The two four-metre parallel rows of wire fencing I set up, one metre apart, early in the spring for the shelling peas have created a space that is easy to keep cool and shaded in hot, sunny weather. The arrangement is also simple to rabbit-proof.
The first pea row to be planted, harvested and pulled up for composting leaves two four-metre planting rows, one on each side of the fencing, for snow peas, corn salad, lettuces and other green vegetables.
I’ve found it easy to set up lengths of short , lightweight wire fencing beside the outer edges to protect plants growing there from being eaten. The short wire also holds shade cloth covering the whole area away from the plants along the outer edges, giving those plants free room to grow.
The shade cloth I acquired measures two metres by four metres. It is lightweight and easy to arrange over the area. Two pieces of the shade cloth, laid crosswise over the two lengths of pea fencing, cover the entire four-row planting space perfectly, to allow leafy green vegetables to thrive even under fiercely hot summer sun.
Tomatoes. In many home gardens, tomatoes are the highlight and supreme delight of summer.
Last month, neighbours and friends voiced a common lament that the fruit set on their plants looked sparse.
Mine looked that way too. Not many tomatoes had formed low down on the staked plants — with some exceptions. The first fruit cluster on the Japanese Black Trifele plants hung just 10 cm above the ground. On the Big Beef plants, tomatoes had formed 15 cm above soil level.
Among the new tomatoes to my garden this year, there were surprises. Bronze Torch, a variety from Renee’s Garden, has produced tall vines bearing substantial clusters of elongated, pointed fruits with attractive streaking. One of the plants held six well-spaced fruit clusters, the lowest one bearing 10 tomatoes.
Pozzano (West Coast Seeds, William Dam Seeds) is another beauty, with elongated Roma tomatoes in clusters of up to seven fruits.
My garden, partly shaded by surrounding giant fir and cedar trees, is not a space that yields early-ripening produce. I picked the first fully ripe tomatoes, in the third week of July, on the Little Napoli (William Dam) plants in patio pots. This is a prolific producer of small Roma tomatoes. Two friends I grew transplants for have been thrilled with them.
In the open garden, the first ripe tomatoes came from the tall, slender Sun Dipper (William Dam) plants which, as usual, have taken on an elegant look adorned with clusters of small, slender, elongated tomatoes that are perfect for dipping and snacking. The small tomatoes are packed with sweetness and intense flavour The plants are prolific. One fruit cluster held 18 tomatoes.
Next Saturday. I’ll be taking a break from writing a column for the Labour Day weekend. May you enjoy the fruits of you gardening labours over the holiday.
GARDEN EVENTS
VHS meeting. The Victoria Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 7:15 to 9 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. Connie Davis, who has grown, shown and judged dahlias for 29 years, will share her knowledge on growing them. Non-member drop-in fee $5. vichortsociety.org.
Gordon Head meeting. The Gordon Head Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Gordon Head Lawn Bowling club, 4105 Lambrick Way. Mary Alice Johnson, proprietor of Full Circle Seeds and ALM Organic Farm in Sooke, will speak about her locally grown, climate adapted, certified organic seeds (fullcircleseeds.com). Visitors are welcome at no charge.
Des Kennedy presentation. The Qualicum Beach Garden Club is hosting An Evening with Des Kennedy on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St. Des is known for his beautiful Denman Island garden as well as for his novels, garden writing and exuberant humour. Entry requires a physical ticket, free to club members, $5 for guests. Tickets can be acquired at Arbutus Fashion and Lifestyle and at Mulberry Bush Book Store in Qualicum. Or order online via Linda at QBGC. [email protected]. Information at qualicumbeachgardenclub.ca.
Plant sales. The Friends of Government House Gardens Society are hosting sales of perennials on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Plant Nursery, across from the Tea Room at Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave. in Victoria.
