Friday, July 6, 2018 5 Brooklin Town Crier We recently had six vegetables from the garden for dinner and they were delicious. There really is a difference in vegetables that make a 15-minute trip from the garden to the kitchen, a short trip that allows the growth of varieties bred for flavour rather than durability. It doesn't take much space to feed a family during the growing season. With more space, we could stock the freezer to feed us all year. Consider the front lawn, the least used part of most properties. Give up fertilizing, watering and cutting and you can have a front garden that feeds you. It's also not too late to think about it for this year. While the main season crops are out of reach, there are cool season crops to be planted in August that will grace your table past October. The secret is... Even my garden isn't all about vegetables. There are always flowers to brighten up spots and provide cut flowers for indoors. We grow a range of annual flowers and they're nicely filling out. The secret is water and fertilizer. The fuller the container and hotter the weather, the greater the demand for water. Providing the water they need will not guarantee healthy plants if we don't keep them well fertilized. Combining the two makes that easy. There are many soluble fertilizers available and they all do the job. Keep the fertilizer container as close to the tap as possible. That way you'll find it second nature to throw a scoop into every watering can. The soil in most containers has little or no actual garden soil in it so it has minimal nutrient content. That's why we need to provide a constant supply. I use the fertilizers at just over half the recommended dosage, but I add it to water every time. Veggies, front gardens and Mosaiculture Blooming in Brooklin By Ken Brown Visit Mosaiculture Want a great summer gardening road trip? Ottawa is a wonderful city to visit. But for the garden lover, this year it's actually just across the river in Gatineau's Jacques-Cartier Park: Mosaiculture. Last year was stunning and this year's is even better. There are some 5.5 million plants used to build 45 impressive sculptures. This horticultural wonder features life-like renderings of places and events, all many times the actual size. If you're like me, you study each piece to try to figure out just how they managed to create these structures. Last year's Mosaiculture feature was Mother Earth. But she's been surpassed this year by the Tree of Birds. The 16 m tall sculpture features 56 endangered bird species that are apparently so well done that each is quite recognizable. I'm already planning my trip to this spectacular garden. It's open until Oct. 15 so there's plenty of time to plan a gardening adventure. The only possible downside is its ability to make us feel a touch inadequate when we contemplate our own gardens. The trick instead to be inspired, to up our game and think of new and interesting things we can accomplish even in our limited spaces. We are excited to announce the details of our 10th annual fundraiser. Date: Saturday, September 8, 2018. Location: Columbus Golf Course. Scramble format with shotgun tee off at 11:00 am (registration at 10:00 am). Dinner: Shoeless Joe's in Brooklin 5:00 pm (50/50 draw, prizes, video presentation). Cost: $125/golfer, $500/foursome. Includes: green fees, power cart, lunch, tournament passport & buffet dinner with a pint. Passport Details: 3 hole in one challenges ($15,000 cash, a new Nissan Rogue & a trip to the 2019 Masters), the putting challenge, longest drive & closest to the pin. Registration: Pay online at www.WolfpackGolf- Tourney.com (PREFERRED) E-transfer the money to: info@wolfpackgolftourney.com Cash or cheque to a tournament organizer. Cheque made payable to: Lakeridge Health Foundation This tournament has raised over $183,662 since 2009 for charities in Durham Region and is in the top three for community contributors for the Lakeridge Health Foundation. This year we hope to have another record-setting year with the funds being directed to the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre. Space is limited to 152 golfers and we will sell out, so make sure you sign up quickly as registration will be on a first-come first-served basis. This event relies heavily on community support. If you're interested in sponsoring or donating prizes, please let us know. Sponsorship levels range from $350-$5,000 and details are available on our website: www.WolfpackGolfTourney.com. Wolfpack Golf Tourney Registration Open