Tara Nolan » Canadian Gardening magazine

Canadian Gardening’s summer issue

admin — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 15:26:52 +0000

My road trip column for the summer issue took me to St. Albert and Edmonton, Alberta. I had the pleasure of visiting this region back at the end of May and gathered lots of gardening ideas for the website. For the magazine, I wrote about the highlights, which I also posted on the website.

For this issue, I also interviewed Michael Straub of Weleda for a profile in the magazine’s Spotlight section. Weleda is a company that uses biodynamic gardening techniques (most notably meaning no pesticides or chemicals are used) to create their products. I had to condense the answers for the magazine, but I was able to post the full interview online.

* Please note that CanadianGardening.com no longer exists, so I’ve had to remove the links.

Road Trip column in Canadian Gardening magazine

admin — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:26:40 +0000

Starting with Canadian Gardening magazine’s April issue this year, I’ve been writing the Road Trip column in Canadian Gardening magazine. Each road trip focuses on a garden or special event and then provides advice on where to stay, eat, shop and what to do while you’re there. Here are the destinations I’ve written about so far:

Annual 2013: For this one, I talked about four indoor gardens to visit across Canada

April 2013: This issue focused on the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa.

May 2013: Amsterdam and the Keukenhof

Early Summer 2013: Montreal and the Mosaicultures event happening this summer

* Please note that CanadianGardening.com no longer exists, so I’ve had to remove the links.

Speaking at Canada Blooms

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:06:57 +0000

In January, I was asked to represent Canadian Gardening magazine at Canada Blooms. I appeared on the HGTV Celebrity Stage on two different days, speaking about 2012 gardening trends. It was a fantastic learning experience and I received some fabulous feedback from esteemed colleagues.

Here’s my bio on the speaker page.

Green envy

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 01:18:32 +0000

Watching container connoisseur Paul Zammit put together an arrangement is like observing an artist at work—plants in a range of green hues are his medium. A walk around the property that he shares with his partner and fellow gardener Uli Havermann in Toronto reveals a keen eye for combining texture, shape and a bold aesthetic. Pops of colour in the form of purple, bronze and chartreuse are interspersed among a lush, green canvas of perennials, along with terracotta pots that Paul enthusiastically collects. [read full article]

Published: May 2011 issue of Canadian Gardening magazine

10 hot trends from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:55:27 +0000

We thought it might be hard for landscape designer Robert Myers to encapsulate the gold-medal winning garden he designed for the 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in just one word. How do you describe something that is at once lively and peaceful, colourful and monochromatic, wild and orderly? When he answered “elegant” we were a bit surprised, but as we explored the elements of his design—one where even the shadows were planned—we had to agree. [read full article]

Published: Great Growing Guide (February/March 2011 issue)

Standing proud: Designing winter pots

admin — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:21:53 +0000

With a little special attention, a beautiful arrangement can hold its own through the cold season. We asked Jim McMillen, president of Landscapes in Bloom, to create lush planters that will last until spring.

Refined
Evergreens are a staple in winter pots, but here, their bushy habit is blended with tall branches and earthy tones. Jim started with a ring of cedar and pine around the edge of the container, then pushed the birch logs into the centre to create a focal point. Magnolia, seeded eucalyptus, mentola balls and Italian cotoneaster fill in any gaps. “It’s like flower arranging, painting and art all mixed together,” he says. Jim recommends taking a step back from time to time to see how the pot is taking shape. [PDF of full article]

Published: Fall/Winter 2010

CG Dossier: Focus on Northern Alberta

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:28:00 +0000

Discover Slave Lake and Athabasca

Connect with nature by exploring these two regions in the heart of Canada’s boreal forest. From fishing and bird watching to kayaking and offroading, this is a place where you can leave the hubbub behind and chart your own outdoor adventure. [PDF of full article]

Published: June 2010 in Canadian Gardening magazine

Share your fare

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:16:02 +0000

A wave of “fresh and local” enthusiasm has inspired us all to grow our own food. And some gardeners are using their traditional veggie plot to make a difference—by sharing their space or donating over-abundant crops. Here are some ways you can use your green thumb to give back: [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 ready to move

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:15:35 +0000

The house is sold and you’re finding it hard to leave your garden behind.

Belinda Gallagher, head of horticulture at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, and a former real estate agent, recommends planning ahead, especially if there are plants you’d like to move with you. [PDF of full article]

Measure your garden’s conditions

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:15:15 +0000

Whether your garden is a blank canvas waiting for colour, or an established landscape full of bushes and blooms—how do you measure its conditions? [read full article]

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