I’ve just launched a new endeavour producing small-batch distilled, preservative-free, all-natural hydrosols. All are distilled in very small, slow batches by me using plant materials that I have sourced from local, organic farmers, or grew myself using “moreganic” (no chemicals or sprays whatsoever, including the “safe” stuff) methods in my own garden. See All Hydrosols …
Three years ago the sustainable living company Eartheasy sent me the Jora JK125 Tumbling Composter to try out in my garden. This weekend we emptied and moved the contraption from a shady corner against the house to a newly cleared spot beside a composting bin that we built from an old futon frame. I posted …
Speaking of books… Over the Holiday break I registered for the first public library card that I have had in over 15 years. For some time, a friend had been encouraging me to sign up again, since here in Toronto, a library card enables you to get a free family pass to a range of …
I have found it! I have found an almost perfect seed storage container. I recently went into Target to pick up replacement filters for my humidifier, and while searching for them happened upon the storage container aisle. I’ve been on the lookout for something to replace a bunch of my current seed storage bins that …
Winter is the season for reading. When spring comes I’ll put every spare moment into the garden, often staying out after dark. As the days grow longer and the feeling of new life permeates the air, I experience a renewed energy and I am less apt to sit still for any length of time. But …
As always I have put together a gift guide that I hope appeals to a wide range of interests and budgets. I never repeat myself, so please check out older gift guides if you’re looking for a tool, company, or item that is missing here. Please also see my guide to things that you can …
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, it wasn’t uncommon to find a collectable card or sticker inside packages of potato chips, cereal, and other junky treats and snacks. We’d save our pennies to buy them, enticed more by the possibility of finding a River Phoenix or Cyndi Lauper card than the treats themselves. It’s …
Inside this box is something that perhaps we all could use, a small validation that our efforts in the garden — all of our triumphs, failures, attempts to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone — are worthy of praise, support, and a little self-congratulation.
I found this hand painted postcard at a vintage paper show. It is dated on the back, December 18, 1941 and was sent to Long Island, USA from New York City.
In the centre of the living room inside my childhood home, a heavy 70’s era fake colonial-style coffee table sat on top of a grass green shag rug. It was a behemoth of a thing, all dangerous sharp corners and rock hard, pressboard edges. Its matching end tables were equally large and bevelled, and together, …
A Way to Garden Radio – I recently appeared as a guest on Margaret Roach’s weekly podcast to talk about Holiday gifts to make using plants and things gleaned from the garden. Click here to listen for free. To get your Holiday gift giving started, Margaret is giving away two garden-themed tees from our shop, …
It’s that time of year. Let’s do this! Yee Olde Merry Basket of Preserves: A basket or box (tip: I look for good quality ones at thrift stores throughout the year), some tissue paper, a few jars of dried herbs and fruit, pickles, jam, ketchup, etc and you’ve got yourself a gift that anyone who …