Maintenance

Strategic Pruning for Better Bloom

Improper or badly timed pruning is often the reason that flowering shrubs bloom poorly or not at all. A little insight into a plant’s growth and flowering habits can be...

June 2, 2013

Edible Gardening

Berries Are The Best

For taste and pleasure, growing delicious ripe berries in your own backyard has to be the ultimate treat.   The Big Three of Berry Heaven would be strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries....

June 2, 2013

Grasses

Spring Cleaning Ornamental Grasses

The basic rule of ornamental grass maintenance is to leave them standing over winter and don’t mess with them until they are actively growing in early to late spring. They...

March 17, 2013

Edible Gardening

Protecting Your Winter Vegetable Garden

Most of the vegetables suitable for the winter garden are perfectly hardy, but minor protective measures will ensure a greater harvest, better quality leaves, and cleaner produce.  I’ve grown kale,...

November 18, 2012

Design

Japan Through The Eyes Of A Canadian Gardener

Autumn in Japan may not have the caché of a springtime visit in cherry blossom time, but to a gardener it evokes every bit as much awe and delight.  And...

November 9, 2012

Edible Gardening

Tending Your Winter Vegetables In October

Mid October has finally brought the first rains of the season, as we say goodbye to the lovely, long late summer.  Has there ever been a fall as gorgeous as...

October 18, 2012

Plant Choices

Winter Jewels

Brilliant bark, deceptively delicate flowers and the jewel tones of berries and persistent fruits that pop against winter’s muted greys and browns; there is nothing quite like a flash of...

October 2, 2012

Maintenance

Fall is the New Spring

Do you remember when springs were warm, and fall was a time of crisp air and the smell of burning leaves? Times have changed!  Spring is now cold and wet,...

October 2, 2012

Trees

Totally Terrific Trees – Fabulous new finds, and a few old favourites.

It’s not every day that the opportunity arises to plant a tree, but when it does it’s important to choose the right one.  There are lots of things to consider...

October 2, 2012