Cut branches of forsythia or crabapple in a tall vase says spring is near. It’s not difficult to take a few branches from spring-flowering trees or shrubs, bring them indoors and wait for the buds to unfold.
About Beckie Fox
Helping rosemary survive indoors
Over the years, I’ve overwintered rosemary indoors with about a 75 per cent success rate. My track record improved once I learned that this herb doesn’t like to dry out when grown indoors, which seems counter-intuitive given that Salvia rosmarinus is native to dry, rocky areas in the Mediterranean.
Planning a garden begins in winter
The only things that keep my spirits up during the long drag of January and February are the plant and seed catalogues arriving via the post or found online. I fold down corners of print seed catalogues, make lists from online catalogues, and generally sit back and dream. Lists of seeds and bulbs expand, shrink and shift.
Creating a spring container
If you’re keen to start gardening, but your soil is too cold and damp for digging, consider potting up a spring container instead. Depending on the weather, a few spring containers planted with beautiful, cold-tolerant plants now will give you several weeks of colour.
Shopping for dahlias
Although Beckie ordered a dozen dahlia tubers in January — the earlier you order, the better the selection — she’s thinking of choosing a few more. A fresh start for this year affords the chance to grow new-to-her varieties.
Growing with Emma: A gardening book for kids
Children’s gardening books are usually written by adults, but that’s not the case with Gardening with Emma, written by Emma Biggs, a 13-year-old gardener in Toronto.
Create your dream garden from scratch
Confronted by empty yards front and back? Here’s your detailed guide to creating your dream garden from scratch.
How to make an elegant topiary
A touch of formality is not out of place in most gardens. Trimmed cones and spheres of foliage — classic topiary — are especially suited to containers.
Perfect container plants
When shopping for container plants, it helps to have a list of favourites that you can always count on. Here are Beckie Fox’s suggestions.
Using trees to screen an unattractive view
The most effective means of obscuring an an unattractive view is to plant tall, narrow or coniferous trees — often called columnar or fastigiate trees.
How to plant a tree in your garden
Here are 8 basic steps to follow to successfully plant a tree in your garden.
The fight to preserve heritage at Randwood Estate
In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, known for its national historical significance, a planning application could have an adverse impact on the landscape.
How to treat powdery mildew on rosemary?
When I bring my rosemary plants into the house for the winter, they get a powdery mildew that kills new growth. How do I treat this?
What are suitable plants for windy balconies?
What are suitable plants for a windy north facing fifth floor balcony in Toronto (zone 6)? I am looking for plants that can withstand the wind, and can do reasonably well without much direct sunlight.
Harvest times for vegetables
August is prime time for harvesting homegrown vegetables. Here are some tips on how to know when to harvest vegetables at the peak of their flavour.
Plants that move
Increase your garden’s range of motion with plants that move and waltz in the wind — then sit back and enjoy the show
How to remove maple saplings?
How to permanently get rid of the hundreds of maple saplings (about 2-3 inches tall) which grew naturally from dropped keys?
6 container plants looking good in the heat
Container plants need to stand up to summer heat and humidity. Here are 6 container plants performing well for Garden Making Editor-in-Chief Beckie Fox.
How to eliminate slugs?
How do I eliminate slugs?
What is the quickest way to eliminate periwinkle?
What is the quickest way to eliminate periwinkle?