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Tips for gardeners

How to care for garden tools

By Deanna Dority Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

Dramm pruner photo by Garden Making

Hard-working pruners (secateurs) need some pampering to be rejuvenated. How to clean, sharpen, and care for garden tools so they can perform their best.

Dos and don’ts of dormant oils

By Stephen Westcott-Gratton Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

Dormant oils can be useful for treating overwintering eggs of aphids. (Photo by Joanne Young)

Dormant oils are useful for treating overwintering eggs of insects. However, not all trees and shrubs tolerate dormant oil.

Pest guide: 10 pests to worry about

By Steven Biggs Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

Not all bugs in your garden are bad, but here are 10 pests to pay attention to so you can reduce damage to your plants.

Allergy-free gardening

By Karen York Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

If you wheeze and sneeze when you set foot in the garden, just think about sex — plant sex, that is. Tips on how to make an allergy-free garden.

6 tips for pollen bee nests in your garden

By Garden Making Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

pollen bee nest

Many gardeners are installing pollen bee nests to encourage pollination. 6 tips for pollen bee nests.

July’s a good time to find plant bargains

By Michael Fox Filed Under: July in the Garden, Tips for gardeners

July can be a good time to shop for perennials, such as foxgloves, at reputable nurseries.

If you have gaps in your gardens, or want to re-fresh your containers, July can be a good time to bargain shop for good plants at reputable garden centres.

Protect evergreen shrubs and trees in winter

By Judith Adam Filed Under: October in the Garden, Tips for gardeners

Evergreen shrubs and trees might give the impression that they’re tough and resilient, but evergreens require protection to avoid winter injuries.

The joys of sharing plants

By Jodi DeLong Filed Under: Summer, Tips for gardeners

Nova Scotia gardener Jim Smith shows the joy of sharing plants with a Dominion Day rose. Its red-and-white striped buds normally open on Canada Day.

Plant hardiness zones changing, slowly

By Beckie Fox Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

“Will it grow in my zone?” is the pertinent question about plant hardiness for perennials. The lines on the maps for zones are changing, slowly.

Conifer needles good for the soil

By Judith Adam Filed Under: Making a Garden, Tips for gardeners

The conifer needles that fall on Judith Adam’s property remain where they fall on soil or lawn, making a soft mulch.

Saving tomato and pepper seed

By Judith Adam Filed Under: Food, Making a Garden, Tips for gardeners

Saving seeds can be as easy as collecting and drying pepper seed, and safely packaging them. It is a bit more complicated to save tomato seed.

Substituting coir for peat moss

By Judith Adam Filed Under: Making a Garden, Tips for gardeners

Many gardeners are eager to learn more about using coir as a substitute for peat moss. Coir is a layer of plant fibre contained in the husk of coconuts.

How to prevent (ok, reduce) next year’s Japanese beetles

By Michael Fox Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

Japanese beetles enjoy eating the leaves of more than 200 different plants and trees, and they feast on roses. We use nematodes to try to control our Japanese beetle population.

Sharing the harvest

By Lorraine Hunter Filed Under: July in the Garden, Tips for gardeners

There may be an organization near you eager to share the harvest or pick that fruit to distribute or sell in your community.

Provide home for mason bees in your garden

By Karen York Filed Under: June in the Garden, Tips for gardeners

Solitary bees, especially mason bees (Osmia lignaria), are buzzing to the rescue. These native bees are easy to attract.

Plant a tree at the right depth

By Beckie Fox Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

When planting trees, what’s often overlooked is how to plant a tree at the right depth. This is important for tree health.

Tools you’ll need to work on paths and walkways

By Garden Making Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

If you decide to install a path or walkway yourself, here are some of the tools you should have on hand.

Raised beds for gardening are great

By Beckie Fox Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

Raised beds for gardening — beds with soil higher than the surrounding area — are a popular way to corral the chaos in vegetable or cutting gardens.

What’s a garden coach?

By Beckie Fox Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

A garden coach helps people become better gardeners. A coach is an extra tool for people who like to garden, but need some expert guidance.

Bindweed must be cut — not yanked

By Beckie Fox Filed Under: Tips for gardeners

Bindweed must be cut to remove. Convolvulus arvensis, commonly called field bindweed is a creeping perennial with roots that can penetrate up to 5 metres.

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