March, 2009

In This Issue:

Where to Find Mark this Month

Mark's Choice Product of the Month

The Lung Association's Tulip Day

Winter Waterfowl Workshop

Humber College / SHARE Agricultural Foundation

Lilac Gardens of Lindsay

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Canada Blooms and Primer book get us off to a fine start this spring!!

I am so excited!!

March has finally rolled around and you know what that means….. the first day of spring is not that far away! And for those of us with access to Toronto, the largest, finest and most exciting garden event in the country is about to get underway on March 18 th, Canada Blooms!

On the first official day of Canada Blooms, I will launch my brand new book: The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach. More on that in a minute.

First, Canada Blooms March 18 to 22nd:

If you get a chance, come to the Opening Night Party March 17th. You don’t have to wear a tuxedo but you will wear a smile – guaranteed! Why? Because it is St. Patrick’s Day and the ambassador from Ireland (to Canada) will be on hand with the Lieutenant Governor for Ontario, the Honourable David C. Onley, to cut the ribbon and toast all things Green!

The opening night party features strolling minstrels, Celtic music, dancers, green beer (of course) and some Irish/green surprises that will delight and inspire! I will be there, hosting the Ontario Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Monique Smith. If you plan on coming, enjoy wandering through the 17 feature gardens, sit and enjoy a wonderful ‘ marche’ gourmet meal and say hello to me, should we bump into each other. I am always interested in meeting my newsletter readers!

Check out the ‘silent auction’ that night. My wife Mary and I are donating a home cooked (by her, thankfully) dinner for 8 at our country home in Stouffville. The evening will include a tour of our 10 acre garden, hosted by me, plus a swim (if you like…..) and a visit with our chickens. We will relax, tell some stories, jokes and have fun for the evening….I really hope that YOU are able to provide the highest bid on this one… but let me say that there are many great offers ‘on the table’ that night at the silent auction. All proceeds go to the Canada Blooms horticultural charity, this year it is the Children’s Garden at the Toronto Botanical Gardens.

For more information on Canada Blooms opening night party, go to www.canadablooms.com.

As for the 5 day show that follows the opening night, there are back-to-back instructional presentations and entertainment. Not all of it about gardening – there are some great chefs there too, demonstrating how to prepare garden fresh produce from your own garden for the table. In all, there are over 200 hours of demo’s and lectures provided in 3 different venues - all on the same floor (the 700 level) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Each day my buddy Denis Flanagan and I will be talking at 11 a.m. from the feature stage about ‘what is new at Canada Blooms!’ Join us.

And wear good walking shoes, because the marketplace has been expanded – this year it is 25% bigger than last! You will find a lot of interesting products and services to buy…. Most of which you can take home that day.

So you see – there is a lot to experience at this year’s edition of Canada Blooms…. And I really hope that you make a point of coming. I know how much effort goes into this landmark event: you will not regret coming!

Come into Mary’s Yarns and receive a $6 discount coupon for your adult entry into Canada Blooms. All you have to do is ask nicely! How is that for just being civil. Go to www.marysyarns.com for more info.

Or go to www.canadablooms.com to get your tickets at $2 off the door price.

My 18th Gardening Book!!

 It is finally on the book shelves and I am delighted. After 3 years of work (well, no one can call this kind of work ‘work’!) my new organic book is ready for you at Chapters, Indigo, Pistachio, Home Hardware (of course!) and many independent book sellers across the country.

The Canadian Garden Primer, An Organic Approach is my new pride and joy. 208 pages of colour photos (many of my 10 acre garden plus others from my travels across Canada). This new book features over 400 photographs and the familiar sounding text that you expect from Mark Cullen with a new message for today’s gardener.

Look for great tips on low maintenance gardening, eliminating the use of chemicals from your gardening regime, getting the most out of your garden in the city, suburbs and the country (different chapters devoted to each) plus almost 1/3 of the book is devoted to my personal recipes for gardening success: organic lawn care, the beauty of soil, conserving water and the magic of mulch (the low maintenance gardeners’ secret weapon!)

It is all here. And so are the details – go to www.markcullen.com.

The retail is $29.95. Bargain.

The fact is this is only my 5th hard cover book. You don’t just pump these tomes out at the printers.

For a great interview on the Garden Primer book go to www.ctv.ca/canadaam and look for the most recent segment between Jeff Hutcheson and me. Scroll down to the Mark Cullen photo and click. It is only 4 minutes but worth a look.

I really hope that you like the new book and will tell me what you think by leaving a message on my weekly blog at www.ca.yahoo.com – go to ‘lifestyle’ on the left column.

Much more to say but no time or space to say it – so, will save some for the April newsletter.

Meantime, we are receiving reports from our e-server that indicates that the ‘open rate’ of this newsletter runs at more than twice the national average…. Which tells me that you are very special.

I appreciate your attention and never – never! – take for granted the value of your time and attention.

Thanks so much,

Keep your knees dirty,

Mark

  March 18th to 22nd : Canada Blooms. In addition to speaking each morning with Denis Flanagan on the Feature Stage, I will be in the Indigo/Chapters booth Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 1:00pm, signing copies of my new book. I will also speak on Saturday, March 21 at 1:30pm in room 801.

Visit www.canadablooms.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

  March 27th : Quinte Home & Renovation Show. Look for me on stage at 6:00pm. For more information visit www.quintehomebuilders.com/show.

"A Sharp Tool brings Joy to the Gardening Experience!"

This is the time of year to visit your tool shed. Inspect your cutting and digging tools for damage. Take your time with a gardener's file to sharpen the edges of these tools. Your back will thank you the first time you venture into the garden this spring. Use a file every time that you go out to dig or hoe. Once you have established the first edge it only takes seconds to maintain it.

This not-very-fancy garden essential is only as handy as it is accessible: that is why I have one in my garage, my tool shed and in the barn.
(Home Hardware item# 1122-798)

Exclusive to Home Hardware.

It's been a long, cold winter but the first sign of spring is just about here. The Lung Association's annual Tulip Day campaign happens March 4, raising money and hope for improved lung health in Ontario.

Tulips are sold at various locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Bunches of five fresh cut tulips sell for $6 and pots of six tulip bulbs sell for $8.

This year The Lung Association hopes to raise $200,000 from Tulip Day which will support lung health programs across the province and research into cures.

Visit www.tulipday.ca or the Ontario Lung Association online at www.on.lung.ca for more information.

Winter brings waterfowl by the thousands to Toronto's waterfront. Bufflehead, goldeneyes, Long-tailed Duck, mergansers and others overwinter in large numbers in the sheltered embayments of Tommy Thompson Park.

Toronto and Region Conservation warmly invites you to attend a Winter Waterfowl Workshop at Tommy Thompson Park. Learn about waterfowl that overwinter in the Toronto Harbour, their ecology, identification and habitats from a TRCA expert.

Where: Tommy Thompson Park. Foot of Leslie Street, Toronto.

When: Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 10am to 12:30pm.

For more information visit www.trca.on.ca/ttp.

Event: 9th Annual Lilac Festival

Date: May 23 - 31, 2009 11am - 4pm daily.

Address: Logie St Park at Logie St and Lindsay Street South, Lindsay, ON

Visit www.lilacgardensoflindsay.com for full details.

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.