Sunday, October 21, 2018


Gardens of Alcatraz




Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, and famous all over the world, Alcatraz island is now a tourist attraction in the San Francisco Bay. The first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast, the former prison cells and most of all the historic gardens are luring visitors. 
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As early as 1869, military inmates began tending the Gardens of Alcatraz.  Many of these inmate gardeners had no horticulture experience, but with vocational training and donated plants, they were able to transform the barren rock into extensively planted terraces, including a rose garden and cutting gardens overflowing with brightly colored flowers.  Alcatraz gardeners/inmates needed tough plants that could survive with little water or care.  Today, visitors to Alcatraz find a landscape alive with fragrant old roses, fig trees, bulbs, and colorful succulents.
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The work was a privilege: not only did it allow inmates to be out of their cells and away from the tension of the prison, but it also offered them a chance to create beauty in a forbidding environment.
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Getting to the Island
The island is open to visitors every day year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Although there is not an entrance fee, there is a charge for the ferry service, supplied by a private company under contract to the National Park Service, from Pier 33 in San Francisco.  For additional information on schedules, prices, parking, and to purchase tickets in advance (tickets are made available about 90 days in advance) please visit the Alcatraz Cruises website.  Alcatraz frequently sells out, as much as a week in advance, in summer and near holidays.  In early March a round trip ticket is $30.  The best time to visit the Gardens of Alcatraz is from January to September, and especially in the spring from January to March.


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A Visitor to the Gardens Gives this Advice:
“Because Alcatraz is surrounded by water whose temperature rarely goes below 50F, the island is literally in a temperature zone warmer than its landlocked neighbors.  January is the most pleasant month to visit because the summer fogs are absent and winds are mild because the temperature differential between the coast and valley are minimal.  And the birds are mostly gone so their droppings are gone too. It's been up in the high 60's on the island while SF is low 60's on the same day.”
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And Here a bit Alcatraz Garden History:
Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to the Rock.  The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety.  To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons.  In the 1920s, hundreds of trees and shrubs were planted as part of a general beautification project.
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The most significant phase of garden construction began in the mid-1930s when Fred Reichel, the secretary to the warden, convinced the warden to allow prisoners to work in the gardens.  At the same time, he sought the advice of the California Horticultural Society and plant breeders on which plants might thrive on Alcatraz and was able to obtain a large variety of Mediterranean-climate plants.  The offspring of many of these plants continue to be found in today’s gardens.

In 1941, prisoner Elliott Michener began a nine-year stint as the head gardener.  He built a greenhouse and was allowed to order large amounts of seeds and bulbs.  His labor helped shaped the terraced gardens on the east side.




After the prison closed in 1963, the gardens were abandoned and fell into disrepair together with everything else on the island.  Plants that required irrigation for survival died while those that were able to make do with natural rainfall and moisture from the frequent fog—mostly succulents—survived.

In 2003, the Garden Conservancy, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the National Park Service launched a cooperative project to restore the island’s gardens.  With the help of countless volunteers, horticulturists propagated new material from the surviving plants and brought in new introductions appropriate for the harsh climate.
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Enjoy this unusual garden trip to the Alcatraz prison island!

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018


Where to Purchase Cannabis in Canada

See how happy Canadians are:




On October 17, 2018, recreational Cannabis is legal in all provinces of Canada.  Which province has the most stores and how well are they prepared for the countdown?

Canadian Provinces
While traveling through the province of New Brunswick in the Maritimes I saw lots of new stores with the "Cannabis NB" sign.  All 20 locations are expected are stocked and staffed across New Brunswick, having already shown off one of the government’s completed cannabis stores in mid-June.

Nova Scotia: The government-owned Nova Scotia Liquor (NSLC) Commission will be the physical cannabis retailer as of legalization day. Eleven NSLC locations across the province will offer about 150 different cannabis products in separate stores within existing alcohol retailers.

Prince Edward Island: Canada’s smallest province will have four government-owned cannabis stores. Locations in Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague and the West Prince region.

New Foundland & Labrador: Canada’s easternmost province will have 24 private retail cannabis locations.  Some smaller businesses made the cut – Tobin’s Convenience in Labrador City, for example – but the majority will be owned and operated by large corporations, such as Loblaws.

Quebec: The plan is to open 20 storefronts “gradually” once legalization takes effect. But so far, the SQDC has only announced 14 locations, with half of them in either Montreal or Quebec City.

Ontario: The OCS (Ontario Cannabis Store) will launch an online-only format as of Oct. 17 - while private businesses will handle all bricks-and-mortar cannabis operations - locations or how many will be allowed to open have not yet been released.

Manitoba: Around 30 cannabis stores stocked and staffed across Manitoba in time for legalization.  The overall goal is to have 90% of provincial residents living within a 30-minute drive of a cannabis store by the end of the decade.

Saskatchewan: 51 draw-winning cannabis retailers (out of 1,500 applications) have been given the approval to open storefronts as of Oct. 17.

Alberta: The AGLCC estimates at least 150 stores will be licensed, stocked and staff by mid-October. More cannabis stores will be in Alberta than in the rest of Canada combined.

British Columbia: An official plan calls for a mix of both privately-owned stores and government-run locations under the “BC Cannabis Stores” banner, but neither appears to have made much progress. Well, I guess there are so many previously opened illegal cannabis operations, so BC inhabitants might not be too excited about the legalization : )
Somewhat similar to Quebec.

Northern Territories: Not even a dozen stores, some government run, some private are in the Yukon and NWT to cater to patrons. Nunavut will be delivered by online stores.
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College Education in Cannabis Growing Operations
Niagara's College's new cannabis program: On the first day of school, the prof had not only students huddled around him, but also reporters and cameras.
These "pot school" offers intensive hands-on training in growing pot with classes which focus on topics like plant nutrition, climate control, pest control, and plant selection. There are also courses about the regulations governing cannabis in Canada.  The program ends with a field placement for students at a cannabis producer in the region.

"Pot School" in Niagara 
"Over 300 people applied for 24 spots in Niagara College's program, making entry to the pot school very competitive. The two dozen students in the first cannabis class range in age from 21 to 54 and several of them left full-time jobs for the opportunity" reports CBC News.

Even a 
Ph.D. in pot Production...
“The University of Guelph in Ontario has already produced a student believed to have completed North America's first Ph.D. in pot production.”

Read all about Cannabis in Canada on this government website.


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However, don't consume pot before and while driving as shown in this funny video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PLC_cBJwk4


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Monday, October 15, 2018


Most Colorful Foliage: Caladiums and Coleus





Caladiums
These tropical shade dwellers are a stunning choice for the darker corners of your garden landscape.  Caladiums also make excellent container plants.  Most varieties grow between 18 and 24 inches tall, but dwarf forms are also available.  Because their large leaves are easily damaged by high wind, plant them in a protected location.


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Caladium Growing 
Caladiums are tropical bulbs that need to be dug and stored after frost blackens their foliage in the fall, just as you would do with Gladiolas or ….. In warm, frost-free regions they can remain in the garden. Indoors, use caladiums as a cheerful houseplant. Just give it medium light and warm temperatures.  Water caladiums whenever the surface of the soil begins to dry. They prefer moist, but not wet soil.  Pinching is for many annual and tender perennial plants—such as coleus—an encouragement to branching and to full, bushy growth.


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Winter Care
Northern gardeners will need to store caladiums over the winter. Dig the tubers up after the first light frost. Then, brush off the soil and plunge the roots into a box of peat moss and place in a cool, dark, warm location for the winter.  Occasionally sprinkle the bulbs with just a splash of water to keep them hydrated in storage. Replant in pots in the spring and set the plants outside after frost danger has passed.




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Coleus: Another Colorful Plant for Shade Gardens
Distinctive leaf shapes, intricate patterns, and rich colors rival some of the showiest foliage plants.  Coleus is grown for its ornate foliage in eye-catching colors including white, yellow, red, pink, purple, maroon, copper, and a wide range of greens. Coleus makes an attractive addition indoors or outdoors.


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Cut It Back
When the weather begins to drop, especially at night, cutting back the coleus flowers will help the plant conserve a lot of energy and food. You do not have to worry about hurting the plant too much if you cut it back too far.  Coleus is a very hardy plant and can handle the cutting. In fact, it will come back even bushier and more colorful than before. intense summer sun which will scorch the leaves.
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Keep it Moist
Coleus leaves will wilt and may fall off if the soil is too dry. You'll have a much healthier-looking plant if you keep the soil moist at all times. Use a pot with drainage holes and water thoroughly.  Need a container? Check out the stylish self-watering pots available now.  It's just the thing to keep your coleus from wilting this summer.  Dropped leaves indoors?  Low light, dry soil or cold air can cause leaves to drop.  Don't worry - this vigorous plant will replace them when it gets what it wants.
Transplanting indoors will save your plants from freezing.  Carefully dig around the plant and lift out of the soil. Transplant it into a pot with soil that is already moist.  Coleus make a lovely, colorful Thanksgiving dinner table decoration!



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Propagation Coleus’ is Easy: 
Cut several twigs, stripe most of the leaves off and place them in a water glass.  Exchange the water once a week.  After a couple of days, you will see the first tiny roots appear.  Once the roots are growing sturdy, plant each of the new plants in a small flower pot and place them overwinter on a window sill. 
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Read More About Coleus and Caladiums:
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Coleus
https://www.finegardening.com/article/pinching-coleus
http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/coleus-plant.html

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Sunday, October 14, 2018


Spring Bulbs to Plant This Fall



Plant these classic bulbs in autumn 
for a glorious flower show next spring.


While it is still early fall and warm outside, the garden centers and nurseries are already fully stocked with spring bulbs for a marvelous, colorful spring garden.



Planting bulbs this fall will reward you with a sea of flowers next spring. While your garden is cold and dreary, the bulbs will be forming roots and preparing to bloom when the weather warms up again.  Popular varieties sell out fast, so buy or order your favorites ahead of time.



If You Have Already Spring Bulbs in Your Garden:
See how you can divide your bulbs and plant them - and also plant new spring bulbs:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd9cBEx2SC0