Everyone who gardens, enjoys receiving tips and tricks to make the job of gardening a little bit easier. I offer these tips, all of which I use in my own garden with many being part of my regular practice. · Toads are a great form of natural pesticide. They love […]
Melanie Mathieson – Gardening Guru
As you may have observed from your gardening experiences and past columns, plants can be fussy things. The right location, amount of sunlight and 101 other factors influence your plant’s growing ability. One factor which is very beneficial in understanding before putting that new plant into the earth is soil […]
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 […]
I use the winter for garden planning and one of the best ways to plan, is by using seed catalogues or viewing websites. There are many mail order seed and plant suppliers in both the United States and Canada so the number of catalogues and websites you can use for […]
As you may have observed from your gardening experiences and past columns, plants can be fussy things. The right location, amount of sunlight and 101 other factors influence your plant’s growing ability. One factor which is very beneficial in understanding before putting that new plant into the earth is soil […]
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 and available in nurseries than trilliums, I strongly encourage you to try either of these plants if you can find them. Jack-in-the-Pulpit […]
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 I […]
Many gardeners already know that most shade loving plants prefer moist soils, so when a gardener encounters an area that has dry and shady conditions, it can provide a special challenge for gardeners. You may have an area in your yard that is quite dry and shady because it’s under […]
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 I […]
Even if you have very dry soils, you can still successfully grow trees, shrubs and perennials without constant watering in the Rainy River District. The secret lies behind the concept of xeriscaping (Xeriscape landscaping), which by definition, is landscaping designed specifically for areas that are susceptible to drought or for […]
The Christmas cactus makes a great holiday plant gift and are starting to see it available at local nurseries and floral shops. The Schlumbergera spp. family is not a desert cactus but a species that is found attached to trees in moist woodlands and jungles. The typical forest cacti have […]
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 […]
