Weed & graass, man

No, this isn't about what you think it is. Or perhaps it is.

In todays Toronto Star there's a great article to celebrate Earth day (here on the balcony everyday is earth day..!) by Christina De Silva interviewing Evergreen about grasses you can grow on your balcony, and native plants that some call weeds, here

I myself have an urge to grow some grass, or shrubbery, but I never though about wild weeds such as milkweed, a great plant to attract Monarch butterflies- something I would love to do. At present I do get some of those lovely purple finches all the way up here, as I try to keep as much dead stuff with seeds as long as I can just for such visitors.

But imagine butterflies. I've been growing Morning Glories and the bees come for them, but seducing the orange & black darlings almost makes me drool like a spider spinning her web. ( not exactly an ideal analogy, but still theamatic, no?)

Jumping over to Wikipedia, it seems milkweed has quite a history of usage for humans- insulation, rubber, repellent, and of course a cure for warts.

I am also picturing the starry puffs alighting themselves from the balcony, and the possible grumblings from my neighbors about me proliferating weeds & contributing to their allergies- a condition from which I also suffer, but chose to generally ignore unless I am in need of a tissue-*sniff* anyone?

Think I'll just plant those free Black-eyed Susan seeds obtained at Canada Blooms from Acorus Restoration instead- but I may change my mind...

..next post-seedling & balcony redecor updates!

Cats, balconies, and safety!

So I promised an article about cats & balconies!

I read somewhere recently that quite a number of urban cat deaths are caused by falls from balconies. And I believe it. From my own previous experience with a cat, they will do all those things you are afraid that they will do- jump & squeeze themselves to the places you do not want them to go- they do it inside, why not do it outside?

Xena- my old cat (pictured above on the balcony-she's unsecured just for this photo- a nervous partner is just beyond my shoulder yelling "hurry!"that has been adopted by a certain lovely couple- she's a great cat, she just has issues, and I'm glad they decided to take her on..) even once escaped to *my neighbors* house. We didn't even know she got out-as our neighbor had to ring us to tell us- so she must have squished herself through the bars and walked across the parapet next door!

Our solution was to harness her & sit out with her when we were outside, as well as being 110% paranoid when the door was open at anytime-a commonly heard phrase was "THE DOOR!!"

Well dear readers, here are 2 great options:

The "Kitty Walk"- $89.00 US- www.drsfostersmith.com

"Each component in the Kittywalk cat run system is made of sturdy, industrial strength fishnet, woven to a metal hoop-shaped wicket. It endures rain or shine - from summer to winter - without rust, rot, or mildew.

Includes ultra-sturdy nylon travel bag and training hints. Excellent for camping or travel. Kittywalk Deck & Patio measures 19" x 24" high x 6' long."

...and I just *had* to include this shot- a cat stroller! I really do like the Doctors Fosters & Smith site- !






Ok- I hear you- what about a Canadian site? Well- I do you one better- a Toronto company: www.thecatsden.net

Here's a video of them by the Weather Network -look at those happy catz! http://www.thecatsden.net/weather-network-video.html

They also do these (if your building allows)
ok so do they install it? From their website -hey sell to all of North America:

"At the moment we are able to install in the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara and Hamilton areas. We will be expanding so that there will be a few installers in each Province and State."

Their website:http://www.thecatsden.net/index.html

No Pain, no gain

I just couldn't do it.

I can so far say that only 4 seedlings have died in the making of this blog.

They were unfortunately crushed to death. The others have all been potted up. (Handling them was awful- like when you are trying to move a really delicate bug & you end up killing it..)

As back-up, I have started a few more, sans speed-germination this time. (remember that grade-school science project of seeing how seeds grow in a jar with water & paper towel? That's what it is.)

I also started my Morning Glories. Last year the direct-sow in the planter didn't work 'sew' well-(lol), and I was also guilty of being late, due to my crazy schedule at the time! And yes, the heat is down.

The good thing is that the Tiny Toms (OSC) & Aurora Hot Peppers (from the Cottage Gardener) are doing quite well, albeit a tad crowded. You can see them there. (sorry for the chairs- I'm tossing them this year..unless you want them?)





Oh & I should also do a bit more of a plant rundown:

Dill- osc Seeds
Basil- also OSC
Purple Tomatillos (Urban Harvest)
Bok Choi- (Hope Seeds)
(I'm only recently getting into local & organic seeds)



tomorrows topic- cats & balconies!

Oh, Zee pain

I made the unfortunate decision to leave my germinated seedlings beside the heater while I was away during Easter, which I had cranked up due to the recent cold snap. (.. we had all that SNOW)
(**edit edit-and they also didn't get moved to the fluorescent light in time)

Now i have 3 inch high tomatillo & bok choi seedlings.

This is apparently a bad thing. UGH.

Today I will decide their fate,
I cannot bear to see them in such a state
Be it to pot-up, or to re-sew,
I must decide, before it's too late!

(oh yes- did I mention rhymes as part of my writing style? I can't help it.)

from all good things..

^^How ominous that title sounds.


It was the first thing that popped into my head, so like many things that pop into my noggin, I thought I should catch it & keep it before it got away.

Anywho- due to the fact that I can barely find one good source on balcony gardening, especially the edible kind, I am starting this blog with the idea that it will be a compendium for all things balcony related, especially for condo & apartment dwellers, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America, planet earth, known universe, Alpha 4 Zero beta fifi 2.

What to expect/ what not to expect here:

No long winded, pointless posts.
Nothing technical-scientific, yes.
There will be updates. Why have a blog if you last post was 2002?
Lots & lots of links. I *heart* research.
A few slightly odd uses of language, but always with respect.
Really bad camera phone shots. Unless someone buys me *the digital camera of my dreams* I'm getting to lazy to use film anymore.
..and of course, my own trials & tribulations on the balcony- so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did ;)

For you the reader-I will help you where I can- I come from a farming background, and my family has always had a garden, and I seem to be able to make things grow.