Last week I attended President's Choice Lawn and Garden Sneak-Peek at the Toronto Botanical Garden. New plant introductions and old favourites were featured to give garden writers and others a look at what President's Choice will be offering in their garden centres this year. Here are some highlights from the event (true to form, mostly edibles caught my eye). • My … [Read more...] about Garden centre preview of new plants
Making happy, healthy soil
Yesterday was my first chance this spring to spend an extended period of time in my yard, which is currently home to dozens of containers and two mostly empty garden beds - one in the front and one in the back. All the back garden bed has is a hosta, lamb’s ears and two mysterious perennials. The front garden is just as empty, with two equally mysterious shrubs. By the end of … [Read more...] about Making happy, healthy soil
First attempt at starting seeds indoors
I’m a beginner gardener, and trying to do things perfectly intimidates and even discourages me. I do take the basics seriously, but if I want to try planting sedum as a groundcover in a poorly drained area, well, I’m just going to try it, okay? (That experiment didn’t work out. But I vow to find another use for beautiful sedum somewhere – with better drainage – in my … [Read more...] about First attempt at starting seeds indoors
Preparing to garden with a gardening journal
I’m trying to take gardening more seriously, and my main goal is to garden all the way through the season without any long periods (as in weeks, not days) of neglect. I shall not quit when things get rough and hot in July. Writing things down always helps me, so I started a gardening journal – nerd alert, I know. Hanging out at gardening events and chatting with gardeners … [Read more...] about Preparing to garden with a gardening journal
Forcing spring branches indoors
While standing in the dark near mounds of dogwood shrubs on my friends’ rural property last week in below-freezing temperatures, I felt like a bit of a thief. I had, in fact, gotten permission to help myself to some branches, so I snipped away and heaped my score in the trunk of my car, deposited the pruners where I found them, and drove home. I wanted the bright red dogwood … [Read more...] about Forcing spring branches indoors