January, 2009
In This Issue:
The Canadian Garden Primer
Mark's Choice Product of the Month
2009 Perennial Plant of the Year
Friends of Second Marsh
An Evening with Liz Primeau
Toronto Botanical Gardens
Canada Blooms
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January ‘09!! I would put the 09 in capitals if I could – wow.
Some would say good riddance to ‘08 but most of them are likely thinking about all of the money that they ‘lost’ in the stock market.
Well let me say that I feel very sorry for all of the people who are nearing retirement and thinking that they had it well planned for. You folks must be hurting as you look at your monthly ‘investment statements’. Many, I have heard, are thinking seriously about not retiring for some time: remaining at work to top up their ‘retirement fund’.
That said, time for the good news. Spring is less than 3 months away and with it, the awakening of the earth: renewed energy all the way round. I can hardly wait. In the mean time I have lots to do.
In January I am going to Brazil with my good friend Bob Thomas who represents S.H.A.R.E. Agricultural Foundation on a monitoring trip. We are looking over the many projects that SHARE has underway and will report back on our progress when we return. We will be spending time with the recipients of SHARE support, including that of many generous Canadians and C.I.D.A., who are currently matching our funds.
S.H.A.R.E. is an organization that has won a special place in my heart – and that of many others who have been exposed to their unique style of giving. The motto at SHARE is ‘A Hand Up, not a Hand Out’. In other words, we provide recipients who are mostly subsistence farmers, with resources that help them help themselves. A cow for milking and for breeding. The tools to dig or drill a well. The knowledge to raise an organic crop of food on otherwise underutilized land.
SHARE provides these resources and then goes back each winter to make sure that the resources were put to use as agreed. And one more very important thing – the benefactors of SHARE are required to help others in their community or neighbouring villages to get up onto their feet. In other words, as a cow produces offspring, calves are to be given away to those less fortunate. This is called the ‘pass on principle’ and it is the other corner stone of the organizations’ philosophy.
Our trip to Brazil will help us understand how effective our gifts of resources have been and if our 2 nd principle is being put to use, as agreed.
This is a fascinating exercise. It proves that a small group of people who are committed to doing good things can do them – and that they can surprise even themselves with the outcome.
Whenever I hear the old saw that ‘I am just one person, what can I do to make a difference ….. to world hunger, peace, the environment…’ I think of my good friends at SHARE and smile. This organization is knit together with only a few dozen people, for the most part, and has an annual budget of less than $200,000. But my, what a difference they make!
Go to www.shareagfoundation.org for more info. And check out my weekly blog in January for regular reports from Brazil (assuming that I can get an internet connection) at http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/.
As for the garden, well the good news is that there is less than 3 months before spring arrives and in the meantime we have lots to do. Like read and dream about the great garden that you will have in ‘09.
Dreaming and planning are no small tasks – and every bit as vital to the long term health and performance of your garden as weeding and watering. Take your time with this – make notes of good design and garden techniques as you encounter them.
Go back through all of the digital pictures that you took last year and look them over – what would you do different? What did you learn? What would you repeat?
As a ‘thought provoking’ exercise, I recommend that you go to www.ctv.ca/canadaam and watch some of the 3 minute videos that feature Jeff Hutchieson and me over the ‘08 gardening season. For one, your mind will be jogged with images of the season behind us and two; you will notice that most of our items were shot on a farm in Ontario. This is my place: I hope that you enjoy the transition of the garden over the season. Begin at the end of the archived segments and work your way forwards.
The 100 Mile Diet has caused all of us to think differently about the food that we eat – including where it is grown. As Michael Pollin, the author of the best selling book ‘In Defense of Real Food’ says be sure to “shake the hand of the farmer that feeds you”.
I might add that this could be a great year to expand your veggie garden or begin one if you don’t have one already. Make that the ‘100 meter’ diet and you will be all set.
I have my list of top 10 trends for gardening in 2009.
#10 is ‘Invest in your own outdoor retreat’. With concerns about the economy very much on our radar, many Canadians will be thinking of ways to save money. Taking long road trips, regardless of the price of gas, is one way. And as you spend more time at home in your own ‘space’ you may be thinking of ways that you can enhance it. Planning a gorgeous and productive (i.e. veggies and fruits) garden is a great way to start.
#9 Economical approach. Grow from seed. This is the perfect time of year to drop by your garden centre or Home Hardware and check out the fresh seeds on the racks for ‘09. Buy your seed starting supplies while you are at it. And plan your seed starting schedule this month.
More to come in February.
I am REALLY excited about a brand new gardening book that I have just published. The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach will be on shelves at Indigo, Chapters, Independent book sellers and of course Home Hardware next month. There is more about the book below and more to come next month. Meantime stay tuned.
Yours,
Mark Cullen
Merchant of Beauty
www.markcullen.com
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