Silvana Castillo
Interviewed by Elizabeth Spence Guatemala. The tropics. Luxuriant, vigorous plant growth threatening to take over the house. These are Silvana Castillo’s first memories of her family’s small city garden in the land where she was born. Switch to Nova Scotia. Challenging climate for horticulture, to say the least. We are sitting here with a cup […]
Barbara Gregory: Artist
Barbara Gregory – Artist We are delighted to show three paintings by Tatamagouche artist, Barbara Gregory. The first is called Sweet Dreams. It’s a 3′ x 4′ oil painting. Barbara writes: “This was inspired by my son, who as a little boy, told me he dreams at night of puppies running through fields. If you look […]
Zoning
By Elizabeth Spence What zone are we in? What is a zone anyway? Why do we need zones? These are some of the questions we have been asked over the years. And good questions they are. Simply put, a “zone” in gardening is the rating system for tree, shrub and perennial plant hardiness. You can […]
Labels or Tags for Plants
Labels or Tags for Plants Elizabeth says: “Whenever I’m at a junk shop or yard sale I keep my eyes open for mini venetian blinds. I then cut them up and use them as labels for plants. I try to find ones which have at least one side that is not too shiny. That way, […]
Seed Sowing Tips
Seed Sowing Tips David Flint says: “If you want to sow very small seeds individually, pick each one up up with a damp toothpick. Just touch the toothpick to a seed, it will stick to the toothpick and you can then place it in your soil block, cell or pot by pushing it off with […]
Raised Beds
Raised Bed Backyard Diva says: “Use a pallet as a garden bed – staple garden cloth on the backside of the pallet, fill with dirt and start growing!” Very ingenious!! An instant raised bed!! Courtesy Backyard Diva
Managing Seedlings
Managing Seedlings Jennifer says: When thinning delicate seedlings, use small scissors to snip off the extra seedlings at soil level. The remaining roots simply dissolve under the soil. This is much less disruptive to the roots of the remaining seedlings
Tools
Courtesy Shirley Kresge: What a great way to carry your tools around the garden: An old golf cart!!
Snakes – How Wonderful They Are In the Garden!
These pictures were published on Facebook in March 2021, and are appearing again this year. The “snake” man is Pete Freckelton from the Annapolis Valley. Here’s what he has to say about our five native snakes and their usefulness in the garden: “As our native snakes emerge from their winter dens to bask & mate over […]
Canada Post Issues New Flower Stamps
This is what Canada Post has to say about these new stamps: “Canada Post’s latest stamp issue features two native wildflowers that are important sources of food for a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. The brilliant blossoms of butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) become heavy with nectar and […]