Hariette Henry – Halton Master Gardeners If you are new to starting seeds and you want them to develop into healthy plants it’s a good idea to start with quality seeds from a reliable seed source. Instructions for what your seeds need to germinate should be on the back of the seed packet. Here are some lists of Canadian seed companies: Seeds of Diversity, Master Gardeners of Ontario Facebook or CBC ‘Canadian Seed Companies‘. These instructions will often include: optimal temperature, light requirements, seeding depth, weeks from sowing to planting whether the seed needs cold, moist stratific ..read more

‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, but sometimes there are other forces at play. Municipal bylaws and neighbour complaints can result in conflicts sometimes leading to garden plants being removed and fines levied. Many of us have listened to speakers such as Lorraine Johnson, Douglas Tallamy, or our own Claudette Sims and Catherine Kavassalis (Halton Master Gardeners and founders of CCIPR – Canadian Coalition for Invasive Species Regulation), about the crisis in biodiversity, loss of habitat and the effects of climate change. We are asked to change how we garden, include native plants fo ..read more

Pam MacDonald – Halton Master Gardener (Cover Image: Baptisia australis (blue false indigo) one of the possible options for those replacing boxwod. Image: Chicago Grows In the September issue of Cross Pollination, the use and decline of boxwoods was discussed. Gardeners not ready to give up on their boxwoods were offered guidance and pointed to other sources of information on dealing with one of the new issues afflicting boxwoods – the Box Tree Moth.  As Master Gardeners, our focus is on sustainable, environmentally friendly gardening practices. With this in mind, we encourage garden ..read more

Janet Mackey – Halton Master Gardener 1. Add structure with woody trees & shrubs, native of course! Choose a variety of native perennials, planting in large groupings. 2. Create a sitting area with chairs, log bench or boulders. 3. Use repetition to build unity, bringing the space together. This can include species, colours or shapes. 4. Create a ‘buffer’ zone near public areas, like sidewalks and neighbours. Low-growing plants or a strip of turf grass can be effective choices. Keep the height under 2’ for ornamental plants and under 8″ for turf, to ensure clear sightlines for safety. D ..read more

Claudette Sims – Halton Master Gardener The Rise and Fall of Boxwood Boxwood (Buxus spp.) are a hugely popular ornamental non-native shrub. They are prized in formal gardens because they can be neatly trimmed and shaped to frame other plants or features. They are the perfect size for growing under windows or around trees and in small front yards. They create a textured understory of shrubs and many stay green through the winter.   Boxwood can be decimated over a period of a few days However, their popularity has become their downfall. When first introduced, boxwood was carefree and ..read more

Catherine Kavassalis – Halton Master Gardeners If you want to help native pollinators, stick to mostly native species. “Plant a variety of plants, biased towards native and near-native species with a selection of exotics to extend the flowering season.” There are many types of pollinators and they require a diversity of plants that can provide pollen and nectar throughout the growing season, and some like moths and butterflies may require foliage at other stages of development. • Bees – Bright colours (except red which bees cannot see) • Butterflies – Bright colours including red with faint s ..read more

AND OTHER IDEAS UNSUPPORTED BY RESEARCH Claudette Sims – Halton Master Gardener With recipes galore on the Internet and social media, it’s not surprising to see so many recommendations for homemade pesticides and herbicides. We need to rethink these practices to ensure that we are making the right choices for our gardens and the environment. What does Health Canada have to say about homemade pesticides? Health Canada advises consumers to be aware that preparing, storing, and using homemade pesticides may pose health and environmental safety risks. Homemade pesticides do not undergo any scie ..read more

You may have heard about Garden Journeys Open Days, an exciting new initiative supported by Halton Region Master Gardeners. It’s happening in Hamilton over seven days in August 2023 (August 10-12, and 17-20). This event is an opportunity for the public to visit private and institutional gardens, both new and established, made by gardeners at all stages of their journey from “ordinary” to “nature friendly.”  Garden Journeys Open Days will not only inspire gardeners who are just starting out on their ecological gardening journey, it will also support and celebrate gardeners already engage ..read more

What you Need to Know All earthworms in Ontario are non-native and harm the environment. However, invasive Jumping Worms (JWs) cause much more damage & spread much more quickly. They can kill plants by removing nutrients from the soil, and leave behind bare, dry granular pellets. They are a threat to our gardens & lawns, farms & forests, as well as bird and animal life. Invasive Jumping Worms have been confirmed in Ontario during the summer of 2021 (Dundas Valley, Toronto, Windsor). In late summer, Jumping Worms will develop a light band (clitellum) near their head. If agitated ..read more

Sheila Gutierrez – Halton Master Gardener A natural look and fresh fragrance for your home this holiday season isn’t too far away. A fresh cut supply of holiday greenery may be as close as your own backyard. So how does one bring nature indoors to adorn your space? Gathering Greenery Greenery gathered from your garden is as fresh (and affordable) as it gets. You’ll need gloves, pruners, and a bucket to place cut stems. When gathering greenery it is important to keep in mind that the plants are actually being pruned. Most evergreen trees and shrubs need little to no pruning but a little prunin ..read more