It’s a question I’m asked all the time, “Should I remove tomato plant suckers?” The answer: “It depends!” There really isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question as it relies on a few factors like the type of tomato plants you’re growing and how you’re supporting them. Read on to learn whether or not you should pinch out tomato suckers.
Read More »Tomato plant suckers: When and how to prune tomato plants
Herbs that grow in shade: 10 delicious choices
Plenty of gardeners consider shade to be more of a curse than a blessing, especially when it comes to growing vegetables and herbs. Your plant choices are slightly more limited than gardeners with full sun, but there are plenty of edible plants that tolerate – and even thrive – in the shade, including herbs. Though you may think all herbs are sun-loving plants, there are many herbs that grow in shade. Continue Reading
Read More »Pink perennials for the garden: A gradient of rosy shades from pale pink to fuchsia
I’ll admit it, one of my favourite colours is pink. If I see pink perennials at the garden centre and I need a plant to fill a hole in my garden, chances are at least one of them will end up in my cart. Come to think of it, I have quite a range of pink perennials in my front, side and backyard.
Read More »Straw bale gardening: Learn how to grow vegetables in straw bales
Straw bale gardening is HUGE! And for good reason as it’s an easy way to grow vegetables and flowers in small spaces, driveways, or any area where it’s hard to dig a new garden. A straw bale is a self-contained garden where the centre of the bale is seasoned with fertilizers to start the decomposition process and create a rich pocket for plants. Read on to learn more about gardening in straw bales.
Read More »Alpine strawberries: How to grow this delicious little fruit from seed or transplants
If I had to pick a favorite backyard fruit, I’d pick the strawberry. But not just any strawberry, mind you. I’d pick the alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca). These sweet little gems are far more fragrant and luscious than their jumbo-sized, commercially grown kin (Fragaria x ananassa). Alpine strawberries are also called woodland strawberries. Pop one in your mouth and be prepared for a juicy burst of sugary goodness with a flavor that’s a combination of pineapple and berries with a floral twist. Yep. They’re THAT good. And most importantly, they’re also really easy to grow. Continue Reading
Read More »How to plant roses: Planting bare root roses and potted shrub roses
In the last few years, plant breeders have come out with some really great varieties of hardy roses that are disease-resistant and lower maintenance. The At Last rose from Proven Winners convinced me that I could maintain a healthy rose bush that would last through a harsh winter. It’s actually referred to as an easy-care rose, which is perfect for my style of gardening. More recently, I became the owner of Emily Brontë, a 2020 introduction from David Austin Roses. The planting process for both my rose bushes was different. Here’s a little primer on how to plant roses—and why I’ve used two different methods to plant them.
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