…wild ginger,

…a camouflaged mailbox,

…mutant Queen Anne’s Lace? Genetically altered Joe Pye Weed? (My best guess - Giant Hogweed),

…how many shrubs I could fit in my car,

…a beautiful iron gate,

…a cluster of birdhouses,

and a seedhead at sunset.

If it’s too complicated to plan out your vegetable garden keeping the companions together and the ememies apart, stick in some of these hard-working herbs. They seem to improve the growth and flavour of nearby crops. Their scents and blooms attract and feed beneficial bees and butterflies. On top of that, they repel harmful insects such as spider mites, ants, root maggots, borers, aphids, snails, slugs, squash bugs, many beetles, cabbage and tomato worms. They even deter apple scab and black spot.

Plant some catnip, lavender, rue and thyme in the flowerbeds to encourage pollination and deter many harmful insects.

Herbs are just the best! I can’t resist sneaking them into all the gardens and even into pots here and there. Like other herb lovers I have trouble passing by without touching a leaf or a flower. They are so good for your body and your soul.

Maybe it’s just folklore, but whether it’s true or not, many gardeners plan their vegetable plot carefully to have friendly plants close to one another and enemies far away. Friendly plants are thought to repel harmful insects such as aphids, borers and maggots. They might also attract pollinators with their scent or color. Some are credited with aiding growth and flavour. Unfriendly plants may actually stunt growth.

If you already have a system that works for you, by all means, continue with it, however this is a natural approach and is certainly worth a try.

These are some of the vegetable garden companions that I have experimented with over the years. Most lists I have found are similar.
continue reading "Vegetable Garden Companion Planting"

Grab your bucket, mop and sponge and get ready to clean your way into spring. Use some of the recipes for alternative cleaning products featured in our last Simple Green Ideas post and get ready to tackle those tough cleaning jobs you’ve been putting off until the windows could be opened wide.

Dishwasher - 1 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup baking soda - run through an empty dishwasher cycle

Counter top - several tablespoons vinegar in warm water (vinegar evaporates leaving a fresh smell and no soap residue) - use scouring powder or soft scrub for tough stains (see recipes in SGI#5)

continue reading "Spring Cleaning"

My calendar sent me a reminder this morning about Canada Blooms - The Toronto Flower & Garden Festival. As if I needed reminding - tomorrow is the big day! This is just one more sign that spring has sprung in Ontario. Each year hordes of people flock to this spectacular horticultural event. The visitor rate has grown steadily and this flower show / garden show now draws more than 100,000 people per year, each with his or her own specific agenda.

continue reading "Canada Blooms - Only 1 More Sleep"

Mid-March is the start of the spring “planting season” for those who like to propagate garden plants indoors.

Containers

Plastic trays with small pots that fit inside are a common choice for seed starting. Most trays come with clear plastic lids to conserve moisture. I thought these small paper pots were an interesting alternative to the plastic pots. They are no longer available through Gardener’s Supply Co., but if you’d like to make your own paper pots, watch this instructional video at Dave’s Garden. Another option would be to use a collection of plastic yogurt cups or margerine tubs that can be recycled after your seedlings have been transplanted outdoors. Punch holes in the bottoms to allow excess water to drain, cover the drainage holes with a bit of newspaper or a coffee filter so you don’t lose your soil, and set them on a plastic tray. Covering with a plastic bag will create a greenhouse effect. Whichever pots you use, make sure they are very clean. Scrub thoroughly with a solution of 1 part liquid household bleach to 9 parts water.

continue reading "Indoor Seed Starting / Plant Propagation"

Boxing Day I awoke to a beautiful sight. The air was crisp, the sun was shining, and everything outside was coated in sparkling white.

It wasn’t your average, everyday winter frost. It was hoarfrost.

continue reading "Hoarfrost"

Remember those shrub frames I made in November? I finally got around to making at least one of them pretty.

After this one was built, I primed the side that would be facing outwards, then using miscellaneous, leftover house paint and a few extra acrylics I had on hand, I painted it with an appropriate winter theme. The second last step was to give it a protective clear coat, and the final step was to put it in place over the shrub it was meant to protect. Connor loves the snowman! I like the fact that I don’t have to look at a boring wood frame.

As you can see in the picture, we have a bit of snow. Here’s another shot so you can see just how much snow there is.

We don’t go anywhere too fast at this time of year. The car is always packed with extra clothing, boots and blankets - just in case.

The other day while clearing snow I came across something that made me smile. A lonely little oak leaf.

It made me think of all the other wonderful things that are hiding under the snow. Can’t wait to see them again soon!

It’s been a crazy weather week here in Ontario, Canada - one day bright and sunny, one day raining and now we have snow! It’s a good thing I finally got around to building the shrub frames I talked about way back in Essential Fall Yard & Garden Maintenance. Yes, I put on my little carpenter’s hat, hauled out the table saw, the cut-off saw, and the cordless drill and took total advantage of that one bright and sunny day earlier this week.

Here are the fruits of my labor!

continue reading "Winter Shrub Frames - An Easy DIY Project"

We’re barely out of fall gardening and already we’re longing for spring. Forcing bulbs into blooming indoors is a pleasant way for gardeners to keep their hands in the dirt and survive the long winter while waiting for spring. (Why not start a pot for someone on your Christmas gift list?)

Choose any of the spring flowering bulbs - tulip, narcissus, crocus, muscari or hyacinth. Pick flowers that will not grow too tall for a windowsill or a table arrangement.

Here’s how to force bulbs indoors:

continue reading "Forcing Bulbs Indoors"