From the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in 600 BC to Boston ferns suspended in baskets more recently, plants have been given an elevated status by gardeners for years. Moss balls, taking inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic of minimalism, offer a different, distinctive take on hanging plants. Also called Japanese string art, or kokedama, the project comprises a plant encased … [Read more...] about How to make kokedama
succulents
Overwintering succulents
I made the trip from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake last week to visit Garden Making's offices for some meetings, and took a few photos of my pretty succulents. I shipped them off to the office once the temperature was dipping below 10°C on a regular basis, about a month and a half ago. They need to live in a sunny spot over the winter, and while I have lots of windows in … [Read more...] about Overwintering succulents
A beginner’s guide to loving and growing succulents
I’ve really fallen in love with succulents this year, and I had an opportunity to learn more about them at Floral Dimensions’ recent open house. Floral Dimensions is based in Fenwick, Ont., and the company specializes in propagating and selling succulents. The fall 2012 Garden Making has an article on growing succulents in containers, but Marian and Louis Damm, owners of Floral … [Read more...] about A beginner’s guide to loving and growing succulents
Long on ambition, short on follow-up
When I started gardening just a few years ago, I began with some seed packets, one strawberry plant, a few herb plants and no in-ground space — just containers. The strawberry plant was a disaster. I wasn’t ready to confront pests and diseases in plants, and that seems to be the science class of this course on gardening I’ve undertaken. I know science experiments can be … [Read more...] about Long on ambition, short on follow-up
