Surprise Visitor
August 16, 2011 – 10:10 amA dragonfly came to the 11th floor balcony garden this morning. I have three ponds, so maybe the water was the attraction. It would be looking for mosquitoes, flies, bees and ants to eat. But first, this one was just trying to warm up on the peas.
Hello Berry
August 15, 2011 – 10:10 amWe have an amazing network of bike trails in Calgary. From the city centre where the balcony garden is located I can head out in any direction and connect with the pathway system. Last week I headed out for a ride around the Glenmore Reservoir – which is the source of the city’s drinking water.
The Saskatoon bushes, that you can find around the reservoir are loaded with berries right now. In Alberta there are lots of growers and u-pick farms, many within an hour or so of the city, but foraging in town is pretty common. Someone had beat us to the ripe ones – not surprising as the paths close to the water are well travelled.
When ready to eat, the berries are dark purple and soft. These ones pictured below need a few more days of sun. I used to grow these shrubs, which will top off at about 1.8-2.1 meters (6-7 feet). They are native to the prairies, are vigorous growers and are a nice change from the common raspberry that is found in many backyards. Still haven’t grown them in a container yet, although I have good intentions.
Container Redux
August 9, 2011 – 10:10 amSometimes containers need to be replanted in the middle of the growing season. This hypertufa trough had had a good three-year run with a larch under-planted with native plants like potentilla, wild strawberries and others. But it was a tough winter for the container, so I knew it was time to make a change.
For something completely different ferns and moss get to take a turn in the trough. With a foundation of forestry grit for good drainage and a light, soilless mix, I’ve planted a couple of table ferns and a number of different coloured Selaginella sp.
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The container will be rolled into the shade and kept moist. I know it is going to be a challenge to keep the soil evenly moist, but these plants look pretty exotic compared to the rest of the balcony garden, so it’s worth a try.
My library contains one book on ferns, mosses and grasses by William Cullina, which I’m reading. Although this book is North America in scope, I think it has the basic information to get me started on learning about native ferns – knowing that the plants that i have purchased from the nursery are far from native.
But they are beautiful. I’ll try not to kill them.
Peas in a Pod
August 8, 2011 – 10:10 am
I’m growing green and purple pod peas this year. Both are ready to harvest. The purple peas are beautiful. Super dark purple pods with creamy, pale green peas. The peas are a little starchy, not quite as sweet as I hoped for, but still tasty. I think I’ll grow peas again. Simple to get started in the spring – especially when it’s a bit cooler. Another vertical-growing plant – with support – for the balcony garden. And a nice treat at harvest time. What more can you ask for?
Thinning the container carrots now results in a little taste treat. I may get a better harvest this year because of careful weekly thinning activities – a labour of vegetable luv.
Wheat in the Wind
August 2, 2011 – 10:10 amThe wheat is growing well. From 5 cm (2 inches) high six weeks ago to 76 cm (30 inches) high this week. The heads are set, hinting of blue. This wheat is spring wheat, which is typically grown here on the prairies – planted as soon as the ground is workable.
Now if you are a farmer on the prairies, deciding when to plant can be a complex and sometimes difficult decision. But on the balcony it’s easy. This wheat has been simple to germinate (with a little heat and moisture), pretty quick to grow and as you can see in the video it can take the wind, which is often the big test for tall balcony plants. The stalks are tough yet slender so they bend with the wind instead of breaking. And as it matures, the wheat heads should turn blue and start to bend down as it becomes heavy with ripening grain. The stocks will turn a golden yellow.
So consider wheat as an alternative to decorative nursery grasses for your containers. It can be grown in most regions of North America. It’s a plant that adds height to a balcony planting, looks beautiful, provides movement and a soft rustling sound on breezy days and produces an edible grain. Granted not enough for a loaf of bread. I’d need a rooftop for that.
Balcony Garden – Blooming This Week
July 25, 2011 – 10:10 amAs most of you post pics of your harvest, I’m just happy that my tomatoes, peppers and strawberries are blooming this week. And yes, those are celery leaves tucked under that wandering strawberry flower pictured below. The peas continue to bloom as they set pods and start to fill out. So the garden is still a bit behind, but trying really hard to catch up. I’m thinning out the carrots as well. And although the thinning aren’t big enough to bother eating, it won’t be long before the reward of a snack will make me a little more attentive to that container of produce.
