Thwart weeds

Sheena Adams offers her five top tips on how thwarting weeds. more...

Companion plants: onion chives and tomatoes

One of the first crops of the spring season is healthy and tasty onion chives. When planting onion chives this year, I suggest you practice some companion planting and leave room between the chives to tuck in your favourite tomato plants; you’ll enjoy tastier, disease-free plants by taking advantage of the natural protection of onion chives. more...

Vertical growing space

Recently I have been glancing around gardens with one thing on my mind – vertical growing space. Growing up allows us to dress up narrow walkways, camouflage unattractive fencing, provide shade and windbreaks, and screen balconies and patios to provide privacy. If support is lacking, you can do the same thing by growing down – install a hanging basket or raised planter overflowing with long lush foliage. more...

Make Bird Granola

Making homemade bird granola is a fun and virtually effortless way to keep feathered winter visitors happy and healthy all season long. A properly prepared granola is not only tasty for the birds, but also full of nourishing vitamins. It should contain calcium to help with eggshell development, plus enough fat to keep the little birds warm in the winter. At this time of year, birds need to eat regularly in order to produce enough energy to survive the cold. more...

Recycling Your Poinsettia

After the holidays you can recycle your poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) into a summer garden treat and then encourage it to rebloom next year. The process is simple and a great way to turn a small plant into a large one or save a favourite poinsettia colour. more...

Fungus Gnat Help

A common wintertime problem for indoor tropicals is fungus gnats. These annoying little black flies rise from the soil surface during watering. Meanwhile, their maggot offspring (larvae with white bodies and black heads) live in the plant soil and feed off decaying plant matter, fungus, and sometimes the plant’s roots and succulent stems. Without immediate action fungus gnats can quickly spread and infect all the plants in a home. more...

Plants That Purify the Air

Tropical plants not only add exotic beauty and a touch of spring to our homes and offices, they also make useful – and natural – central air cleaning machines. These plants work to purify the air of pollutants and toxins, while increasing humidity and supplying valuable oxygen throughout the day while they are photosynthesizing. more...

Plant Companions: Sunflowers and Borax

To practice organic gardening try planting sunflowers and borax together. more...

Grass Clipping Mulch for Raspberries

Grass clippings are valuable garden additions and should never be allowed to leave the property. more...

Build a Summer Topiary

This is a wonderful afternoon project for friends or family that takes two to three hours to assemble (plan to do step 1 a day ahead). more...