How Do You Make Leaves Fall Off Of Trees? You Don’t, They Do It Autumn-atically!
Usually after finishing all the clean up and yard preparation for fall I start to dream of somewhere nice and warm to rest up for a short while until I start again in late January. Last year my antique dog Harley made travel impossible and that ended up being really good as I would have been in Cyprus a very short distance from both Syria and Turkey which both had serious earthquakes with significant loss of life and damage. Cyprus was only minimally affected but still not what one really needs on their vacation. This year so many places have been put on on either travel advisories or bans that one wonders if it safe to go anywhere. Even if the place you wish to travel to is considered a minor precaution area what about having to fly over places that seem not to be impressed with you being in their airspace. China is only shooting flares at this point but still not my idea of a welcome sign.
I have talked to a few people that are feeling the same way, with so many people fleeing hostile homelands and so incredibly impoverished that tourists who can afford to go to their country and other nearby areas may not fair so well. Global warming has caused other crisis in many countries and people there will be trying to recover and don’t need a bunch of tourists underfoot as well. With everything ramping up in Israel and the Gaza Strip that area most definitely should be avoided and that situation is sure to get worse before it gets better. Hard to believe that Israel did not pick up on any intel that could have prevented that disaster but Hamas managed to slip by while not using computers, cell phones or other more modern communication devises. All this because they used handwritten notes and Semaphore to communicate. (Semaphore of course is a system of hand held flags or torches at night and by the positions of the flag you spell out your message. Although not used as widely as it once was it is still being used by the Navy and Boy Scouts)and I jest that that was in any way used by the Hamas. So this year I intend to stay home by choice and other that an upcoming trek to Alberta to visit family I am happy with this decision.
Plenty of work to do here and one of them that I have just begun to engage in Is the annual perusal of my seed catalogues. So many incredible vegetable and flowering plants to choose from. A friend just brought me a catalogue from a company I had no previous knowledge of called The Whole Seed Catalogue and it is an amazing collection of Heirloom and Rare varieties of seed some I know and some I have never heard of.
Did you know that Dandelions also come in other colours other than our yellow ones? There are some amazing colours available they are very important to bees and butterflies especially in early spring and late fall and have many uses in herbal medicines. They are a healthy food source rich in vitamins, minerals, potassium and zinc not to mention they can used a coffee substitute and for wine making. I am not sure that that will be high on my list of seeds to order but there are a few other items that have peeked my interest and I’ve only started my search. So many options so little time. LOL
This coming weekend is Remembrance Day and now more than ever we should proudly wear the Poppy keeping the memories of the fallen soldiers alive and strong. Your support and proud display of a Poppy on your lapel, being kind and staying safe will show the world of the best qualities of a Canadian. Poppies should be worn on the left side over the heart and should not be obstructed from view. They are normally worn from the last Friday of October and should not be worn after the 11th of November unless you are attending a Veterans funeral or memorial. They should always be disposed of respectfully or saved, many Canadians placed them on the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier after the Remembrance Day Ceremony. Always worn with pride and humility.
Happy Gardening!
Samantha Nason
BS Ranch & Greenhouses
250 547 6567
sam1nason@gmail.com
