Published: April 2012

I did a brief little piece called Are you going to Floriade? for the site with some information about this once-a-decade event, but I’m really excited to go and report back on all the juicy gardening ideas I see.

Published: January 2012

Bulb-planting tips from the Keukenhof

Hopefully my bulbs don’t come up looking like this:

Blog post: My royal tulip shame

Here are some pieces I wrote about the gardens for CanadianGardening.com:

* Article and images: Reford Gardens: Modern design meets historic flair

* Blog post: An inspiring trip to Reford Gardens

* Blog post: Gardening gift of the day: Interesting pickles, jams and jellies

I also mentioned Pierre-Olivier Ferry’s preserves in an article on gardening stores I wrote for Style at Home in 2011.

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]

Published: March 2011

This year marked the 15th anniversary of Canada Blooms. The ‘Rhythms’ theme was à propos as it tied in with the JUNO Awards’ 40th birthday. Artistic director Columba Fuller started incorporating the JUNOs into the overall plan last June. The results were spectacular collaborations between musicians and garden designers that added to the rest of the gorgeous gardens on display.

Here are some highlights from the event. [read full article]

Here is my preview of the event.

Published: March 2011

Update fall 2010: The CanadianGardening.com blogs were consolidated to allow for multiple bloggers. I will still be blogging as a novice gardener, however my posts will exist as part of the larger blog network.

Here is my blog bio as it used to appear (see update above) on CanadianGardening.com:

Five years ago I bought a cute little bungalow (I like to refer to it as a cottage) with a pretty decent front and backyard—my own little paradise in the city. Since we moved in winter, my first summer was a game of waiting to see what sprouted up–and then trying to figure out if it was plant or weed. What a learning experience it has been—and sometimes an overwhelming one—as I often look around my yard trying to figure out what area needs my TLC first! I’ve discovered that puttering around in my garden is so calming and a nice retreat from my busy life—when my busy life (and the weather) don’t interrupt my plans to garden! Though I wistfully aspire to perfection, I am comfortable with the fact that my gardens are a work in progress—they inspire me to learn more about gardening techniques and plants—and how not to kill them.

This blog will allow me to share my gardening adventures—trial and error, successes and disappointments. I hope to inspire other budding gardeners to grab a pair of gloves and start playing in the dirt!

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

Consult gardening books in the backyard
The Kobo, Indigo’s lightweight, glare-free and stylish new eReader, allows you to store up to 1,000 books at a time. Mom can consult green thumb titles like Gayla Trail’s You Grow Girl for planting advice or curl up on a Muskoka chair among the flowers with the latest gardening memoir, like Des Kennedy’s The Way Of A Gardener: A Life’s Journey. [read full article]

Published: May 2010

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]

Published: May 2010 on CanadianGardening.com

It took 700 tonnes of sand, 500 cubic yards of mulch, 40 trailers-worth of stone and pre-cast materials, tens of thousands of bulbs and nine-million-dollars-worth of labour, plant materials, design expertise and plants to pull off this year’s Canada Blooms. I’d say it was worth it. The new venue (the Direct Energy Centre) is fantastic and the gardens really are spectacular.

Here are a few highlights! [read full article]

Published: March 2010