Dahlia tubers that were put to bed in peat moss in the basement have started to send up shoots. Nick Vanderheide of Creekside Growers offers advice.
January in the garden
Why are some of my carrots rotting?
![The garden delivers carrots. (Photo by woodleywonderworks [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)](https://media.gardenmaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/23174854/640px-Thegardendeliverscarrots-100x100.jpg)
Bob in Creston, B.C., asks why are his carrots rotting when he stores them in a cool basement. We ask author Niki Jabbour for advice on storing root crops.
Growing alpine strawberries
Sweet alpine strawberries are small intensely flavoured little berries also known as fraises des bois. The attractive perennial plants make good groundcover.
Long-needled pines
When there’s a thin blanket of snow on the ground, I’m grateful for every conifer in my landscape, especially those with long soft needles.
Flowers in a cold season
A cool, bright northwest exposure provides light on three sides for flowering winter plants. Pots of forced tulips and hyacinths are happy. Blooms last longer in the cool window.
Browsing the seed catalogues for new finds
Seed catalogues are arriving and they provide the impetus for every kind of wish fulfillment. For fancy pelargoniums (geraniums), order seed right away.
Winter beauties in the garden
Most gardeners leave some perennials standing in the garden in winter, hoping they’ll catch the snow and make a beautiful display.
Repotting my moth orchids
A growing medium for orchids should help anchor the roots and be free draining, allowing water to run through the pot. The mix materials must also absorb enough moisture and nutrients to feed the roots and hydrate the orchids.
Favourite honeysuckle vines
Winter windows near my desk provide a close view of a birdbath. Just outside each window are honeysuckle vines outlined in snow.