6 Friday, December 15, 2017brooklintowncrier.com Gardening doesn't stop because of winter Blooming in Brooklin By Ken Brown Bright spots of light purple light up my front yard. The autumn crocus I planted in early November started to bloom about a month ago and are still pushing up new blooms. They're rather small but are having a big impact as the only fresh blooms anywhere in my garden or neighbourhood. Even better, the squirrels ignore them since instead they investigate new tulips and spring crocus that were planted in the same beds. All crocus varieties are such a delight as they show up in the spring and fall when almost nothing else is providing colour. Their other great benefit is how inexpensive they are. A package of 200 bulbs only costs a few dollars. Of course, someone has to dig those 200 holes, but they're small bulbs and don't need huge ones. Awaiting insulation The rest of the garden is patiently waiting for its insulating blanket of snow. There are a few perennials that could be cleaned up but many of those leaves and stems will happily compost and almost disappear by spring. I try to clean up the foliage from my Iris. The nasty iris borer survives the winter by laying its eggs on the foliage. By removing it, I can reduce this unwelcome garden guest's population. Gardening slows noticeably for the next couple of months, though, for the dedicated gardener, it never really stops. Geranium cuttings I potted last month are growing under the lights and require regular water and fertilizer. By the end of the month, they'll have grown enough to allow me to cut them back to make them bushier and to produce another batch of cuttings to double the inventory. A favourite bulb Stores everywhere are selling my favourite Christmas present to give. Large amaryllis bulbs are fun to plant. The speed at which the flower stalk emerges and grows fascinates everyone. They're great presents for grandchildren and even more fun if I help to plant them. When they plant one of those bulbs, they're anxious to see the results. The beauty of amaryllis is that they produce results within a child's time frame. Even university students like to take them back to their dorms to watch them grow. I've heard tales of a ruler being stuck in the pot beside the bulb and a betting pool established on the speed of growth. Teachers I know seem happier with a potted and growing amaryllis than with yet another scented candle. The master plan, of course, is to convert a few more young people into happy gardeners. The fun of new varieties This brings me to one of a gardener's greatest pleasures: imagine perfect gardens with no weeds or sore muscles just by spending time perusing the vast array of seed catalogues and web sites. Each com- pany has its own list of new flowers and vegetable varieties. Wander through the choices and try to decide which ones to make room for in next year's garden. You can get help choosing varieties by looking for those awarded an All America Selections designation. This is a large North American organization that annually trials hundreds of new varieties in gardens throughout the U.S. and Canada. For a plant to receive its designation, judges from all regions must note a variety as superior. Even using their recommendations, I know I'll make a list that far surpasses the space available to grow them. Instead of driving this holiday season, the BTC strongly recommends you stash the keys and use one of these services. The Brooklin Town Crier does not endorse any particular company or type of service. A Designated Driver service will drive your car back from your location for a fee, with a companion car following. #Taxi (#8294) - Mobile calls only. The above number will connect you with the closest taxi service. Fee is from $1.25 to $2.50 to make the call, depending on your cell carrier. poundtaxi.com Holiday Driving: Let Someone Else Do It Bell Taxi 905-668-8888 • Belltaxi.ca Circle Taxi 905-668-6666 • circletaxi.ca DD4U 905-440-4469 • Opens at 5 pm https://www.facebook.com/DD4U DesignatedDrivingService/ DD Kingz Call 905-914-6703 Ask for Wally or Sheryl. ddkingz.com DD Angels Designated Driver Call or text at 905-626-8441. Prices start at $20 for up to 8.5 km away. ddangelsdesignateddriver.ca City Wide Taxi 905-579-9393 • citywidetaxioshawa.com DD2U 905-926-7775 • dd2u.ca Keys to Us Starting at $30 for up to 10 km distance. 1-800-439-0339 • Keystous.com Taxi Taxi 905-571-1234 • taxi-taxi.ca Uber If you haven't heard of Uber, well, it'll take too long to explain. For rates, visit: http://uber-rates-whitby-on-ca.uber- fare-estimator.com/ 101-114 Dundas St. E., Whitby L1N2H7 Tel: 905-430-1141 Fax: 905-430-1840 lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org www.lornecoempp.ca MPP Whitby-Oshawa Lorne Coe Wishing You and Your Family Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Steve Yamada East Ward Councillor Town of Whitby From My Family to Yours, Have a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. West Whitby Councillor Chris Leahy Wishing You A Wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2018! - Chris, Natalie, Ada, Thomas, Maeve and Gizmo