Category: Article
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Fall+Winter Hummingbird Feeding Tips
Feeding Hummingbirds in Fall & Winter Did you know: Only feed with regular white table sugar, not brown or organic sugar. The molasses, and the iron it contains, may be toxic to hummingbirds. ✋Do not add food colouring to the water, they are attracted to the red feeders, not the red syrup. ✅The usual mix…
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Did You Know? … About FireSmart
Some things to think about when buying new plants and planning your garden! The extremes due to climate change are now with us, and for BC in the summer of 2023, it was heat and drought resulting in major wildfires. The FireSmart BC website contains a wealth of information on what organizations and individuals can…
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A Different Aesthetic for Plants in France in September
I study trees, dendrology, as a tree enthusiast. I am particularly interested in the features of different tree species and how helpful these features are for identifying one tree species from another. So, when I went to France for the first half of September to be with beloved family, I could not drop my fascination…
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Victoria Gardening Information
You Asked Us Researched answers to questions we have been asked. In process of updating from our old site. Clinic Reference Materials Researched background papers on topics we are often asked about in our clinics. Ask a Victoria Master Gardener: To ask us a question, email info@msvmga.org and one of our members will get back…
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Central growth in rhubarb
My Rhubarb plants that are 4-5 years old have developed a single large growth in the centre that is much taller than the foliage. What is this and what do I do about it? Rhubarb is an easy to grow, long lasting vegetable, largely free of pests and diseases. The single large growth you see…
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Pruning lacecap hydrangeas
How do I prune lace cap hydrangeas and will they come back after hard prune? How you prune your lace-cap hydrangea depends on what you would like to achieve and the state of your plant. It is important to remember that lace-caps bloom on the previous year’s growth, so keep this in mind when pruning…
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Poor garlic harvest
My garlic was great with large bulbs last year. This year the harvest is very small. Why? There are various issues that can cause reduced size in garlic bulbs. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a plant that needs plenty of fertiliser and is best grown with no nearby competition from other plants including weeds. Garlic does…
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Heather dies in one place not in another
My Heather plants have died in one area of garden but are fine in other areas. Why might this be? One of the main considerations for growing healthy heathers is soil type. Most need an acidic (ericaceous) soil with a pH of 6.5 or less although some will tolerate a slightly more neutral soil environment.…
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Prune California Lilac
How to prune California Lilac (Ceanothus)? Evergreen ceanothus (California Lilac) is a reliable and popular shrub for gardens on South Vancouver Island, particularly the cultivar ‘Victoria’ which produces abundant blue flower clusters. It doesn’t require pruning but may be pruned to maintain shape, keep a compact size, or form a hedge. If pruning the evergreen…