Was up at 9am weeding and laying mulch in a couple of paths in Block B. Weeded a bit in block A, but, this block is going to take a dedicated team to get a good grip on the weeding. Left at 12:50pm.





I managed to make some time and log the peony seedlings and check on the roots. Out of approx. 100 seeds planted in 2006 we have 55 seedlings that germinated and have been successfully growing over the past 2 or 3 years. We have also been given root donations in the last two years and I have brought several to add to our collection (14).
In 2007 a couple of roots were planted for the "Growing on Program" implemented by the Canadian Peony Society. We will grow the roots for 3 to 5 years at which time the roots will be dug up and added to the CPS Root Sale fundraiser held once a year for members, as compensation for donating our time we keep a piece of the root.

High Temperature:
Actual: 19°C Partly sunny Wind SW14km/h P.O.P.0%
Average: 26°C
Record: 35°C in 1999

Low Temperature:
Actual: 7°C mostly cloudy Wind W11km/h P.O.P.22%
Average: 14°C
Record: 4°C in 1968

More blooms in block B

Day +12 heavy cloud rain 16.30mm Wind WNW24km/h P.O.P.70%
Night +7 cloudy Wind NW14km/h P.O.P.80%

Dahlias close up

Day +8 sun and cloud Wind SE12km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +6 partly cloudy rain Wind E9km/h P.O.P.70%

The selection of dahlia's for growing on this year have been phenomenal.





Day +16 sun and cloud Wind N22km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +8 partly cloudy .30mm Wind NNW19km/h P.O.P.10%

Dahlias in bloom at the

nursery garden.

Some Dahlias in bloom at the nursery garden.

Several varieties are in the pink.

Beds in Block B growing whatever has been donated or we have extra seedlings of are growing quite nicely. This summer has been a gardeners dream in the water department. We have not had to water out here as often due to our weather.

Day +20 sun and cloud Wind WNW22km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +13 patchy clouds Wind NW17km/h P.O.P.10%

Alex and his friend Tavaughn came up with me to help out. They pulled weeds in block A from 5 rows. Les and Dick were in block D tying tomatoes and Moeen was in block C weeding, trimming and watering a few rows. Alan was up with the dogs, using the trimmer he trimmed around the compost bins and block A and B.

Day +20 sun and cloud Winds S11km/h P.O.P.0%
Night +10 Mostly cloudy Winds N6km/h P.O.P.20%

I was up again today pulling the monstrous array of weeds that have started taking over just about every corner of the gardens. All this rain and few bodies to keep up with the ever demanding chore is giving the advantage to the weeds. Spent 3 1/2 hours pulling them and now Block B is beginning to look like growing beds again. Alan, was also up clearing weeds in Block C.

Day +19 sun and cloud with showers 1.8mm Winds W16km/h P.O.P.70%
Night+12 mainly clear Winds WSW19km/h P.O.P.0%

One of the downsides to the wet weather is the abundance of weeds. This summer has and will be a never ending battle between us and the weeds.



The plants in this bed have been brought from my home. Many of the peonies and other plantings will be donated after they have grown on for a couple of years to the gardens maintained around the building.


Day +18 sun and cloud Wind NNW16km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +8 partly cloudy Wind N6km/h P.O.P.0%

Spent 2 hours at the gardens. Uncovered potted dahlias and weeded Block B from 24 to 14 with Lynn. Juliet weeded B4 to 8. Carolyn and Laurie cleaned up the worst looking rows in Block A. Tom, Grace and Laurie helped Alan in Block C weed and prepare beds for seedlings. Grace and Moeen laid wood chips between the rows. Joe and Moeen used the string trimmers and cleaned around the beds where the tractor and gang mower couldn't reach. Very productive weekend.

Day +13 partly sunny Winds NNW20km/h P.O.P.0%
Night +2 mainly clear Winds NNW19km/h P.O.P.0%

Spent 3 hours pulling weeds and trying to work out weeds from the strip beside my bed. I brought up some found garden hose and Alan and Moeen showed up to clean out some of the compost bins and make some new ones. We still have to remove annuals from the front sign beds and corner bed, lift the tubers of cannas and dahlias,
weed wherever you see them to get a jump on next year and any of the smaller tasks we can think of before winter hits.

Day +14 cloudy with sunny periods Winds S10km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +5 cloudy Winds E5km/h P.O.P.20%

Rainbow Swiss Chard - The green leaves and crunchy stalks come in a vivid array of yellow, crimson, gold, pink and white with an occasional orange stem. This Chard is originally from New Zealand. Bright Lights has a sweeter, milder flavour than other varieties.
Harvest when plants are well established and have 6 to 8 inch stalks. Both stalks and leaves are excellent for eating. Chop steam or saute with garlic or olive oil. Or use like spinach in lasagna or minestrone soap.


Red Peppers


Yellow Peppers

The vegetable patch in block b is ready for picking.

Gladiolus callianthus Murielae




The iris bed was planted last fall and has grown quite nicely over the summer.





Dahlia near the end of block b

Rudbeckia White Swan




Rudbeckia purple coneflower

Our pepper patch is growing red, green and yellow peppers. All ready for picking. Alan and I picked a couple of baskets for the Knights Table. I took a few home for myself as well.



Our row of chives is also growing well. I snipped a few for home. I will fry some up with the mushrooms and garlic and have them as a topping with my steak dinner.

We had a few people show up this morning. Phyllis and I cleared weeds and I trimmed the edges of the Wedding Garden. We went to the nursery garden and dropped off garden compost. I continued working in the nursery garden, tidied up some of the pots and things floating about.

Dick cleaned up alot of the floating stuff and cleared the floating branches of tomatoes that couldn't be tied up. I pulled weeds from the tomato patch and picked tomatoes.

Christine and her daughter showed up and we all picked tomatoes. The three of us picked 205 lbs of tomatoes. (175 lbs of large tomatoes and 30 lbs of cherry) Alan was laying mulch paths between rows in Block B.

Day +17 chance of showers UV4 Winds W5km/h P.O.P.40%
N +6 chance of showers Winds W20km/h P.O.P.70%

Onion Patch in Block B. Crop is coming along nicely and we have already had a few onions picked to give to the Knights Table.





This is a bed donated to me for growing on some of the perennials I have no room at home for. There are peonies in the foreground that will be grown and used in the Wedding Garden.

Day +20 sun and cloud UV7 Winds NW10km/h P.O.P.20%
Night +9 increasing cloud Winds N5km/h P.O.P.20%

Update from Alan
A third of the ‘Pacific Burbank’ and ‘Superior’ potatoes were dug and the resulting 13 kilos were delivered yesterday. With the lack of rain, the hot weather and the short growing season, I was expecting a pretty poor crop but, based on what has been dug so far, the yield might be close to what we got last year.

Day +20 H:24 mix sun and cloud UV9 Winds SE10km/h P.O.P.30%
Night +10 cloudy periods Winds NE5km/h P.O.P.10%