“Mulching is a simple, low-cost garden technique that has big benefits for your plants and garden’s overall health,” writes Joanne Young, sharing her breakdown of why mulch is important and a step-by-step guide for using it in your garden this spring.
“The joy of spring isn’t just about the change in weather; it’s about the profound sense of rebirth that touches everything around us,” writes Joanne Young.
“During the growing season, grasses are a very low-maintenance plant that requires little attention. In the spring, though, a little bit of effort is needed to keep your grasses healthy and thriving,” writes Joanne Young.
“Rain gardens slow down the rush of water from these hard surfaces, allowing it to naturally soak into the ground,” writes Joanne Young. “For every inch of rain that falls on a surface area of 1,000 square feet, approximately 600 gallons of rainwater are generated.”
Proper pruning not only keeps your rose bushes looking neat and well-maintained but also ensures they remain healthy, vibrant and capable of producing abundant blooms.
“If you are one of those romantics who cannot resist the beauty of a rose or their fragrance brings back a slew of memories of days gone by, then David Austin English roses are a must-add to your garden this year,” writes Joanne Young.
As more and more houses are being built closer together than ever, and yards seem to be getting smaller, it gets more challenging to find trees that can provide you with some privacy
From weigelas and hydrangeas to lilacs and sweetspires, Joanne Young shares her favourite new cultivars that’ll make a welcome new addition to your garden this spring.
Every year, there are countless numbers of new plants being released to tempt us gardeners. These new and improved varieties have been tried and tested for several years before being released for sale. Joanne Young reviews some of the new, exciting releases.
For gardeners who have been working on adding to their outdoor space but feel dissatisfied with the results, what is missing is the sense of flow, writes Joanne Young: “It is the sense of flow that creates unity and peacefulness in the landscape.”
“The biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to do your homework. It pays to invest in a designer who will take all of your wishes and needs and fit them into your space,” writes Joanne Young.
“When it comes to improving your home’s curb appeal, the walkway that leads up to the front door is one of the best places to spend some time and effort,” writes Joanne Young.
“I must admit, as one who grew up on a farm, I love the many “observations” that have been passed down through the generations,” writes Joanne Young. “Most of them can be confirmed, scientifically speaking, but at first glance can seem questionable.”
“If you had your plants outside for the summer months and have brought them back into house this fall, you will see those plants going through a bit of a struggle at this time,” writes Joanne Young. She shares how to keep them happy and healthy before spring returns.
“Your tree is your canvas, so it is important to select a good one — gorgeous ornaments can only do so much for a scraggly tree,” writes Joanne Young.
“Growing an amaryllis requires no special skills. In fact, once a bulb is ready to bloom, it will flower with or without you,” writes Joanne Young.
“After years of putting together Christmas planters of all shapes and sizes, I have learned that some simple techniques can help you get off to a good start and hopefully take some of the frustration out of this task,” writes Joanne Young, sharing just what those steps are.
“Using evergreen boughs and trees is one of the longest Christmas traditions. The year-round green foliage provides us with a sign of hope to carry us through the winter and into the new year,” writes Joanne Young.
“It always amazes me how something like the vineyards and orchards can change so drastically from season to season, each season just as beautiful as the next. It reminds me that we all go through different seasons in life,” writes Joanne Young.
“Before you start stuffing all those leaves into bags, you may want to consider making use of them as mulch in your gardens,” writes Joanne Young, sharing her tips for properly collecting dead leaves for compost.
Besides knowing they are good for pies and carving for Halloween, how are you with pumpkin trivia? Joanne Young shares a bounty of fun facts about the fall-time gourd and how it became a part of celebrating spooky season.
When it comes to putting your garden to bed for the winter, there are a few things that you can do to help your evergreens make it through the cold weather looking their best.
For some, autumn is just a sign of the impending winter season, but Joanne Young writes, “as long as it lasts, we need to enjoy this wonderful weather and the changing of leaf colours.”
“Fall is a great time to be dividing some of your clumps of perennials in the garden, especially during the month of October,” writes Joanne Young, sharing tips on how to know which ones can be divided at this time and the best way to get it done.
It’s a trick question: by pruning your shrubs in the early fall, before its leaves have dropped, you will cut off food the plant stored throughout the year, which will result in a weaker plant, writes Joanne Young.
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