Visions of strolling under arching branches cloaked in pink blooms. That’s why I winter sowed a tray of redbud seeds in the winter of 2021-2022. The results weren’t what I expected.

Who doesn’t love a low cost, low maintenance way to start a garden. Winter sowing is taking off in popularity across Ontario for these reasons and more! But can you utilize winter sowing if your goals are to grow a cut flower garden?

Marigolds are tried and true companion plant in a vegetable garden. They have an unusual seed compared to other garden annuals or vegetables, and with this step by step you’ll know exactly what you are looking for.

Seeing a rainbow generates excitement. Now what if we can plant our own rainbow that comes back each year and lasts longer then a fleeting moment?!

If you can beat the squirrels to it sunflowers are prolific seeders and make for a fun seed collection activity with kids.

Often when you picture a seed it’s a smaller, hard, black ball. And then there are clematis seeds. If Dr. Seuss designed a seed this might be it..

In southern Ontario (zone 5-7) columbine flowers are putting out seed pods that are ready to collect at end of June, beginning of July. They are prolific seeders and make for a fun seed collection activity with kids.

In southern Ontario (zone 5-7) pansy flowers (or Viola's) are annuals. They have a habit of reseeding themselves and due to their cold hardiness, and can often make a reappearance the following year. It's not a guarantee though, so collecting pansy seeds is the safer route for repeated blooms year after year.

In Southern Ontario, Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) are a heat loving annual. Save the seed pods for yearly enjoyment, in 3 easy steps.

In Southern Ontario, Balloon Flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are putting out seed pods that are ready to collect at end of July, beginning of August. What do the seed pods look like and how do you collect the seeds?

You love the idea of having a garden for your kids to safely run around in. You can teach them how to grow their own food, and make a cozy sensory, sanctuary for them to grow up and burn off steam. But, how do you manage to dig a new garden bed when you can’t even get to the bottom of the dish pile in one go?

In southern Ontario chamomile often self seeds and will regrow the following year, but occasionally this won't be successful. Harvesting these tiny seeds is easy for guaranteed crops is easy.

Planning a new garden is exciting, and can also be overwhelming and budget breaking. If you’re doing it yourself, the time commitment can also be intense! Phased garden planning resolves all of these issues and is easier then you think.

No-dig garden beds are ideal for those strapped for time, who have physical limitations or those that want to support the soil health while creating a beautiful and functional space for your family. They are one of the easiest forms of gardening that I have come across and they can be done for free without any special tools.

Year after year I do not have enough indoor space for all the seedlings I start. In a small urban garden, where real estate is limited, a seasonal extender has to play many roles to justify the space it will occupy. A Geodome Greenhouse was my solution. I share all the details on how you can build one too!

Thank you for swinging by and providing a home for my excess seedlings. Growing more then we need and being able to share the wealth brings our household so much joy. The feedback from last years give away table rocked my world! This post includes all the info you’ll need to care for the plants or seeds that you picked up.

Toronto being Canada’s largest city, it’s plentiful wildlife populations may come as a surprise. Urban gardeners in Toronto have to contend with their own special breed of critters; the fearless (insert choice swear word) squirrels. These small, fluffy creatures are ballsy and will easily destroy your flowers and vegetable garden, leaving fruit and flowers with one single nibble, to taunt you on your front step.

You’ve picked a beautiful native tree with great four season interest, one of the main features being it’s spring flowers. Hot pink buds dotting the bare branches. The flowers showcase beautifully against the lime green of the new leaf growth in surrounding trees. Yet, your tree isn’t blooming!

Many misused terms get thrown around in gardening forums, Facebook groups and general conversations when discussing plants. This occurs even more when native plants are concerned. We get to the bottom of common terms such as invasive and aggressive, which will allow you to garden more confidently, when selecting plants for your space.

Toddlers have this knack for stomping on precious plants with complete unawareness to the effects of their actions. Boundaries are an important life lesson, whether they are material or emotional. Teaching and enforcing boundaries is an art, that once mastered can reset many areas of your life. Keep toddlers out of the garden with these 5 simple steps.