Growing Pumpkins
What do Hallowe’en, Thanksgiving, Cinderella, Jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin pie have in common? Why pumpkins of course. Pumpkins originated in Central America and have been grown there for thousands of years. In early times, they were baked or stuffed. Medicinally they were used to treat snake bite, freckles and tape worms.… READ MORE
Windbreaks
Early spring is a great time to plant trees. With that in mind, you might consider planting a windbreak. Rows of trees and shrubs can shelter your house and garden from winter winds and summer sun. Early settlers knew the value of dense wind-busting evergreens planted north and west of… READ MORE
Care of Moth Orchids
The orchid family of plants is the largest in the world with over 30,000 species with thousands of hybrids and varieties. Ontario has its fair share. We have, what are called terrestrial orchids. One of the best shows of these terrestrial orchids are the slipper orchids found in the Purdon… READ MORE
How to grow sweet potatoes locally
by Judy Wall Unlike the potato, which is grown from tubers, sweet potatoes are started from “slips.” To create slips, a sweet potato tuber is planted indoors in March. One tuber can produce several slips. To do so you will need to obtain a sweet potato which has been stored… READ MORE
Square Foot Gardening
By Dale Odorizzi Do you want to have fresh picked tasty vegetables but have a small lot with no room for a vegetable garden? If so, Square Foot Gardening may be for you. Square foot gardening is easy to do, easy to manage, very adaptable, and it produces high yields… READ MORE
Growing raspberries
by Helen Halpenny, Lanark Master Gardeners Fruit and vegetables grown in the home garden and picked at the peak of perfection taste the absolute best. Among the easiest fruits to grow are raspberries. Yes, you need space and good soil but the rewards are great. Prepare the soil well because… READ MORE
Assassin from below: Cutworms
by Dale Odorizzi, Master Gardener of Lanark County Have you ever gone out in the morning to admire the Beefsteak or Roma tomato plants that you planted the day before only to find one, two or more plants cut off at the soil line and lying flat on the ground?… READ MORE
Herb Gardens on your window sill
by Helen Halpenny, Lanark County Master Gardeners The snow may be piled high outside, but starting your garden indoors can happen right now. Come February, the light level begins to increase and a sunny windowsill can be the perfect place to get a head start on the gardening season. There… READ MORE
Ferns: Outdoors and In
by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners Nothing says a woodland garden better than a stand of beautiful, delicate and graceful ferns. Ferns are plants that produce evergreen or deciduous leaf-like structures called fronds. In our part of the world there are close to 20 species of ferns growing wild… READ MORE
Growing from seed
by Helen Halpenny, Lanark County Master Gardeners It’s never too early to make plans for your 2015 garden. Already the seed companies have sent catalogues with beautiful pictures and glowing reviews to entice you to buy their regular and newly introduced varieties. Before you order new seeds, get out your… READ MORE