The late Richard Needham of the Globe and Mail once claimed to be a close friend of cockroaches and viewed insecticide advertisements as hate literature.  Four decades have passed since then, and that venerable sage would not have been a happy man this year.

The damp earlier in the season has made for much growth.  Now comes the reverse side: pathogens.  By July, the complaints of various pests and diseases over and above white grub were far from few.  Scale insect had been reported on such diverse plants as magnolia and yew.  While lilac remained surprisingly free of mildew in May and June, phlox was being attacked by the fungus early last month.  Aphids, as usual, are everywhere and anywhere, severely damaging new growth and spreading viruses, 80 percent of which rely on this wretched plant louse as their vector.

Most common insect pests, including scale and aphids, are controlled by insecticidal soap.  Spray late in the day (at dusk), thoroughly covering foliage, stems and especially, new growth. Several applications five days apart may be required.

Mildew can be controlled by benomyl, a systemic chemical insecticide.  It is expensive and also known to adversely affect earthworms.  Sulphur is often touted as a “natural” control but is, at the best, more of a protectant of dubious effectiveness.  Since newer, mildew-resistant phlox are available, plan to replant with these early next season.  The Canadian-developed Prestonian lilacs are also mildew-resistant, as are most lilacs native to the Orient, including the highly popular dwarf Korean and Persian lilacs, as well as the Ivory Silk, a form of Japanese tree lilac, Syringa reticulata.

Pesticide purveyors are crying tears with all the force of a power sprayer.  Wet, cool weather has discouraged those two scourges of the summer lawn, crabgrass and chinchbug.

New research and changing climate indicates that lawns will flourish even better if they are fertilized later this month.  Forget about fall fertilizations, formerly recommended but now in the same state as the dodo bird.  While purchasing the feed, pick up the tree and shrub fertilizer.  Latest research indicates that woody deciduous plants are best fed immediately following leaf fall, sometime after Thanksgiving.  The roots are still active for several more weeks (until the ground freezes).  But trying to find a box of tree fertilizer at that date is an exercise in frustration.  Perhaps it is simply too much to expect the personnel at retail outlets to read professional literature.

Interestingly- and to those same retailers’ horror- there are reports beginning to surface proving what many have suspected for a long time: feeding plants is not as necessary as has been claimed.  We hasten to add that this does not mean stopping entirely.  But there is a definite trade-off, which will be discussed in greater depth in City Gardening well before next spring brings this topic once again to the fore.

A great depth, though, is just what the roots of most city trees do not extend into.  In fact, most are in only the first two feet of soil.  When drought occurs, trees- no less than other plants- undergo stress.  This can reach critical proportions if years are hot and dry, as they were in 1998 and 1999.  It never ceases to amaze that those most prone to climb on their hind legs and wail environmental disaster are among those least likely to water our harmonious hardwoods.  Once every three days (unless there is a heavy rain), leave the sprinkler on for an hour in the same position.  If you really want to promote root growth, and hence happy, healthy trees, consider drip irrigation.  New research has indicated that this is by far the most superior watering method.  “Soaker hoses” are available at most garden centres. 

The “Waterwick” was invented by Canadian artist Ron Caisley to answer the perennial problem of keeping houseplants correctly watered.  Observing that specially modified clay acts as the perfect wick, he created a simple unit that can be placed inside a six-inch flowerpot.  A saucer is placed under the pot and kept topped up with an inch of water.  Little muss, no fuss, as the fella said.  It works, and works well.  Not mentioned on the package, however, is the risk inherent in bottom watering of fertilizer salt building up in the soil.  Avoid this by a monthly flushing with a very heavy watering.  It appears that, as yet, no other sizes are available for smaller, and especially larger pots.  More information is available from Caisley Plantcare Products (1-888-928-3782) or Plant Care Solutions at www.houseplantcare.com.  

The debate continues to rage.  On this continent, as in the Third World, it has been largely accepted.  In Europe, a somewhat more dog-in-the-manger attitude prevails.  The dreaded Americans beat us to it, so we’ll ban it, seems to be their belief.

This is more than passing strange since Greece is a major seat of social and scientific civilization.  It was there that the nymph Mentha was changed into a mint plant, likewise Laura into laurel; these are but two examples of Greek penchant for what must be the most extreme GM experiments yet.

In Nazi Germany of the 1930’s, one observation was that almost all of the trees planted were faster maturing, less desirable trees.  This has been seen since in other totalitarian states.  This being the case, urban Ontario has nothing to worry about.  Tree sales to city homes boomed.  Interestingly there appears to be an increasing demand for fruit trees and bushes also. 

What might be termed the “full-service” garden centres greeted the increasing emergence of the super-centres entering the business to “skim the cream” each spring.  Rest assured, they have little to worry about.  Those who are behind these scenes know and care little about the plant business.  For that matter, judging by the appalling care of stock, neither does the sales help.

The one major exception is Loblaws, although this is still not the place to go to seek qualified help.  If the up and coming Canadian Tire continues vining ever upwards, expect them shortly to be the country’s largest “garden centre” chain.  For the moment they are, unlike Loblaws, apparently unwilling to pay for professional horticulturalists.

A survey from the U.S.A. has confirmed another suspicion: gardening in North America is by far and away the realm of women.  Most, much to the undisguised relief of mainline garden centres, still prefer to shop at such outlets if only for natural pesticides, fertilizers and similar products largely unavailable from the competition… plus plants.

The same U.S. survey indicates why gardening is the continent’s number one recreation:

      "I enjoy watching things grow in my garden.”

      “I work in the yard because it is a good way to relieve stress and relax.”

      “My primary focus in gardening is to add colour to my yard.”

      “Gardening is my way to contribute positively to the environment.”

Relandscaping is also a major urban occupation, and no doubt this explains the jump in specialty garden and yard shops in more trendy areas.  No, the bloom is most definitely not off the boom, at least for the discerning gardener.

If you have walked through Toronto’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery, then you have experienced Jack Radecki’s skill with trees.  Employed by the Mount Pleasant Group for over two decades, he is a Graduate Forester from the University of Toronto and, as well as being Supervisor of Arboriculture Services for the cemetery company, is active in many facets, organizations and educational authorities associated with his profession.  But Radecki’s skills do not end there.  He is also an expert landscape design, nursery operation, tree selection and- what is germane for the home gardener- planting. 

Attempting to slay sacred cultural practices is as hazardous a practice as pruning out tree canopies.  Take for instance the all-too-familiar fibre pot.  A half-century ago these were developed in Europe from compressed peat.  A little cellulose from tree pulp acted as a binding agent.  These containers broke down very rapidly after planting (sometimes embarrassingly before).  The blessings of modern commercial production technology swept the peat pot up, tinkered with it and, low and behold, the modern fibre pot was born.  While Radecki admits these remain controversial when it comes to planting, he eschews dumping pot and all in the hole in the pious hope that roots will penetrate the walls of the pot.  They don’t and won’t.  Instead, he says, cut the bottom of the pot away.  Place in the prepared excavation and back fill a few inches.  Slice down the side of the pot with a sharp knife and, as the hole continues to be filled, slowly remove the pot.

Then there is the hole itself.  This is not an undertaking for the faint of heart.  On the solid grey clay that covers much of Toronto north of the old shoreline of Lake Iroquois, the hole should be five times the width of the pot or root ball, says Radecki, and the same depth as the pot. 

The soil removed from the hole may in part be used to refill it, with the addition of at least five percent compost to it.  More desirable on poor soils would be a blend of half the original soil and an equal amount of “triple mix” or similar amended soil.  Place two to four inches of this in the bottom to elevate the root ball slightly, hence the “root collar”, or point where the tree leaves the soil in its container.

The hole is then backfilled and tamped well down to remove air pockets.  A circular ridge is formed around the base of the tree to retain rain and irrigation water.  Do not add any fertilizer the first season, Radecki advises.  Despite urgings from other sources, this can actually be harmful.  Wait until early December, after the leaves have dropped, to apply nutrients.  Older gardeners may have the urge to prune at planting.  This is also contraindicated, says Radecki.

Finally, mulch with bark chips.  Radecki would use wood chips, easily available professionally, but home gardeners may find these unpleasantly full of splinters.  Do not mulch right up to the trunk but leave a few inches free so as not to provide a cover for bark-chewing mice over the winter months.  Watering is, of course, critical in the first year or two.  But too much can be as harmful as too little, especially on poorly drained soil.  Two five-gallon pails of water every three days will suffice. 

The results of Jack Radecki’s care, as well as that of his predecessors, are proof that such measures as he advises are essential for urban plantings. Mount Pleasant Cemetery is open to the public all year long.   Located on Yonge Street, north of St. Clair and South of Davisville Avenues, it is easily reached by subway, the better way to go, as parking is poor in the area. 

An excellent guide to the grounds, which date back to 1876, may be found in local historian Mike Filey’s Mount Pleasant Cemetery: An Illustrated Guide, which is complete with maps, along with a chapter on the trees and shrubs to be found there, written by Jack Radecki himself.

No one with the faintest interest in the history of Toronto (and especially the figures who so often have painted it with a colourful brush) can fail to delight in Mike Filey’s knowledge.  Gardening leads us down so many paths.  And also across many a lawn.  Fifteen years ago the Metro Parks Commissioner Tommy Thompson died and was buried in the same Mount Pleasant Cemetery where he had found employment as a gardener many years previously.  Tommy Thompson was all that a senior bureaucrat should be but seldom is.  On his tombstone is the same request he made world-famous: PLEASE WALK ON THE GRASS.

Casa Loma Gardens

Free every Tuesday evening through to October from 4 pm until dusk.

High Park

Meet across the street from the Grenadier Restaurant: confirm program details by phoning 392-1748.

Richter’s Herbs

20 August: 4^th Annual Herb Fair at Richter’s, Hwy. 47, Goodwood, Ontario.  10 am- 4 pm.

27 August: Herbal Teas.  Free lecture at Richter’s, Hwy. 47, Goodwood, Ontario. 2 pm.

Toronto Wildflower Garden Tour

26 August: North American Native Plant Society, more information from the Civic Garden Centre at 416-397-1340.

Toronto Field Naturalist Outings

Free guided walks.  Wear suitable clothes and footwear, bring a camera, notebook, binoculars.  Children are welcome, but no pets.  All walks are TTC accessible.

2 August:  Rouge Valley- nature walk.  Meet 10:30 am at the NE corner of Sheppard E/ Meadowvale Road; bring lunch and water.  A long, rugged walk.

4 August:  Nordheimer Ravine- ravine renaturalize.  Meet 6:45 pm at south side subway exit of St. Clair/ Bathurst.

9 August:  Humber Valley- heritage walk.  Meet 10:30 am at the Old Mill subway station.  Bring lunch, water.  A look at historical Humber and wildflowers.

16 August:  Mount Pleasant Cemetery- nature walk.  Meet at 10 am at the Davisville subway station.  Morning only, don’t miss this one!

20 August:  Gardens & Naturalized Sites- urban ecology.  Meet 2 pm at the SE corner of Yonge St/ Albertus Ave.

22 August:  Toronto Islands- wildflowers, birds and butterflies.  Meet at 9:30 am at the ferry docks (foot of Bay).

27 August:  Central Don- nature walk.  Meet 10:30 am at O’Connor/ Broadview Avenues.  Bring lunch and water.  Many habitats here.

30 August:  Todmorden Mills- nature walk.  Meet at 10 am at the entrance to the village on Pottery Road.  Bring lunch and water- see woodland trail, meadow, wetlands.

It has been months since the Canada Blooms show, but some are still puzzling over how wonderful landscapes such as that of the Niagara Parks could have water that constantly emitted mist without obviously being boiling hot.  The secret is a Water Garden Mister, designed for use in ornamental water features installed indoors or in sheltered gardens.  Placed just below the surface and plugged into a power source, it uses simple vibration technology to produce a fine mist which will follow the flow of water.  It is available for $89.95 plus taxes from Rittenhouse, at 1-877-488-1914 or hit www.rittenhouse.ca.  

Apparently as yet only available in commercial quantities, Yucca Extract is claimed by its distributor to make an excellent wetting agent, as well as stimulating plant growth, increasing water and nutrient uptake, and controlling insects and diseases in many plants.  Obtained from the Yucca schidigera (desert lily), a native of the Mohave Desert in the southwest U.S., it contains a steroidal saponin.  Available in 4-, 20-, and 200-litre containers from Superfast Solutions, 506 Whitelaw Road, Guelph, Ont., N1K 1A2, Tel/Fax 1-800-667-0361, Robert@ycdi.com, www.ycdi.com.

Just what every nouveau riche gardener needs: outdoor, all-weather “Rock Speakers” to blast the heck out of the neighbourhood.  Made in Canada and cunningly disguised as granite boulders moulded of fibreglass, they can be easily hooked up to any home stereo, according to MP Sales & Distribution, 546 Crimson Court, Oshawa, (905) 571-9479 or www.rockspeakers.com.  The late Isaac Asimov recorded that more conventional rock music killed plants in scientifically conducted research.

A useful quick reference book is Garden Way’s Just the Facts.  Containing dozens of charts and answering literally thousands of questions, it has occupied an honoured position on gardeners’ bookshelves for the past half-dozen years.  It is $22.95 from Storey Communications (1-800-441-5700), or check your favourite local bookstore.

     A pair of Guelph scientists are developing new varieties of tomatoes that will resist chilly late summer and fall nights, store longer and retain flavour and texture.  They also advise that tomatoes do not store well in the fridge, nor do avocadoes, melons or peppers.

     A gene for one of the deadly neurotoxins found in the funnel-web spider is being used to produce a species-specific “biopesticide” by scientists at the University of Connecticut.

     Naturally-occurring aluminium, found in many acidic soils, poisons the grains grown in them.  But U.S. biotech labs in Ithaca, N.Y., have isolated a barley gene that allows a variety of that grain to grow in such soils.

     A Japanese power company is paying Australia to plant over 1,000 acres of pines to offset the use of fossil fuels in Japan by producing carbon dioxide. 

     According to aerodynamic theories, insects shouldn’t be able to fly.  But scientists have discovered that, unlike aircraft or birds, insects create miniature whirlwinds to raise them aloft, as well as to enable them to steer in the right direction. 

     The U.N. is preparing to test a specially selected strain of parasitic fungus Fusarium oxysporum to attack coca plants in Colombia.  Coca is the source of cocaine, but some environmentalists have voiced concern that the fungus might mutate and devastate the Amazon rainforest. 

     In a recent study, seed banks are reported as possibly failing to save the genetic diversity of the seeds stored (Heredity, vol. 84, p.476).

     Annoyed at the failure to report a lab break-in, Brazil bans research into genetically-modified soybeans at one of four facilities operated by Monsanto.

     Who grows the most transgenic crops?  In order, by millions of hectares: U.S. (28.7), Argentina (6.7), Canada (4.0), China (0.3).

     “If plants supply us with oxygen, why do the make it so hard to breathe?”- advertisement, Shoppers Drug Mart for Healthwatch Asthma & Allergy Day, July 6.

     University of Guelph research indicates that flaxseed oil boosts the immune systems of laboratory mice.  Flaxseed oil is also high in components known to help fight heart disease in humans while improving mental and visual functions.

     Researchers at the Guelph Centre for Functional Foods, in collaboration with the University of Toronto, are conducting clinical trials on the effectiveness of isoflavones found in soybean-based foods in reducing cholesterol.  Other studies have shown that isoflavones help prevent several cancers as well as arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis.

     Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) post decision documents related to biotech foods on their websites, www.hc-sc-gc.ca and www.cfia-acis.agr.ca. 

     A study at the University of North Carolina explains red wine’s effectiveness against cancer by showing that it controls a protein which turns genes on and off inside the cell nucleus.  

     Scientists at the Imperial College in London, England, are working to develop cannabis-based painkillers without psychoactive effects. 

     The House of Commons report on pesticides is shown to be at least in part based on disproved research, despite the very vocal protests of its chief proponent, Charles Caccia, MP.

     A patented Japanese invention reduces the odour of dog droppings by adding to the mutts’ food coffee beans, rosemary, grape and sunflower seeds, and apple and carrot leaves.  They also tried a similar concoction on humans.

     Plants can sunburn also, report Swiss scientists, resulting in permanent DNA damage. 

     The Halifax regional municipality passes a bylaw phasing in the banning of pesticides.  A total ban will be in place by April, 2003.  Toronto council is considering a similar bylaw but admits that it would first have to change Ontario provincial legislation, which is unlikely under the present government.

     For five years, proud lawn owners of Toronto’s upscale Forest Hill who dare have their verdant venue sprayed with chemicals have been subjected to flyers and visits by a jogging sales consultant who is a disciple of the natural way, reports the National Post.

     Research at Reading University, England, indicates that on rare occasions genetically modified canola can hybridize with wild turnip, its weedy close relative.

     The gene that causes tomato fruit to become up to 500 times larger than that of their wild relations is similar to that which causes cancer in humans, report U.S. researchers.  They hasten to add that tomatoes are not only safe to eat, but are also known to contain substances which protect against human cancers.

     Research in Scotland indicates that tomatoes may prevent blood clots causing strokes and heart disease.  This is good news for that canny country which has Europe’s highest record of such disease, caused by appalling dietary habits.

     Heinz, claiming half of its users are kids, brings out a tomato ketchup coloured green to cater to the juvenile tastes.

     Facai, a wild plant from China, is threatened with similar extinction since the name, in Mandarin, is similar to the verb meaning to get rich, resulting superstitious Chinese overpicking it.

     Fighting over the mild narcotic drug qat in southern Somalia kills seven and wounds ten more.

     The U.S. lifts a prolonged ban on importing canned ackee fruit, considered a delicacy in Caribbean cuisine but deadly poison if picked unripe.

     Lopping down a fir tree on his waterfront property in Nanaimo nets a local man a $5000 fine for destroying a designated bald eagle nesting site.

     A homeowner in Saskatoon is charged with having noisy windchimes under a by-law that forbids any “loud, unnecessary or unusual noise” that “annoys or disturbs” other people.

     A Boston, Mass. man mowing a neighbour’s lawn was shot twice with an air rifle at about 9 am on 4 July by a teenage neighbour who objected to the noise.  He was “boiling mad” but not seriously injured.  The 19-year-old neighbour was charged.

     Mushrooms from the wild are much appreciated by Eastern Europeans.  Their powers of recognition seem to leave something to be desired, though.  So far this year, 112 people are reported dead in Ukraine and another 131 in Russia, with hundreds more being hospitalized.  Plainly they do not believe in Canadian mycological adage: There are old mushroom pickers, and bold mushroom pickers, but there are no old, bold mushroom pickers.

     The brown spruce longhorn beetle, an imported pest from Europe and Asia that has devastated red spruce in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, has been discovered at 22 sites outside the park.  Worse news followed: it has spread to white spruce, a major species of Canada’s northern forests, which raises fresh fears among scientists.  The proposal by federal experts to destroy 10,000 of the red spruce in the park met with some very vocal local opposition.  This failed to sway the feds and two local companies commenced to give the trees the chop.

     Takamasa Suzuki, manager of Konchu Taikoku Waku Waku Land, a store in Japan that specializes in selling live beetles to collectors, says: “Beetles don’t need much attention and rearing them is good for relieving stress”.  Keeping live beetles is a popular hobby in Japan.

     Hedley Technologies, a Mississauga biosciences firm that has been producing a natural pesticide (based on diatomaceous earth and silica gel) since 1992, achieves great success on an international scale with a similar product for controlling pests in grains.

     A Winnipeg activist manages to halt municipal fogging with the chemical malathion for mosquito plagues.  But, says the local councillor, ironically this will increase the amount of the chemical used by individual homeowners in the community, who are less than impressed with environmentalists when compared with the infamous Prairie ‘skeeter.

     A two-year-old bull moose wanders into the grounds of Rideau Hall, the Governor-General’s residence in Ottawa.  It is duly tranquilized and removed to a less lush location.

     A protein acting as an antifreeze allows some bugs to hibernate safely through sub-zero temperatures.  Not surprisingly, this is a Canadian discovery, made by researchers at Queen’s University, Kingston and the University of Alberta, Edmonton.

     A Texas researcher has discovered that the caterpillar of the South American butterfly Heliconius sara can feast on the cyanide-protected leaves of passion fruit vines.

     In a survey of how U.S. children rate summer jobs, the Consumer Report magazine Zillions discovers that they believe mowing lawns and watering house plants- along with cleaning garages- to be the most lucrative, yielding $5 and hour.

     Gardeners in the Swiss community of Zeglingen have a problem not usually encountered elsewhere.  Garden shoes, along with other footwear, are being stolen, turning up later on the banks of a nearby stream.  Foxes are the suspected perpetrators.

     Police were called to a Palmerston Blvd/ Harbord St., Toronto home to remove a 75 cm snake, believed to be non-venomous.  Snakes are still disliked by most, despite the fact that these smaller, local species have an excellent appetite for many plant pests.

     Two B.C. men are sent to prison for the torture and murder of a Port Moody man they accused of stealing a wheelbarrow.

     The same process that produced Canadian standard for identifying organic foods is being applied to those with genetically modified ingredients.  The project is jointly shared by the Canada Council of Grocery Distributors, the Canadian General Standards Board and the Consumers’ Association of Canada.

     The Gulf News reported that a shipment of watermelons into Dubai concealed almost a million dollars in cash, rather shocking the food inspector who made the discovery.

     Councillor George Mammoliti appoints himself as the city’s “weed wacker,” buys a power lawn mower with office funds and conducts a photo-op, mowing long grass on a boulevard in his North York ward overlooked by municipal work crews.  Residents and taxpayers elsewhere remember when this was called being neighbourly and not a wacky public gimmick. 

     Not all wacky politicians are found here.  British Environment Minister Michael Meacher explains that field trials aimed at ensuring genetically modified crops are indeed safe could spread their pollen “any distance” to contaminate other crops.  It will be up to the consumer, says Meacher, “to determine what degree of GM food in a non-GM product is acceptable.”

     China, having lost 4 million acres of crops and 9 million acres of grassland to the worst plague of locust in a quarter century, has mobilized 700,000 ducks and chickens.  They will be beating the locusts by eating them, having been trained to attack the voracious insects at the sound of a whistle. 

     Regina offers composted human waste to farmer to use on wheat, barley or canola crops.  Edmonton, Saskatoon, Calgary and not surprisingly, Ottawa, already use this method of disposal, it is reported.

     Britain now has about a hundred “Bed & Breakfasts for Garden Lovers”.  These establishments feature the B&B plus their enthusiastic owner’s gardens.  BBGL’s website is at www.bbgl.co.uk. 

     Toronto experiences the wettest May-June period since records started to be kept 164 years ago.  Some 28 centimetres, or about 1 ft. of rain fell in the 2 months.

     Mid-July, the thermometer drops down to -1ºC in a northeast Saskatchewan community, destroying tomatoes, potatoes, and some gardeners beliefs in global warming.

     A painting by French impressionist Paul Cezanne fetched $8,191,936.  It was a still life study of fruit and a pot of ginger.  Cezanne, a banker and lawyer turned painter, is regarded as the “father of modern art”.  Last year another of his paintings, also of fruit, realized the fourth-highest price paid for any painting: $56,000,000.

     A royal apple farmer, the exiled Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia, died last month at 72 in his adopted country, England.  The Daily Telegraph noted in Tomislav’s obituary that while at Cambridge University “he was happiest when digging in the garden of the psychology department.”

     In an article on the names chosen by celebrities for their children, the National Post includes Willow, from Gabrielle Anwar; Travis Sedge, from Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick; Sage Moon, from Sylvester Stallone, while Michael Hutchence and Paula Yates named their little bundle of joy Heavenly Hraani Tigerlily.  The Post missed Peaches, one of Bob Geldof’s three daughters, and Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of the late Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.  We know two immigrants who named their first-born daughter Maple as the symbol of the country that accepted them.

     Or perhaps it should be an advanced case of chutzpah.  While Britain bans genetically modified crops, the Royal Society there enthusiastically endorses such crops for Third World countries, urging the multinational companies involved to turn over GM technology at no charge to alleviate hunger.  Strangely, there is no urging countries such as North Korea to reduce their military and thus have the funds to prevent mass starvation so severe it has reportedly led to cannibalism there.

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