A few years back I arrived at a client’s home for an initial garden consultation. Each consultation usually begins the same way. I like to have the the client show me around their property so I can get a general idea of their style, preferred colours and their level of interest in gardening. I also like to see where the sun hits their gardens, the existing plant material and anything that has been planted recently. On this particular day, the client was eager to show me around the property. When we got to the North side of the house (where there was very little sun and a lot of mature trees) s ..read more

The cost of landscaping can be a shock to homeowners! Why and where should you invest your budget in a landscaping renovation? Whether you are planning a new landscape design or sprucing up your back yard, navigating the multiple decisions can be trying when it comes to knowing where to invest your money. The following post will help to unearth the process and costs to consider when you are planning a landscape project. 1. An Overall Master Plan Like any big decision in life, a master plan is always a good idea. Before you reach out for professional advice or design quotes, get clear about w ..read more

Remember back to a time when you felt connected with nature. Maybe it was an afternoon in the park, a sunset at the beach or the immense magnitude of a walk through the forest. Whatever your experience, nature speaks to our inner most call to connect with something mysterious and awe inspiring. For those of you who are fortunate to live in parts of Canada where nature is at your back door, your immersion in nature is routine. But for others who are surrounded by the “concrete jungles” of city life, finding ways to connect with nature on a daily basis can be more challenging. “Professor John M ..read more

I was scanning a magazine the other day and there was a poll on gardening. The question was, “What do you grow in your garden?” The answers were typically what you’d expect: carrots, rhubarb, peas etc. The answer that caught my eye was “weeds”.  I actually laughed out loud at the fact that someone sent in that answer and the magazine actually printed it. It struck me,  this answer was probably one of the most honest answers in a gardening poll! How many of us could say the same? Clockwise: Dandelion tea, Dandelion plant, Joe Pye Weed, Goutweed flower head Medicine or menace? The ..read more