My trip to Hawaii with my husband and two of our best friends (and their two kiddies) was purely for pleasure. Even if I wasn’t working for CanadianGardening.com, the Limahuli Garden and Preserve would have been on my itinerary. However that magical day is still on my mind and in my photo album, so it was inevitable that I talk about it somewhere. Here’s the first mention on Travel + Escape: Garden Green Hawaii. Read more »

I am. With my mom. One day I mentioned that I really wanted to go to Floriade to write about it for CanadianGardening.com. The next thing I know, we’re booking seats on KLM for April. Read more »

My 2010 trip to the Keukenhof in Holland continues to inspire. This fall, as I was trying to think of where to plant my bulbs in my new gardens, I looked to the photos I had taken at the Keukenhof for ideas. This led to a slideshow of tips that I published on the Canadian Gardening website. Read more »

In the summer of 2010, I toured Maritime Quebec. As a garden writer, the highlight for me was a trip to Reford Gardens. What I loved about this property was the contrast between the traditional gardens, conceived by the feisty Elsie Reford, and the innovative concepts presented in the International Garden Festival space. Read more »

Experience acres of multi-coloured, spring-flowering bulbs at this magical flower park

I’m standing at the gates to the Keukenhof, listening to the cheerful, tinkling sounds of a barrel organ. This colourful park with its extensive gardens is home to over seven million flowering bulbs. And it’s my very reason for being in Holland. My visit falls between the opening and closing of the Keukenhof—a short window of bloom-filled opportunity that lasts from about the third week of March until almost the end of May. (This year, it’s open from March 24 to May 20.) I set off with my guide, Elisabeth, eager to put my new camera to work. [read full article] Read more »

From blossoms and bulbs, to eco-friendly landscaping, this year’s show provided endless inspiration for gardeners Read more »

Since 2008 I have been writing a novice gardening blog called The Budding Gardener on CanadianGardening.com. Coined by former Canadian Gardening editor-in-chief Aldona Satterthwaite, it was created as a column of sorts where I would write about all my adventures in the garden. As someone who is new to gardening, everything is still fun and fascinating and fresh to me. Read more »

Trying to brainstorm a unique Mother’s Day gift? Browse through these garden-inspired ideas for every budget. Read more »

Add one or all of these fantastic new gardening tomes to your library

Grow Great Grub
Organic Food From Small Spaces
By Gayla Trail
I really wish I knew about Gayla’s first book, You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening, when I first bought my house. Gayla has a way of making gardening sound so fun and easy and attainable. This fantastic follow-up inspires readers to grow their own fruits, veggies, herbs and edible flowers. [read full article] Read more »

There is no lack of botanical inspiration at this year’s five-day extravaganza for gardeners Read more »