Get Outdoors!

With summer well on the way, its time to rethink our outdoor spaces. Even if you have limited space, think about how you like to spend your time outdoors. Sometimes a few chairs and a small side table is all it takes to enjoy the great outdoors!

Something to Ponder

Happy Gardening!Garden Gnome©2007

Pondering

Happy Gardening!Garden Gnome©2007

Lilacs

Common Lilac(Syringa vulgaris)May 11, 2006Lilacs especially the deep pinky, purplish ones are one of my favourite flowering bushes. As a child I used to climb one of our lilac trees and sit in a cradle formed through pruning. Hidden from view and cooled by the dark leaves I spent many a summer afternoon reading. With the exception of our first house there has been at least one lilac bush in

Unique Kitchen Cabinets

I'm seeing more unique kitchen cabinets these days. One look I particularly like is the rough worn look. I bet this is probably a love it or hate it sort of look, but I like it. Oh and how beautiful is that refrigerator in the top picture? I mean honestly. I couldn't have one of those tho, my food is not pretty enough to be displayed everyday lol!

Nomenclature (aka naming)

If you have been following this blog you will already have noticed that I try to include the Latin (scientific) names of plants, pests and other critters in my garden. The main reason for this is to avoid confusion from using common names. Common names tend to be region specific and sometimes as with Irish moss the name refers to two unrelated plants where Sangia subulata is an herbal ground

Daffodils

Daffodilsgenus NarcissusApril 28, 2008Who can resist the cheery bright yellow of daffodils blooming in early spring? These beautiful flowers have graced gardens for centuries. Botanically, daffodils (common name) are are in the family Amaryllidaceae, genus Narcissus. All members of genus Nacissus have a central trumpet (corona) surrounded by a ring of 6 floral leaves (perianth) that forms a

On Vacation

Dear Readers, when we go on vacation you are used to seeing the "'puter on vacation" image. This time I decided to do two things differently. Thanks to Blogger's new scheduling option, I've worked quite hard to give you a few scheduled posts for reading during my absence. That means I created these posts before leaving but have each scheduled to go online on different dates. By the time you read

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Gardening!Garden Gnome©2007

Ontario Lawn Pesticide Ban

Female Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)This adult female Mallard has been frequenting our backyard likely in search of a suitable nesting site. While she seems be enjoying her stroll through the lawn and I love her visits, I cannot say the same thing about grass. Sorry folks but I am a grass hater in the form of a pristine, green, outdoor growing, carpet. I can say that even though we laid sod last

The Little House That Could

Country Home magazine took a 929 square foot cottage and gave it a makeover. Just click the title of this post and it will take you to the story. I think they did a great job! Very bright and airy!

Irish Moss

Irish Moss(Sangia subulata)I planted Irish moss in a small border bed bordering the garage. The bed is about five feet long, about two feet wide and is tucked between the garage and sidewalk. Like the other border beds here there is a deep layer of gravel for drainage in this bed. Here the Irish moss will be able to spread freely to fill the bed yet be contained from spreading elsewhere. What

Using Your Extra Space

Extra space? Who has THAT?? Most of us actually! You know the space, that odd wall your not sure what to do with. That quirky corner in your hall. When space is at a premium, use it wisely. I've been known to let a empty space "go" and see how my life flows around it. Then I decide whats best for it. Don't put what you think should go there, put what works there. If you enter your home from the back, you don't need a entry table for keys at the front door. Planning is key!