Mid-June In The Potager

This month is fairly flying by and the list of things to do in the garden is ever so long.

We have had a dreadful spring but this weekend is lovely, so we will do what we can while the sun shines, eh?

Tent worms are destroying a small tree, eating all the leaves. — *Tent caterpillars on a brand new apricot tree.*

The caterpillars are still a thing! Oh. Em. Gee. I am not worried about the ones on the tall, mature aspens, or the ones crawling all over the house and deck and pathways… but am fighting them daily on my roses and newly planted trees.

A rose bush that has been eaten by caterpillars. — *This John Davis rose is being devoured by the caterpillars.*

We knock them off, we hose them off, but still they are winning the battle. We have so so so many.

An apricot tree with a dog lying in the background. — *A new fruit tree is going in where Berkie is lying.*

We decided to plant small trees on the three sides of the patio to provide us with privacy, reduce the traffic noise, and lessen the amount of dust that comes into the house and onto the deck. We have a fairly busy street right behind us (I mean, it is small town busy, not city busy) so ever since we lost our large mountain ash tree the amount of dust coming in is crazy. One would never think that one tree could make such a difference.

As our backyard faces east and these trees are all about 15 feet tall at maturity, we will still have a nice, bright, sunny backyard. Just gotta keep the caterpillars off them for another week or so. Hurry up and be gone!

A Dwarf Korean Lilac bush in full bloom.

The lilacs are just now coming into bloom in Central Alberta, as it has been so cold. This cute little Dwarf Korean Lilac, that we planted in the hedgerow last year, is really happy.

Terracotta pots with orange flowers in spring. — *Loving this year’s colour scheme!*

While the rest of Canada is getting heat, getting summerlike weather, we here are just starting to get going for the season. The planters that I planted up on Mother’s Day weekend have not yet started to fill out, though they do look great considering the weather.

I am loving the colour scheme in my planters this year. Something a little different than the pinks and purples that I tend to lean towards.

A cluster of flower pots with pink petunias, blush roses, bright canna leaves and ipomea.

It is just about time to start feeding your planters and hanging baskets. They have rooted in by now, are filling out, and have used up the fertiliser in the soil. While I am not a huge fan of MG, they do have what we need to keep our flowers blooming. For great flowers all summer, these are the ferts that I use.

Miracle Gro fertilser — *Miracle-GRO Liquafeed Ultra Bloom Plant Food*

Miracle Gro hose attachment for fertiliser. — *Miracle-Gro Liquafeed Advance Starter Kit*

Miracle Gro shake and feed fertiliser for hanging baskets. — *Miracle-Gro Shake & Feed Ultra Bloom*

I use the slow release shake and feed in spring, when I plant, and then again in July.
I give them the UItra Bloom once a week, or once every two weeks in summer. Is more of a when I remember kind of thing. Or, if your baskets are looking a little bit sad, not blooming enough, or the colour is off. For more blooms, better blooms, you want to use a fert that says something about blooming/has a larger middle number.
To use these bottles of fertiliser, you need the spray gun that attaches to your hose end. Is super easy to use and does not leak like the other ones tend to do.

I was chatting with a fella at the local Co-op who said he used the regular plant food on his lawn last year and had the best lawn ever. I have some dead spots from the dog, so might try this to check it out.

You always only want to use go organic with compost and seaweed fertiliser in your veggie beds (top prevent algae build up in lake, rivers, streams, creeks, etc…) and garden beds. Anything open to the ground does not need chemical fertilisers, you instead want to feed the earthworms and soil life for the best blooms and veggies : )

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A green Haws watering can and a big jug of liquid seaweed fertiliser are sitting on a green table with raspberry bushes in the background.

Ps, my SiL is going to the island next week and will be picking up the very best liquid seaweed of them all. He is bringing me the 4 litre bottle but it also comes in 1 liter bottles. If you would like some of this liquid gold, please message me with the size and quantity of bottles you would like.