Melanie Mathieson – Gardening Guru

I am always seeking unusual plant species and varieties, even with over two hundred plant species in my garden, in Thunder Bay, 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 […]

With the drier spring conditions this year, you may find that you are seeing some ant hills develop in your yard or garden. As I have deep sandy soils that are drier to begin with, I typically have many ant hills, but with the drought conditions in Thunder Bay last […]

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 […]

Last week’s column provided an introduction to lilacs. Now that you have decided to plant some lilacs here are some tips to follow to help you get the best results. Lilacs need three things to grow and bloom well: sun, soil that’s not soggy and space. Step 1 – Good […]

By Melanie Mathieson The Gardening Guru The blooming and scent of the lilac trees is like an official mark of spring and the kick-off to gardening season. You can drive almost anywhere in the District, the older homestead farms, newer rural or lake properties and of course the settled areas, […]

Most gardeners do not have a greenhouse or cold-frame, but they can use some great plant protection kits and devices and small portable and affordable greenhouses to get a jump on the gardening season. Here are a few ideas for you to try. Many traditional gardeners will place black plastic […]

With spring weather teasing us, we are anxious to get out into the yard and start our yard and gardening chores. But be cautious when starting spring yard work. Spring lawn care at the right time is important if you want to have a healthy lawn this summer. The most […]

Starting your own plants from seed like annual flowers, perennials, herbs, many houseplants and of course vegetables, is an economical way of extending your budget for plants. Here are some tips for making seedling containers from items you may already have around the home: • Start seed in clean plastic […]

Melanie Mathieson Wednesday, Apr 8, 2020When starting seeds indoors, you must be concerned with a disease called damping-off as it can quickly turn your young seedlings into a complete crop failure almost overnight, setting your gardening schedule back by weeks. Damping-off can be caused by any one of the many […]

When starting seeds indoors, you must be concerned with a disease called damping-off as it can quickly turn your young seedlings into a complete crop failure almost overnight, setting your gardening schedule back by weeks. Damping-off can be caused by any one of the many types of soil fungus. Pre-emergence […]

By now you have your seedlings started and they are growing successfully. With a few more tips, you will get the best from these seedlings so when you plant them outdoors you will have strong plants that will get a jump on the gardening season. Never let your young tender […]

By starting seeds indoors you can often extend your growing season by up to ten weeks. This can be very beneficial for plants that have a longer “days to maturity” time frame. You can even start some of the newer hybrid varieties with shorter “days to maturity” time frames indoors […]