The Poinsettia is a true symbol of Christmas and each year many people can hardly wait to add one or more to their Christmas decor. Because they are only available to us in Canada at Christmas, you’ll want to maximize the amount of enjoyment you get from your Poinsettia. The […]
Melanie Mathieson – Gardening Guru
Light, temperature, humidity and ventilation are chief home environmental factors affecting plant growth. Any one of these factors in incorrect proportions will prevent proper plant growth indoors. Before purchasing any houseplant you need to do your research and take a look at your home and its environmental conditions before you […]
Fertilizing always seems to stump even the most experienced gardener. This column will explain, in general, some techniques for applying fertilizers in your yard or garden. Broadcast Fertilizing Broadcast fertilizing means to spread your fertilizer evenly over your garden or lawn. A granular fertilizer is best spread out in this […]
This is the time of year when many gardeners start to lose their enthusiasm for gardening and yard chores, but the actions you take now, can affect the success of your garden next season. The Flower Garden: Watering in the perennial garden is a must. Although perennials may be slowing […]
There are a few common mistakes that gardeners make when installing mulch prod- ucts. Review the following tips so you don’t make these mistakes too. Improper Mounding Be careful to ensure that the layer of mulch is not too thick around the tree and piled up against the stem. This […]
Gardeners often hear the word ‘zone’ frequently during conversations with other gardeners or when reviewing plant tag descriptions. “What zone are we in?” or “what zone is that plant good for?” are often asked by fellow gardeners. What exactly are the answers to these questions and what do they really […]
Have you ever wondered what those black, knotty masses are on the branches the tree and shrub species belonging to the Prunus family (cherry and plum family)? It is the fungal disease (Apiosporina morbosa), known as Black Knot, but us foresters call it “#@&% on a Stick” as it resembles […]
I receive many calls throughout the growing season to identify problems with plants. The most common “disease” I identify is lack of water. Gardeners are often under the false impression that their garden is moist enough to support the plants in their gardens. Containers and hanging baskets often fall victim […]
Asparagus is spring’s most luxurious vegetable. It was once cultivated for medicinal purposes as a natural remedy for blood cleansing and diuretic properties. During the Renaissance, asparagus was also promoted as an aphrodisiac and banned from the tables of most nunneries. Botanically, asparagus is a member of the lily family, […]
Maples are definitely one of the more colourful shade trees that can be hardy in our zone 3. Although most maples start their leafing period in hues of green or red, every type of maple has an incredible range of autumn tones once they prepare to enter their dormant stage […]
Root maggots are a common garden pest, but there are several remedies available Sometimes gardeners are very disappointed to find that when they harvest some of their of vegetables such as root vegetables and/or those from the cruciferous family (turnips, rutabagas, radishes and parsnips) as well as other vegetables such […]
Siberian irises are the most maintenance-free species of the iris family. In our area, they typically bloom in late May and early June. Siberian irises can be identified by the fact they have smooth, thin, grass-like leaves without a distinct rib that runs lengthwise down the middle and no beards […]
