At least two -and almost three- terrorist bombs based on fertilizer have been detonated in the past few years in the United States.  More have been used elsewhere, mostly in the Third World.  So, in short, are the chemical fertilizers you may be storing in the garage, tool shed or elsewhere likely to explode?

NO.  There are no known instances on record of this happening.  Not surprisingly either, since it would take another substance to be mixed intentionally, or to accidentally pollute the fertilizer.  Even then it would still require a detonator. 

The best news of all is that only a very limited range of commercial fertilizers possess these explosive qualities when suitably treated.  None of them are in common use in the home garden.

If, however, you wish to stay on the side of the angels and avoid being up there with them, then perhaps you wish to bear in mind that these pages usually recommend natural-based fertilizers.  As indoor plants are usually fertilized with liquid nutrient preparations, there is no concern there.  Granulated fertilizers that have been suggested include “Milorganite”, distributed in Canada by So-Green, as well as bonemeal.  So-Green also has such fertilizers as “High Organic”.

You might also wish to treat the entire garden regularly with horticultural lime, beneficial for all except acid-loving plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons.  Lime helps release nutrients that are otherwise unavailable -or “locked up”- but still present, particularly in clay soils.  Do not, though, apply at the same time as fertilizers, natural or chemical.

Even if you do use chemical fertilizers, you may rest assured your garden is not going to explode with anything except blooms.

Some of the winter walks described in issues of City Gardening can be over paths that the weather has turned into skating rinks.  Posties and others have learned the hard way that wearing studded safety soles can prevent falls.  These quickly strap over shoes or boots and are equally good for winter trips to the composter or making it to the nearest TTC stop.  Faye Sideen of Healthtime, at 2430 Danforth Ave, near the first lights west of Main Street (tel. 693-7676, fax 693-8515), stocks these nifty notions.

Scabosia columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ -perhaps better known as a variety of the Pincushion Flower- has been selected by the professional Perennial Plant Association as the “Perennial Plant of the Year 2000”.  As the name implies, it has attractive blue flowers that are produced over an extended period.  Noted for its reliability, as well as being pest and disease resistant, it goes well massed in sunny borders and as a butterfly attractant.  Check out the Perennial Plant Association’s website at www.landscapeontario.com for more information. 

“Squirrel Scatter” is an electronic bird feeder from Guardian Pest Deterrents.  It works on the same principle that you are all too familiar with at this time of year: static electricity.  Powered by a couple of D batteries, it delivers about a third of the shock you feel when walking along a carpet.  Such a shock is enough to send squirrels running though when they touch two of the poles.  Birds sit on just one and feed without discomfort, just as they can perch on power lines.  The website www.perennialplant.org gives additional information.

Whether by seeds, cuttings or bulbs, all offer many superb choices

January and February are great months to start sprouting things, from seeds, bulbs, cuttings or all three.  And it keeps us out of the snowdrifts and preparing for the coming season.

First though, a few supplies.  Clean plastic pots are needed, scrubbed of every last trace of previous occupants.  Even new ones (and the four- and six-inch sizes are best) must then be sterilized.  Use a quarter-cup of bleach in two gallons of water.  Allow to soak for 15 minutes, then remove and stack individually to air and dry overnight.

Professional growing medium is the only way to go.  Professional growing medium is the only way to go.  ‘Hortimix’ and ‘Promix’ are the best known of the “soil-less” mixes.  Once tried, few gardeners will ever again rely on the ritual of soil blends.  Rotting powders and gels are a wonderful aid, especially for those plants known to be “shy” to root cuttings.  Use fancy labels if you must.  Popsicle sticks work just as well and, being cheaper free up funds with which to purchase more seeds and bulbs, requiring more labels… Ditto dibbers for making holes in the growing medium and other such gadgets.  A pencil works just fine.  Finally, if you are obsessed with pots dropping their filling from holes at the base, a single sheet of facial tissue takes care of that problem. 

Stem cuttings from many of the plants saved from the garden last fall can be rooted now.  Five cuttings to a four-inch pot works just fine: one in each corner and the last in the centre.  Geranium, fuchsia, bougainvilleas, hibiscus, browallia, impatiens and fibrous-rooted begonia will all yield plants perfect for planting out in May if propagated by cuttings now.  Also, try older herb plants being kept inside for culinary purposes.  Many of the commonest perennial forms –if much over four years old- are past their prime.  Take new cuttings of them in the manner described above. 

Suppress the urge to seed anything and everything at this time.  Almost everything is best left until March and even April, whether flower, herb or vegetable.  There are, however, some magnificent impatiens and fibrous-rooted begonias available from seed.  These are well worth trying and will produce plants at a fraction of the cost of those available later in garden centres.  Geranium seed is also often touted.  Hype notwithstanding, these have all the appeal of a politician’s promises.  Impatiens ad begonia seed is very, very fine.  A mere ounce of begonia seed will produce a quarter-million plants, give or take a few dozen.  Such seed is much more easily sown if mixed first with a few pinches of white cage bird “gravel” (which is actually sand).  Usually it is sufficient only to press firmly into the surface of the growing medium and not to cover the seed.

Finally, there are many summer-flowering bulbs that will produce an earlier display if started now in six-inch pots.  One example is tuberous begonias, both the pendulous forms for hanging baskets and the upright forms for bedding.  The curved side goes downwards while the flattened, slightly sunken side should be uppermost, right at soil level.  Whatever you do, don’t splash water into this hollow, or the bulb (well actually, it’s a tuber) will rot.  Canna lilies come in large and compact forms in a bewildering selection of flower and foliage colours.  They too may be started now, as may dahlias of an even greater number of forms. 

Happy propagating!

Wings of the World newsletter (653 Mt. Pleasant Road, Toronto M4S 2N2, tel. 482-1223 fax 486-4001) offers unusual, well-organized travel to many parts of the worlds of special interest to all our adventuresome gardeners.  Both Africa by rail from Dar es Selaam to Capetown in July and Indochina in February offer botanising opportunities. 

Grimo Nut Nursery catalogue (RR #3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, L0s 1J0)is always fascinating, and not just to SONG members (Society of Ontario Nut Growers).  Send $1 or two 46¢ stamps.

Seeds of Distinction catalogue (tel. 255-3060) lives up to its name with unusual offerings for home and garden, with many highly desirable flowers almost impossible to find elsewhere.

Richters catalogue (Goodwood L0C 1A0, fax 905-640-6641): for many gardeners worldwide a name synonymous with herbs culinary, medicinal, beverage, cosmetic, aromatic and just plain fascinating.

Gardenimport catalogue (Box 760, Thornhill L3T 4A5), a magnificent colour offering of many unusual bulbs, perennials, vines and shrubs from around the world to brighten Toronto gardens.  Send $5 for two years of catalogues with a credit note for use on first order.

Herbal Tea Gardens, Marietta Marshall Marcin’s book first published almost two decades ago, has been re-issued by Storey Books.  A most welcome addition to the bookshelf it is too, especially as greatly renewed interest in herbal teas is booming and blooming.  Twenty-two plans are included for various beverage gardens including, as the cover notes, an aphrodisiac garden.  For those whose libido needs a boost, it includes coriander, damiana, fenugreek, hibiscus and jasmine.

But there are 21 other gardens to consider.  Then there are recipes for blends of herbs, both pleasurable and medicinal.  Even if you believe your health is best left to the family physician, the reviews of individual beverage plants will be of interest to almost every gardener. 

The almost 200 pages includes plans as well as illustrations of individual plants for $23.95, plus the 7% tax on knowledge of Prime Minister Chretien and high-flying Sheila Copps.

High Park Walking Tours: meet 1:15 pm south side of Grenadier Tea House & Café; more info from 392-1748.  Jan.16: High Park in Winter, Jan.30: How plants and animals adapt to winter.

Toronto Entomological Society: Room 603 at Royal Ontario Museum, Saturday Jan.22; call Alan Hanks at 905-727-6993 for details.

Toronto Field Naturalists: free- adults and children welcome but please, no pets.  Dress appropriately; bring camera, notebook, and binoculars.

5 Jan.: Pine Hills Cemetery: meet 10:30 am, NW corner of Kennedy and St. Clair; nature walk.

9 Jan.: Waterfront Trail: meet 1 pm, SE corner of King W. and Strachan; nature walk.

16 Jan.: Walmsley Brook: meet 2 pm, NW corner of Yonge and Albertus; urban nature.

18 Jan.: Mt.Pleasant Cemetery: meet 11 am, Davisville subway; nature walk.

23 Jan.: Riverdale: meet SW corner of Winchester and Sumach; nature walk.

30 Jan.: Don Restoration: meet Broadview subway station 10 am; urban ecology.