This has certainly been an eventful week. The election of Trump to be the next President leaves me saddened and nervous. With his aggressive nasty statements and election promises I fear that there will be some serious fallout for not only the American people but we Canadians as neighbours and the rest of the world as well. His stand on Climate Change, Women’s Rights, Immigration and any one who apposes his self righteous ego will be something to behold. It’s bad enough that major areas of the world are at war but his relationships with the offending parties is much too close. I’m so disappointed in Elon Musk but I guess he has a lot to gain financially in trade for the loss of his mind and the respect he once carried. As my Father would say It’s Like Wiping You Butt With A Hoop There’s No End To It.
The weather has been unseasonably warm and it looks like this trend will hold till about mid-month when some snow showers are forecast. My Maple has lost almost all it’s leaves and I have them almost all picked up so other than a fairly green and heavily leaved Plum tree my yard is ready for winter. The Greenhouse too is ready for winter and so I can soon devote some time to my neglected housework.
Remembrance Day was this last Monday and I hope everyone took a moment to reflect on our Veterans and the sacrifices that they have made for us. One tradition that is highly practiced is the wearing of a Poppy and here is a bit of knowledge that one should know.
The Poppy is a herbaceous, colourful and ancient plant that grows in many areas of the world. It can be a perennial or annual, easy to grow to the point of invasive to a delicate but tenacious perennial. They tend to grow best in spring to early summer and can be an incredible, bold flash of colour in our yards. They are not only a showy flash of colour but the many varieties have uses from medicine (somniferous or opiate poppies), culinary endeavours such as on cakes and breads as well as paints, and varnishes. The seeds are rich in oils used in margarines and the pollen very important to our bees. Most Poppies secrete a latex when injured. It was even symbolically mentioned in a children’s classic The Wizard of Oz.
“And now my beauties something with poison in it I think, but attractive to the eye and soothing to the smell. Poppies, Poppies, Poppies will put them to sleep” ( Wicked Witch of the West. Wizard Of Oz Movie 1939)
Poppies can be dangerous to animals causing sedation to excited states, loss of appetite, pin point pupils in dogs to dilated pupils in cats both with whining and lost staring into space episodes. Seeds from all types of annuals and root divisions from perennials are available including the opium poppy. They can grow up to 2 or 3 feet tall and most will die after blooming although with perennials pruning will encourage late blooms in fall and seeds from annuals will often regenerate again the following spring.
The Poppy tends to grow in disturbed ground. In the 12 century, in the times of Genghis Khan, white poppies grew and were symbolic of death and rebirth. In Flanders with the disturbed ground that was a barren land of chalk soil, lime from the rubble provided the perfect medium for the Red Poppy that thanks to the poetic Lieutenant – Colonel John McCrea, of Guelph, Ontario, who served as a medical officer in WW1 the Poppy became the symbol of fallen warriors, of sleep, peace and death. Thanks to millions of Canadians who proudly wear the Poppy every November keep the memories of the fallen alive and strong, your support and proud display of a Poppy on your lapel and being kind and staying safe will again show the world of Canadian’s Heroism.
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 to November 11th and at all Veterans funerals and memorials. They should always be disposed of respectfully or be saved. Thousands of Canadians place 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
