Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG1
Fall 2011
HOME & GARDEN Home Get your glow on Re-energize, renovate, receive rebate Divide and conquer your living spaces Light as air Wax on, wax off Nice ‘n’ nautical Spooky spirit for some Halloween fun
Garden How to grow some terrific shrubs Get your garlic groove on Easy stepping stones All hands on deck Kale: this bud’s for you Keep it trimmed Get growing under cover Plan a winter wonder
HG2 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
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Fall beauty in the garden doesn’t have to be restricted to autumn-coloured leaves. You can instill new wonder, colour and interest by adding some terrific shrubs to your plant inventory this year.
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ere are some top picks. Now that cold weather has firmly taken grip, a tea break feels in order. Imagine taking a brisk trip outside to gather your own tea leaves. You can brew black, white or green tea from your very own tea shrub (Camellia sinensis), which is easy to grow and also beautiful. It’s a pretty evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers and the promise of home-grown tea will brighten the dreariest of fall and winter days. In addition to being beautiful and useful, the tea shrub is also low maintenance and cold hardy (it’s from Southern Russia). When planting it, look for a sheltered location where winter winds are minimized. Be sure to mulch your tea shrub well and try placing a large rock next to it as a heat trap. New varieties are expected to come out next spring that originate from improved and even hardier mother stock. So wait until spring to plant this beauty. You’ll avoid the first winter’s chill and give it an entire year to acclimatize into your new garden setting. Want a fall blush of colour? Hardy fuchsia offers up vibrant tropical pink flowers at a time of the year when most gardens have faded. This easy care shrub helps to extend garden interest well into fall, brightening chilly or dull afternoons. Sarcococca, also known as Christmas or sweet box is a reliable favorite shrub for those difficult shady sites adjacent to a home or front entrance. Any dry shade or confined space along a walkway can benefit immensely from this easily managed plant. It’s resistant to browsing deer and its flowers offer a super sweet perfume that is very nice along a well travelled path. Some shrubs just go great together. Mugo pine and Berberis (barberry) are one such couple, making a garden
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design feel seamless. They also match up very well with other notable shrubs such as Miscanthus (actually all of the grasses are a good match: Japanese blood, blue oat, Pennisetum and Mexican feather) and Euphorbia, Choisya, Oregon grape, shrub rose, Sedum, catmint and lavender. Finally, any shrub that provides food as well as great foliage and flowers is a winner. Consider delicious berry shrubs for year round garden appeal. In particular, watch for the new hip honeyberry and the equally scrumptious native evergreen huckleberry.
Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG3
Shorter, cooler days mean there’s less natural light to illuminate your living space, you’re more likely to be inside in the early evening, and simple pleasures such as reading can become more appealing when you first set a cozy ambiance in your home.
A
iry paper lanterns and origami inspired lamps are a simple way to set a sophisticated glow. They’re light and stylish and may be used indoors with a variety of fixtures. Many paper lanterns come with a light fixture bulb and cord included, or you can insert your own (with care, of course). If you have the space and budget, you can’t beat the charm of multiples. A long row of traditional Asian paper lanterns hung in a staggered fashion is a frugal way to light a hallway, great room or protected patio, adding a sense of occasion and celebration to an otherwise everyday space. For best impact, think large scale and/or one-of-a-kind design. Whether you live in a loft, cottage or condo, larger paper globes are the way to go as they really pack a punch. Don’t have much room? Then hang one in a corner. Or prop up a lit paper lantern on the floor as a free-form sculpture. At IDSwest design exhibition in Vancouver recently, the incredible Urchin Softlight lanterns by Molo Design attracted crowds to the soft glowing forms which
may be manipulated to create variations of cylinders and organic shapes akin to underwater sea creatures. These too looked wonderful in pairs and multiples. Once your living space is suitably lit, you may be inspired to make more improvements to your décor, or simply relax basking in the glow to indulge your inner voyeur and read about other people’s homes. Consider flipping through blogger Grace Bonney’s newly released décor volume Design*Sponge at Home (Thomas Allen & Son). Bonney’s phenomenally popular blog gets nearly 600,000 unique visitors a month and the guidebook, much like the blog, is attracting attention by providing provocative peeks into the homes of interesting folks. There are more than 70 home tours of reallife interiors and dozens of DIY projects for the home and garden, including recovering vintage furniture, making bookshelves and crafting some pretty funky and modern lampshades. A special “before and after” chapter shows projects that usually involve turning something ugly into something elegant. This is a great book if you are into recycling, re-imagining or simply on a budget. There is even an entire chapter dedicated to flower arranging. Another design blogger with a great book on offer is photographer Todd Selby. His engaging pictorial hardback, The Selby is in Your Place (Abrams) explores the homes of absolutely anyone he finds interesting, famous or not. Sure to inspire, subjects range from supermodel Helena Christensen’s Greenwich Village flat, to an unknown Londoner who lives in a canal boat.
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HG4 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
Get your garlic groove on
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lthough it’s known as the “stinking rose” due to its pungent fragrance, garlic is a remarkably tasteful addition to oodles of delectable dishes. Allium sativum is an important culinary herb with uses in many Mediterranean dishes along with contemporary, modern cuisine. It’s considered to be one of the healthiest foods we consume with antibiotic, antiseptic and antifungal properties. (Voted by 9 out of 10 Landscapers) A staple in many cuisines around the world, you’ll find Our soil meets BC Landscape Specs. garlic bulbs and inner cloves used raw, cooked, roasted, pickled, dried, powdered or pressed. Garlic is a plant that Garden Mix • Fir Bark Mulch • Turf Blend Coloured Eco Mulch • Bark Installations • Veggie Mix is related to leeks and onions and is usually purchased in whole bulb form. Individual cloves are then broken off and used as required in recipes and to plant in the garden. We supply more landscape firms and home owners When planted, garlic is strong architecturally with than anyone else on the Coast. slender impressive stalks and budding twisting ‘scapes.’ It keeps pests at bay and works wonderfully tucked in GOOD LOCAL SCREENED TOPSOIL between larger shrubs or planted as a narrow row between Trucking Available — We Deliver (7 days per week) a bushier border of chives and thick-stalked leeks. Purchase garlic from growers or at nurseries. You can also buy organically grown garlic at health or grocery stores and plant those cloves. Much conventionally grown garlic is treated with anti-sprouting chemicals. Division of L.T. Excavating Ltd. You may be disappointed if you plant this garlic, as it likely won’t sprout. Plan your garlic beds in sandy soil in a sunny location where it is not too moist. It’s a heavy feeder and appreciates a hearty dose of organic fertilizer right after 106 - 5530 Wharf Street planting to jumpstart and Tue - Fri 10am - 5pm sustain the bulb. Sat 11am - 3pm Garlic is grown from the 604-740-3884 cloves pulled off from the Proud to supply over 50 Landscapers & Contractors on the Sunshine Coast.
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head, skin on. Plant them individually with the pointed end up, about one clove deep and four inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Mulch your garlic plantings over winter to protect them and add vital nutrients to your soil. Seaweed works especially well as a mulch for garlic. Each clove will produce one plant with a single bulb, harvested in late July to early August. If you want to get in the mood for planting garlic, try roasting some this fall. It’s a particularly delicious way to enjoy the bulbs. Simply brush the whole bulb with oil, wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, until tender. Remove the skin and enjoy. Roasted garlic is soft and creamy and may even be used on its own as a light spread on crackers or crostini. Avoid overcooking garlic (it should never be cooked enough to turn brown) or it will quickly turn bitter. Also, if you see that your garlic bulb has sprouted, remove the green sprout before using the cloves. To avoid sprouting, store garlic bulbs in a well ventilated area, at room temperature.
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There’s still time to get your garlic in the ground.
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Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG5
Re-energize, renovate, receive rebate
institutions have special lending offers designed specifically to go hand in hand with these programs. Offers may include rebates, interest-only periods while your home is under renovation or a lower interest rate overall. An added bonus is that Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) will refund 10 per cent of your mortgage insurance premium should you increase the energy rating of your home by at least five points to a minimum rating of 40 points. Once the renovations are complete, the certified energy advisor completes a post audit to give your home a new rating based on the improvements made. This advisor will also apply for the rebates you are qualified to receive on your behalf. Lastly, enjoy the rewards. You subsidized your home improvement costs, lowered your monthly utility expenses (by 20 per cent on average) as well as reduced your home’s impact on the environment. To top it off, a newly renovated home that has become more energy efficient is a great asset. If you are thinking of selling, having a good energy rating will increase your home’s marketability and give you an advantage over others that are comparable but have not undergone an efficiency renovation. If you are thinking of taking advantage of these rebate programs, don’t delay. Federal funding will expire March 31, 2012 and the provincial funding will expire March 31, 2013. For more information see: www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/ grants.cfm OR http://www.livesmartbc.ca/ incentives/efficiency-home/index.html
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The rainy winter season is almost upon us, and all those renovations that we had every good intention of accomplishing during the summer months still remain unfinished. While hibernating beside a cozy fire sounds like a good plan, the woodstove can’t be used as it doesn’t meet CSA standards, and the single pane windows are creating a draft so chilling that a blanket has now become a staple in your wardrobe ensemble. Sounds like your home may need to be reenergized! And your timing is perfect. Did you know that up to $12,000 in rebates are available to qualified applicants to renovate their home to make it more energy efficient? This is a combination of federal funds through the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program and provincial funds through LiveSmart BC’s Efficiency Incentive Program. Be aware that there are several steps you will need to follow to take advantage of these rebates. First, you will need to have a certified energy advisor assess and apply an energy rating to your home. This initial energy rating is important because your eligibility to receive rebates will be based on the improvement from this rating after the renovations are complete. The second step is finding a reputable contractor to help you with the renovations based on the energy audit recommendations. The Coast is home to many qualified contractors who are knowledgeable about the rebate programs and who can assist you with your project. Next, if you require financing in order to complete these renovations, some financial
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HG6 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
Easy stepping stones
These welcoming stepping stones, imprinted with natural leaf patterns, will provide a practical and beautiful transition to your garden path. Make one or more to mark the entrance to your garden, or create an entire pathway, step-by-step, with a selection of charming, leafy stones.
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— John Gillespie Contributing Writer
604.989.4564
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Painting the most beautiful homes on the Sunshine Coast!
irst, gather your supplies. You’ll need: concrete ready mix, powdered tint (optional), mixing container, rubber gloves, utility knife, duct tape, shovel, coreplast and some firm leaves. Next, decide on shape and size. The beauty of making your own stepping stones begins with the flexibility you have in choosing the size and shape of your forms. The round shape shown suits the nature of the leaf print stone perfectly and is easy to make with flexible and inexpensive coreplast, available at home building supply stores. For a 36 cm stepping stone, cut one strip of coreplast 10 cm high by 117 cm long (adjust size to suite your desired diameter of stone). Bend the coreplast strip into a circle (36 cm diameter) overlapping the ends by five cm. Secure with duct tape. Tape the sides of the round form to a base of coreplast (two forms will fit on a base 120 cm by 70 cm). Kick up the colour. Concrete gray is OK — but a warm terra cotta tint will add more pizzazz to your stepping stones. Purchase mortar or concrete pigment when you buy your ready mix (cement and aggregate ready to mix with water to form concrete). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and add the tint to the dry mix and stir thoroughly. Then add water. Following the instructions on your ready mix package, mix the suggested amount of water into your concrete mix. Stir thoroughly with a shovel or hand trowel. The concrete should be firm and not too watery. Test the ability of your concrete to hold an impression by pressing it with your fingertips. Make a good impression. Fill the form with concrete to approximately three cm from the top. Press down firmly and smooth the top. Select a single leaf to create a focal point and press it firmly into place at the centre of your stone. Add more leaves to accent the design. Press into place around the diameter of the stone. Cure the stone. Cut a round of coreplast to fit the diameter of the stone and press into place. Weights will keep the top in place and help ensure the leaves are secure
while the stepping stone cures. Allow the stone to dry for at least 24 hours. Remove the top and form (save the form for subsequent use). Peel back the leaves and brush away any loose concrete. Wash the stone and allow to dry thoroughly. You may wish to apply a water-resistant sealer to add gloss and to protect the finish. Finally, place the stone. Position the stone at the entrance to a path and surround with grass, gravel, bark mulch, pebbles, etc. Your leaf print stone will last for many years and provide a charming welcome to your garden.
CHRISTINA SYMONS PHOTO
Cast your own garden stepping stones.
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Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG7
All hands on deck
— Christina Symons, Contributing Writer Finally, clean and dry any outdoor removable upholstery, pillows, hammocks and chair covers that have not yet been put away. Use a mild anti-mildew cleanser designed for outdoor fabrics and be sure all pieces are fully dry before packing them away and storing. It’s best to stack outdoor cushions and pillows in a clean dry place such as a heated storage area or basement, rather than wrapping them tightly or storing them in outdoor areas. Remember to also stack and fold chairs, loungers, hammocks and tables and place inside or under cover for winter storage. It’s also a good time to pack and store any accessories such as candle holders, games, etc.
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Protect your deck and patio from damages during the stormy season. Just follow these tips to clean, preserve and extend the life of your outdoor living spaces and furniture. First, clean up any summer planters. Remove and compost spent plant material. Take your pots off your deck and elevate them to allow moisture to drain away. Then rake or sweep the last of the leaves. Go in behind any remaining planters and over sidewalks and paths leading up to your deck and entrances. You’ll thank yourself come winter while you avoid slipping on the slimy frozen mess and also in spring when you won’t have to clean up the soggy decayed remnants. Compost your piles of leaves or use them as mulch, simply piling them up around trees and shrubs or on top of planters or garden beds. Next, wash surfaces of balconies and decks with hot soapy water or use a mild antimildew cleaner designed for deck surfaces. Use a scrub brush for hard to clean spots. Rinse carefully and allow the clean surfaces to dry, watching for and avoiding leaving any puddles of water or cleanser. Hint: do this on a sunny day, if possible. Wash windows surrounding decks inside and out. Usually, these windows are easily accessible and provide most access to scenic views. If you are building a new deck this fall, consider using robust natural materials such as local and sustainably harvested cedar or special decking lumber made from recycled materials. The recycled decking is more expensive initially, but it will last practically forever and never needs refinishing.
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HG8 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
Divide and conquer your living spaces
— Christina Symons Contributing Writer
Sure, many of us love the idea of open-concept living spaces — those light and lofty warehouse-style abodes devoid of excess walls and doors. But the reality of undivided living zones is sometimes overwhelming.
T
here are privacy and acoustic issues, especially if you work at home, entertain overnight guests, or have kids and pets. It’s harder to define where activities should happen when there are no dedicated rooms, meaning that some open-concept spaces have the look and feel of a bit of a free-for-all. You may also find that an open space doesn’t have enough storage capacity, leaving everything you own out and about, which can seem messy. Fortunately you can add order to open-concept spaces, without stifling them. Use sliding walls, pocket doors and suspended blinds to divide open living spaces into discreet areas for all. Or arrange your furniture in such a way to delineate spaces and create psychological rooms. You’ll create tidy zones that add up to a more organized, livable home without compromising the modern ambience your contemporary layout is designed to express. And if you change your mind or simply want to freshen the look, some of these types of room dividers can easily be reconfigured. First, make a simple floor plan and a list of top priorities in terms of usage. Carving out an at-home work space or quiet play area might be most important to you, or quieting the noise or glare from a TV area, for example. Do you need a bedroom, library, guestroom or study? How about a craft or chill-out zone? Create a scrapbook, online look book or clippings
file and collect inspiring pages from magazines to use as guidelines. Once you have a plan in mind, roll up your sleeves and make a list of interventions. Tackle the long-term spaces first. If you know you’ll always need a work zone or a place to house guests comfortably, this is one area to consider a more sophisticated intervention, such as a well constructed pocket door or a sliding wall. You’ll likely need to consult a contractor for this type of renovation, although both are manageable as do-it-yourself projects, if you’re handy with tools and construction. Hanging simple blinds or drapery panels is an easy way to create visual (and psychological) dividers in large open spaces. Simply suspend them from the ceilings on rods or with sturdy wire. You an also hang recycled windows, doors or panels for a more rigid divide, if desired. In an open plan living area, a well-designed kitchen island can also double as a nifty work-space. At bar height, this design works particularly well if you are sharing ideas and creative pursuits with at-home colleagues. Bonus, you can eat (or drink) while you work, if necessary!
CHRISTINA SYMONS PHOTO
Sort out your living space by dividing it with a sliding wall.
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Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG9
Light as air — Christina Symons, Contributing Writer
ot a black thumb when it comes to houseplants? Well, here’s one that doesn’t come with a lot of baggage or need a lot of care. It’s a tillandsia, or air plant, and it needs neither soil nor pot. Adaptable to many conditions, air plants don’t ask for much care, as long as you provide them with air, light and water. Air plants are modern, easy, beautiful and exotic. They are widely available from nurseries and some floral shops. Small and compact, tillandsia plants may be tucked into the tiniest of living spaces. In fact, unlike most plants with delicate roots, tillandsias use their sturdy root structure primarily for hanging onto crevices. Because of their spiky leaf character, air plants look particularly exotic under glass or placed atop plain sand. Try several of the plants arranged in a shallow tray or plate. Or affix your air plant to a stationary or hanging wooden support. Driftwood is ideal, especially if your branch or log has some crevices to cradle the plants. If not, you can use a small piece of wire, or even a bit of adhesive on the forgiving roots to secure your plant to the piece of wood or another structure. Glass containers make excellent vessels for air plants, as well. Just be sure your plant is set onto something or slightly elevated from the glass base (place it up on a twig, stones, etc.) so it is never sitting in water. To care for your air plant, you’ll need to water it several times a week. Although you can simply mist a tillandsia, it prefers a full soaking, getting all of the leaves wet.
Regular tap water is best and it is better to saturate your air plant at least once a week than to mist it lightly more regularly. Air plants can be a bit pricey given their size ($7 to $15 each and up), but they will reproduce over time, offering an abundance of tiny baby plants before they bloom and finish their life cycle. Don’t be alarmed if after blooming, your original plant dies. By then, there should be plenty more to take its place in your decor.
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HG10 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
Kale: this bud’s for you
• Fall garden clean up and pruning
— Christina Symons, Contributing Writer
• Fall is the time to evaluate the bones of your garden • Landscape consultation, design and installation • Pond and water feature design, installation and maintenance
Sweet and delicious, bright green and chock full of healthful antioxidants, kale is a cook’s good friend in the fall, winter and early spring garden and kitchen.
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hether you grow it yourself or buy it at the local market, kale tastes sweeter after a nip of frost and makes a wonderful side dish or companion ingredient in soups, stir fries and casseroles. Kale is a member of the cabbage or Brassica family and a distant cousin to the brussels sprout. So, naturally, as consumers we’ve got the same kind of “love it or leave it” attitude to kale as we do to cabbage in general. If you don’t already love it, it’s worth trying to acquire a taste for kale, as it is one extremely healthful vegetable. Like many other deep greens, kale is particularly rich in phytonutrients that work as cancerfighting antioxidants in the body. It is also packed with minerals, including calcium, iron, manganese and potassium, along with vitamins A, K and C. If you allow your kale plants to stay in the garden over winter, come spring they’ll begin to go to flower and seed. Before they open, kale buds are rich and delicious and can be picked and washed then steamed or stir fried. The taste is similar to tender baby broccoli and just as healthful too! Kale buds are the best reason to leave your kale plants in the ground through fall and winter. In addition to the buds, kale chips are a revelation in our household as a healthy alternative to potato crisps. Bonus: kids seem to really enjoy them too. And they are addictive in the best kind of way, i.e. good for you. To make kale chips, basically all you do is make a tossed kale salad, then dehydrate
or bake the leaves at about 325F until crisp. If you’re in a rush, experiment by dressing the kale with your favourite salad dressing or a simple blend of oil and vinegar. The addition of a bit of grated ginger, sesame seeds and/or dried chili will give your chips extra personality.
KALE CHIPS • One bunch (6-8 mature stems) kale (curly kale works best) • 2 tablespoons nut or seed butter (almond, tahini, peanut, etc.) • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar (or lemon juice) • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoon water • Drop of honey
Preheat oven to 325F*. Wash, then remove the kale leaves from the stems and set aside, no need to dry. Combine the rest of the ingredients into a dressing and pour over the kale, tossing to coat the leaves thoroughly. Arrange the kale leaves on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, flip then bake another 10 minutes or so, watching carefully. The goal is to make them crispy but evergreen, not scorched. Remove the tray from oven. Season the chips with salt and pepper, if desired, cool and serve. (*To create a raw version of kale chips, use a dehydrating device instead of baking, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This takes a while, so have patience.)
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Above left: Leave kale to over-winter and you’ll have delicious kale buds to harvest come spring. Above right: A healthy alternative to potato crisps: make kale chips.
Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG11
Wax on, wax off Did summer have its way with your wood furniture? Before fall gets too far along, replenish your indoor and outdoor wood works’ natural oils and lustre.
I
f your outdoor furniture is made of unvarnished wood that doesn’t have a shiny surface, chances are it’s constructed of cedar or a hardwood such as teak. Teak is a naturally oily wood, which makes it ideal for outdoor use, but it does weather and turn grey over time. Indoor teak furniture can do this too, and it dries out quickly in warm rooms or near a furnace or wood stove. You can restore teak and other unvarnished wood furniture’s natural finish, first by cleaning, then applying a replenishing wood oil. Use warm water and a gentle cleaner to wash the surfaces of any grime or grit. Then apply teak oil or tung oil with a soft cloth, following label directions and cautions. Be sure to wear gloves and be mindful that both products usually contain hazardous solvents, so apply them with care. Natural cedar outdoor furniture is best protected and replenished with a penetrating wood sealer or stain with UV protection. You can also use a less toxic, water-based wood sealer or clear coat to protect the wood. Apply on a rain-free day, following directions and allowing the finish to dry completely prior to reuse or storage of your furniture. Indoors, furniture cleaners containing natural orange or almond oils will help clean, replenish and polish unvarnished wood. Try the Method line’s “Wood for Good” a natural spray formula that smells lovely (like almonds) while it cleans and conditions. On wood floors, a gentle cleanser such as Murphy’s Oil Soap is effective in cleansing without stripping wood finishes. Finally, natural wax polish will protect indoor wood furniture and add lustre. Look for a product such as B.C.-made Clapham’s Beeswax polish that uses deodorized mineral spirit solvent which is safer for you and for the environment than traditional solventbased polishes.
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604-886-1938 • website: www.petalsflowerfarm.com Fall Hours: Tues - Sat 10am-5pm • Sun 10am-3pm
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— Christina Symons, Contributing Writer
CHRISTINA SYMONS PHOTO
It’s time to replenish and protect your natural wood furniture.
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HG12 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
Keep it trimmed Get your garden and yard in gear for the upcoming winter season.
— John Gillespie Contributing Writer
Take stock now and attend to pruning and trimming as time allows and you can avoid many problems when the onslaught of winter rains, winds, frost and snow arrives. First, do some pro-active maintenance pruning on your shrubs and trees to keep them healthy and compact. Leggy and uneven growth invites damage during storms. To get started, tackle any limbs or stems that are already dead, damaged or diseased and remove waterspouts or suckers that can peel away and invite decay. Basic pruning techniques are the same throughout the year. Never cut into a branch’s collar (where it attaches to the tree). Look for a slightly raised portion on the branch and cut on the outside of that. Be careful not to leave a large stub or portion that will rot and form internal decay. Avoid shearing most shrubs unless they are hedges, such as laurels and boxwoods or other highly groomed plants. And never create a “lion’s tail” (where all the remaining growth is towards the end of the branch). In late fall and winter, many plants should not be pruned too excessively as this may expose them to unnecessary extremes. At this time, delay any aggressive pruning on plants such as roses or lavender, for
example, until spring when any winter dieback can be dealt with. Perform a quick “tidy up” pruning instead. When winter storms arrive, swaying and falling trees in the neighbourhood can justifiably rattle the nerves of homeowners. Many people rush to prune or top large trees aggressively as a routine winter practice to prevent trees from doing damage to homes or falling across power lines. But before you prune or top any tree, consider the outcome carefully, as you can sometimes do more harm than good. Cutting a tree off at the top is still perceived by a few as an appropriate way to reduce tree heights and hazards. Unfortunately, the Coast has numerous examples of large trees that have unnecessarily been topped, mostly under the mistaken notion that all tall trees left to their own accord will eventually fall on homes during storms. Unfortunately, topping pays little attention to the structure or growth pattern of the tree, which can ultimately make the tree far more susceptible to wind breakage, especially if the tree later grows several new leggy tops. Rather than topping your trees, consider removing limbs or thinning them out along the length of the trunk. When in doubt, consult a journeyman gardener or arbourist and always ask them for several options before you proceed with major trimming of shrubs, trees or plants. Often, there are reasonable and safe options to try before shearing your shrubs of topping or removing a tree.
CHRISTINA SYMONS PHOTO
Here are some tips for fall pruning and tree safety.
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Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG13
Nice ‘n’ nautical
— Christina Symons Contributing Writer
Looking for a fresh, preppy way to decorate for fall? Go nautical. The seashore look has matured from a beachybohemian vibe to a more sophisticated look, perfect for heading into cooler months, with bold solid yacht-club colours such as reds, blues and yellows.
n the living room, consider updating a neutral sofa or armchair with a classic throw or toss cushions in a deep blue or red. If navy already features in your living space, punch it up with a bright yellow accent, or opt for bright orange instead to add your own twist on the trend. Another way to get this look is to add bold or colourful stripes to your décor. Drapery panels with vertical stripes will also help elongate a space. Just choose several stripes in alternating widths, wide and narrow, to avoid making your room look like a prison cell. Horizontal stripes are harder to do well on a large scale, but can make a graphic statement in the right home. Stripes also look wonderful in the dining room. Here, use striped fabric to recover traditional upholstered dining room chairs. Or make striped chair pads to spiff up and soften wooden or folding chairs. Have fun with gold or silver stripes against blue or red backgrounds for an ultra-luxe statement. You can even up-cycle striped T-shirts to add nautical touches to your living space. White and black striped French sailor shirts may be used as pillow slip covers. Custom sew them to fit and/or tie the arms in a decorative bow across your pillow. Brass accents make a welcome change from silver, pewter or gold and will further add some nautical flavour. You’ll find tons of brass accessories, from frames to draw pulls to bric-a-brac, in home décor shops and second hand. Look for an antique finish if you lean towards vintage or fully polished for a more modern expression. Boat fittings are often brass and will add a sense of authenticity. Brass portal
windows are especially hot, as windows, as decorative objects or repurposed with mirror glass. Finally, little nautical touches such as carved wooden or model boats, even boats in bottles, will add fun touches of nautical chic to your home. Rustic touches like antique metal anchors and glass fishing floats will also work. And used or new sail cloth makes a cool choice for casual furniture slipcovers and toss cushions. Ahoy!
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CHRISTINA SYMONS PHOTO CH
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HG14 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • Friday, October 21, 2011
Spooky spirit for some Halloween fun
Be ghoulish and green this Halloween with decorations you can grow on, disassemble and re-use next year, or simply dismantle and eat, after the trick or treaters have long gone. A planter display for the front door or entry is an easy way to re-purpose an existing container (perhaps one from the summer with soil already in place). Head to the nursery for winter kale plants or some tall landscape grasses. Pot them up, then simply insert a few festive bats or spiders cut out from black cardboard. Easy and spooky! Or layer moss and decorative stones atop your base and stack several squashes or pumpkins one atop another for a festive jack-o-lantern. Cut out and light them, or decorate your stacked jack-o-lanterns with water-based markers or paint. If you choose culinary squashes and light them with mini-lights instead of candles, you can even bake and
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devour them afterwards. Repurpose old white sheets by fashioning them into ghastly garden ghouls. You’ll need a plain white flat sheet, a two-foot section of white twine or rope and a few squares of black felt from the craft store (or recycle a piece of black fabric), plus a glue gun. First cut two round eyes and an oblong, oval mouth from your black fabric. Next, position your sheet over a small tree, tall shrub or hedging cedar. Tie the rope around the sheet and shrub about one foot from the top to create a “head.” Then position and affix the eyes and mouth on the sheet with a glue gun. Use landscape lights at the base of your ghost to set it off.
Would you prefer to eat your festive flourishes? Make little cupcake pumpkins using mini-bundt cake tins. Once your favourite cake batter is poured and baked into the classic bundt shapes, flip them over and cover with an orange flavoured and tinted glaze. Insert a piece of chocolate candy bar or a piece of black liquorice into the hole to create a pumpkin stem. If you grow your own pumpkinsy you may wish to create a rustic, organic display. Leave some of the vine attached to your pumpkins when you pick them. Assemble a few— on a tray or table and add branches, leaves or driftwood to accentuate, ory make little faces with seed pods and other organic materials.
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Friday, October 21, 2011 • Coast Reporter HOME & GARDEN • HG15
Get growing under cover
— Christina Symons Contributing Writer
With a little planning and some inexpensive materials, savvy gardeners can keep harvesting and growing fresh, delicious vegetables from fall, through winter and right back into spring.
rocks along the outside lower edges of the plastic to prevent it from flapping and tearing. Be sure to leave enough plastic at either end to close the row cover at night or during cold weather. You can also grow food inside your home throughout the year. You don’t need fancy contraptions to grow your own delicious micro salad greens, for example. Sprout them on a windowsill or a shelf with a simple grow light. Micro greens from arugula, broccoli, sunflower or pea seeds are easiest to grow. All are wonderful in a sandwich, or atop a salad. Simply sprinkle the seeds very thickly on top of a shallow tray holding one or two inches of sterilized potting soil. Sprinkle more soil on top and keep the whole thing moist. Place the tray under an industrial
work light, fitted with daylight fluorescent bulbs (around $50 for a complete light system at Canadian Tire) or in a sunny windowsill. Greens are ready to cut and eat in two to three weeks.
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xtending the vegetable season does more than fill your pantry — it lets you try your hand at different plants that thrive in cooler weather such as kale and other greens. The rewards of growing during this time of year are abundant — you’ll have fun, save money and enjoy fresher, more nutritious vegetables than you’ll find in local stores. Protection for your fall and winter vegetables is vital and can take many forms, from sturdy antique cloches or covers to elaborate cold frames or recycled container covers. Each will extend the season of existing plants, as well as give a head start to cold-weather crops. Row covers are portable structures usually made from rolls of polyethylene or a lightweight core plastic sheet that protect plants from wind and cold by trapping heat and moisture and keeping out the elements. They make great protection for growing salad greens. The best row covers are designed to close completely at night, with the option of being opened during the day. Anchor them carefully so wind and harsh weather don’t collapse or blow away your cover. To build a simple row cover with flexible PVC pipe, you’ll need six five-foot lengths of one-inch PVC pipe, 12 one-foot lengths of rebar and a roll of medium-weight polyethylene. Push one pair of rebar pieces six inches into the ground two feet apart. Press opposite ends of a length of the PVC pipe firmly in place over the top of the rebar, forming an arc. Repeat with each length of PVC pipe, spacing the arcs 18 inches apart. Unroll the poly film and extend it lengthwise, over the arcs along the entire length of your row. Secure the plastic to the pipe with clips, staples or heavy-duty tape. Place
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HG16 • Coast Reporter • Friday, October 21, 2011
Plan a winter wonder
CHRISTINA SYMONS PHOTO
Your garden can be a place of wonder for the winter season.
— Christina Symons Contributing Writer
Like night and day, you can turn your garden into a magical and mysterious place for the winter by featuring plants and trees that naturally highlight the best of the season.
A
visit to Glendale Gardens and Woodland on Vancouver Island where the winter scene unfolds stunningly au natural recently provided seasonspecific encouragement. The serene gardens are operated by the Pacific Horticulture College in Saanich. This 42-hectare property includes an amazing 2.4-hectare demonstration garden, along with a natural conservation park. Tucked within the Glendale display garden is the highly regarded www.hcp. bc.ca/wintergarden.html Doris Page Winter Garden, established in 1985. This garden gem is a brilliant example of how to seamlessly integrate all seasons into your landscape. Throughout the woodland setting, winter and early spring bulbs and herbaceous plants cheerily pop up daily, greeting the chilly air and hardy gardeners (many of them volunteers) with seasonal grace. Throughout Glendale Gardens, beautifully tended displays of simple foliage, winter berries, seed pods, coloured barks and winter blooming shrubs and trees invite gardeners to experience the enlightening potential of winter beauty, completely unadorned. Inspired to develop a winter garden of your own? Here are three easy concepts we took home from Glendale along with the names of some show-stopping plants to add life to our winter garden First, add contrast. Winter tends to be a dreary state of muck and grey in many gardens. Instead, look for ways to add seasonal colour and foundational contrast to your beds. Think colourful bark, foliage, berries, flowers. Red twig dogwood and many new cultivars of salix such as “flame” offer red, yellow and orange stems long
after leaves have dropped. Holly is another great choice with its red-berried branches. Shrub roses are prized for their plump rosehips, featuring bright reds hues on dark days. Next, add texture and architectural interest. Witch hazel is at its best in winter, when the trees are in full bloom at a time when little else is in flower. The fragrant, yellow, orange or red flowers will be noticed when given their deserved appreciation. Snake bark maple has bright, beautiful, vertical stripes of white and pale green, while paper bark maple is distinctive, with its bright cinnamon brown bark that peels away in thin papery flakes. And be sure to leave your spent seed heads of other plants and perennials intact to enhance height and shape in your garden when many plants tend to die back. Finally, illuminate. The architecture of trees and garden structures is set off beautifully by outdoor illumination during darker winter months. Lighting also makes the whole garden appear “warmer”. Invest in LED lights for best efficiency.
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