April, 2008

I am getting excited. After a near record snow fall this winter, I feel wound up like a clock and ready to kick butter. Make that eggs.

The chickens even feel it is as they are upping the anti in the egg laying department. Our 22 lovely chicks are now laying an average of 16 a day and that is a heck of a lot better than the meager efforts just a few weeks ago. [Sure they could eat lots of chicken feed, but where were the eggs? The professionals tell us this is called 'off the lay'. I call it 'pretty close to getting a job change'. I almost called Rudy the vegetarian chicken eater!]

So this is the feeling that comes to Canadian gardeners every spring when - finally- the snow makes a slow retreat in favour of warming soil. Even Canadian chickens feel it so I have no doubt that non-gardeners feel it too. I know golfers do. And sailors. And people who wash the car in their driveway. You get the idea.

On my CFRB radio show people have been calling with 'signs of spring' and I am getting stories about bird sightings, bird song concerts, overly active water foul who will likely be expanding their offspring shortly and convertible sports care with their tops down in spite of minus 10 degree weather [yes, gardeners are known to enjoy such things....let me take you for a ride in my '97 Miata some day. British racing green, 5 on the floor and gutless in a competition. But ohsofun.]

This is it gang - the beginning of the new gardening season. Why, just this morning I saw the gardeners at the Toronto Botanical Garden planting pansies up in the front bed. I was there for a wrap up meeting for Canada Blooms.

Now let's talk about Canada Blooms - the Toronto Flower and Garden Festival. It was a wonderful success. Attendance was up with numbers like we have not seen in some years.

I would like to thank all of the www.markcullen.com newsletter subscribers that said hello to me an introduced yourselves. Honestly, this is the biggest charge that I get out of attending public events - to actually meet the people who see/hear/read my 'work' here and elsewhere.

And I would like to thank the over 1,000 volunteers who showed up to put the show on AND the 47 garden designers and landscape contractors who installed the fabulous feature gardens. All told, the value of the labour, plants and material installed at the show equals over $10 million. No joking.

Congratulations to Landscape Ontario and the Garden Club of Toronto for the '08 edition of this incredible not-for-profit endeavour. Net proceeds to the 'Woodland Walk' entrance garden at the Toronto Botanical Garden.

One more thing about Canada Blooms - to all of you from out of town - including the 4 ladies from Moncton, New Brunswick, the bus load from Midland and Barrie, Ontario who came with Gardening Life and many more... thanks for coming and saying hi! www.canadablooms.com

Lots of news this month:

CFRB.
For CFRB 1010 listeners to The Garden Show my show changes to an 11 am start [through to noon] beginning April 5th. We think that you will enjoy taking a break from your morning gardening activities for an early lunch. At least, we are hoping! If you do not live within the range of the CFRB signal you can always listen on line at www.cfrb.com.

Canada AM.
I am back on the air at Canada AM and my day has changed there too! I am on Fridays at about 8:45 am. And I am solo - without my buddy Jeff!
I am going to miss the big goof - hopefully will get to see him when I pop by in studio from time to time.
However, I will be 'straight to camera' and, while not laughing my way through my 4 minutes or so, I just might get more gardening information out there... we will see. Tune in and check out my work, which is streamed on the internet at www.ctv.ca/canadaam.

National Home Show.
On behalf of Gardening Life magazine, Friday April 4th I am speaking at the National Home Show at noon. [Friday, April 18th I am at the London Home Show in the evening.] Come by and see me - introduce yourself and stay for a power-point presentation titled "The Canadian Garden Primer, An organic approach". www.nationalhomeshow.com.

Mayor Miller's Trees Across Toronto.
On Saturday, April 26th - one of my favourite events of the year occurs in Toronto, 'Trees Across Toronto' with mayor David Miller. We will be at Earle Bales Park [near Bathurst and Sheppard Avenue] from 10 am to 1 pm. We are making our contribution to doubling Toronto's tree canopy. And we get to see a side of Mayor Miller that is really quite likable. I believe that he is sincere in his desire to make Toronto the greenest city in the world. This event provides an opportunity for him to prove it - along with about 500 people [mostly kids] who come out to help us plant trees. www.toronto.ca/parks/treeadvocacy/.

Toronto Parks and Trees.
Speaking of doubling the tree canopy in Toronto, I also work with the Toronto Trees and Parks Foundation [mandate is doubling the tree canopy too!] and our first annual gala 'Green Tie Event' is Monday, May 12th at Casa Loma. Featured speaker is Roberta Bonar and official wine sponsor is Plant A Tree Wine. Come support us if you possibly can.
Go to www.torontoparksandtrees.org for all of the info.

Green Living Show.
On Saturday, April 26th I am speaking at 6 pm at the Green Living Show. More 'environmentally responsible' gardening tips. And laughs. It is going to be a great show. Go to www.greenlivingshow.ca for more info.

Cullen Landscaping.
Finally - a story about my hard working nephew Trevor Cullen. He took over the ownership of Cullen Landscaping this past winter - congratulations Trev! And he has truly earned the right to take charge, not that his Mom or Dad have gone away - they are just making space for the almost 30 year old kid to dig in and put his signature on the business.

I can't believe that I am telling you this story as Trev was born the day before Mary and I had our first date! He was the #1 topic of conversation at our dinner at Ontario Place on the lovely June evening... and now - here he is all grown up.

Truth is, Trevor has been working side by side with both of his parents Peter and Gwen for some years now. Together they have built this quality enterprise into one of the leading landscape design/build firms in the greater Ottawa area.

In Trevor's own words: "Going into our ninth season in the Ottawa area, [Cullen Landscaping] comes from a strong family history of gardening and horticulture. I have recently taken over the daily operations of the company as president, after spending many years learning and working with my father Peter Cullen.

Together my Mom and Dad have built the company over the past 9 seasons, after Peter decided to start this company, leaving Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village in Whitby, Ontario.

Len Cullen, my late grandfather started the Cullen legacy more than 60 years ago with his own landscaping company Weall and Cullen, and now I am proud to carry on the family tradition.

Our guarantee and high standard of work ensure that only the highest quality materials and procedures are used in creating your outdoor living space."

While they work from Kanata, Trevor assures me that he takes work all around the Nation's Capital Region and would love to hear from you. Especially now, in early April, while he and his team have the time to give you their totally undivided attention, before the big rush of May.

More information can be found at www.cullenlandscaping.ca.

Good advice for anyone that is thinking of landscaping this spring - call your hcosen professional asap - May is crazy for those of us in the business.

Just wait 'til you receive the May edition of this newsletter and you will see.

If you think that I have ants in my gardening pants now... just you wait!

Great talking with you.

Yours,

Mark
Merchant of Beauty,

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In This Issue:

Where to Find Me this Month

Vegetable Gardening Grows in Popularity

Mark's Choice Product of the Month

Easter Lily Care

Gardening & Your Health

The Heart & Stroke Foundation

  Wednesday, April 2nd in Orangeville at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre. This event is hosted by the Orangeville Public Library to celebrate its centennial year. I will be speaking about The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach at 7:00 pm in the banquet hall.

  Friday, April 4th at Toronto National Home Show. This event takes place at the Direct Energy Centre. I will be speaking about The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach at 3:00pm on the IKEA stage. Visit www.nationalhomeshow.com for more information.

  Friday, April 18th at the London Spring Home & Garden Show. The event is held at the Western Fairgrounds in the Progress Building. I will be speaking about The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach at 7:00pm. Visit www.londonshowproductions.com for more information.

  Saturday, April 19th I will broadcast The Garden Show live on CFRB from the Total Health Show. This show is North America's premier natural health show taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Visit www.consumerhealth.org for more information.

  April 22 - 25 I travel to Alberta with the Investors Group. April 22nd finds me at the Royal Alberta Museum Theatre in Edmonton. On April 23rd I will be at the Deerfoot Inn, Calgary. My final stop is the Medicine Hat Lodge on April 24th.

  Saturday, April 26th I will be planting trees with Toronto's Mayor Miller. I will broadcast The Garden Show live on CFRB from the event.

  Saturday, April 26th at the Green Living Show. The event is held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. I will be speaking about The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach at 6:00pm. Visit www.greenlivingshow.ca for more information.

Here I am in our 1 acre veggie garden with Rosie the compost dog.

Rising gas prices combined with increased food costs and a fluctuating economy are the likely causes of a significant trend in the gardening market. It has been reported by the Garden Writers Association Foundation that more consumers plan to purchase garden vegetable and fruit plants as part of their early spring gardening purchases.

In a national survey conducted last month, consumers were asked what types of garden-related spending they expect to do for spring plants. Lawn and grass expenditures take the lead (54%), followed by vegetable or fruit plants (39%), annual flowers (38%), trees and shrubs (35%), and perennial flowers (31%). When asked the same question in 2007, vegetable and fruit plants were fourth on the list of priorities for consumer spending plans. Perennial flowers that held the number two position in consumer spending expectations for 2007 are now in fifth place for 2008.

[Source: GWA Foundation News, March 2008]

With over 100 products in the Mark's Choice line up of quality garden products [exclusive to Home Hardware] it is hard for me to single just one out... so I will single out 2. Both the Men's and Ladies' gardening gloves. I love these gloves as they are made of natural goat skin leather for strength and durability where the hard work is done - in the palm of your gloved hand. But they are 'cool' on your hands too, allowing your skin to breathe even in the heat of summer, with a synthetic open weave back. The men's gloves have a Velcro closure to keep errant dirt out and reinforced finger tips to give your gardening gloves a second and even third life! [the next generation of women's gloves will have the same reinforcement - the demand has been that great!]

I enjoy my Mark's Choice gardening gloves so much that they are all that I wear in my garden. I am very proud to have them in the Mark's Choice line up.

For more information on Mark's Choice products at Home Hardware visit my Buyer's Guide or visit www.homehardware.ca.

"What do I do with an Easter Lily after it blooms?" This is by far the most commonly asked question this week.

Lilium longiflorum, commonly called Easter Lily, can be planted outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Keep the plant in a sunny window until spring and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering.

Outdoors, choose a location in the garden which receive full sun. Remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots. Plant the bulb 2 to 3 inches deeper than it was in the pot. Water thoroughly and fertilize with 20-20-20 throughout the growing season. The top of the plant will with and die when first planted outdoors. This is normal and new growth will soon emerge.

In the fall, in zones 4 and higher, dig the bulb and store indoors with other tender bulbs.

  Incorporating regular physical exercise into a routine helps boost energy, cope with stress, counter depression and improve sleep. Gardening for just 30 to 40 minutes will significantly contribute to overall health.

  Gardening's weight bearing tasks (ie. digging holes, pulling weeds, pushing a mower) have been linked to osteoporosis prevention. Women aged 50 and older who gardened at least once week showed higher bone density readings than those who performed other types of exercise, including jogging, swimming, walking and aerobics. And, exposure to sunlight boosts vitamin D production, aiding the body's calcium absorption.

  Recommendations: Use the right equipment. Whenever possible, look for equipment that is designed to be ergonomically correct. Keep in mind, a garden hose is easier to manage than a watering can, and a sturdy cart or wheelbarrow makes transferring easier. Pace yourself. Taking a few brief breaks each hour is recommended. Change your body position every 10 to 15 minutes, changing the focus from legs to arms, to hands to back. Relax and spread the work over a few days. Take it slow. Using different muscles than you're accustomed to can make even the most in-shape person slightly sore. So, take it slow, and alternate between heavy chores (ie. digging) and less physically demanding tasks (ie. planting).

[Source: Obus Forme report, Spring 2008]

This year I will be writing a monthly column for The Heart & Stroke Foundation's website. These articles can be found on their 'Features' page on the 1st of each month. Sign up for the Heart and Stroke monthly newsletter and learn how to live a heart-friendly life!

Your Garden Refuge

We have known that gardens and people have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship for generations. We create a garden in partnership with Mother Nature, we benefit by the experience of working in, and living with it. Now, science and psychology have paired up to give us tangible research results about how plants, flowers and green landscapes affect both physical and mental health.

Oladele A. Ogunseitan, a social ecologist at the University of California, Irvine, developed a ground-breaking method for measuring the relationship between a person’s environment and mental well-being. The results of his work are fascinating. For instance, in one of Dr. Ogunseitan’s studies, he showed that “flowers and large bodies of water were the most common mental-health enhancing features.”

Read the entire article, starting April 1st, at www.heartandstroke.ca/canadablooms.

(Reprinted with permission of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Want to receive heart-healthy recipes, nutrition and physical activity tips to your inbox every month? Then subscribe to Healthline, the Heart and Stroke Foundation's free monthly e-newsletter today.)

For more great garden stories, pick up a copy of my most recent book A Sandbox of a Different Kind, Personal Reflections on the Canadian Gardening Experience. By Mark Cullen.

For more information, refer to Mark's best selling gardening books — or tune into CanadaAM every Friday morning at 8:45am on CTV. If you have a specific question, simply search Mark's Library at www.markcullen.com or listen to The Garden Show on CFRB every Saturday 11am to noon.