Melanie Mathieson – Gardening Guru

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 […]

With the Christmas season fast approaching, you may be at a loss for the perfect gift for that gardener on your gift list. This column provides some suggestions for any gardener, or your own wish list. With the nasty weather of winter, the garden is often far from our minds, […]

A previous column outlined the difference between bulbs and corms and this column will tackle tubers and rhizomes. Like bulbs and coms, tubers and rhizomes are also usually considered perennial plants which have a period of growth and flowering, followed by a period of dormancy where they die back to […]

Whether a beginner or seasoned gardener the right tools make the job much easier. I recommend that you purchase the best quality tools that you can afford. While some tools may be considered a bit pricey, good quality is worth the price. I still have most of my best quality […]

Bulbs or bulb-like plants are usually considered perennial plants which have a period of growth and flowering, followed by a period of dormancy where they die back to ground level at the end of each growing season. The end of the growing season for spring flowering bulbs occurs in the […]

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 taste bud popping flavour that we remember. The reason is that much of our food has been engineered and hybridized to emphasize […]

Each fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from Canada and the United States, to central Mexico, to wait out the unfavourable conditions of northern winters. Each spring, they begin the migration north and need milkweed for food along the way. Milkweed is an important source of nutrients during […]

When starting seeds indoors, you do not have to worry about the weather, insects or the myriad of plant diseases and fungi that can affect your outdoor vegetables, trees or flowers, but there is one disease that you must be concerned with when starting seedlings in the house or greenhouse […]

Container gardening is very versatile and rewarding. You can purchase containers in many materials or you may have something around the house that could be an interesting planter. You are only limited by your imagination. Make sure your container has a few holes in the bottom to ensure good drainage. […]

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 […]

Dahlias are considered one of the most spectacular garden flowers as they can provide the colour and excitement of exotic species that we are unable to plant in our zone.  There are thousands of varieties of dahlias that range, from the showy dinner-plate size to the bright, little single ones.  […]

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.  Now that the seedlings are […]