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After reading an article in Garden Making magazine* regarding Ontario’s 2009 ban on cosmetic pesticides, it’s obvious the debate between pro-pesticide and anti-pesticides will continue for awhile. As will the concern, not only for our personal lawns but for the many parks and public lawns that we have grown used to being beautifully green, manicured …Read more About “Do You Really Need A Lawn? This Will Help You Decide!”

I often say a great garden is about the right plant in the right spot. Nowhere is this more true than in my own garden. My house faces east and I put some favourite long blooming perennials flanking each side of my front steps.  Three years later, it was clear that the right side (south) …Read more About “A Great Garden Is About The Right Plant In The Right Spot”

Spring is the time to trim your ornamental grasses.                 It is still a little wet to divide the perennial grasses.  As soon as the soil dries up a bit, it will be a good time to divide your clump(s) if you feel they are getting too large. …Read more About “Trimming and Dividing Ornamental Grasses Is Easy If You Follow These Steps”

Are you one? Do you know one? Do you want to be one? Is it a trend or a passing fad? The Oxford dictionary definition of ‘locavore’ is a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food. I think Wikipedia defines it better as a person interested in eating food …Read more About “How To Become A Better Locavore”

Do you plant impatiens every year in your garden or containers? Well this year (2013) you might want to consider something else. Downy Mildew is currently wiping out plantings of this popular annual and even causing growers to stop growing them. I have filled many benches with flats and flats of these annuals and spent …Read more About “Warning: Why You Should Avoid Impatiens Right Now”

This (pictured above) is how to literally *kill* a tree with kindness. Please don’t bury the flare at the base of the trunk in soil or mulch — it will cause moisture damage to the bark and cambium, eventually harming the thing you’re trying to help. If you’re going to mulch, spread it out in …Read more About “Mulch Volcano Season Begins!”

Please welcome my guest author and friend, Mohammed Jacquesson.  Mohammed is a Paralegal specializing in Small Claims Court matters and is providing you with some great tips today when hiring a contractor. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – As a paralegal specializing in Small Claims Court matters, …Read more About “Hiring A Landscape Contractor”

Cedars, Boxwood and Yews, can be lightly pruned in early spring to remove any winter dieback and prune for shape prior to spring growth. Note to trim hedges a little more narrow at the top to let light get to the bottom of the plant, this is a common mistake that leads to the dying …Read more About “Pruning Of Evergreens”

Summer flowering shrubs like Spirea, Potentilla, Weigela, Hydrangea and even Roses should be pruned in early spring before growth begins and then again later in season to remove spent flowers and encourage more blooms.   If this all appears a little daunting, give me a call and I can arrange to have a trained professional …Read more About “Pruning Of Summer Flowering Shrubs”

Here are some ideas for Spring planters… hope they inspire you!   Photos courtesy of North Shore Views, Terrassa – Outdoor Living, The Vancouver Sun, Little Leaf Design, Urban Garden