As the Garden Grows

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It’s been snowing

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Every morning of the past few days it’s been snowing a little bit. I sometimes stay up well into the night and when I’m just going to bed at 4 a.m. or so I see the snow coming down.

It hasn’t been staying at all, but I think before long it will be cool enough that it will stay for a few days when it falls.

Here in Toronto we rarely have more than a tiny bit of snow that stays on the ground throughout the winter. Oh, we have snow banks that have built up from the heavy snow falls that we get, but if it’s not too cold of a winter it’s not uncommon to only see a bit of snow on the lawns. Late December and all of January are when we get the most snow, and when it’s most likely to stay for a while.

Have you had snow yet? Has it stayed on the ground?






Repvine puts your reputation online

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Have you ever wondered just how much people can find out about you online, or what kind of information is out that for them to find? Well I just found a site, Repvine, that allows you to make sure that the information that you want others to find is out there for others to see.

In this day and age when you apply for a job potential employers are just as apt to check the internet to find out things about you, as they are to call each and every one of the references that you give them. By creating a profile at Repvine you can list your accomplishments, list all of your references. I’m sure there are 100’s of ways to use Repvine to your advantage.

Not only that, Repvine, can also act as a warehouse for feedback and opinion. Think about it this way, if you are a doctor or dentist, or have any type of company at all, you can list accomplishments, achievements, the various certificates or diplomas you hold. Much more that people might find on your office walls or within the short resumes that we give out when we have interviews. Point people towards your repvine profile and they can discover everything you want them to know about you.

Here’s a short video that shows the cons of not having a repvine account. LOL

Houseplants- swollen leaves and edema

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Have you noticed that occasionally some of your plants will get swollen blister like areas on their leaves or fleshy stems? I went through a period of that with one of my Christmas Cactus’ for two years straight. I’m happy to report that it’s not happening this year though.


Sometimes the spots are tan at first or they become dark brown and become wart like. Corky bumps occur most often on the underside of the leaves of succulent plants such as jade plant and peperomia. Of course they could occur these bumps could occur on other plant parts, and on other types of plants as well such as Swedish ivy, schefflera, croton, geranium or begonia.

It this were to continue the leaves will turn yellow and droop, and then fall from the plants. Plants can become spindly and cease to grow as result of this condition which is called edema. It is often found on indoor plants in winter. It’s caused by environmental factors – a build up of water pressure in the leaf tissues will result in dostortion and busting of cells.

Overwatering, high humidity, and low light intensities favor the development of edema. Faulty watering practices, such as allowing plants to dry out completely and then drowning them, encourages it. Avoid overwatering susceptible plants, especially during the winter months when they should be kept slightly on the dry side.

Differences in potting medium, environment, and the individual plant type influence water needs. If the soil feels or looks damp in a pot, don’t water. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat, then water deeply until water drains out of the hole in the pot’s base. This insures that all of the plant’s roots receive water and it leaches out excess minerals accumulated in the soil. Make sure to empty water out of the saucer beneath the plant so the roots do not sit in water.

If edema occurs, keep the relative humidity below 70% in the vicinity of the plants. Improving air flow over the leaves by spacing plants further apart and increasing ventilation will help reduce humidity. Inexpensive humidity meters which can help you monitor the plants’ environment can be bought at garden centers or through catalogs. Moving the plants to a sunny location or adding supplemental artificial lighting is also beneficial.

Leaves showing symptoms of edema will not recover, but you can halt the decline of a plant by improving light and watering less often. Repotting to improve soil drainage may also help. Affected plants often recover from oedema with the return of more favorable growing conditions in spring and early summer, especially if they are placed outside as soon as weather permits.

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