I found this scene at the beginning of November this year up on the escarpment. I was driving around looking for good bronze fall foliage landscape scenes. Such an interesting contrast to see the end of autumn paired with spring. I looked this up and think it is a canola cover crop.
Its benefit: "Grows fast; adds huge amount of humus".
"Comments: Excellent catch crop after an early harvest. This cabbage relative sprouts and grows fast, produces large, nitrogen-rich leaves which crowd out weeds. Deep roots loosen tough clay soil. Matures in 8 to 10 weeks; large vegetative mass decays fast, makes a wealth of humus when turned under. Cover crops should be turned under several weeks before the area is planted with crops in order to allow sufficient decomposition."
My theory goes that cabin fever starts in November as the horizon lowers and the day shortens drastically. Poinsettias seem to be the perfect 'pick-me-up'. They are vivid eye candy to the eyes. They are so varied now with all sorts of variations on red white and pink (aside from the horticultural spray painting of blue). They signal a good time ahead.
So you can guess what makes me visit Sunshine Nurseries. A visit to Sunshine Nurseries last week was a feast of poinsettias. As far as you can see are stripes of red, white, pink - all the colours and varieties of poinsettias imaginable.
There are three locations for poinsettia trials in North America - Florida, South Carolina and Niagara. This year it is taking place at Linwell Gardens, one of the growers. Last year it took place at Vineland Research Station and there was a great public showing and voting.
There are over 160 varieties on trial this year, and I hope to see them on Monday afternoon when I interview Wayne Brown, the chair of the activity.
