Great fall escapes - Eastern Canada

Spectacular Eastern Canada garden getaways Here is a guide to the lovely gardens of a small sampling of inns, bed and breakfasts and restaurants that dot this country from coast-to-coast. We hope they'll inspire you to take an afternoon drive in September's mellow light, or arrange for a longer stay. So hit the road, and please let us know of any others in your neck of the woods that should be included on our next list. You can write to us or send an e-mail to mailbox@canadiangardening.com.Inn at Bay Fortune(Souris RR 4 (Hwy. 310), Bay Fortune, PE C0A 2B0; 902/687-3745; www.innatbayfortune.com)Type of establishment: inn, restaurantThe garden: one-acre plot with herbs and fruit and approximately three acres with flowers and vegetables; a re-creation of an early-20th-century-style Bay Fortune circular gardenZone 4Growing conditions: good soil, well-sheltered location, no early frost; close to the seaKey plants: Swiss chard, pea shoots, spinach, arugula, lettuces, pattypan squash, broccoli rabe, lovage; 14 different mints, sage, sweet marjoram, bronze and green fennel, dillGardening secrets: a spring application of locally made fish fertilizer and a fall application of horse manure and compost; seeds are sown every three weeks to keep a fresh and young supply of vegetables and herbs for the kitchenBest time to visit: end of July through SeptemberMarshlands Inn(55 Bridge St., Sackville, NB E4L 3N8; 800/561-1266; www.marshlands.nb.ca)Type of establishment: inn, restaurantThe garden: partially wild rose garden, hanging baskets, herb and vegetable gardens defined by wooden frames with walkways separating plots. A stone path takes you through vine-covered arches bordered by shrubsZone 5bGrowing conditions: heavy clay; open to a marsh with strong winds from the bay. Rear gardens face south and receive full sunKey plants: lupines, lilacs, flowering crabapples, rhododendrons and rhubarb; hanging baskets are filledwith annuals; herb garden has chives, mint, parsley and rosemary; vegetables, such as beans, peas, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, as well as some 2,000 pansies for garnishGardening secrets: almost totally organic; fresh black topsoil and peat moss are applied to beds to lightenthe clayBest time to visit: June through end of September More gardens to visit in Eastern Canada By the Dock of the Bay(28 Haddock Alley, RR 1, Margaretville, NS B0S 1P0; 902/825-3726; www.cottagesnovascotia.com)Type of establishment: beach houses in two locations (Port George and Margaretville)The garden: English-style country gardens, rose garden, and kitchen garden for guests where herbs, edible flowers, organic heirloom vegetables and fruit are grown. Scattered throughout the Port George property are miniature buildings made from architectural salvageZone 6Growing conditions: loamy, granular (sand, pebbles and stones), well-drained soil. Close to the Bay of Fundy; no frost until October or early November; heavy morning dew or fog in summerKey plants: roses, lavender, thyme, red cabbages, violas, gooseberry bush border, grapevine-covered arbour, hollyhocks, poppiesGardening secrets: horse manure, fish emulsion and seaweed. Plants are also sprayed with seaweed extract for nourishment and protection; spring-fed pond provides irrigation. Pests such as potato bugs are ground up in a blender and sprayed onto plants as a deterrentBest time to visit: July to SeptemberBlomidon Inn(195 Main St., Wolfville, NS B4P 1C3; 800/565-2291; www.blomidon.ns.ca)Type of establishment: inn, restaurantThe garden: serpentine rhododendron garden; heath and heather provide late-winter/early-spring colour; underplanted with impatiens for summer and autumn. Small kitchen herb patch, cacti, rose hedge with gazebo, three ponds, ravine, Italian courtyardZone 5bGrowing conditions: heavy clay, deep sand; sun and shadeKey plants: vegetables, such as eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, beans, beets, snow peas, green and yellow zucchini, asparagus; herbs, such as chives, green and purple basil, dill, bay leaves, thyme, sage, summer savory, parsley; fruit, such as melons, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, rhubarb; sunflowers and dahliasGardening secrets: sunlight and water. Vegetable garden was drained and terraced; drip irrigation was installed and topsoil and compost added. Soil pH is checked (Maritime soil pH is just over 5).Best time to visit: May to late October