HOME & GARDEN

Garden YEAR OF THE 2022

INCLUDE RED AMONG YOUR NURSERY PICKS THIS SPRING

by KRISTY ELIK

ver the past two summers, many of us have turned

Oto our gardens for refuge from isolation and for time outside. After all, it’s rewarding to dig in the dirt, plant seeds, water young plants and watch as the fruits of your labour blossom into glorious flowers.

Now, more than ever, gardens satisfy our need to immerse ourselves in nature, which is a form of mindfulness. Our physical health gets better, too, when we bend, stretch, lift and carry the tools we use to keep plants healthy. Even our neighbourhoods improve when we garden—especially if we plant trees to improve air quality and, in our own small way, help to reduce effects of climate change.

To celebrate the evolution of gardening as a national pastime, the Canadian Gardening Council has appointed 2022 the Year of the Garden, promising to “commemorate Canada’s rich garden heritage, celebrate today’s vibrant garden culture and create important legacies for a sustainable future.”

Also, the CGC is encouraging all of us to use the colour red as much as we can this year, as we’re planning and planting our annuals, perennials…. even trees and bushes. Just imagine how stunning our communities will look as Mississauga’s many personal garden sanctuaries— whether on balconies, decks, in back or front yards—are transformed into a sea of red.

But how to incorporate red? We asked members of the Mississauga Master Gardeners for their insight and recommendations for beautiful crimson foliage to include on your nursery bucket list to make your beds extra-red this year.

Local Links

1 Herridge’s Farm Fresh Market herridgesfarmersmarket.ca

2 Connon Nurseries plants.connon.ca

3 Mississauga Master Gardeners mississaugamastergardeners.ca 4 In The Zone Gardens (a guide for

planting native in our area)

inthezonegardens.ca

MISSISSAUGA MASTER GARDENERS' PICKS FOR ADDING RED

IMPATIENS: THE SHADE LOVER Although technically a perennial, impatiens is usually grown as an annual, with its masses of large flowers from late spring to the first frosts. Blooming freely all season, the blossoms contrast nicely against the foliage of long, deep green leaves.

Impatiens are the perfect choice for beds and borders and superb for baskets, containers and window boxes. Bonus: they actually prefer full shade!

Impatiens are not drought tolerant, so they need to be watered regularly during dry spells to keep the soil consistently moist and prevent the plants from wilting. To help retain moisture, pump up the soil with organic matter and apply a layer of mulch.

Q & A with Sharon Corona

MORTGAGE AGENT 416.985.5559

crownmortgages.sharon@gmail.com DOWNLOAD MY MORTGAGE TOOLBOX @ dlcapp.ca/app/sharon-corona

crownmortgages.ca

Today, many Canadians have become house rich and as they approach retirement, realize that they are cash poor. Others, well into retirement and still living at home, realize that they can no longer manage on their own and, sadly, feel that the only option is a retirement home. Leaving the comfort of a home that you’ve been in for many years, with so many memories, can be emotionally challenging. The ability to stay at home and acquire help can be much more appealing. When people hear about the concept of reverse mortgages, many seem to think that it’s a scenario where the bank is taking over your home. That is not the case.

A conventional, or standard mortgage, requires that you make monthly payments that builds equity in your home. A reverse mortgage lets you borrow from that equity, while still maintaining the title of your home. Here are some facts to help you understand what a reverse mortgage really is.

Q: Who can get a reverse mortgage?

A: Anyone 55 years of age or older, and listed on the property’s title, is eligible to apply.

Q: How much money can I get?

A: Once approved, typically you can receive up to 55% or your home’s value. The money you receive from a reverse mortgage is tax free.

Q: How often can I get money from my reverse mortgage?

A: You can receive a lump sum or receive money periodically.

Q: How do I repay the mortgage and when do I have to pay it back?

A: Payments are flexible. You do not have to make monthly payments, but you can if you like. The mortgage is due when you sell, move or when you die.

Q: Why would I get a Reverse Mortgage instead of a Home Equity Line of Credit? Q: Does the bank own my house if I get a reverse mortgage?

A: Absolutely not. You remain on title and continue to own your home. You will never owe the bank more than the value of your house.

Q: If my house increases in value, who benefits?

A: You do! You will only ever owe the amount you borrowed plus the interest.

Q: What can I use a reverse mortgage for?

A: For an elderly homeowner, the equity can be used toward homecare instead of moving into long term care. You can use the money to modify your home if required, or renovate. You can use the money for healthcare, purchasing another property, pay off debt, increase cash flow, help a family member financially or even take a vacation! Just about whatever you choose.

Q: What are the costs involved?

A: You will require an appraisal of your home. There are administration and closing costs applicable. An early payout penalty may apply.

Q: What about interest rates?

A: Interest rates are slightly higher on reverse mortgages. This is because a lender’s funding costs are higher and, on average, they wait 7 to 12 years to get their money back, since no payments are required monthly.

Q: How can I find out more?

A: Contact me at crownmortgages.sharon@gmail.com or call 416-985-5559. You can also apply online at crownmortgages.ca or coronamortgages.ca.

Bread and Honey Mortgage Specials:

1) Up to $400 reimbursed for your appraisal (most mortgages are eligible) 2) Refer A Friend: Have a friend contact me for their mortgage needs. Upon completion of their transaction with me, you’ll receive a $100 VISA gift card* to enjoy or pass along.

You are welcome to contact me any day or evening. I guarantee quick responses always and will be with you throughout your mortgage process. Once your mortgage is complete, you can continue to contact me any time you have questions. I’m happy to help any time!

GERANIUMS: THE SHOWY ANNUAL Commonly sold as annuals, geraniums grow as tall as 18 inches in full sun! This classic flower is a traditional favourite with gardeners and the contrast between the vibrant blooms and the green leaves is a striking combination. They attract bees and butterflies and do well in both containers and the ground. Geraniums are a sun loving plant that need 4-6 hours of full sun a day, or perhaps longer in somewhat filtered light. South and west exposures are usually best. These annuals will bloom all summer long.

“Geraniums may not look like much in the nursery,” says Phyllis Hall, longtime MMG member, “but they bloom into these gorgeous giants you can see from a distance.”

ROSE: THE TIMELESS CLASSIC Robbie Burns said it best: “O my Luve is like a red, red rose… That’s newly sprung in June”. The beautiful red rose invites admiring gazes anywhere it grows—and it’s surprisingly easy to care for. One caveat?

“Almost all roses will need at least 6 hours of direct sun every day,” warns Ramona Christiansen, another member of MMG, “so make sure your chosen location has plenty of light.”

Depending on the variety you choose, you can use roses for border plants, garden bed accents, climbing plants to train over arbours and patio lattice, or as container plants. Whatever location you select, just ensure it’s suited to the size and growth habit of your chosen rose variety, since there are so many different kinds to choose from.

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KEEP IN MIND

North American birds and insects depend on native plants for their very survival. Wherever you can, choose to plant native!

TIP: Applying a layer of mulch on top of the soil around your roses will help to retain moisture and control weeds. Some gardeners insist that cocoa bean shells are the best mulch for roses, but classic bark mulch still works fine.

SUMAC: THE EXOTIC TREE Not as common as red maple, Canada’s native sumacs are small trees (they can grow up to 30 feet tall) with fern-like compound leaves. These spreading, multiple-trunk plants have hollow, pithy stems which were highly valued by Native Americans and colonists for making pipe stems.

Clusters of small, greenish-white summer flowers, usually covered with bees and other pollinating insects, are held upright in thick spires up to a foot long, which quickly start forming the characteristic dense clusters of crimson red seeds.

Bonus: Sumac seed pods remain on plants well into winter, adding extra texture and colour after everything else has turned brown. They attract colourful winter birds, who know it as a great emergency food when other sources of food may be lacking.

Best of all, sumac boast incredible fall colours. Topping the wide plants are leaves that turn brilliant golden and crimson in the fall—in fact, the name sumac comes from an ancient word meaning “red.”

One final tip from our experts at Mississauga Master Gardeners: Whatever plant you choose to make a home in your garden, make sure to follow the instructions that accompany it to the letter.

“Read and follow the instructions,” says MJ Kucera... “and you’ll very rarely have trouble.” LL

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