I am always seeking unusual plant species and varieties. Even with the many two plant species already in my garden, I never stop searching for the rare and unusual to add. Unfortunately, some of those plants always don’t survive my conditions (soil and/or growing zone) but I at least enjoy […]
Melanie Mathieson – Gardening Guru
As we all know, there is nothing like the first scent of the lilac to tell us spring is officially here. What we refer to as the common lilac in North America is actually native to mountainsides in southeastern Europe, but was brought across the Atlantic to North America in […]
It is true that weeds and unwanted plants are present in almost every garden, but there are some ways to control weeds without them getting out of hand and taking over the garden. With some patience, diligence and some early attack methods, you’ll soon be keeping weeds at bay and […]
Shrubs can be excellent additions to your landscape design. Once you have the shrub(s) planted, like many gardeners, you may have a question concerning a specific problem. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers, for your information. This can happen often with shrubs and has probably happened due to […]
A previous column indicated the benefits of earwigs in your garden. Although you may be disgusted by earwigs, remember they are considered beneficial insects, so they should only be treated as pests when their damage becomes excessive. This column offers some safe-to-humans-and-pets and effective methods to help you reduce their […]
Due to the mild winters of recent years, earwigs have successfully migrated north and established themselves in the yards and gardens of Northwestern Ontario. By far, earwigs seem to be the insect that makes humans cringe the most. When mentioned in conversation, even those that have never seen an earwig […]
Have you ever noticed that our food does not have the same flavour intensity as it did around a decade ago? Food today does not seem to have that tastebud popping flavour that we remember. The reason is that much of our food has been engineered and hybridized to emphasize […]
Part two of this column of unusual plants for the shade garden includes descriptions on how to grow Jack-in-the-pulpit and the lady slipper. Although a little less common or available in nurseries than trilliums, I strongly encourage you to try either of these plants if you can find them. Jack-in-the-Pulpit […]
The coleus plant has been available to gardeners for decades in a large variety of colours. In the past, they were a favourite for planters and shade gardens because they are durable and easy to grow and are best known for their bright colours and variety of foliage forms. It […]
Is the daylily the perfect perennial? They can grow in a wide range of soil and light conditions, have few insect problems, can tolerate drier conditions, and come in hundreds of varieties. Daylilies can be planted in a variety of landscape settings – positioned to make wonderful background plantings, naturalized […]
A good gardener will use crop rotation for two reasons: to ensure good soil nutrient supply and for pest control. Crops such as peas and beans (legumes) put nutrients back in the soil as they grow because they have little nodes that take in nitrogen and then ‘fix’ it in […]
Gardening season is just around the corner so I always use the last few days of winter for some garden planning. One of the best ways to plan is by using seed catalogues or seed company websites. There are many online and mail order seed and plant suppliers in both […]
