KELOWNA CANADIAN ITALIAN CLUB
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IL GIARDINIERE ITALIANO

The Italian Gardener

SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER!

3/15/2021

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Ahh… spring is around the corner. The snowdrops, crocuses, rhubarb and garlic are all popping up, sure signs of a new growing season. Also blooming are the hellebores (Christmas or Lentin Rose) and the heaths and heathers. Willow trees are also turning their springtime yellow. European Ginger, a low growing, shade loving evergreen plant, that lines one of our pathways, is still looking good.

Leaving last year’s plants, leaves and compost on the garden beds for another month is generally a good idea. Not for frost protection but to give the beneficial organisms a chance to hatch, potentially fighting off the unwanted pests. It also gives you some time to stroll your garden and appreciate every new bud pushing out, ready to explode. Evergreen branches, I use to keep out the neighbours cats from flower beds under our eaves, are also kept in place for another month.
​

March 15, on my brother’s birthday, grandfather, Pasquale Barrera, would come over to our house and prune our grapes. I wish I had watched him more closely and asked him his strategy. He always had the most well looked after grapes and the bumper crops always showed. After pruning the vines, he would take a fresh willow twig, that he had tied in a bundle to his belt and tie them to the wires. Every farm seemed to have at least one willow tree that provided free fodder for this job. A few simple twists and turns and the vines were secured in place. As they dried, they became quite secure. Using willow twigs, instead of twine, made the removal of last year’s vines a very simple task.

For many people, the start of a new gardening season means seeding time. Some vegetables, such as peppers, are slow to germinate and to grow. They are usually the first ones I sow, followed by tomatoes and basilico.

In the greenhouse, kale and choi are doing well. They give an added freshness to our stir-fried dinners. March is the time I most appreciate applesauce. It is a good time to use up extra apples from the storage shed. Adding only a little cinnamon, (no sugar necessary) our applesauce is used in making loaves and for toast or ice cream toppings.

While March evenings remain a little chilly, the polenta pot is still in weekly use. Following our family tradition, polenta is served spread on a board, covered with meatless tomato sauce and sprinkled with cheese and fresh basilico. A glass of organic red wine from old growth vines makes a perfect ending for a cool spring evening.
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    Author

    Life-long Gardener Don Rampone shares his tips and advice for gardening

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The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club acknowledges that our clubhouse is situated on the beautiful unceded traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Who, for thousands of years, have lived in harmony with nature and continue to this day to offer us so much culture and understanding.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • About KCIC and Our History
    • President's Message
    • Vice President's Message
    • Executive and Directors
    • Membership
    • Volunteers
  • NEWS & ARTICLES
    • The Grapevine Newsletter
    • THE ITALIAN GARDENER
    • Kelowna's First Families
    • Pietro's Spazio Sport
    • Book Reviews
    • Mangia Mangia Recipes
  • WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KCIC
    • 2023 Calendar
    • Club Happenings >
      • Joe Avati World Tour
      • KCIC Dinners & Special Events
      • La Nostra Famiglia Italiana >
        • Upcoming NFI Events >
          • NFI - Spaghetti
        • Past NFI Events >
          • NFI - Bisnonno
          • NFI - L'Acqua
          • NFI - Terrazzo
          • NFI - Guerra
          • NFI - Lilia
          • Coming to Pier 21
          • Dalla Terra
          • Dialetti!
          • Sveva Caetani
          • Emilio Picariello
        • Family Tree Workshops
        • Between Neighbours
      • Giuseppe's Cafe
      • La Bella Tavola - Cooking Classes
      • Bocce
      • La Scuola Italiana - Italian Language
      • KCIC Library
    • Il Nostro Lascito Legacy Project
    • Our 55th Birthday!
  • More From Us
    • CONTACT US
    • 50th ANNIVERSARY >
      • 50th Anniversary
      • Mercato
      • Dinner & Dance Gala
    • Miss Kelowna Cdn. Italian Club
    • PHOTOS >
      • Photos
    • Calendar Page
  • Take Out Dinners
  • New Page