edibles & Ornamentals
12
Design a Beautiful Succulent Wreath
14
Grilling Vegetables with Chef Michael Smith
18
Hydrangeas Demystified
20
2015 Spring Fashion Trends
22
Easy Care for Gorgeous Dahlias
24
Ornamental Grasses
30
5 Spring Cleansing Tips
This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and The Green Spot Home & Garden. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer. Home & Garden Showplace is a registered trade mark for use by its members, of which the Garden Centre Group Co-Op is an alliance member. Photo credit to Proven WinnersŽ for a selection of photos provided to this magazine. 4 • THE GREEN SPOT HOME & GARDEN - 204-727-5884 - WWW.GREENSPOTBRANDON.COM
FROM THE
Owner
Welcome Spring! If there’s one season that encompasses the good feelings of life, it’s spring – a season that breaks the icy grips of winter and embraces the potential of the rested earth. Spring brings sunshine and rain, and growth. We’ve found ways to love our prairie winters but spring offers so much more – particularly for gardeners! That being said, as I reflect on recent springs past, there is yet to be a “perfect” one. The pattern has been one of cool temperatures and untimely precipitation with cresting rivers constantly on the radar. Never straying far from my farming roots, gardeners and farmers alike need similar conditions for a successful spring season. What is good for farm is good for the garden. By nature, we prairie folk are resilient. We look ahead with anticipation and hope for a good season. But whatever it is, we will make the best of it. As we approach Spring 2015, whether sunshine or high water, The Green Spot will be here to service your home and garden needs. We hope that The Green Spot Home & Garden will be everything you need us to be. We’re planning on it! Regards,
Bernie
Never Alone Rose Exceptional For So Many Reasons
The handsome, disease resistant foliage is glossier and deeper green than most hardy roses with new leaf growth exhibiting a striking purplish-red hue. The dwarf plant structure provides an attractive canvas for the profusion of stunning creamy centered, red-burgundy double blooms.
JOIN US
Through a three-way partnership between the Never Alone Foundation, CFL Alumni Association, and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, every purchase of a Never Alone Rose generates a donation to The Never Alone Foundation – supporting cancer patients and their families.
Saturday May 30, 2015 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Meet CFL Alumni Player James Murphy Enter the raffle for an Autographed Jersey
Located at the Green Spot Home & Garden SPRING 2015 • 5
2015 Spring Events The Paderno Factory Sale
BEGINS APRIL 8 Prince Edward Island is best know for Anne of Green Gables, sunny beaches, and potatoes. But it is also know as Canada’s only cookware manufacturer. Since 1979, Paderno has been providing some of the World’s finest cookware. Come to The Green Spot to see and feel the quality, design, and craftsmanship that goes into every pot and pan. The stainless steel durability is safe for use on all cook-tops, ovens and dishwashers. With deep factory discounts, you can’t go wrong on this Made in Canada product. This sale continues until May 10.
Ladies Night
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 6:00PM - 9:00PM It’s a kick-off to spring 2015! Come out to The Green Spot Home & Garden – see what’s new, be entertained, be tempted, and be happy - in a spring party atmosphere.
Bare Root Sale
BEGINS APRIL 24 Planting bare root trees and shrubs means early spring preparation but the benefits are huge. It’s a good time to plant and the savings are good too – over 50% discount from in-season prices and the selection includes shelterbelt, hedging and small fruits. Plant immediately and WATER!
Spring Hours
MAY 1 - JUNE 30 It’s time to shift gears and SPRING into action! SPRING HOURS OF OPERATION Monday - Friday 9:00am - 8:00pm Saturday - Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm
Spring Tune-Up
SATURDAY, MAY 2 Bring in all your garden tools for a FREE sharpening and cleaning. A clean sharp tool makes garden work so much easier.
Mother’s Day Salebration
MAY 8 - 10 Celebrate Mom! Moms love The Green Spot so give her what she loves – a hanging basket, patio planter or choose from patio furnishings, home décor and fashion. You know it - a gift certificate works every time!
May Long Marathon
MAY 16 - 18 Three continuous days of un-interrupted gardening bliss. Tackling a big garden project? We’re open all weekend to keep you going with weekend specials.
The Big Apple Tree Sale
MAY 22 - 24 Yes, we’re having a Big Fruit Tree Sale and new this year we are including Apricots, Pears, and Plum trees. All popular varieties will be on sale at 30% off. Home-made fruit pies just got sweeter!
Cottage Country Opens
SATURDAY, MAY 30 It’s time to bring the cottage deck to life. The Green Spot Cottage Country in Onanole opens for the season. Shop from our selection of hanging baskets, planters, cottage décor, and summer fashion. Located right next to Foxtail Café, it’s a destination location.
DIY Spring Workshops Never Alone Rose Event
MAY 30 1:00PM – 3:00PM A rose with ties to Morden, Manitoba has been named after the Never Alone Foundation. In partnership with CFL Alumni Association and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, a royalty from every purchase of a Never Alone Rose will go to support cancer patients and their families. The Never Alone rose will be a great way to let loved ones know that they’re Never Alone in the fight against cancer. Join us at The Green Spot Home & Garden on Saturday May 30, 2015 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Meet CFL Alumni Player James Murphy and enter the raffle for an autographed CFL jersey.
Full Moon Sale
JUNE 2 Mother always said not to plant the garden until after the first full moon in spring. See how much the moon’s gravity has pulled down our prices. Like the full moon, it’s only for one day!
Where the Fern Grows
JUNE 6 @ 10AM Join us with Brandon’s local expert on ferns, David R. Greenwood PhD, Professor of Environmental Science, Biology Dept., Brandon University. He will share his passion and knowledge of ferns to help us learn more about the different species and varieties of ferns that work best in your garden.
Recycle Project
JUNE 13 - 14 You’ve been waiting for it – it’s our Recycle Project weekend. Bring in all your recyclable garden plastics - #2, #5, and #6 (and NOT a day sooner!). Support the Alexander 4-H Club and be kind to Planet Earth. We’ll make it worth your effort.
Father’s Day Salebration
JUNE 19 - 21 Celebrate Dad! Whether he likes to relax or work - we’ve got tools, trees, hammocks, and beverage coolers.
Red & White Sale
JUNE 26 - 30 Celebrate Canada! Fly the flag. Plant a tree. Show your pride. Everything red or white at The Green Spot is on sale just in time for Canada Day!
Canada Day
JULY 1 Whew! We made it. We’re taking a day off. The Green Spot in Brandon is closed to Celebrate Canada.
Summer Hours
JULY 2 - OCTOBER 25 It’s time to kick back and enjoy the fruits of our labor! SUMMER HOURS OF OPERATION Monday to Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday Closed
We demonstrate the method and supply the materials. You have the fun! Class enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Classes run approximately 1 - 1½ hours. To register, please call 204-727-5884. A $15.00 deposit will be required to hold your spot.
Herb Pot
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 6:30PM & THURSDAY, MAY 7, 6:30PM Enjoy fresh herbs right at your back door all season long. Cost - $35
Succulent Garden Centre Piece
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 10:00AM The perfect table adornment for outdoor entertaining. Cost - $55
Fairy Gardens Re-visited
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 6:30PM & THURSDAY, MAY 14, 6:30PM The “faeries” spirit lives on in these miniature gardens. Cost - $25 plus extra product of your choosing.
Exotic Planter
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 10:00AM Mix tropical plants with prairie annuals for an exotic presentation. Cost - $75
Hanging Basket
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 6:30PM & THURSDAY, MAY 21, 6:30PM Sunny or shady, add a touch of “welcome” to your front door. Cost - $35
Kids Planter Kontest
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 10:00AM Young gardeners aged 6 to 12, come in and plant a patio planter. Take a picture of your mature planter on July 15 and email it to us. 3 planters of beauty will be awarded a $25, $20, and $15 gift certificate from The Green Spot. Cost - $25
Patio Planter
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 6:30PM & THURSDAY, MAY 28, 6:30PM Enjoy the colour and beauty of your favorite flowers on your deck or patio. Cost - $45
Potted Shrubbery
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 10:00AM Create an elegant entranceway with a large planter of shrubbery and plants. Choose from our large selection of ceramic and lightweight planters perfect for the project. We will offer a 20% discount on any ceramic planter selected for this workshop. Cost - $75 plus planter purchased.
Kids Plant and Sketch (8 yrs +)
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2:00PM Botanical illustrations have been a part of the plant world throughout history. Join us in the perennial house for an hour of drawing plants and then plant a few to take home. All art materials supplied. Cost - $20
6 • THE GREEN SPOT HOME & GARDEN - 204-727-5884 - WWW.GREENSPOTBRANDON.COM
NURSERY NEWS for 2015 W e are excited for another season to begin out in the nursery and are eagerly looking forward to spring.
Urban Agriculture is growing in popularity (the planting of edibles in small areas) as we move toward more healthy, home grown food. We are fortunate to have an abundance of fruits that grow well locally and here are some new varieties for 2015.
Tree Form:
One of our bestselling shrubs, Amber Jubilee Ninebark, is available in Tree Form this year. By using different shapes, like this one, you can add some impact to your garden. A great choice, it is extremely hardy and the foliage colour is continually changing; bright orange new growth to gold to green to purple for autumn.
Edibles:
Double Play Combination Apple is being offered for those who don’t have the room to plant two separate apple trees to accommodate the required crosspollination. The mix is two excellent and prairie hardy apples; Gemini which bears fruit in late August and Prairie Magic for fruit in mid-September. Debbies Gold Apricot is newly available; it offers apricots that are hardy and a bit sweeter than our long-time favourite Westcot. There are some new and different small fruits for this season also. Sugar Mountain Blue Honeyberry is one of the easiest fruits to grow here. It is suited to our soil and is hardy to Zone 1!!! Sugar Mountain Blue was chosen for its delicious extra-large fruit. Pollinator required. For non-edible varieties read on… A landscape must be functional and attractive; but, it’s equally important for the space to feel great. Trees and shrubs, because of their size, affect that the most. They offer shade, create borders, and provide definition. They make a statement.
Trees:
Inferno Sugar Maple is a hardy Sugar Maple with bright and beautiful orange-red fall colour; more red than previous introductions. Gentry White Ash is a zone 2 hardy ash with dark purple early fall colour. Eyestopper Amur Corktree has exotic looking foliage that turns bright yellow for fall and beautiful, unique bark that becomes more textured as it Inferno Sugar Maple matures. Ambassador Ornamental Flowering Crabapple has lovely purple leaves, showy pink blossoms in spring, is resistant to fireblight and has a nice narrow form (26 feet tall x 13 feet wide) to fit into those smaller spaces. Admiration Oak has lots of character with its shiny dark foliage and shaggy bark.
Endless Summer Bloomstruck Hydrangea
Lemony Lace Elder
Weigela Tuxedo
Spirea Double Play® Blue Kazoo
Shrubs:
Endless Summer Bloomstruck Hydrangea needs a protected spot and appropriately covered up for the winter; but with some babying, it rewards with richer flower colour in a deep pink or purple (depending on your soil pH or additions made) on sturdy red stems and 3.5 to 5 inch blooms from mid-summer on. Lemony Lace Elder is a very bright, showy shrub with a delicate, airy texture. The deeply cut chartreuse leaves hold their colour all season for eye-popping colour. Another shrub with bright neon yellow foliage all summer is Neon Burst Dogwood. It is ultra-hardy and it gives us some winter interest with its scarlet red stems. Weigela Tuxedo is very elegant with dark foliage and contrasting bright white trumpet shaped flowers all summer and into the fall. Spirea Double Play® Blue Kazoo™ is unique and pretty with cool blue foliage in an easy care, compact shrub whose look takes on new dimensions throughout the season with burgundy new growth, masses of contrasting bright white cluster flowers (June and July) and a fabulous rich red in autumn. There are many new options in addition to our already extensive list of Trees and Shrubs. We are happy to do special orders for something specific or for large numbers; as long as we are able to access them. We are only a phone call away at 204-727-5884. Donna Chandler - Manager, Nursery SPRING 2015 • 7
New Annuals for 2015 SPECIES
SUB-SPECIES
Flower
Alternanthera Angelonia Bacopa Bacopa Begonia Begonia Begonia Centradenia Coleus Coleus Cuphea Diascia (Upright) Diascia (Upright) Duranta Fuschia, upright Geranium Regal Geranium Regal Geranium Zonal Geranium Zonal Geranium Zonal Hibiscus Lobelia Lobelia Lobelia Nematanthus Osteospermum Passiflora Pentas Pentas Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Petunia Portulaca/Purslane Portulaca/Purslane Portulaca/Purslane Portulaca/Purslane Portulaca/Purslane Thunbergia Torenia
Alonia Snowstorm Snowstorm Solenia Whopper Whopper Cascade Aurora Vermillionaire Sundiascia Sundiascia
Elegance Elegance Calliope Calliope Calliope Hot Springs Hot Springs Hot Springs Shady Lady Voltage Starcluster Starcluster Crazytunia Crazytunia Supertunia Supertunia Supertunia Supertunia Rio Grande Rio Grande Rio Grande Rio Grande Rio Grande Sunny Catalina
Ornamental Grass Carex Carex Millet Pennisetum
Vegetable
Cabbage Eggplant Lettuce Melon Melon Tomato (Small-fruited) Tomatillo
PLANT NAME Jewel Big Blue Blue Bubbles Snow Globe Red Orange Red Green Leaf Rose Bronze Leaf Black Cherry Coleosaurus Bright Pink Peach Gold Edge Tassel Salmon Dark Ballet Pink Hot Blush Hot Pink Lavender Rose Cranberry Sizzle Summer Berryilicious Blue Dark Magenta White Mae White Bahama Blue Lavender Red Black Mamba Mandeville Black Cherry Limoncello Morning Glory Charm Rose Blast Charm Magenta Orange Scarlet White Yellow Arizona Glow Midnight Blue Evergold Testacea Jade Princess Red Bunny Tails Cross Patio Baby Butterking Atlantis Snow Mass F1 Rapunzel F1 Grande Rio Verde
8 • THE GREEN SPOT HOME & GARDEN - 204-727-5884 - WWW.GREENSPOTBRANDON.COM
MIX IT UP Combine Edibles and Ornamentals to Create an Eye Catching Container Arrangement. Written By Paul Zammit
T
here is something very special about enjoying fresh herbs and sun-ripened vegetables picked directly from one’s own garden. Not only is it an emotionally satisfying experience, personally I believe that nothing tastes better than freshly picked, sun-warmed produce! As the popularity of growing your own food continues to gain momentum, it seems the available ground space and size of home gardens is shrinking. As a result, would-be urban food farmers must become creative and look to any available outdoor space as an option. Fortunately, even in the absence of traditional, in-ground garden beds, one can successfully grow a vast and delicious range of edibles in containers by following some simple guidelines.
When selecting which edible plants to grow in your container(s), carefully read all tags and/or seed packages. Choose plants that are dwarf, compact, bush type and suitable for for pot culture. For crops such as bush beans that mature quickly, consider a succession of plantings every two weeks. This will result in a steady supply of fresh harvest. Check your beans, cucumbers and squash daily and harvest regularly to prolong production. Pinch out (prune) the quick growing tips of herbs such as basil to encourage new, more compact growth from the base of the plant.
When choosing appropriate containers, let your imagination run wild. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours and can be made of a wide range of materials. Personally, I am drawn to terra cotta, wood, stone, iron and moss lined baskets. Regardless of the material, the presence of drainage holes in a container is an absolute must! Be mindful of the wind when gardening on raised patios and/ or balconies. It can be a powerful force. To keep planters from toppling over and plants from drying out, carefully consider the size of the container. Select large pots (3 gallon size or larger) that when filled, will have good bottom weight and will provide ample space for a strong root system to develop. Your choice of container mix is equally as important. Choose a potting soil that is recommended for vegetables and herbs. Avoid heavy and dense potting soil and never use straight top soil or triple mix in your containers. The potting mix should be porous and relatively lightweight. For vegetables that tend to be heavy feeders, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant, I will often combine 1/3 well composted manure with the container mix before planting. SPRING 2015 • 9
The majority of vegetables and herbs require six or more hours of sunshine to thrive. If you do not have such conditions, please do not despair. Consider growing selected edibles such as chard, kale, leaf lettuce, beets, parsley, thyme and basil, as these will tolerate a degree of shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. Once planted, consistent watering is key to promoting and maintaining strong, healthy and productive plants. Check your containers daily. In my own garden, I tend to group containers that require similar watering needs together, allowing me to focus and deliver exactly what is needed to those plants in an efficient manner. It is also beneficial to keep a large, full watering can beside each group of planters. They are especially important for those last minute or emergency waterings, especially during hot and dry periods in the growing season and are usually emptied and refilled every few days. Edibles in containers also need to be fed regularly. I prefer to fertilize with a water soluble, organic plant food. Always follow the recommended rate. I also highly recommend growing and adding some edible flowering plants such as nasturtiums, pansies, violas, dianthus and calendula to your container arrangement. Doing so will provide a splash of colour to your planter and your salad too. In order to ensure a regular supply of fresh blossoms, remove any spent or fading flowers before they go to seed. There is evidence to suggest that combining edibles with other flowering plants can actually increase the overall harvest of vegetables. The flowering plants attract pollinators which in turn visit both groups of plants, increasing the fruit set of the vegetables. An important tip to remember when selecting flowering plants to attract and support pollinators, is to choose plants with single blossoms, as these tend to offer more pollen and nectar for pollinators to feed on. As a result, everyone wins. I like to take my growing of edibles in containers one step further by combining vegetables, herbs and ornamentals all together in the same planter. “Mix it up!� is my motto. Many edibles have colourful and fragrant flowers and or foliage that can be used to add great visual impact to a mixed container 10
planting. For example, herbs such as basil, thyme and rosemary, added to a mixed planter add a delightful and often unexpected fragrance to the air when brushed. Golden sage is another favourite to combine in containers. The foliage has many positive attributes. Both fragrant and colourful, once established, sage tends to be somewhat drought tolerant and can also withstand a number of light fall frosts. As an individual specimen, or in combination, golden sage is a must on my spring shopping list to the local nursery. It also combines beautifully with yet another herb I consider a staple in mixed planters, curly leaf parsley. It has so much going for it! In addition to being an essential addition to many recipes, parsley is an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Visually it provides a wonderful textural contrast of rich, dark green, ruffled foliage. This is the perfect foundation, as other colours just pop against it. In a pinch, I have used the fresh leaves when creating small floral arrangements. Established parsley plants are also cold tolerant and will continue to have a presence long after the first frost. If that were not enough, it is important to remember that parsley is an important food source for the larval stage of the swallowtail butterfly. With so many plusses, how could you not want to incorporate parsley, and other assorted edibles and herbs into your mixed planters? Paul Zammit is the Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden. He is an enthusiastic and engaging plantsman and lecturer who travels across Canada, the US and Europe where he is always keen to share his passion for horticulture and gardening.
SPRING 2015 • 11
DESIGN A BEAUTIFUL
Succulent Wreath Written by Martha Vandepol
A
live succulent wreath will make a beautiful welcome to your fence, outdoor wall or door. Lasting all summer long, this low maintenance wreath will continue to grow and change, only enhancing its beauty. You will be surprised at how simple and easy it is to create this stunning masterpiece.
Items you will need: • Wire frame – circle, square or heart • Plastic sheet • Sphagnum, Reindeer, Spanish, sheet or other assorted loose moss • Succulent cuttings and plants • Floral thread or 24-gauge paddle wire • Ferning pins • Scissors and stapler 12
Step 1:
Select your wire frame, line with plastic and staple the plastic securely.
Step 2:
After soaking your sphagnum moss in water, wring it out and place on top of the plastic-lined wire form. Make sure that you mound the moss slightly higher than the wreath frame, as it compresses slightly when you add the succulent plants and cuttings. Using floral thread or wire, wrap the frame and moss to make sure that the moss is secure.
is overhanging from your work bench. You can also secure the succulent in place with ferning pins. (Tip: You can also use bobby pins, paper clips or wire, and bend them into a “U” shape.) Do not worry if you see the thread or wire, as you can cover them up later with smaller plants, cuttings or moss.
Step 5:
Step 3:
Prepare your succulent plants by removing them from the container, and gently shake off all excess soil, so that only the roots are left on the stem. Arrange the larger succulents to create focal points for the best visual impact wreath. The smaller plants and cuttings will be used later to fill in any gaps or spaces.
Step 4:
Gently tie the floral thread around the core stem of the succulent plant. Make a hole in the moss, and carefully push the roots of the plant into the moss. Then tie the plant into place – one thread through the inside of the wreath, the other thread around the outside of the wreath, knotting at the back of the wreath frame. It is easier to do this procedure if the frame
Add the smaller succulents and cuttings to fill in the spaces. You can do this by either tying or pinning them into place. Periodically, lift the wreath and gently turn over to ensure that none of the plants will fall out.
Step 6:
Finish your design by tucking in additional moss to cover any string or wire that may be showing. The addition of looped curly willow, artificial berry or raffia is a personal aspect that can also be incorporated to reflect your own unique design.
Step 7:
Water periodically to keep the moss moist. It may take a few weeks to root, so be careful when handling your wreath. Now that your creation is complete, you can hang it on an exterior house or garden wall, or use as an umbrella ring on your patio table or around a lantern. Your beautiful succulent wreath will be a creation to be enjoyed the whole summer long.
Caring for your Succulent Wreath
How to prepare a Succulent Cutting 1. Cut with a sharp knife or scissor below a stem joint or where a leaf joins the stem. 2. Remove any excess leaves from the stem. 3. Cut a day or two prior to use to allow the cut end to dry, which will allow the stem to seal, reducing the risk of fungus.
• When the sphagnum moss is dry, soak the entire wreath in warm water for a few minutes. Allow excess water to drain. Watch your succulent plants closely, - if the leaves start to shrivel they will need more water. • Place your wreath in an area where you get ample light, but not direct, hot sunlight. Most succulents need at least six hours of indirect sunlight per day. Bring inside if the temperature drops below 13 degrees at night as succulents do not like the cold. • Your wreath shouldn’t require too much trimming throughout one season. However, you can trim a bit to keep it more compact.
SPRING 2015 • 13
Q: Charcoal versus gas, it’s been a hotly debated topic for years in the meat world, but what about when it comes to grilling vegetables? Is there a better option? Chef Michael Smith: For vegetables, it doesn’t really matter. What really matters – what the big secret is, is the heat. Lots and lots of heat. Now, if you have a wood-burning grill, that’s really your best option. I’d recommend hardwoods – fruitwoods if you can get them. This will provide you with nice, smooth, aged, woody flavours. Fruitwoods are particularly aromatic – cherry trees, peach trees, apple trees – these are all great options and provide great flavours when used on slightly harder vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes. Q: What about indoor grilling options? Do you have any good apartment-friendly recommendation for grill-craving condo dwellers? Chef Michael Smith: Well, I have lots of friends in Toronto who have snuck barbecues into their buildings and out onto their balconies... but if you can’t manage to do that, then I’d recommend investing in a really good fan. Indoor grilling is all about smoking hot heat. Inside or out, that’s what grilling is all about: intense heat. To get that heat indoors, you’re going to be turning either your gas or electric up really high and that’s going to result in smoke. As long as you can handle that with a really good fan or vent, you’re in business.
FEEL THE
HEAT: Grilling Vegetables with Chef Michael Smith By Chantielle McFarlane
Fire up the grill – barbecuing season is upon us! From burgers to steaks, chicken to kabobs, there’s nothing like a backyard cookout to kick off the summer. And while carnivores have long laid claim to grills across the nation, vegetables of all shapes and sizes are also starting to feel the heat. To further investigate this flavourful new trend, I consulted with one of Canada’s bestknown foodies, Prince Edward Island’s culinary ambassador Chef Michael Smith, to help prep for a season of garden grilling.
Q: Is it safe to say that any vegetable can be prepared on the grill? Chef Michael Smith: Not any vegetable. It comes down to the strength of the vegetable and how hard it is. Root vegetables are just too hard; greens are on the other end of the spectrum and they’re just too soft. But in the middle, in the sweet spot, there are lots and lots of vegetables that are medium-tender – squashes, zucchinis, eggplants, and asparagus, for example – that are perfect for grilling. 14
Q: When it comes to prepping veggies for the grill – indoor, outdoor, gas, charcoal or wood – what’s the best way to marinade? Chef Michael Smith: One quick tip there: basically any vinaigrette salad dressing is a marinade. That being said, typically vegetables don’t have the cellular structure that benefits from a long-term marinade. So don’t worry about letting them soak in the dressing too long. Of course, there are also dry rub marinades. A light touch is necessary here, as dry rubs tend to be a bit more flavourful, full of chili powders and spices that can quickly overrun your vegetables. So really, if you’re looking for the best marinade, a little salt and pepper is fine. A bit of moisture from some grape seed oil (this is the cooking oil that’s most resistant to burning) and some salt and pepper – that’s how I do 90% of my grilling. Q: Are there any herbs that we should keep in mind? Chef Michael Smith: You’re in a tenuous zone if you’re using herbs (dry or fresh) on a grill because they burn. Very, very strong herbs can work on the grill – such as rosemary, sage and a bit of thyme – because they hold their flavour and can handle the hot heat. But if you start moving down the scale towards lighter herbs – basil and oregano, for example – you’ll find you’re not getting any flavour because you’re charring the vegetative matter. So if you’re thinking about ways to work herbs into your meal, perhaps a better way to introduce them is to add them to foods after they’ve been grilled. I much prefer to add my herbs as part of the dressing or sauce, whatever it is
that I’m serving with the food, if I’m looking to really make the most of those flavours.
Q: Now what about dessert? Can you recommend any good fruits for grilling? Chef Michael Smith: One of the things that I really like to grill is pineapple. It’s firm, it takes grill marks well and it really holds the smokiness. I tend not to make dessert out of it though; instead, I’ll turn it into a salad. A grilled pineapple, red onion and fresh basil leaf salad is one of my all-time favorite summer salads. For dessert though, things like grilled peaches or apricots – softer fruits, again it’s about the texture. A grilled apple? Ehhhh, it’s nothing special. But a peach is just the right texture. Bananas work very well too. Simply cut the banana in half and tuck chocolate inside for a warm, gooey, chocolatey mess inside the banana skin – don’t take the banana out of the skin, you’ll want that protective layer on the grill.
Q: Your latest cookbook, Family Meals, is all about making cooking fun for the whole family. Do you have any parting advice for fun family grilling experiences? Chef Michael Smith: Just go for it. Of course you’re going to want to make sure your children are safe; when Camille was just learning how to walk and wandering around on the deck, I actually fenced off my barbequing area. I used lobster traps and child gates to keep her away. You’ve got to be careful around a hot grill. But I don’t think that means you have to keep them away from your grill. You have to teach them about it and invite them into the grilling process. When they’re six or seven, help them flip burgers on the grill, and teach them why you never press that patty with a spatula. Sure, it sizzles and you get lots of smoke, but you’ve also pressed hard-earned juice and flavour out of your dinner. It’s lessons like that which can only be learned if your kids are standing there helping you.
GRILLED PINEAPPLE ONION SALAD This is my all-time favourite summer salad. It’s amazing how much savoury flavour your grill can add to a simple pineapple and some red onion. Next time you fire up the works try this salad and you’ll have a new favourite for your repertoire too! YIELD: SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 1 whole pineapple, skinned (uncored), cut into thick rings 2 red onions, sliced into a few very thick rings A few generous splashes olive oil A sprinkle or two sea salt and freshly ground pepper 1 lemon, zest and juice Few handfuls fresh whole basil leaves
PROCEDURE Preheat your barbecue or grill. Evenly brush or drizzle the pineapple and onion rings with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Try to keep the onion rings intact as you do. Grill the pineapple until golden grill marks appear and the fruit softens, about 5 minutes per side. Meanwhile, grill the onion until soft and lightly charred. Quarter the grilled pineapple slices into wedges and roughly chop the onion rings. Toss everything with the lemon zest and juice and as many whole basil leaves as you can get your hands on. Variation This salad is very good tossed with a grilled chicken breast or two. Try tossing in some shredded coconut or sliced green onions as well.
ABOUT CHEF MICHAEL SMITH
Food Network Host, Nutritional Activist, Food Media Producer Chef Michael Smith, one of Canada’s best-known chefs is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking and an inspiration for families creating their own healthy food lifestyle. He’s the host of Chef Michael’s Kitchen, Chef Abroad and Chef at Home seen on Food Network Canada, Global and in more than 100 other countries. He’s a judge on Chopped Canada and traveled the world for his innovative new web series Lentil Hunter. Michael is Prince Edward Island’s food ambassador and Canada’s best selling cookbook author, teacher, professional chef and home cook. He led the team of Sodexo chefs that cooked for the world’s Olympians in the Whistler Athletes Village in 2010. His eighth cookbook, Family Meals, hit the bestseller list last summer. His food media production company is breaking new ground online and his Twitter feed is Canada’s top choice for foodie fun. Although Michael is a true chef at large his favourite role is Dad, home on Prince Edward Island with his wife Chastity and his children: Gabe, Ariella and Camille! Michael is an avid map collector, long-time windsurfer and novice kite sailor. SPRING 2015 • 15
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SPRING 2015 • 17
Hydrangeas
Demystified Written by Shannon Downey Lets Dance® Rhythmic Blue
W
rap yourself in nostalgia and warm sunshine, and imagine the quintessential summer garden. Chances are the frilly, colourful blooms of hydrangeas freckle the landscape: pink, blue, or white; tall or short. There’s no denying that hydrangeas have earned their place as a summer classic. As beloved as they are, however, hydrangeas can be equally confusing. They are the most searched for plant on the Internet, with questions ranging from simple how-to’s to panicstricken, “Where are all the blooms?” It doesn’t have to be so complicated. By arming yourself with a bit of knowledge and know-how, you can confidently walk into the garden center, select the right hydrangea for your garden, and enjoy the beautiful summer blooms for years to come.
KNOW WHAT TO GROW
When gardeners think “hydrangeas,” they are often imagining the classic pink or blue mopheads of bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). These hydrangeas thrive in mild, coastal areas and are notorious for struggling in climates with harsh winter and spring seasons. Closely related are mountain hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata). Mountain hydrangeas have similar pink or blue flowers, but are native to the mountainous regions of Asia and Japan, giving the plant better bud and stem hardiness than bigleaf hydrangeas. Both bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas develop flower buds during the previous season. This “old wood” must survive fall, winter, and spring in order to produce blooms during summer showtime. Ill-timed pruning, cold weather, and late season frosts are often the reasons why gardeners do not see flowers. New reblooming varieties like the Let’s Dance® bigleaf hydrangeas and Tuff Stuff™ mountain hydrangeas also develop
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buds on fresh, new wood, making them more reliable choices for those wanting the classic hydrangea look. North America’s native smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is an adaptable and fast growing choice no matter where you live. They can withstand temperatures as low as –40°C (USDA Zone 3) and set flowers on new wood, blooming consistently every year, even in cold climates. Traditionally, the flowers are white, like the popular ‘Annabelle’ and Incrediball® hydrangea varieties. Invincibelle® Spirit hydrangea is the first pink, broadening the colour spectrum. As the name suggests, hardy hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are another tough, easy-to-grow plant that thrives throughout North America. They, too, flower on new wood and can withstand -40°C temperatures, but also full sun, heat, and drought better than bigleaf hydrangeas. Hardy hydrangeas are known for their elongated panicle blooms, which open white or green in the case of ‘Limelight’ hydrangea. In the fall, the flowers transform to palettes of rich pink and red, extending the period of garden interest. Native oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) also undergo fall transformation. Beautiful white summer flowers age gracefully while the oak-shaped foliage ignites to wine red. Like bigleaf and mountain hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas are not as tolerant of cold weather (USDA Zone 5’s -29°C) and flower on old wood. They will do best in a protected setting.
PUT DOWN THE PRUNERS
Cross pruning off your list of garden chores. Hydrangeas don’t need it, and an ill-timed snip of bigleaf, oakleaf, or mountain hydrangeas could cost you next year’s blooms. Site these hydrangeas appropriately so an annual trim isn’t needed to maintain a manageable size. There are several options of
compact plants to choose from, so you can enjoy hydrangeas in small spaces, without lifting a finger. Even hardy hydrangea favorites like ‘Limelight’ and Quick Fire® hydrangeas come in petit versions: Little Lime® and Little Quick Fire® respectively. Smaller, no-prune hydrangeas are also great choices for container gardens.
KEYS TO SUCCESS No matter which species of hydrangea you choose, they all have similar needs. • Moist, but well-drained soil.
Little Lime®
• Plenty of water, especially when first planted. Hydrangeas have shallow root systems, so they will dry out quickly. Applying a thick layer of mulch will help. • At least four hours of sun each day. While many think of hydrangeas as shade plants, they will look and flower their best with some sun each day, ideally in the morning. While they are often shrouded with a veil of mystery, hydrangeas are actually a low-maintenance option. With a little care, choosing the right kind of hydrangea is an easy first step toward building your dream summer garden.
Invincibelle® Spirit
Let’s Dance® Diva!
Tuff Stuff™
Incrediball®
Little Quick Fire®
Gatsby Galtm SPRING 2015 • 19
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SPRING 2015 • 21
EASY CARE for
Gorgeous Dahlias
• Plant dahlia tubers in spring after all danger of frost has passed, or start in containers indoors. Dahlias aren’t too picky. They enjoy average soils and full sun locations. • Plant tubers 4 inches deep in a shallow hole. Set a stake at the back of the tuber clump at planting time. Sprinkle in a little bone meal and cover with soil. Water in well, but don’t overwater. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet. • The hardest part is waiting for fresh green shoots to appear, and when they do, protect the young plants from slugs. A clear plastic bottle cut in half, can help provide an overnight shelter. • Pinch out the growing tip when the plant is 4 inches tall. This allows the plant to put out side branches. • When the main stem needs support, use soft fabric, like an old pair of nylons, for stake ties.
AFTER SEASON CARE: • Dahlias bloom continuously until the first hard frost turns the leaves black. At that time, cut down the plant stalks to 6 inches above the soil. • Gently dig up the tubers and remove excess soil from the clumps. Dry out the clumps completely for 3-5 days in a room with consistent temperatures of 5-10°C. 22
• Buds appear in threes. Keep the main bud and remove the tiny side buds. This allows bigger flowers to form. • Water regularly, 1-2 times each week, and especially on hot summer days. Dahlias need only a light application of fertilizer (5-10-10). Never spray fertilizer directly on the foliage. • Dahlias bloom and bloom. Cut flowers for bouquets and you’ll get even more blooms! • Cut dahlias in the morning. Choose blooms that are fully open. Place fresh cut stems in a bucket of slightly warm water. • Dahlias make for gorgeous cut flower bouquets. And if by chance, you have too many flowers, a bouquet makes a wonderful gift for a friend or neighbour!
• Store clumps in a dry place that never freezes. Place dry clumps in burlap, layers of paper, ventilated crates or cardboard boxes. A layer of vermiculite can add protection in cold winter climates. • When spring returns and all danger of frost has passed, plant out the tuber clumps for another summer overflowing with beautiful blooms and cut flower bouquets.
SPRING 2015 • 23
Ornamental Grasses Written by Brian Minter
O
rnamental grasses offer so much potential and can make a significant difference in our summer gardens and patio containers if we use them in more creative ways. It’s important to discover the newer varieties and to rethink our use of the best old favourites.
Purple Fountain Grass
Without a doubt, purple fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ (zone 9), is the world’s ‘leading lady’ of grasses. Looking like soft bunny tails, its beige seed heads bobble in summer breezes and contrast nicely with its rich burgundy foliage. A head-turner, ‘Rubrum’ accents almost any colour combination, especially hot pinks, limes and whites. Growing about 30” (76cm) in height, it is great for large containers. Proven Winners’ ‘Red Riding Hood’ is a little more compact at 18” (45cm) and better suited to smaller gardens and containers. Both are ‘must haves’ in any summer garden. Perhaps one of the most colourful fountain grasses is Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’. Its pleasant cream and green variegated foliage is infused with a vibrant pink that just makes it stand out. As the plant matures, the pink intensifies and its pinkish plumes colour match the foliage for a truly glorious effect. It grows about 24-30” (60-76cm), performs best in hot weather and is a welcome addition to any summer container.
Pennisetum ‘Sky Rocket’
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’
Pennisetum ‘Red Riding Hood’
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If you need big, then burgundy Pennisetum purpureum ‘Vertigo’ (zone 9) is your grass. Growing to 6’ (1.8m), this tall, fast-growing, versatile grass is quite at home by itself or in combination with big-leafed summer beauties, like colocasias and alocasias, for a ‘shock and awe’ display. Talk about a photo opportunity! Rounding out the bronze and pink grasses is a striking cream and green variegated pennisetum called P. ‘Sky Rocket’. Once it gets growing, it has great vigour, and when used as a centrepiece for darker foliaged sweet potato vines and deeply coloured heucheras, it adds a very sophisticated look. It’s hard to imagine a summer garden without these easy to grow, drought tolerant and colourful pennisetums that blend with so many plants. I love their movement in breezy locations, and they just add so much interest to any garden or container.
Perhaps the greatest addition in recent years to our selection of grasses is the richest blue fescue you can imagine, called appropriately ‘Beyond Blue’. Its intense blue colouration lasts throughout the year and puts all other blue fescues to shame. It’s hardy to zone 4, making it ideal for winter displays as well, and it’s fairly compact, growing about 12” x 12” (30 x 30cm). For me, it’s created a whole new appreciation of fescue grasses, not only because of its stunning colour but also because of its heat and drought tolerance and its adaptability to almost any garden or container situation. Due to their year-round versatility, the evergreen varieties of Carex oshimensis are superstars. The old workhorse, Carex ‘Evergold’ (zone 5), growing 12” x 12”, has been my absolute favourite for use in shade or part sun. In any container, its gentle spill-over effect adds a classy touch. In the landscape, its flowing nature and variegated cream and green foliage softens and complements the look of other plants. Carex ‘Ice Dance’ is mostly green with a tiny white stripe, and it adds a more sophisticated touch. If it’s attention you need, then your new best friend is C. Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ (zone 5). It has the hottest lime colour that accents just about everything it’s near. It’s happiest in a part sun or shade location, but we’ve tried it in full sun, and once acclimatized, it rocks! Growing about 18” x 18” (45 x 45cm), it has great vigour, and when used with anything burgundy or bronze, its magic comes alive.
Festuca ‘Beyond Blue’
Although it has been around for a while now, the award-winning architectural grass, Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ (zone 4), is the ideal columnar grass to provide vertical lift in narrow beds and planters. It’s a ‘must have’, especially if your garden needs a little discipline. To me these are the most interesting and colourful grass additions to our spring and summer gardens. They love summer heat and tolerate drought, and they beautifully accent all the other foliage and flowers that we use to bring our patios and gardens alive. The beauty of the Carex oshimensis varieties is that they keep that colour going well into fall and winter!
Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’
Acorus ‘Ogon’
Carex ‘Evergold’
Carex Oshimensis ‘Everillo’
Carex ‘Ice Dance’
SPRING 2015 • 25
T
PERENNIALS WITH
Personality
he new additions for 2015 are not only exceptionally decorative; these plants are also sturdy, vigorous and low maintenance. There are some bold, “blazing” new options for our landscapes, infusing some red/maroon/scarlet into the palette. These perennials do not just have a short period when they are attractive; these beauties keep transforming throughout the season.
Ornamental Grasses will add some all season interest to your landscape.
This series is a collection of shorter plants with masses of bold colour. Also look for Bloom Extensions™, pots of mixtures of different lilies with varying bloom times to extend the flowering period. Fire Alarm Coral Bells is the reddest of all Coral Bells; especially vivid when temperatures are cooler, typically in spring and fall. The showy, leathery leaves darken to a deep bronzered during the summer and for June and July add some pretty creamy, pale pink flowers.
Big Bluestem ‘Red October’
Big Bluestem Red October - Add some movement to your garden with this ornamental grass that is gracefully elegant and wild at the same time with an upright and arching clump form. Deep green blades darken to purple for late summer and then after a few frosts change to a fiery and spectacular scarlet for some stunning autumn colour. Big Bluestem Rain Dance is another colourful new grass with red tipped foliage turning a deep and delicious maroon for fall. Little Bluestem Standing Ovation - A sturdy and upright easy to grow grass that keeps changing Little Bluestem ‘Standing Ovation’ throughout the season; green in the spring, then to blue then purple and for its finale a flaming red for some knockout fall colour.
Lily Looks™ ‘Tiny Parrot’
The very popular Lily Looks™ Tiny series lilies have some diverse new colour combinations; Tiny Diamond with its rosy-red flowers and bright white centres, dark red Tiny Dragon, Tiny Invader is bright orange with purple freckles, and Tiny Parrot is gorgeous with its bright yellow flowers and greatly speckled maroon centres.
There are two new Foamy Bells (a cross between Coral Bells and Foam Flower) in the Trailing Falls Series; mounding and trailing varieties that have vibrant new colours and can be used as a groundcover and look absolutely fabulous spilling out of containers. Redstone Falls foliage is a cinnamon-copper-red and Yellowstone Falls is contrasting chartreuse with deep, dark crimson veins. Two new notable Sedums from the SunSparkler™ Series are; Firecracker and Jade Tuffet (for the name alone!) Firecracker forms a carpet of glossy cherry-red foliage with brilliant pink, Sedum ‘Firecracker’ 5-inch flower clusters from mid to late summer and makes an excellent groundcover. It is notably denser with stronger branching than previous red foliage sedums. Jade Tuffet has incredible flower power on strong plants; bright pink blooms cover the shiny green foliage from mid to late summer. Daylilies have some of the richest colours. Big Time Happy Daylily is one of the strongest re-bloomers and is truly ever blooming. Lovely lemony 4-inch flowers with a green throat and ruffled edges. Congo Coral Daylily blooms early Big Time Happy Daylily
26 • THE GREEN SPOT HOME & GARDEN - 204-727-5884 - WWW.GREENSPOTBRANDON.COM
to mid-summer and then again in the fall. Mildly fragrant coral flowers with a red eye and yellow throat.
Hosta ‘Victory’
The Hosta of the Year for 2015 is Victory. It was chosen for its upright vase shape and glossy green leaves with a wide yellow margin.
The 2015 Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year is Cranesbill Biokovo. It blooms for 4 weeks, from late spring through mid-summer, lovely dainty white Cranesbill Biokovo flowers with pink centres. The foliage is aromatic, adds some texture to your garden and turns red in the fall. This gives you an idea of some of the new varieties you will find in the perennial house for 2015. For more information please call 204-727-5884. Donna Chandler - Manager, Perennials
SPRING 2015 • 27
Tools for Spring Planning ONLINE OR IN PRINT
The Green Spot Online Plant Search Use The Green Spot website to find the perfect plants for your landscape and garden projects by searching through the hundreds of trees, shrubs, roses, vines, groundcovers, perennials, and annuals we carry each year. Visit www.greenspotbrandon. com Click on “The Green Spot Online Plant Search” icon as shown here, enter key words or specific characteristics of what you’re looking for then click on the search button. You will be presented with a list of plants with pictures and descriptions that fit your parameters. Create your own plant list online, print it out and bring it into The Green Spot and we’ll fill your order!
The Ultimate Guide to Cold Climate Gardening This detailed gardening book showcases what grows right here where we live in SouthWestern Manitoba. With 354 pages of information and more than 3000 brilliant pictures, it will generate bouquets of ideas for your landscape – what to plant, where to plant, performance and care, fertilization, pruning, and winterization. From full sun to full shade, trees large and small, shrubs, annuals, perennials, bulbs, roses, grasses, vines and so much more, this encyclopedia of locally available, locally adaptable plants is available only at The Green Spot Home & Garden at $24.99
28 • THE GREEN SPOT HOME & GARDEN - 204-727-5884 - WWW.GREENSPOTBRANDON.COM
One Spot – Many Shops
We don’t sell bread and milk but you’ll be surprised at what we do sell PlantWorld – Our raison d’ être! Step into our sensational expanse of Greenhouses chock-full of plants adapted to this region - annual flowers and vegetables in singles and packs, perennials, and ornamental and fruit bearing shrubs and trees. All plants are ready for transplanting into your garden. For those busy people who need ready to go, we have a vast selection of hanging baskets and planters, and potted herbs and vegetables. Whether you garden on a balcony or an acreage, we’ll help you get green.
The Pantry – Unlike yours, our Pantry is more seasonal in nature but you’ll find our signature lines like Mordens Chocolates, Zwilling J. A Henckels knives, Staub cookware, and Trudeau Stress Less kitchen gadgets year round. Spring and fall take advantage of the amazing Paderno Factory Sale and during the holiday season we offer Crave Mulling Spices, sauces, and other delectables great for nibbling and entertaining during the festivities. You can sneak into our Pantry anytime.
The Garden Shed – From watering devises to garden gloves our lineup is not big but it’s good - top quality brands and tools designed for working comfort. Whether you garden in the standing, kneeling or sitting position, we have the tools that will work for you. Garden seed, lawn seed, bulbs, soil and amendments, bagged bark and mulch, recycling equipment, landscaping materials, artificial turf, fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides complete the line. We have lots and lots of ceramic and resin planters and pots from the simple to the sublime. Where else but in The Green Spot’s Garden Shed.
Department 49 – Our fastest growing department is
Elements Home Décor – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water – The
Green Spot has something to define all the elements of your living spaces indoors and out. Everything from BIMA solid mahogany and teak wood occasional pieces to tropical plants. Choose from pieces of artwork, clocks and mirrors, ornaments and knick-knacks, house plants, candles and lanterns, solar lighting, tuned wind chimes, and of course the latest craze – fairy gardening. Our tropical and flowering houseplants bring fresh seasonal color and green life into your home year round. Need a living basket for a special occasion – just ask and we’ll create it just for you.
The Patio – There are a lot of options out there but we are the place for the Generation Line of Adirondack chairs designed to last for “generations.” Our outdoor furnishings are unique and one of a kind hammocks, bistros, chat sets, and garden benches. Add charm to the patio with statuary and fire and water features found only at The Green Spot. Cottage Country – Located at Onanole, the gateway to
Riding Mountain National Park, TThe Green Spot Cottage Country is open June through September offering selections from our PlantWorld, Department 49 and many other departments to the cottage country. We are located right next door to Foxtail Woodfire Cafe.
Lemon Tree – This is where all the stuff that didn’t sell out in the other departments the first time round ends up, kind of like a gift heaven – but quickly becomes a haven for the avid bargain shopper at ridiculously low prices. You will not leave empty handed.
women’s fashion! Cativa, Orly, French Dressing, Neon Buddha, Papillion, Noelle, C’est Moi, Hatley, and Chillax outerwear - all designers you won’t find anywhere else in town. Plus we add new lines seasonally. Accessorize with Bē jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves, socks and leggings, and fashion shoes by Crocs. The Green Spot’s Department 49 Looking Good On You.
For the Birds – Birdbaths, birdhouses, birdfeeders, birdseed, birdfeed, and everything else a bird can ask for – it’s all for the birds at The Green Spot. Backyard Ponding – Are you building your own backyard
pond? We have liners and hard sided ponds, plus all the pumps, filters, hoses, fittings, lights and water features you will need. Once you’re up and running, we have an excellent selection of water plants, water treatments supplies, and fish food. It’s a labor of love. We’ll ease your labour so you can do more lovin’.
Whetter Landscapes – From design through to installation, Whetter Landscapes offers creative options for your outdoor living spaces both hardscapes and softscapes. So you can enjoy more of your summer and winter months, we’ll do the yard maintenance and snow removal. Call 204-728-7540 for quotes. Christmas Spectacular – Every Holiday season November through December, The Green Spot undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a Spectacular Christmas Shoppe with thousands of poinsettias and fresh cut Christmas trees. You’ll find yuletide trimmings, lighting, permanent trees in all shapes, sizes and colors, and merchandise perfect for giving and receiving. This is Christmas shopping at its best! Man Cave – Tailored mainly to the man and his world, The Man Cave opens seasonally at Christmas time and specializes in men’s clothing, games, paraphernalia and entertainment gadgets suitable for the CAVE and those who are allowed to enter. Open 12 Months a Year • Where Pleasure Meets Gardening • SPRING 2015 • 29
5
Spring Cleansing Tips TO HAVE YOU FEELING YOUR
A
BEST
by Mandy King, CNP, BCom
fter an indulgent winter, spring is the time of year our bodies can crave a bit of a reset. Rather than going to the extreme of an expensive juice cleanse that might result in binging on candy and chips afterwards, there are some simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine to help cleanse and naturally detoxify your body.
3. Exercise Exercise is excellent for stimulating the lymphatic system, a main detoxification system in the body. The lymph relies on movement of the body to keep it flowing properly, and one of the best ways to do this is through exercise. The more you move, the better.
1. Drink lemon water One of the first steps of cleansing is to ensure your digestion is working optimally. A common condition among North Americans is low stomach acid (often shown via heartburn, acid reflux, and irregular digestion). A simple way to stimulate the digestive juices is through lemon water. Before breakfast, squeeze half of one lemon into room temperature water. Not only does this get the digestive juices flowing, but it’s also great for morning energy to avoid dehydration.
4. Eat more leafy greens Adding more leafy greens to your diet is a simple way to gently help your body cleanse. The green colour of leafy greens comes from the chlorophyll content of the plant and has been shown to bind with toxic metals to prevent absorption in the body. A great goal is to incorporate a different leafy green at each meal. For breakfast, try the ‘Spring Cleansing Green Smoothie’ below, with spinach in it; for lunch, try a kale salad, and for dinner, try steamed swiss chard with garlic and onions. All of a sudden, you’ve easily incorporated a leafy green at each meal.
2. Remove ‘problematic’ foods Each person is different, but the most common offenders to people’s health tends to be cow’s dairy, gluten & sugar. Breakfast can be the hardest time, as gluten-filled foods are a staple in the morning. The easiest way to kick off your morning gluten & dairy free is with a high protein smoothie - recipe below. For lunches and dinners, focus on having two to three vegetable side dishes on your plate and all of a sudden there’s no room for the problematic foods.
Spring Cleansing GREEN Smoothie SERVES 2 • 2 Cups coconut water • 1 Small fennel bulb • 1/2 cucumber • 1 Heaping handful of fresh mint leaves • 2 Handfuls spinach • 1/2 avocado • 2 Tbsp chia seeds • 1 Scoop Vega One vanilla protein powder
5. Cruciferous Veggies Not only are cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage high in fiber, but they contain a compound called indole-3-carbinol, known to be a major cancer fighting substance. Cruciferous vegetables are shown to speed up the detoxification process of harmful chemicals, along with blocking the body from producing harmful amounts of hormones. Mandy King Bio: Mandy King, CNP, BCom, is a Holistic Nutritionist, Speaker and Founder of HEAL, a health and wellness company with the ambition to make the world a healthier place, one delicious meal at a time. HEAL offers interactive corporate wellness programs along with personalized one-on-one nutrition and online programs. Mandy is the co-author of the “21 Day Smoothie Guide”, author of the popular blog www.HealthyEatingAndLiving.ca, and loves to spread the nutrition word at her speaking engagements. FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/healthyeatingandliving.ca TWITTER: @mandyking_HEAL WEBSITE: healthyeatingandliving.ca
30 • THE GREEN SPOT HOME & GARDEN - 204-727-5884 - WWW.GREENSPOTBRANDON.COM
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