Bonjour Quebec!

So, I'm in Quebec City for the 2013 Garden Writers Symposium and I've been neglecting my social media responsibilities! I thought I'd steal a minute to share some of the fine folks I've been connecting with here in this amazing historic city... but I promise, I will have so much more to share in the coming days.. I've seen some amazing (edible!) gardens here and some fabulous varieties and plant combos. I've snapped hundreds of photos and will post much much more soon. But for now, I thought I'd introduce you to some literary friends from the trade show.

It's Doug Oster! Doug has written several books and also
creates the awesome Digging with Doug videos.
Follow him on facebook/twitter to check out his fun
and informative videos

Canadian literary legend (and king of the perennials!), Larry Hodgson
with the incredible Ellen Zachos. Ellen is a former Broadway
performer and the author of many books, including her latest -
Backyard Foraging. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Christy Wilhelmi
on The Weekend Gardener in June. I had no
idea she would be in Quebec City - travelling from
Los Angeles! Love her book and her enthusiasm! 

Hey Steven Biggs! Canada's Fig guru (among
other edibles/ornamentals) at the Garden
Writers Book Fair! 

Dan Cooper and I.. Dan is the co-author of
Gardening from a Hammock (along with Ellen Novack), a perfect
summer read. Inspiration, ideas and advice
from a selection of Canada's best gardeners
and writers. 

It's the crew from St. Lynn's Press. There are some
great books coming out in late 2013 and into
2014.. Can't wait!

Finally, it's the Nova Scotia garden contingent at
GWA 13! Jodi Delong and I having a
(much needed) coffee/tea break.

I've got a talk tonight!

Here is the blurb from the Common Roots Urban Farm Facebook page.. It's a brand new talk and I can't wait to share updated photos/ideas! Hope to see you there!

Award winning author Niki Jabbour will be giving a talk this Thursday, August 8 as part of our workshop series!

Cold Season Characters - What to grow for the fall and winter garden:

Join best-selling and award-winning author Niki Jabbour (The Year Round Vegetable Gardener) for a dynamic talk that spotlights the best vegetables and herbs to grow for fall and winter. She'll share favourite varieties and offer tips on when to plant. Niki will also touch on a few of her reliable season extenders-cold frames and mini tunnels-and how they can be used for a non-stop supply of homegrown food.

Location: Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary Site (Summer Street entrance)
Time: 6:30-7:30
Cost: PWYC! Donations go to CRUF

Attack of the Aphids!

What veggie gardener (or flower gardener, for that matter!) hasn't encountered aphids at some point? I see them several times a season, typically settled on plants like corn, artichokes and occasionally my peppers. For this reason, I try and include 'trap crops' around my susceptible edibles. Nasturtiums are my favourite aphid trap crop because we can eat them, they entice beneficials/pollinators and they look fabulous!

Here's an example of an effective trap crop at work! My peppers are aphid free.. but the nasturtium planted nearby is infested. It's been this way for weeks, but still no aphids on the peppers.

Don'tcha just love nature!?

Wednesday Blooms!

I love mid-summer, also known as daylily season! Here is a
beauty given to me by a friend.. No idea the cultivar! :) (Donna?)

And another by the same friend. An electric red. LOVE this!

The morning dew/drizzle on some of my nasturtiums. I plant
them everywhere in the veggie garden.

A pale salmon nasturtium from Renees Garden Seeds

Garden Fun with Global Maritimes

For the past 6 or so weeks, I have been doing a bi-weekly garden spot on Global Mornings with host Crystal Garrett. I know I have little to no professional media skills, but it is super fun and Crystal makes it very easy for me! In our latest segment, we talked about mid and late summer colour in the perennial garden.

Click for the video from this mornings broadcast!