Gardening

Paint with Fall Colour As the season changes and the extravagant blooms of summer fade, the rich jewel tones of autumn begin to emerge. Fall will do what fall does, calling on the changing foliage colours to flourish – all chimney red, honeycomb yellow and sunset orange. Look amongst all the leaves that clamor for […]

Summer is in full swing and with it come some unwanted pests. Whether or not you are out gardening or simply trying to enjoy your outdoor space, chances are these days you are not alone (and we aren’t talking about your friends and family) Mosquitoes are out in full swing as well. Before you reach […]

Hey there summer gardeners! Now that August has arrived in the lower mainland, the time has come to start enjoying the fruits (and veggies!) of your labour, because now is the time when all your garden preparation from the past months is REALLY starting to pay off! At this time of year, there is plenty […]

Choosing Seed Varieties – A Beginner’s Guide Choosing what variety of seeds to plant may seem like a daunting task, especially when faced with the myriad of options that a company like West Coast Seeds has to offer.  How do you choose what kind of carrots to plant, among over thirty options? Some of the […]

Seed Starting Season is almost here! With the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having, it’s easy to forget there are still seven weeks until spring. For those of us eager to get our hands dirty again, it’s never too early to get ready to start planning our gardens. There are several garden staples that can […]

Do you consider your father a gardener? Gardening is such an appealing activity, a chance to unwind and change gears, at the same time offering challenges and rewards, so it is no surprise that many dads are keen gardeners, often with a special interest in one area of gardening. What type of Gardening Dad do […]

June is Perennial Gardening Month & Salvias are one of our favourites Salvia are mainstays of the garden, represented as culinary herbs, free flowering summer annuals, and summer blooming perennials. Two characteristics shared by many salvias are fragrant foliage & drought tolerance, but colourful summer blooms that attract pollinators is perhaps their most outstanding feature! […]

Do you LOVE hanging baskets but have a hard time keeping them alive all season?  Here are some tips and top care information Scott Pearce has put together to help you along: Choose the best Candidate. Select a basket with plants that will grow well in your light conditions. Most baskets that contain a mix […]

Lawn Update: We have just come through one of the coldest and wettest winters in 20 years. Coupled with these unseasonably cold conditions, on the Lower Mainland, many lawns have been ravaged by the European Chafer beetle. The grub of this beetle feeds on the roots of turf grasses and if this damage doesn’t kill […]

You might not be familiar with the term ‘phenology’ but it can be a very helpful tool when it comes to timing in the garden.  Phenology is “the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.”  What this means for us in the garden is simple; […]