Sometimes events have a way of marking certain dates in your life and I will not forget May 13. This is the day we had a lot of rain and a hail storm. Wanting to save my seedlings, I guess I did a little bit too much in too little time by moving all my trays back in the greenhouse to protect them from the weather. This action got me in the hospital with what we first thought was a mild heart attack. After an angiogram in Kelowna, it was found that my arteries are in very good shape with no blockage but I had stressed my heart. By Thursday night, I was back home with special instructions not to lift anything over five pounds for five days and if I want my health back, I have to take it easy.
At this time of the year it is hard for a gardener to take it easy. The grass is creeping into the beds and I still have a lot of cleaning to do before transplanting tomatoes and everything else. I thought that I would be wise by not doing the market in Lumby for the rest of the summer and take a little time for myself. Like it says, I have to stop and smell the roses. I will miss it a lot as I like going there every Saturday. It is a nice drive from Vernon and I always felt part of a family. I will be growing a bit less for this reason but if I still have too much, I am sure the Salvation Army and the Upper Room Mission would gladly take it for their needs. Don’t let anything in your gardens go to waste. There is always a need in the community for sharing.
I try to have a very good diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. We are having salads now with arugula, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard and many other greens that I had planted a few weeks ago. I like to add calendula petals on top of my salads as it gives nice colours. My supply of frozen fruits is getting low but I am also using some of my canned fruits. Most of the desserts are cobblers or crisps. With this cool weather we’re having, I find the rhubarb is at its best at this time of the year. The farmers’ markets are going strong now and I can always rely on fresh organic produce grown right here in Vernon or close by.
The Vernon & District Garden Club annual Flower Show will be held this Saturday at the Village Green Centre. This is open to anyone even if you don’t belong to a garden club. The irises and peonies and many other plants are putting a fantastic show in the gardens right now.
I still have many tomato plants with about 20 varieties. Because I will not do the market, I will have a home sale for the next two Saturdays. I am so lucky that two of my nieces from Quebec will come to give me a hand. I also have lots of perennials and many other plants and herbs.
Okanagan Gardens and Roses meets June 10 at Schubert Centre at 7:30 p.m. This will be the last meeting for the summer, resuming in September.
For more information: 250-558-4556.
Jocelyne Sewell is an organic gardening enthusiast, expert gardener and member of the Okanagan Gardens and Roses Club. Her column appears every other Wednesday.
