My Everchanging Garden

Gardening That Grows With Me

Garden Journal

I’m trying to do better at record-keeping. I’ve tried regular diary journals, garden journals and home-made journals but I’m flighty about bringing a paper journal out into the greenhouse and garden. I do tend to take pictures with my camera so starting in the fall of 2023 I’m going to try and keep a record here from my camera and phone notes. I’ve entered some information from sowing early 2023 from my paper entries as a starting point.

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April 19, 2025 - Direct Sowed Peas

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 19.3 Celsius | Max Temp: 19.54 Celsius | Min Temp: 6.83 Celsius | Morning Temp: 16.96 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 17.64 Celsius | Evening Temp: 11.26 Celsius | Night Temp: 16.18 Celsius | Humidity: 79.62% | Max Wind: 9.16 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 4.2 mm | Sunrise: 06:33 | Sunset: 20:07

Since my early starts failed as a result of a soil problem I decided to wait a couple weeks and try direct sowing again. I’ll have to go out next week and cover the seeds since I tend to lose the starts as soon as they come up. I’m not sure if it’s birds but something certainly digs up and eats the new shoots.

April 19, 2025 - Potted Up Basil & Tomatoes

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 19.3 Celsius | Max Temp: 19.54 Celsius | Min Temp: 6.83 Celsius | Morning Temp: 16.96 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 17.64 Celsius | Evening Temp: 11.26 Celsius | Night Temp: 16.18 Celsius | Humidity: 79.62% | Max Wind: 9.16 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 4.2 mm | Sunrise: 06:33 | Sunset: 20:07

I potted up basil and tomato seedings today. Luckily I discovered problems with the last bag of soil mix before this stage. This year I’m using the Pro Mix Organic Vegetable potting mix for everything from here forward.

Even though I used very old seeds, germination was still very good so I have more tomato plants than I’ll need again. And a note for next year, Big Brandy take longer to germinate that most other seedlings. Early girl seemed to germinate the fastest.

April 19, 2025 - Seed Starts - Dahlia & Cosmos

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 19.3 Celsius | Max Temp: 19.54 Celsius | Min Temp: 6.83 Celsius | Morning Temp: 16.96 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 17.64 Celsius | Evening Temp: 11.26 Celsius | Night Temp: 16.18 Celsius | Humidity: 79.62% | Max Wind: 9.16 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 4.2 mm | Sunrise: 06:33 | Sunset: 20:07

I waited a week longer than my garden plan to start my annual dahlia & cosmos seeds. It’s been an unusually cold spring and while I know the weather can get warm fast, I’m working on the assumption all my tasks will be 1-2 weeks behind this year.

  • Dahlia – Bees Choice
  • Cosmos – Cranberries
  • Cosmos – Apollo Carmine
  • Cosmos – Apollo Pink
  • Cosmos – Capriola

April 6, 2025 - Moved Cold Crops To Coldframe

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 5.4 Celsius | Max Temp: 6.16 Celsius | Min Temp: -1.04 Celsius | Morning Temp: -0.27 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 3.56 Celsius | Evening Temp: 5.1 Celsius | Night Temp: 3.39 Celsius | Humidity: 43.25% | Max Wind: 5.93 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 06:55 | Sunset: 19:51

This is the first year I’m moving cold crop seedlings to the coldframe very early. I moved:

  • onions
  • lettuce seedlings I potted up.

I hope this hardens them off enough to get the lettuce in the ground in the herb bed in two weeks, and the onions in about 3 weeks – weather permitting.

April 6, 2025 - More Seed Sowing - Flowers, Tomatoes and Peas

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 5.4 Celsius | Max Temp: 5.84 Celsius | Min Temp: -1 Celsius | Morning Temp: -0.37 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 3.32 Celsius | Evening Temp: 4.77 Celsius | Night Temp: 3.2 Celsius | Humidity: 45.7% | Max Wind: 6.2 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 06:55 | Sunset: 19:51

I’m a little later than normal for sowing my tomatoes and peas but it’s been so cold this spring, with another full week of below normal ahead. I think this year overall is going to be a late spring so better not to germinate too early.

Today’s seeds:

  • tomatoes
  • peas
  • basil
  • strawflower
  • marigold

I still did 7 varieties of tomatoes this year. Probably too many again!

April 6, 2025 - Potted Up First Seedlings

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 5.4 Celsius | Max Temp: 6.16 Celsius | Min Temp: -1.04 Celsius | Morning Temp: -0.27 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 3.56 Celsius | Evening Temp: 5.1 Celsius | Night Temp: 3.39 Celsius | Humidity: 43.25% | Max Wind: 5.93 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 06:55 | Sunset: 19:51

I potted up first set of seeds sown in flats today. I ended up with:

  • 31 Salvia Sirius Blue
  • 15 Heliotrope
  • 10 micro tomatoes
  • lettuce seedlings

I probably could have done this a week or two sooner. I was looking for the seedlings to get a little larger but there were a lot of roots so next year I’ll know it’s about root size when pricking out, not plant size.

March 28, 2025 - Took In Soil for Testing

Weather: clear sky | Temp: 8.18 Celsius | Max Temp: 8.58 Celsius | Min Temp: 1.93 Celsius | Morning Temp: 3.38 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 3.88 Celsius | Evening Temp: 3.6 Celsius | Night Temp: 5.79 Celsius | Humidity: 75% | Max Wind: 4.84 km/h | Clouds: 8% | Rain: 2.96 mm | Sunrise: 07:11 | Sunset: 19:41

I took samples of both vegetable gardens to SGS Soil Testing in Guelph this year. Total Cost $160.84. It was a very easy process. I just took in my soil in ziploc bags, filled in the form, paid & dropped them off. They said the results would be reading in 7-10 days.

March 27, 2025 - Few More OSC Seeds - CAD $11.48

Weather: clear sky | Temp: -1.27 Celsius | Max Temp: 10.37 Celsius | Min Temp: -5.85 Celsius | Morning Temp: -2.67 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 7.38 Celsius | Evening Temp: 10.12 Celsius | Night Temp: -4.74 Celsius | Humidity: 42% | Max Wind: 7.78 km/h | Clouds: 0% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 07:13 | Sunset: 19:40

My plan to use up old seed is mostly working, however, my mid-season cabbage seeds did not germinate and I was out of red. So I purchased a few more seeds this week. All OSC:

  • Cabbage Lat Flat Dutch
  • Cabbage Red Express
  • Lettuce White Boston
  • Beans Royal Burgundy (since we will be eating a lot of raw veggies this year during the kitchen reno)

March 23, 2025 - More Early Annual Starts

Weather: clear sky | Temp: -3.9 Celsius | Max Temp: 3.58 Celsius | Min Temp: -7.51 Celsius | Morning Temp: -6.4 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 1.35 Celsius | Evening Temp: -0.42 Celsius | Night Temp: -5.3 Celsius | Humidity: 34% | Max Wind: 6.42 km/h | Clouds: 0% | Rain: 0.44 mm | Sunrise: 07:20 | Sunset: 19:35

Started some alyssum, ageratum and gomphrena today

  • Gomphrena Bicolor Rose (cell pack)
  • Gomphrena Audray Purple (cell pack)
  • Gomphrena Buddy Purple (cell pack)
  • Gomphrena Lavender Lady (cell pack)
  • Alyssum Clear Crystal Lavender (cell pack)
  • Alyssum Clear Crystal Purple (cell pack)
  • Alyssum Summertime Deep Purple (flat tray)
  • Ageratum Aloha Blue (flat tray)
  • Ageratum Timeless Mix (flat tray)

March 23, 2025 - Seeds Starts - Cold Crops

Weather: clear sky | Temp: -3.9 Celsius | Max Temp: 3.58 Celsius | Min Temp: -7.51 Celsius | Morning Temp: -6.4 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 1.35 Celsius | Evening Temp: -0.42 Celsius | Night Temp: -5.3 Celsius | Humidity: 34% | Max Wind: 6.42 km/h | Clouds: 0% | Rain: 0.44 mm | Sunrise: 07:20 | Sunset: 19:35

I started a few cold crops today:

  • cabbage (early Faroa, mid-season Bronco)
  • chard (yellow and red)
  • kale (black magic)

Update:  my plan this year was to use up old seed.  The mid-season cabbage did not germinate so I purchased some new seed and sowed again March 30

March 22, 2025 - Finished Maple Syrup for 2025

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 2.35 Celsius | Max Temp: 6.93 Celsius | Min Temp: -5.29 Celsius | Morning Temp: 5.82 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 0.55 Celsius | Evening Temp: -3.26 Celsius | Night Temp: 5.82 Celsius | Humidity: 76% | Max Wind: 10.14 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 3.08 mm | Sunrise: 07:22 | Sunset: 19:34

We did well this year, producing enough to fill 2 quart jars about 3/4 full each. That’s more than enough for us for the next twelve months.

 

March 14, 2025 - First Outdoor Coffee

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 5.21 Celsius | Max Temp: 14.71 Celsius | Min Temp: -1.4 Celsius | Morning Temp: -1.4 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 10.8 Celsius | Evening Temp: 13.59 Celsius | Night Temp: 1.38 Celsius | Humidity: 46% | Max Wind: 4.59 km/h | Clouds: 94% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 07:36 | Sunset: 19:24

The sign spring is here for me 😁

March 6, 2025 - McKenzie Seed Purchase March 2025 CAD $27.73

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 6.5 Celsius | Max Temp: 0.49 Celsius | Min Temp: -3.42 Celsius | Morning Temp: -1.66 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -2.98 Celsius | Evening Temp: -2.62 Celsius | Night Temp: 0.32 Celsius | Humidity: 69.8% | Max Wind: 10.38 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 1.24 mm | Sunrise: 06:50 | Sunset: 18:15

Picked up a few seeds at Rona. I’ve been quite successful this year in picking up all my seeds locally. No postage delivery charges this year.

  • Lettuce Grand Rapids Tape (sometimes you have to be lazy)
  • Lettuce Romaine Tape
  • Marigold Hero Mix
  • Dwarf Gray Sugar Snap Peas – I’m looking forward to trying a dwarf variety
  • Carrots – Rainbow Mix & Scarlet Nantes Tape

March 6, 2025 - Seed Purchase #2 William Dam Seeds CAD$40.06

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 6.5 Celsius | Max Temp: 0.77 Celsius | Min Temp: -3.8 Celsius | Morning Temp: -1.99 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -3.29 Celsius | Evening Temp: -2.5 Celsius | Night Temp: 0.23 Celsius | Humidity: 72.7% | Max Wind: 10.64 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 1.5 mm | Sunrise: 06:50 | Sunset: 18:15

My second trip to William Dam Seeds this season. I should be good to go now:

  • Dusty Miller Silverdust
  • Grand Rapids Lettuce
  • Tasty Green Cucumber
  • Ageratum Aloha Blue
  • Benary’s Giant Pink Zinnia
  • Cosmos Cranberries

I also picked up a large bag – 2.8cu ft – of ProMix BX for $22.25

March 1, 2025 - Seed Starts - Herbs and Micro Tomatoes

Weather: clear sky | Temp: 4.28 Celsius | Max Temp: 1.98 Celsius | Min Temp: -12.3 Celsius | Morning Temp: -7.99 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -9.32 Celsius | Evening Temp: -11.57 Celsius | Night Temp: 1.98 Celsius | Humidity: 72.32% | Max Wind: 9.11 km/h | Clouds: 10% | Rain: 1.59 mm | Sunrise: 06:58 | Sunset: 18:08

I started parsley and celery today, all from old seed. I’m trying micro tomatoes for the third year, all from seed purchased in 2023. Last year I transplanted the tomatoes into the garden – that did not work so well. This year the plan is to try and force them a little earlier in small pots.

  • Celery – West Coast Seed from 2021, several seeds per pot
  • Parsley – McKenzie seed from 2021, several seeds per pot
  • Yellow Cup Tomato – 4 seeds, one per pot
  • Venus Tomato – 4 seeds, one per pot
  • Pinocchio Tomato – 4 seeds, one per pot

March 1, 2025 - Seed Starts - Early Flowers

Weather: clear sky | Temp: 4.28 Celsius | Max Temp: 1.98 Celsius | Min Temp: -12.3 Celsius | Morning Temp: -7.99 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -9.32 Celsius | Evening Temp: -11.57 Celsius | Night Temp: 1.98 Celsius | Humidity: 72.32% | Max Wind: 9.11 km/h | Clouds: 10% | Rain: 1.59 mm | Sunrise: 06:58 | Sunset: 18:08

Started a few early flower starts today. Some of these were old seeds, so I sowed heavily and we’ll see what comes up.  I have individual humidity domes for these small Boostrap Farmer trays which works well.

Today:

  • Dichondra Silver Falls – new seeds from William Dam Seeds
  • Dusty Miller New Look – new seeds from William Dam Seeds
  • Coleus – various old seed, I just threw everything together
  • Salvia Sirius Blue – seed was from 2022 – Bakers Creek
  • Heliotrope – seed from 2022 I think

February 23, 2025 - Tapping Maple Trees 2025

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: -4.28 Celsius | Max Temp: -0.42 Celsius | Min Temp: -4.74 Celsius | Morning Temp: -3.41 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -1.45 Celsius | Evening Temp: -1.12 Celsius | Night Temp: -4.74 Celsius | Humidity: 78% | Max Wind: 6.47 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0.24 mm | Sunrise: 07:08 | Sunset: 18:01

This winter has been much colder with a lot more snow cover. We still have roughly 2 feet on the ground. However the weather looks like we might finally see some above zero days, so tapping our trees this weekend.

February 16, 2025 - Snow Tunnel to the Greenhouse

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: -1.73 Celsius | Max Temp: -3.07 Celsius | Min Temp: -8.08 Celsius | Morning Temp: -5.86 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -7.71 Celsius | Evening Temp: -6.67 Celsius | Night Temp: -3.07 Celsius | Humidity: 91% | Max Wind: 8.58 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 12.85 mm | Sunrise: 07:19 | Sunset: 17:52

We’ve had two or three big snow storms go through in the last few days. And with no January thaw this year, we already had snow on the ground.  I still have a good path to the greenhouse though between digging and my mats.

February 1, 2025 - Onion Starts 2025

Weather: light snow | Temp: -0.16 Celsius | Max Temp: -6.55 Celsius | Min Temp: -13.77 Celsius | Morning Temp: -12.53 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -10.05 Celsius | Evening Temp: -9.74 Celsius | Night Temp: -6.55 Celsius | Humidity: 73% | Max Wind: 6.27 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 07:37 | Sunset: 17:31

I started my onion seeds today. I thought I was a little later than normal but checking back it looks like I didn’t start seeds until Feb 14 in 2024. Kind of funny to have a garden journal but not check until after the fact!

Anyway – onion starts for 2025:

  • Patterson (2025 seeds from William Dam Seeds)
  • Talon (2024 seeds from Vesey’s)
  • Stuttgarter Riesen (2024 seeds from Hawthorn Farm)
  • Tannat Red (2025 seeds from William Dam Seeds)
  • Spanish Medallion (2025 seeds from William Dam Seeds)
  • Rossa di Milano (I had a few 2023 seeds left to try)

January 30, 2025 - Eagle Creed Seed Potato Order 2025 - CAD $66.85

Weather: few clouds | Temp: -7.68 Celsius | Max Temp: 1.61 Celsius | Min Temp: -12.82 Celsius | Morning Temp: -12.38 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -3.58 Celsius | Evening Temp: -1.34 Celsius | Night Temp: -8.89 Celsius | Humidity: 75% | Max Wind: 6.71 km/h | Clouds: 13% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 07:39 | Sunset: 17:28

I ordered the same seed potatoes as last year from Eagle Creek Seed Potatoes – 1 kg each of Bridget, German Butterball and Excellency.  Sadly the postage ($37.95) was more than the cost of the seed potatoes ($28.90).  Unfortunately I have not found a source with as nice a quality as these so we’ll stick with it. Still, 9 months worth of organic potatoes for less than $70 is pretty great.

January 27, 2025 - William Dam Seed Order 2025 $78.70

Weather: clear sky | Temp: -4.32 Celsius | Max Temp: -1.28 Celsius | Min Temp: -7.11 Celsius | Morning Temp: -5.92 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: -2.2 Celsius | Evening Temp: -1.84 Celsius | Night Temp: -7.11 Celsius | Humidity: 59% | Max Wind: 11.96 km/h | Clouds: 8% | Rain: 0.88 mm | Sunrise: 07:42 | Sunset: 17:24

I’m picking up most of my seeds for 2025 from William Dam Seeds. Two reasons – first the Canada Post strike significantly impacted delivery of seeds during my normal ordering cycle and second, I’m limiting what I buy from the United States this year.

This week I picked up:

Onions: Patterson, Spanish Medallion, Tannat, Ramrod (green onion)
Flowers: Gomphrena Audray Bicolor Rose and Audray Purple, Dusty Miller New Look, Alyssum Sweetie Deep Purple, Dichondra Silver Falls

I also picked up some seed starting mix. It was very nice to work with and reasonably priced at $12.70 for 28 litres.

October 5, 2024 - First Fall Frost 2024

Weather: clear sky | Temp: 12.18 Celsius | Max Temp: 19.57 Celsius | Min Temp: 5.8 Celsius | Morning Temp: 6.05 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 16.45 Celsius | Evening Temp: 17.03 Celsius | Night Temp: 9.25 Celsius | Humidity: 34.5% | Max Wind: 3.5 km/h | Clouds: 5% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 07:22 | Sunset: 18:56

Light frost on the grass this morning. Remaining planters are OK. I’ve already pulled in some dipladenia. It’s projected to be even colder at night early next week.

July 1, 2024 - Obelisks added to my square planters

Weather: few clouds | Temp: 14.89 Celsius | Max Temp: 24.36 Celsius | Min Temp: 10.13 Celsius | Morning Temp: 10.33 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 21.48 Celsius | Evening Temp: 22.02 Celsius | Night Temp: 11.2 Celsius | Humidity: 47% | Max Wind: 4.37 km/h | Clouds: 22% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 05:44 | Sunset: 21:05

I replace the boxwoods in the square planters outside the greenhouse with 4 large iron obelisks from Wayfair: Ambur Metal Obelisk Trellis in Charcoal (really a light grey)

June 23, 2024 - My first bowl of strawberries!

Weather: overcast clouds | Temp: 22.69 Celsius | Max Temp: 24.3 Celsius | Min Temp: 17.98 Celsius | Morning Temp: 24.3 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 22.74 Celsius | Evening Temp: 21.31 Celsius | Night Temp: 20.9 Celsius | Humidity: 84% | Max Wind: 10.01 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0.95 mm | Sunrise: 05:41 | Sunset: 21:05

Not too bad for plants that just went in this year (and a few last fall thanks to a neighbour)

June 14, 2024 - First veggies of the season

Weather: scattered clouds | Temp: 21.13 Celsius | Max Temp: 23.66 Celsius | Min Temp: 12.78 Celsius | Morning Temp: 15.45 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 22.21 Celsius | Evening Temp: 22.3 Celsius | Night Temp: 20.59 Celsius | Humidity: 59% | Max Wind: 5.89 km/h | Clouds: 33% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 05:40 | Sunset: 21:02

Picked some snow peas and a few tomatoes from my micro-tomatoes.

June 6, 2024 - Tied up the tomatoes

Weather: moderate rain | Temp: 21.6 Celsius | Max Temp: 23.6 Celsius | Min Temp: 16.01 Celsius | Morning Temp: 18.93 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 21.84 Celsius | Evening Temp: 23.5 Celsius | Night Temp: 18.29 Celsius | Humidity: 63% | Max Wind: 7.47 km/h | Clouds: 98% | Rain: 0.95 mm | Sunrise: 05:42 | Sunset: 20:57

The tomatoes were almost three feet tall, so it was time to tie them to their trellis system. This year, I’m pruning to 2-3 stems each.

June 6, 2024 - Hilled the potatoes

Weather: moderate rain | Temp: 21.6 Celsius | Max Temp: 23.6 Celsius | Min Temp: 16.01 Celsius | Morning Temp: 18.93 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 21.84 Celsius | Evening Temp: 23.5 Celsius | Night Temp: 18.29 Celsius | Humidity: 63% | Max Wind: 7.47 km/h | Clouds: 98% | Rain: 0.95 mm | Sunrise: 05:42 | Sunset: 20:57

I hilled the potatoes with straw today. Used only 3 bales of Straw Boss as these are the only two rows we are growing this year.

May 31, 2024 - Frost warning the very end of May - again

Weather: clear sky | Temp: 16.81 Celsius | Max Temp: 23.17 Celsius | Min Temp: 6.72 Celsius | Morning Temp: 6.72 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 20.2 Celsius | Evening Temp: 23.17 Celsius | Night Temp: 8.62 Celsius | Humidity: 36% | Max Wind: 4.33 km/h | Clouds: 0% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 05:45 | Sunset: 20:53

We’ve had unusually warm weather all spring and no sign of frost in May until the very end of the month. Temperatures were predicted to fall to 1-3°C for two nights. Turns out we didn’t get frost but it was cold.

May 24, 2024 - New arbours added to the front walkway

Weather: clear sky | Temp: 21.64 Celsius | Max Temp: 25.39 Celsius | Min Temp: 11.91 Celsius | Morning Temp: 11.91 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 22.78 Celsius | Evening Temp: 24.95 Celsius | Night Temp: 15.12 Celsius | Humidity: 45% | Max Wind: 4.5 km/h | Clouds: 4% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 05:49 | Sunset: 20:46

I’m working on my Monet-inspired garden along the front walk. Today, with my neighbour’s help, I added two new arbours. The arbours came from Wayfair: Alari 66.25” W x 21” D Iron Arbour in Black (although the colour is really a steel grey).

May 10, 2024 - Replanted the Circle Garden

Weather: light rain | Temp: 12.65 Celsius | Max Temp: 16.66 Celsius | Min Temp: 8.06 Celsius | Morning Temp: 8.06 Celsius | Afternoon Temp: 14.14 Celsius | Evening Temp: 13.78 Celsius | Night Temp: 11.34 Celsius | Humidity: 62% | Max Wind: 3.62 km/h | Clouds: 100% | Rain: 0 mm | Sunrise: 06:03 | Sunset: 20:31

I replanted the Circle Garden. I’ve limited the colours to purple and white and split the circle into six sections. I planted Echinacea White Swan around the centre clematis (Clematis ‘Jackmanii’, I think). There are six large clumps of the reblooming Iris Immortality. Around the edges are alternating plantings of Pursian Blue Dwarf Catmint, Sensational Lavender and Blue Marvel Salvia.