Inspiration 2009!

Ok so my return wasn't so quick, and I actually missed planting season- for a very good reason!


















I was in JAPAN- cool huh? Now that county's got gardening DOWN. I highly recommend anyone who's remotely interested in gardening to visit- we were lucky enough to catch the Cherry Blossom season when we were there, too. I'll post a few pics, but two dimensions just don't cut it. It's ethereal. Goodness I've never used that word before!



So the real inspiration for my post is this video- From what I can gather on his youtube channel he's in Toronto, like me, and loves to grow tomatoes, also like me.


But his is MUCH better- It's what I'd aspire to- lots of cherry tomatoes and great use of straw. The other thing that I love is his swing chair! I've been contemplating throwing my old cedar auction love seat out- it's awkward and the nails are pretty rusty, I'm just attached to it because it was such a fight to get at the auction at the time- 20 years ago, hmm- ok, i think it can go :)



Enough about me- Vlad also has lots of videos about the carrville community garden- located behind the Toronto Waldorf School- looks like a good group of folks- 106 litres of tomatoe sauce made from their gardens in 2005!!







So because I missed starting my own toms, I'm going to have to hunt for some come May. Which is kind of nice- no dirt in the dining room, no hustling plants in and out, rushing home on cold night to get the seedlings back in, no balancing precariously on chairs (which my other half is happy about) with trays.. but also no daily little joys of green. Ah well, at least there's the internet! Time to live vicariously through others for a while!

...and one last picture of cherry blossoms:

UPDATE!

I'm currently inside flicker posting this! Did ya know you could do this? Well, if you're like me, you didn't and now you know! Generally I'm like George Castanza where I don't like worlds colliding, but hey, it's all related content here.

So this should increase some posting & cut down on my time between the two sites, killing two snails with one rock ( or moving him elsewhere for you gentle folk).

The biggest thing I wanted to post about it the current status of the balcony. Sorry about the wait- I'll come clean..soon.

I dismantled the BBQ, and now have a wonderful plant stand. Most of the seedlings are transferred ( ...aaaand some are still waiting for their promised adoptees to take them home *ahem*).

Ikea seating was purchased, railing curtains, and pots got wired,
Dollar store mop buckets and feed cans aquired.

May direct-sew seedlings were sewn,
And well as new striped drapes,
But I need a body harness,
So I don't fall & break a bone.

..next- gardening confessional!

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

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.