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November, 2011
In This Issue:
While I'm at It...
Unionville Property Care
Grey Cup is Your Reward
Mark's Choice Product of the Month
Bobbex Deer Repellent
Mark Cullen is on Facebook
Students Helping Students
CruiseHolidays of Clarkson
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I blame the toothpaste companies.
They started this whole thing against bacteria.
Now, I won’t argue that there are some bad bacteria out there that cause tooth decay. And for that matter, when it comes to double dipping at the nachos bowl, I am with all of the advocates of once only, please. By the way, I would appreciate it if you would sneeze into your sleeve rather than your hand before we shake. Ok?
But, as always, there is another side to the story.
Bacteria can be good. In fact without it we would be up to our eaves with un-rotted leaves. Think about it: if all of the leaves that fall each autumn in your neighbourhood did not rot down into rich compost and become incorporated with the soil, where would we be? Drowning in them, that is where.
It takes a lot of active bacteria to break down the leaves in your garden and if you are smart you will embrace them and employ them to do your work. You will save time, effort and money. All you need to do is to rake the leaves that are on your lawn onto your garden. Simple. Really. Add some water if they are dry, after they have been spread over your garden, just to hold them in place and to start the natural cycle of decomposition.
If you choose to put your leaves in your composter, so much the better. Run your lawn mower over them, set at its highest setting, and rake up what is left. The small bits that were once leaves will break down in your composter nicely. And fast. Add Green Earth Compost Accelerator (http://www.pthomeandgarden.com/product/43-compost-accelerator) to get the bacteria working early and fast and voila – compost before you know it (by next spring).
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| While I'm at It... |
 Will somebody out there support me on my campaign to ban gas powered leaf blowers? Honestly, if there ever was a scourge of outdoor urban/suburban life it is these things. Who came up with the idea that it is better to blow than to rake? At what expense? Your hearing? Your neighbour’s hearing? Neighbourly relations? The loss of all common sense?
I am one of those people who happen to think that a rake is not only cheaper and better for the environment but it can also take less time to rake then to blow your leaves into a pile. I challenge anyone with a power leaf blower to a ‘rake-off’. You can bring your choice of blower and I my choice of rake.
I will tell you right now that I will bring the ‘world’s best rake’: a Mark’s Choice rake, the rake with a memory and unequaled grip. And exclusive to Home Hardware (how come these guys get all of the good stuff?)
If you would like to join me in the fight against gas assisted leaf blowers please let me know. And perhaps you can tell me who we should complain to… because I am at a loss. I did hear that there are municipalities in California where they have successfully been banned. Touché to them!!
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| Unionville Property Care |
 On a positive note I have this photo that I want to share of two guys on a commercial yard clean up crew who are using rakes. I passed them on the road on my way into work this week and stopped to congratulate them and thank them for not polluting the neighbourhood while doing their job. I will acknowledge that there was a power leaf blower on the job site, but it sat silent while the boys raked up the leaves and put them in to their truck.
I think that we should use any company that chooses to rake rather than blow leaves. What do you think? In this case, Unionville Property Care deserves kudos, in my view and if I am in the market I will be giving them a call.
Now when I see a truck travelling down the road with all of their hand tools (including some rakes) standing up end at the nose of the truck I whisper a little thanks for common sense.
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| Grey Cup is Your Reward |
 Remember that November is a great month to finish up what you started in October: raking leaves, winterizing the roses, fertilizing your lawn with Golfgreen Fall Lawn Fertilizer (the most important application of the year), applying Wilf-Pruf to your broadleaf evergreens like yews, boxwood and rhododendrons, mowing the lawn for the final time, protecting young trees with spiral guards, and winterizing tools. My annual ‘to do’ list was the theme of last month’s newsletter – perhaps you would like to review it again just to make sure that you are up to date.
Once done you can sit back and watch the Grey Cup knowing that your investments in a great looking garden come spring has been made.
Thanks for reading this and listening to my weekly podcast at www.markcullen.com and features on 680 News and for following me in the Saturday Star (New Homes and Condos Section or www.yourhome.ca and for checking my activities out on Facebook.
All the best for a great end of the gardening season! Talk to you in December as we begin the first of our 4 months off in the garden. It is OUR season to dream…. And dream we will!!
Yours,
Mark
Merchant of Beauty
www.markcullen.com
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| Mark's Choice Product of the Month - Mummy Style Burlap Wrap |
  Protects trees and shrubs from snow, wind and salt damage.
Wide design (20" x 20') allows for easy installation.
Kit comes complete with 5' of jute twine.
This new wider burlap wrap will make quick work of protecting your shrubs and trees from the winter elements.
Home Hardware item# 5094-519
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| Bobbex Deer Repellent - Now Available in Canada |
The 'most asked' gardening question that I get outside of densely populated urban areas is, "How do I prevent deer from eating the plants in my garden?"
In my experience this product is the best that there is for deer and rodent protection. Bobbex is an all natural and environmentally friendly deer repellent spray. It deters deer from eating trees, shrubs and flowers in suburban and rural landscapes.
Made from a mixture of protein-based ingredients, it naturally repels deer by both scent and taste, with an added bite from super-hot pepper extract. Within 24 hours of spraying, the distinct odour dissipates, but it remains detectable to deer for over a month.
Spray the ready-to-use product on all parts of the plant including leaves, stems and flowers. Spray plants until wet but not saturated.
Bobbex does not wash off in the rain. Once it has dried on the plant it will not wash off, even in the heaviest of rains.
Bobbex Repellent makes a great fal bulb dip to prevent burrowing herbivores from smelling and discovering your wintered bulbs. These animals use their keen sense of smell to find roots and bulbs underground. It creates an aromatic barrier around the bulb and prevents these animals from discovering the bulb. Using Bobbex as a bulb protector will give your bulbs a chance to survive when first planted and throughout the winter. Bobbex deters Deer, Rabbits, Groudhogs, Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Voles.
Directions: Before planting, remove all loose and dried skin from the bulbs. Dip bulbs in straight concentrated Bobbex (right out of the bottle). Allow bulbs to soak for 3-5 minutes. Remove bulbs from the Bobbex concentrate and allow them to completely air dry. This protective coating will also break down slowly, to provide nutrients for the growing plant.
(Home Hardware item #s: 0.95L Ready to Use spray # 5089-702, 0.95L Concentrate # 5089-700)
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| Mark Cullen is on Facebook |
 Every week I post links to my Toronto Star column, blogs, CTV Canada AM segments, seasonal tips, photos and more!
Click Like on my page and you will be updated each time I add a post.
Add your own comments and photos. I would love to hear from you.
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| Students Helping Students - A Special Evening of Music |
 I have taken part in this fabulous event for 3 years in a row and would not miss it. Last year I met a couple who were sitting rigt behind me at the concert who had learned of it by reading this newsletter - they were really pleased with their night out and amazed (as I was) by the quality of the performances.
Please join us if you possible can for this worthwhile event! ~Mark
High Schools unite to perform and raise funds for Participation House, Markham Adult Education Program.
Date: Friday, November 11, 2011 at 7:30pm
Location: Markham Theatre for Performing Arts. 171 Town Centre Blvd
Tickets available at the Box Office of the Theatre (905-305-7469) & Online www.markhamtheatre.ca.
For more information please call: (905) 513-2756 ext. 222
www.participationhouse.net
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| Cruise Holidays of Clarkson proudly presents: |
 Enchanting Rhine & Floriade
13 Day River Cruise
From my good friend Denis Flanagan, a suggestion to join him for a fabulous cruise down the Rhine River.
Mary and I did this cruise a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think you will enjoy it even more with Denis on board! ~Mark
From Dennis:
"Months ago Mark suggested Cruise Holidays of Clarkson contact me regarding organizing a trip to Europe focusing on a garden theme. A lot of planning has resulted in a fabulous river cruise on the Rhine with one of the highlights being a visit to Floriade.
This is an amazing event that is produced every 10 years and is a must see for gardeners.
Full details of the trip can be seen on the link www.clarksontours.ca. I am looking forward to hosting the event and having a fun filled time with fellow gardeners.
Thanks for the opportunity Mark, I will send you a postcard."
Denis Flanagan
Garden writier, TV host, honourary master gardener and Public Relations Manager for Landscape Ontario
Dates: September 12-24, 2012
More info: www.clarksontours.ca or email info@clarksontravel.ca
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For more information, refer to Mark's best selling gardening books — or tune into CanadaAM every Wednesday morning at 8:45am on CTV. If you have a specific question, simply search Mark's Library at www.markcullen.com. |
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