Victoria Day Effect….

“Photos courtesy of and copyright Free Range Stock, www.freerangestock.com” Sabbir

Victoria Day is here!!

It is when you realize young Johnny next door has grown 3 inches over the winter and the warm roasted smell of firewood is now smoky BBQ, all set to a backdrop of tulips and daffodils. Sounds like heaven? Welcome to a Canadian summer.

It is the unofficial start to summer and for those with a green thumb – the official start to Spring gardening. It is a great time to get out talk to your neighbors, buy some flowering plants and get ready to enjoy the outdoors.  For those coming from tropical countries who only know the basics about perennials and annuals, it is time to learn. Get on the internet or visit your local plant store. There are annuals that give you beautiful color all summer but are they full sun or part shade? Annuals or perennials? Would you prefer hanging baskets or planters? The choices are endless. Gardening is an art in Canada. It is also a brilliant way to enjoy the seasons and get to know your neighbors.

I would admit my relationship with my neighbors have outlasted my relationship with my lawn. In the West Indies if the grass is dead because it was covered by an object, move the offending object and the grass will grow back. In the Caribbean, there are two times of grass – alive and dead. In Canada there are grass seeds to grow several types of grass, mix and blends. Get used to it- you are not in Kansas anymore!

Bottom line, I am still not a gardener. I buy planters every May and try to keep them blooming until October but my knowledge (not skill) of gardening has increased and I have met many wonderful people on the way.