Fanshawe College Blog Entry: May 20 - 26, 2018

Norna Hugasdottir

Sometimes a mess can be an exciting prospect in this line of work. Knowing that when we’re done, our hard work can so fully transform a garden bed is an incredibly rewarding feeling. As we finished off our work at Z building this week, it’s fair to say that we left our mark on the gardens that are notoriously the wildest on campus, due to contaminate soil at first planting. It should be clear from previous posts that we were working in close contact with the local geese, who served as supervisors until our task was complete.

The rising temperatures and more favourable weather for holidays and travel mean that sunscreen and proper clothing and equipment is a must for working outside!

From the picture above, you can see that we have not yet edged the gardens but will return soon in teams for mulching and edging. This is probably the most strenuous tasks but yields the most dramatic results, in the end. Other gardens across Fanshawe can expect the same treatment as we move across campus this summer!

Anyone visiting campus will also start to notice the number of new plantings that are starting to be completed across the grounds. Old winter-interest plants missed in the spring, having served their purpose, and spent flowers like tulips, are being removed while we add red and white geraniums, as well as revamp all the planters on campus with exciting new arrangements! With over twenty planters across campus, there is much to do, and for everyone to enjoy! We all hope that you like them!

Looking a little sparser than before, the greenhouse has begun to empty of our local orders going to Western Fair and Cuddy Gardens, and we will soon be cleaning it completely out to sanitize and make space for our new crops for this fall. Meanwhile, it stays home to lingering student projects, stock-plants, experiments and quarantined interiorscape plants that need a spa treatment. And of course, one can’t forget the plants just itching (presumably) to get outside to their new homes across the gardens at Fanshawe!

Summer Blog Post: May 14th-20th

Ellyn H.

  

Malus ‘White Angel’      

White Angel Crabapple

 Fanshawe was positively in bloom this week, from the first blossoms of the purple lilacs (Syringa vulgaris), the fully bloomed White Angel crabapple (Malus ‘White Angel’), to the ageing blooms of the clove currant (Ribes odoratum). The overcast weather and rain early in the week no doubt contributed to the blooms’ arrival, but it also gave us time to learn about and reflect upon safety.

We learned about the hazards posed to new and young workers, hazards in the workplace, and how to use a fire extinguisher following proper technique. Using a fire and extinguisher simulator, we got to practice putting out a fire in real time. We also enhanced and updated our basic and more specific workplace training through online modules, preparing us for a variety of situations in the workplace. An example of a hazard in horticulture is the mixing of concentrated soluble fertilizer, and therefore we don proper protective gear.

As well as flowers, the weeds were also prodigiously abundant and required pulling as soon as possible. At Z Building, thistles, bindweed, and horse’s tail weeds were removed in astonishing numbers. It’s best to remove as much of the root as possible, and we found some pretty long ones.

 This dandelion root connects over 10 plants

                                                      

                                                     Before the removal of thistles:   

                                                         After the removal of thistles:

  

Extensive pruning of many hydrangeas in the wedge gardens at Z building was undertaken to support healthy growth and improve their appearance.

 The Horticulture program distributed saplings to high school students attending Fanshawe’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship day. 3 types of trees were available: Blue spruce (Picea pungens), white spruce (Picea glauca), and white pine (Pinus strobus).

Finally, the greenhouse has been busy preparing orders for its commercial clients. Careful attention is given to the plants as they mature to ensure they reach the clients at the peak time for their needs.

Bedding plants and baskets are among the commissioned produce.

Bonus toad

Weekly summer blog - May 7-11, 2018

Claire H.

Last week was full of new skills, special events, and wildlife in the Gardens at Fanshawe. We kicked-off the week with garden bed maintenance at the front of the school, where we put our newly-learned edging skills to the test.

With the edges looking great, we moved on to the east campus entrance. There, our team member Emily sheared back the tops of dry ornamental grasses to allow the new growth to thrive. After shearing, the rest of the bed could be weeded, raked, and cleaned.

Final debris was blown away with a backpack blower, and we were all definitely ready for a break from the sun. 

Fortunately for us, we were rewarded for our efforts with a free hot dog lunch provided by the Fanshawe Student Union for all summer students!

Although our free lunch was pretty sweet, the highlight of the week was at the end when we walked down to Z Building campus to evaluate its green roofs. On the way, we ran across a pair of Canada Geese with their goslings.

Likewise, Z Building’s green roofs had two goose nests of its own. We were careful not to disturb the nesting geese and will wait to maintain the areas around them until the geese have moved on.

A special project for some of the garden’s summer staff is to spearhead a care plan for the green roofs. After visiting the rooftop sites, we can’t wait to get started on maintaining and improving them!

Welcoming Spring at Fanshawe College

May 1st - 6th, 2018

Emily Birss

After a long slumber under the snow, spring has finally sprung at Fanshawe College. As the daylight spreads, colour comes to life throughout the multiple gardens on campus. Red and white Tulips line the flag pole bed, petals from the three Prunus Sargentii (Sargent Cherry) blow in the wind and the sweet smell of Narcissus (Daffodils) fill the air. As the temperatures rise more people come outside and observe the beauty nature offers. This is why the care and maintenance of the gardens are very important.

         Fanshawe has welcomed ten new students who have been trained in the Horticulture Technician Program to assist with the upkeep of the multiple different gardens throughout the campus. In addition to the care of the grounds, the students will manage the interior plant route and oversee multiple crops in the Spriet Family Greenhouse. There will also be an opportunity to work at A.M.(Mac) Cuddy Gardens and learn from some of the best in the industry.

               

            The week started with an orientation on the tasks required to keep the campus looking its best. The proper use  of equipment and safety was emphasized. Each new worker had the opportunity to be trained and operate several different types of heavy machinery including tractors, RTV's and small power equipment.  Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory in multiple parts of the job and great emphasis was given on this topic allowing us to learn the values and rubrics of safety. 

          A walk through the college allowed us to view the college's interior plants and we were instructed on how to care for them and apply the proper culture. 

         Outdoors we spent the week cleaning up debris left over from winter and used this opportunity to start weeding out any unwanted plants. Pruning was implemented to allow new growth and some perennial cut back was done to  remove any dead plant tissue. A great example would be the perennial grasses along the President's Office of which some were separated and then replanted to allow proper uniformity. This was the first week that we were taught how to use small power equipment such as leaf blowers and power shears. Pre-use inspection checklists are always performed for personal safety and to ensure the equipment being used have no defects. 

Life on the campus is also not limited to flora life. During the process of clearing out winter planters my coworker Geoff T. and I found a nest of eggs. Hidden away in the Birch branches, Dogwood cuttings and various evergreen filler was a nest with over nine eggs. The planter was left and campus security was contacted to help relocate the nest. These eggs have been confirmed as Canadian Geese eggs.

With the increase in  the temperatures, insects either come out of hibernation or are hatched. Bombus (Bumblebees) were seen humming around the campus flowers all week. This beneficial insect influences the transfer of pollen from one plant to another allowing the plant to breed through cross pollination. As the season continues make sure to keep your eyes open as the plants across campus grow their buds and bloom.