Category: Article
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Poison Hemlock
How does one deal with Conium maculatum (poison hemlock)? Poison hemlock stem Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is an invasive poisonous plant found in parts of southern BC, including the greater Victoria area. It grows 1-3 metres tall, has fern-like leaves, umbrella clusters of small white flowers, and purple spots or streaks on its stems. Be…
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Rhubarb leaves with holes
What is causing large holes in my Rhubarb leaves? Large and ragged holes in the leaves of rhubarb are caused by slugs. The conditions in which rhubarb thrives (moist and mulched) are ideal habitat for slugs. In the moist and temperate climate of southwest B.C. slugs may sometimes cause significant damage to rhubarb leaves but…
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Mixing it up Conference 2023: Report
Mixing it up: Saturday, January 21, 2023 We had a wonderful time! Here’s an overview of our day of learning and chatting about gardening, when five local speakers offered us possibilities for our changing climate. Practical possibilities, to create resilient gardens, employing sustainable practices. Your garden is an ecosystem | Gord Baird How do you…
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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…