Jacky

Companion planting is based on the concept that the qualities of some plants can benefit others when planted nearby. Some plants repel pests and help others by keeping the pests away from them and then for example other plants will help to enrich the flavour of other plants. This list covers some of the big partnerships … Read more

A  Abscission: The natural dropping of leaves and flowers from a  plant. Acidic Soil: A soil with a pH of less than 6.5 Adventitious: A plant that forms its’ characteristics in unusual locations, for example roots growing from leaves or above ground stems. Alkaline Soil: A soil with a pH of more than 7.3 Annual: A plant that grows from … Read more

Have you ever seen a pink blueberry before? It looks like something that just shouldn’t exist! It’s bright pink and perfectly unique. If you don’t have any of these plants in your garden yet then I highly recommend adding a couple this year. The best little surprise from the pink lemonade blueberry is that these these … Read more

This is a more complete list of the different types of raspberry cultivars that you might find in the local markets and nurseries in your area. Please note that not all varieties will be available in all areas. What is a Cultivar? A cultivar is a general term referring to a plant or grouping of … Read more

One of the greatest benefits to growing some of your own food is the recipes you can make with the harvest such as this backyard grown cherry sauce. This sauce can be used in a multitude of ways. Pour it over ice cream. Pour it over pancakes or waffles. Pour it over another fruit pie. … Read more

Some perennial flowers and grasses need to have the assistance of their wilted summer foliage to use for winter protection and insulation from the cold wet weather. Many need the protection for the many drab rainy months of a temperate climate. These ones listed below prefer to be cut back in the spring for this reason. … Read more

There will be no need for you to buy the costly basil plants from the store once you see how quickly and easily you can grow your own little forest of basil yourself. The plants for sale in the stores are usually quite expensive. This is because they are quite a high maintenance, delicate plant … Read more

The Haskap berry is another unique berry that I recommend to home gardeners. In Latin, the Haskap plant is known as Lonicera Caerulea. Sometimes you’ll see Haskap spelled in other ways such as Hascap, Haskaap and Hasukappu. The name is of Japanese origin. The Haskap berry is growing in popularity and is touted as the newest … Read more

The adult raspberry cane borer (Oberea bimaculata ) appears in June. It is a slender black beetle about 1/2″ long.  Image: Michigan State University This pest is a slender, dark coloured beetle, about 12 mm long, with antennae as long as its body. It can be recognized by the yellow band near its head and the long … Read more

Are you convinced that you can’t grow anything at all and have a completely brown thumb?  I guarantee you – there is hope! Growing raspberries is like trying to grow weeds, seriously. You’ll be able to grow a bounty of delicious raspberries, promise. They’re so easy and yummy that they make a perfect beginner crop for kids … Read more