Newbie from Canada

BeeWrangler · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:06 am Post subject: Newbie from Canada

Hi all, looks like a great site to trade some idea's and maybe some seeds Very Happy

Aside from regular garden veggies ect, I like to grow Atlantic giant pumpkins. Also looking to start some new fruit tree's this year, and would love to get my hands on some black hawthorn seeds. I live in New brunswick Canada, my family and I just moved to our first hobby farm so I have alot of work ahead of me this year between my garden and a flower garden for my wife.
Anyway, looking forward to meeting people on this forum!

Sive · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:01 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum BeeWrangler, you live in a lovely part of the world. Are you near the mighty Atlantic ? How small ( or big ) is what you call a "hobby farm" ? Would it be the equivalent of what would be called a "smallholding" on this side of the Atlantic ?

BeeWrangler · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject:

Sive · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

That's a great story, BeeWrangler, do you know what part of Wicklow your great-grandfather came from ? Have you ever visited there yourself ? It's one of the prettiest parts of the whole country.

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject:

hi bee wrangler. You have me confused about the hawthorns, There is a white-thorn (crataegus) shrub that grows wild so called because of it's white blossom and red berries called haws. There is a blackthorn also with white blossom but grows into a small tree and produces black fruits called sloes (Pyrus spinosa). Both can be grown from seed and are fairly hardy, should withstand your Winters. The white thorn seeds need top be vernalised before sowing (stored in a freezer for a few months before sowing. They are native irish plants but not exclusive to ireland. hope this helps and welcome to the forum. ps. i live at the edge of the Atlantic in Cork harbour. The water comes to my front garden and sometimes into it.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

BeeWrangler · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:07 am Post subject:

My understanding he is from the town of Wicklow. I have not been there yet, but my wife and I do plan to go in the next year or two.

It is the blackthorn/sloe I am looking for. The red berried haws grow in this area, we call them hawthorns.
You must have a great view where you are! Sitting in your garden over looking the Atlantic... I would never leave my garden Very Happy