Author: Adair Heuchan, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleto.. “Oaks support more forms of life and more fascinating interactions than any other tree genus in North America. They produce enormous root systems over their lifetimes, and these help make them champions when it comes to soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and watershed management.” Douglas Tallamy: The Nature of Oaks – The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees Keystone Plant and Species As we learned in the first of our 4-part series on “keystone plants,” Doug Tallamy and his team of researchers at the University of D ..read more

Julianne Labreche, Master Gardener, Ottawa-Carleton N= Native Plant Bird Friendly Shrubs and Small Trees Red-Osier Dogwood (Corus Sercea) N Grey Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) N Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) N Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) N Wild Rose (Rosa Virginiana, R.carolina) N Bayberry (Myrica pensylvania) N Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) N Wayfaring bush (Viburnum lantana ‘variegatum) Arrowwood Viburnum (Vibumum dentatum) N Possumhaw Viburnum (Viburnum nudum) N Eastern Red Elderberry (Sambucus pubens) N Canadian Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)N Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occiden ..read more

Author: Barabara Long, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission. We begin our study of what lies beneath our feet by looking at the five soil layers, also called horizons. From top to bottom, we have: organic (leaf litter and humus), topsoil (minerals with humus), the leaching layer (sand and silt with very little minerals), subsoil (clay and minerals), and parent/bedrock material. Understanding more about these layers can help us grow healthy food and beautiful plants. Think about a kitchen sponge; it is a flexible block of plastic with holes of various sizes that hold w ..read more

Zinnias and Cosmos are one of the easiest and most prolific annual combinations for endless blooms from summer through fall. Bonus: This combination makes an instant cutting garden! One of the best things about wildflowers is how easy they are to grow and maintain, but designing a thoughtful wildflower garden can take time, research, and knowledge of when each variety blooms. To make your wildflower planting that much easier, we’ve put together some of our favorite easy-to-grow wildflower combinations and will talk about specific growing conditions for each. Zinnias and Cosmos Zinnias and Cosm ..read more

Author: Andrea Knight, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton My husband and I have owned our home in Ottawa for over twenty years, giving me lots of time to learn and practice gardening in small spaces. My backyard garden is an L-shaped area around our deck (west facing), and my front garden is a rectangle that I have been slowly increasing over time by removing grass (east facing). Together, these spaces represent approximately 172 square meters of growing area. Having a relatively small space and so many wonderful plant choices these days, gardening is a very big challenge! I also find it prac ..read more

Author: Claire McCaughey, Master Gardeners of Lanark County; Edible flowers have long been part of the cuisines of distinct cultures. Take, for example, squash blossoms (the flowers of Cucurbita pepo). The genus Cucurbita originated in the Americas and has been an integral part of Native American and Mexican cuisines. Squash blossoms were adopted into Italian and Middle Eastern cuisines too. Squash plants have both male and female flowers, with most of the blossoms being male. It is the male blossoms that are usually harvested for cooking. By creating a higher ratio of female to male flowers ..read more

Author: Rob Stuart, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission. Mid-March in Ottawa is usually the ideal time to start sowing seeds of annual flowers, vegetables, and herbs that you plan to grow this summer. Hopefully, you already have the seeds ready, either saved from last year’s harvest or purchased at a local store or via an online retailer. Read the Seed Package Each seed package will contain instructions on when to sow your seeds, relative to the average last frost date in your area, the temperature in which to place your pots, how much soil you should use to cover yo ..read more

In the intricate dance of maintaining a vibrant home garden, the role of household appliances is often underestimated. Beyond routine watering and soil care, the appliances we use daily can significantly influence the health of our green spaces. This article explores the synergy between appliances and gardening, offering practical insights into sustainable practices for a flourishing home ecosystem. The Impact of Appliances on the Environment Our reliance on household appliances can have a profound impact on the environment. From the production phase to daily usage, appliances contribute to ca ..read more

Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission “In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they be pretty. Now they have to support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators, and manage water.” – Douglas Tallamy A fundamental change in thinking is happening among many Canadian gardeners. Gardening styles are shifting beyond beauty and towards biodiversity. That’s because helping to preserve biodiversity begins in our own backyards, according to Douglas Tallamy, the author of Nature’s Best Hope and Bringing Nature Home Dr. Douglas Tallamy ..read more

Author: Rebecca Last, Gardening at Last, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission Are you excited to start seeds? Me too! Before starting, I like to assemble my supplies and equipment. Here’s what you will need to start your own seeds: Most of these things can be found or improvised from household items, so there is no need to rush out and buy stuff. Start with the Right Soil The exception is potting soil. Don’t try using your own compost. It’s likely loaded with seeds from mystery plants and will compact, impeding root development in your delicate seedlings. Yo ..read more