For many people, it’s the preferred way to begin a garden. If you only draw on local resources of bedding and potted plants, you’re likely missing a huge variety of wonderful plants… beautiful flowers and vegetables that are often only available as seed. Many veteran gardeners prefer to grow from seed, for a number of… Read more »
The right plan leads to more good tastes, less food waste. Homegrown produce just seems to taste better… and there’s a reason. Corn, beans, peas, tomatoes and other vegetables taste best when they’re fresh-picked. Store-bought vegetables often have to be picked days ahead of when they appear on the produce shelves, and sometimes that means… Read more »
Annuals are a great way to get an instant, non-stop flower garden. Here are a few tips to help you make sure you get full value for your budget: Buy healthy plants which are neither dried out, spindly or with yellowing foliage. Choose plants that have not yet begun to bloom. Watch for signs of… Read more »
Have you ever stuck your finger in vinegar? It burns, right? That’s because it’s too acidic for the human body — it’s not pH balanced with your skin. Just like you, pH matters to your plants. Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of your garden’s earth. The pH scale is from 0… Read more »
Does your garden tend to make it to mid-season and then fall flat? You may be setting yourself up for failure by buying the wrong plants! Here are a few tips to help you make sure you get full value for your garden budget: Don’t buy plants that are dried out, spindly, or yellowing. Choose… Read more »
Ground covers are attractive alternatives to turf, and a solution for areas in your garden where nothing else grows well. Ground covers are low-growing perennial plants such as periwinkle, ivy, stonecrop, thyme, pachysandra, and cotoneaster. These plants are usually more costly to install than grass, so it’s worth making the extra effort to choose the… Read more »
Many of our favourite summer flowers are annuals, or plants that live for just one season. They are a great addition to any garden and when planted and cared for correctly can give you colourful blooms from spring to late fall. Follow these simple planting directions to start your annuals off on the right foot,… Read more »
They are among the first to bloom in spring, bringing a much needed punch of colour to an otherwise dormant garden. Step 1 Choose the right time to plant. Spring flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall before the ground freezes. They generally require exposure to the winter cold to bloom in spring. Step… Read more »
Perennials are beautiful, hardy plants that come back year after year. Some of the gardener’s most beloved plants — like hostas, clematis, and peonies — are perennial. They require less care than annuals do and can even help to prevent soil erosion with their deep, extensive root systems. Step 1 Plant your perennials as soon… Read more »
Known for their rich greens, shade gardens are inviting in the heat of summer, providing a cool respite from the sun. Shade plants usually have more chlorophyll than plants adapted to the sun. They’re sensitive to light — too much will burn them or turn leaves yellow. The first step to building a successful shade… Read more »
Moving your precious seedlings into the garden is one of the most nerve-wracking times of the growing season. You don’t want to be too hard on them, but you also don’t want to baby them. Follow these short steps for peace of mind and happy, healthy plants. Step 1: For vegetable & herb seedlings till… Read more »
Plants are happiest when their soil is at the right pH. Adjusting pH isn’t rocket science. Soil pH test kits, such as C-I-L® Soil Test Kit, and adjusters like C-I-L® Dolomitic Limestone or GreenEarth® Granular Gypsum are widely available and easy to use. Follow these short steps to help your plants thrive. Step 1 Test… Read more »
