Visit plant sales or swaps. Check local horticultural societies or garden clubs for annual sales. Besides offering plants that thrive in your area, you might get some free advice or growing tips. [PDF of full article]

Published: Growing Guide (February/March 2010) in Canadian Gardening magazine
Notes: This piece was part of a ‘How To’ gardening package I wrote for the annual which has a different theme every year.

Spotting invasive plants may be harder than you think

The words “invasive plant” might seem self-explanatory, but in fact there’s a lot more to them than one might think. “With the development of Invasive Plant Councils in Canada in the last several years, people have started thinking beyond just invasive plants and weeds infesting crops,” says David Clements, professor of biology and environmental studies at Trinity Western University in B.C. ‘Backyard’ invasive plants are still something to avoid. [PDF of full article]

Published: Growing Guide (February/March 2010) in Canadian Gardening magazine
Notes: This piece was part of a ‘How To’ gardening package I wrote for the annual which has a different theme every year.

Get spring started early by growing tulips, daffodils and other early bloomers indoors Read more »

What’s in the bright green bouquets that make it onto the podium with the medal-winning athletes?

In those first minutes of pride, glory and disbelief, Olympic champions bask in their achievement and receive a bouquet before being whisked off for interviews and everything else a medalist does after winning an international competition. On the podium, the winners receive a second bouquet, which becomes immortalized in photos seen around the world. We all know how long and difficult the journey to the podium is for the athletes, but it turns out the journey from garden to podium is also an arduous process. Read more »

Be ready for fresh-cut flowers with this assortment of modern, rustic and vintage-looking vessels Read more »

Head to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for decor ideas inside—and outside—your home Read more »

Take an inspiring stroll through Mount Stewart and Powerscourt, two must-see Irish gardens [read full article] Read more »

Add some greenery and fresh colour to your indoor garden to beat the winter blahs.

If you take a look around at this time of year, things can look pretty bleak – there are no leaves on the trees, the ground is far from green and your home is probably drier than the Sahara from the heat being on all the time. Read more »

Canadian Gardening‘s Green Room at the 2008 Style at Home Show was an inspiring respite for green thumbs after touring the décor booths and displays. Framed by autumn-hued plants and a living wall, visitors could ask a Master Gardener questions, create a small project or take in one of the presentations organized by Aldona Satterthwaite. The space was conceptualized by landscape architect Shawn Gallaugher of Shawn Gallaugher Design who is also an instructor of Landscape Design for the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University. [read full article] Read more »

Explore Monet’s gardens and experience first-hand the beauty that inspired some of his most famous works Read more »