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19 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M ay 7,2020 insidehalton.com Our business is helping local business Local businesses are the engine of our economy, the anchors of our communities and the first place of work for millions of young Canadians and new Canadians. With reporters in more than thirty communities across Ontario, we know that local businesses have borne the brunt of this recent pandemic. This is our commitment to the businesses in our communities: We will voice your concerns We will help you keep the doors open We will help you navigate the system We will tell your stories Many Canadian gardeners wait until the long May 2-4 week- end (which was named after Queen Victoria decreed the offi-Queen Victoria decreed the offi-Q cial size of a case of beer) to plant and sow their garden. There is no need. Fact is, you can be out there this weekend frolicking on the lawn and digging in the gar- den with just a little bit of knowl- edge. HARDY 101 The tipping point for many plants is 0 degrees Celsius. Which is not to suggest that you should plant your tomatoes if the next few weeks are frost free. The soil at this time of year is cold and plants that prefer warm soil don't like it one little bit. Wait until the long May weekend, at the earliest, to plant out frost ten- der plants. Conversely there are plants that thrive in cool soil and cool air temperatures. WHAT YOU CAN PLANT. Veggies: sow directly in theVeggies: sow directly in theV ground seeds of carrots, onions, leeks, lettuce, cabbage (all "cole crops" like broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower), beets, peas and Swiss chard. Vegetable plants are availableVegetable plants are availableV at some essential garden retail- ers now and we encourage you to plant them out. All the plants mentioned above will grow nice- ly, except the root crops men- tioned, which should be sown from seed direct into the soil.from seed direct into the soil.f Plus, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and all shrub bearing fruits including currants andfruits including currants andf blackberries, are safe to plant out now. Speaking of edibles, many herbs can be planted out but only after you harden them off by in- troducing them to mid day sun and cold evening temperatures, expanding their time out of doors by an hour or two a day. As the plant becomes used to the lower temperatures and direct sun, it acclimatizes to the out of doors. After about 10 days, they are safe to plant out. Ornamentals are ready for planting now also. All flowering shrubs, trees (including fruit trees), evergreens, roses and most perennials are suitable for early May planting. The excep- tions are the ones that have been force-grown in a greenhouse. force-grown in a greenhouse. f Flowering plants that will tempt you and are perfectly har- dy, ready to plant today, include pansies, violas, ranunculus, mums and all flowering bulbs in- cluding crocus, daffodils, hya- cinths and tulips. WHAT NOT TO PLANT/SOW There are many plants that are sensitive to frost and cold soil that should not be planted until late in May or early June. Veggies include tomatoes, po-Veggies include tomatoes, po-V tatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, melons and corn. When soil temperatures rise above 15 degrees Celsius you can plant or sow these crops. You will also need to wait toYou will also need to wait toY plant annual flowering plants in- cluding, but not limited to, petu- nias, impatiens, geraniums, snapdragons and ... you get the idea. They are called "annuals" as they complete their life cycle in one growing season. Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster, tree advocate and Member of the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gar- dener and graduate of Universi- ty of Guelph and Dalhousie University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @markcullengardening, and on Facebook. ANXIOUS TO START GARDENING? You don't always have to wait until the May holiday weekend to start gardening, says expert Mark Cullen. Mark Cullen photo OPINION #HOMEGROWN MARK AND BEN CULLEN Column PenTACOSTAL UnITeD DIRECTORY If you'd like to advertise your place of worship in this feature please email Kelli Kosonic kosonic@starmetrolandmedia.com or call 289-293-0691 PenTACOSTAL kk Worship 1469 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville 905-825-5292 www.glenabbeyunitedchurch.com GLEN ABBEY UNITED CHURCH REV. TED VANCE EPIPHANY SUNDAY! Your Best New Year Resolution? ...Come to Church! THIS SUNDAY, January 5th: Message: VERY WISE GUYS Matthew 2:1-12 Services are suspended due to COVID- 19 until further notice Tel: 416-892-8123 Fax: 1-866-281-5983 Bishop M. Brissett (Pastor) Email: mjbrisse@yahoo.ca Jesus is lOrd Oakville PenTecOsTal aPOsTOlic cenTre ONLINE CHURCH SERVICE AVAILABLE ANY TIME HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! let Mom or Grandma know that ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ANYTIME Click on www.glenabbeyunitedchurch.com any time to see an online Church service that will offer comfort and hope. New services will be added every Saturday night or Sunday morning. This week's message: You Are a Part of The Family!You Are a Part of The Family!Y To help your Church survive the pandemic,To help your Church survive the pandemic,T please send e-transfers to: donations@glenabbeyunitedchurch.com Thank you and God Bless you!