Although once considered an expensive plant to be grown by elitists, the orchid has become the top-selling indoor plant.  The orchid family is one of the largest in the realm of flowering plants: More
At this time of year, we are flooded with award shows like the Golden Globes, Grammys and Oscars. But why should actors and singers receive all glory? Did you know that plants receive
I think that there is one thing that we can all agree on – kids spend too much time on their phones or in front of screens.  Whatever happened to the good
There is something about a new year that makes you want to set some new goals. Usually, those goals are centered around health, finances or self-improvement. This year why not set some new
Your Christmas tree is your canvas, so it’s important to select a good one — gorgeous ornaments can do only so much for a scraggly tree. Some people prefer the look and smell
Mistletoe, poinsettias, holly and wassailing were not always part of our Christmas traditions. Here is a bit of history. Mistletoe:Â The whole idea of mistletoe started in the days of the ancients Druids (around
Decorating with live Christmas greenery has long been a tradition cherished by families around the globe.  The fragrance of freshly cut evergreen boughs as you enter a home at Christmas time is
Well, we all knew that it was coming, against all hopes and wishes, and yes, it arrived. Last weekend’s first major snowfall is a sure sign that the gardening season has come to
What a glorious fall it has been. The colours have just been amazingly vibrant this year and have lasted a long time. We live in such a beautiful area and there are certain
As you start packing things away in the shed or garage in anticipation of winter, take a few extra minutes to clean up your garden tools properly and have them ready for action
Over the last three weeks I have been writing about things that you can still be doing in your garden before winter sets in. I am certainly not trying to rush the onset
Are you thinking of preparing new gardens next spring? Or do you have an existing vegetable garden that could use some soil improvement? Why not try some lasagna gardening. This is a no-dig,
When it comes to fall garden chores, there are two main jobs that need to be done concerning your perennials. One is dividing them and the other is cutting them back. Dividing perennials:Â There
As we are starting to clean up our gardens for the season, the tendency is to prune all our deciduous shrubs, evergreens and trees. In the majority of cases, my response to this
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just a few days away? I love autumn and watching the last of the flowers showing off in the garden. Mums, bluebeard, anemones, sedums and even
But make sure you use ‘seed garlic,’ not grocery store bulbs Nothing ever tastes as good as something that you have grown yourself. Even though our growing season for most things is finishing
You can hardly pick up a gardening magazine any more without reading something about creating garden rooms. We now have outdoor kitchens’ outdoor TV areas, outdoor living spaces and outdoor meditation areas. Even
If you are a keen gardener, you will know there are more than four seasons in a year. Sure, there is still spring, summer, fall and winter, but then there are the “mini”
But do your research so you make the right choice for type and location They say that the best time to plant a tree is 50 years ago, the next best time to
It’s likely just the seasonal needle drop, part of the plant’s life cycle One of the many questions that I am asked at this time in the season is, “Why are some of
Wondering about that white film on the leaves of your plant? As I have been visiting gardens over the past few weeks, I am seeing more and more examples of powdery mildew –
Is your garden lacking interest at this time of year? Have all your shrubs and perennials fizzled out for the season? Then it’s time to turn your “fizzle” into “sizzle.” There are plenty
Many homeowners long for a shady retreat – until they try to select plants that will successfully grow there. Most of us can only think of hostas and ferns. But a shady yard
Wouldn’t it be great if you could get more than one bloom period from some of your perennials? Well, you can. Whether you are a gardening guru or just beginning on the journey,
Last week, I wrote about some proper watering techniques that will help to keep your plants thriving throughout the summer, including some ways of conserving water, (“Many of us are watering our trees
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