Last Updated: April 16, 2011 12:00am
Wait soon over for lenten rose
Winter in cold-weather areas can be excruciating for gardeners. While the garden outside sleeps, we're inside, pacing the floor and waiting for spring. Well, if you have Lenten roses in your garden, your wait will soon be over.
Last Updated: April 15, 2011 8:54pm
Your garden may be worth more in your assets than you realize
Most homeowners are ignorant about the hidden treasures in their gardens, with some plants and trees worth thousands of dollars, according to the co-founder of a horticultural assessment firm.
Last Updated: April 9, 2011 12:00am
Create own secret garden
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but it's the details that make the difference. So Mother Nature is delighted to get a helping hand in decorating these two urban retreats.
Last Updated: April 9, 2011 12:00am
Herb of year, horseradish a bold accent
Since last week I have found more great new picks for my garden. Guess it's time to find more planters as I want to try them all.
Last Updated: April 2, 2011 12:00am
Only tough plants can hack it here
Not many new plants will grow in our climate, but I will tell you about a few that stand out in my mind.
Last Updated: March 26, 2011 12:00am
You don’t have to lose evergreens to winter
Cold temperatures can damage plants in several ways. Plants that normally grow in hardiness Zone 4 may be injured if winter conditions are abnormally severe or they've been stressed by the environment.
Last Updated: March 19, 2011 12:00am
Bad timing won’t cut it
It is critically important to know when to prune your shrubs.
Last Updated: March 12, 2011 12:00am
Soil and filter
Walking from the biting, winter wind into the greenhouse was like stepping into a tropical paradise without the airport hassle. The air was moist and warm with a mix of earthy and floral scents.
Last Updated: March 12, 2011 12:00am
Taste of spring a most appealing offer
After a winter of ice and snow, walking into acres of green gardenscapes, seeing and smelling banks of blooming plants and hearing the burble of falling water can be a sensory overload. But what pleasure.
Last Updated: March 12, 2011 12:00am
Plenty of work to do before planting
OK, I'm ready for spring. The calendar says spring arrives March 20, but we know here in Ontario it doesn't happen that soon.
Last Updated: March 5, 2011 12:00am
Handle seedlings by leaves, not stem
A few weeks back I talked about starting seeds. Now is time to look at the after care seedlings require before they get transplanted into the garden.
Last Updated: February 26, 2011 12:00am
A vegetable garden? Try growing up!
Vertical gardening helps you get more vegetables from the same space. You get more from your garden by growing upward, instead of outward. And that means you don't need to spend time making and maintaining a bigger garden.
Last Updated: February 19, 2011 12:00am
Growing your own veggies made easy
With the renewed interest in being green and healthy eating, many people are looking at growing their own vegetables. But how many of us have the room for those huge gardens of our grandparents?
Last Updated: February 12, 2011 12:00am
Growing from seeds so gratifying
In my experience, if the seed packet recommends sowing four to six weeks before the last frost date, it's better to pick the four- rather than the six-week date.
Last Updated: February 5, 2011 12:00am
Protect garden from wildlife
The snow just seems to keep coming this winter, and as I begin to write this column I watch a rabbit hop across the yard and I begin to wonder where its next meal is going to come from?
Last Updated: January 29, 2011 12:00am
You can’t hurry up the bloomin’ thing
"You need patience to be a good gardener. If you don't have patience, and you stick with gardening, it will teach you patience."
Last Updated: January 22, 2011 12:00am
Potting soil has its roots back to 1861
If you've ever bought a bag of potting soil, you may have been astounded to see it labelled "soilless." Huh? If it's not soil, what is it?
Last Updated: January 15, 2011 12:00am
Mimic great outdoors inside
House plants are hybrids of plant species that grow wild. So a good rule of thumb for keeping your house plants healthy is to try to match the same environment from which they originated.
Last Updated: January 8, 2011 12:00am
With care, luck, poinsettia will rebloom
The dishes are all washed, presents unwrapped and put away and the house is getting back to our comfortable way of life after the Christmas holiday.
Last Updated: December 11, 2010 12:00am
Gifts for the gardener on your list
With Christmas just around the corner, I am often asked about gifts for gardeners. Here are some of my favourites, all are under $30.
Last Updated: December 4, 2010 12:00am
Giving the gift of gardening
Whether you have a green-thumbed gardener on your list, a new homeowner or even your kids, shopping for them this holiday season is made easy by giving the gift of gardening. There are so many choices and items for all ages.
Last Updated: November 27, 2010 12:00am
Poinsettias go well beyond usual red
As we begin to decorate our homes for Chrsitmas, many of us will use or give as a gift a euphorbia pulcherrima -- commonly known as a poinsettia.
Last Updated: November 20, 2010 12:00am
Real trees better for environment
The season for decking the halls and dressing the tree is here again. It's a wonderful time of year.
Last Updated: November 13, 2010 12:00am
Time to plan your Christmas greens
As the last of the fall leaves make their way to the ground, we start thinking about what to replace the fall mums in our planters with.
Last Updated: November 6, 2010 12:00am
Use a checklist for essential tasks
Cooler temperatures are upon us and it's time to prepare the garden for the looming winter weather. Use the following checklist for fall and early winter gardening to ensure you haven't overlooked any important tasks.