Author: John

Honest Telephone Systems

I just called to buy tickets to the upcoming performances of the Dance Program at the Banff Centre, and was pleasantly surprised by the honesty of their telephone system. First, the system tells you some random information, then it says “To talk to a real person, press 0.” After that, it tells you that to complete your purchase you will need to provide your address, which will be used for the credit card verification and to keep you informed about upcoming events at the Banff Centre. They are actually up front and honest about the fact that they will be sending you what may be regarded as junk mail. I think that’s a good business practice.

The Turnips and Radishes were Crowded

Young Turnip Plants
Thinned-Out Young Turnip Plants
Almost three weeks after planting my garden the young turnip and radish plants were looking a little crowded, so I thinned them out today. This heartbreaking task consisted of killing off a good half, often more, of my young plants to make room for the ones I spared to thrive. It’s sad, I know, but had I not done it they would have fought amongst themselves for air, light, and space in the ground. Now, hopefully the remaining plants will thrive.

The turnips will likely have to be thinned again — I want to make sure the strongest survive and I don’t have any holes in the row — but that is a task for another day.

Larger Seedlings and Hot Weather

It seems that all I write about these days is what’s popping up in the garden! Don’t worry, soon everything will be up and I’ll write something more productive than “Hey! Look at these seedlings!”

Cucumber Seedling

The las two days have seen some of the larger seeds sprout: some peas and some cucumbers, as well as the carrots. Also, in the pots, (see photo), both thyme and cinnamon basil are up, and in the front of the house miniature sunflowers are poking their leaves through the soil.

Carrot Seedlings

After a week of near-freezing temperatures and rain we’ve been having some really hot weather here in Montréal. This has lead to some temporary dehydration of some plants. Being faced with thirty degrees Celsius only one week after temperatures of five degrees Celsius has been rather tiring and some of the flowers in the front garden as well as my marjoram plant in the vegetable garden laid down to take a rest in the heat, however a good watering got them back up. Ideally a good watering morning and evening should prevent this, but watering morning and evening is often easier said than done.

Snow Pea Seedlings

With slightly cooler temperatures and some rain in the forecast it here’s hoping that the next few days will be great and the garden will get really well established.