Davin took this photo of me standing in the garden the other day, on the occasion of my 43rd birthday. It was drizzling at the time, but I was elated. It has been unbearably dry and hot here in Toronto for some time. I have never appreciated rain more than I have this summer. In …
I spent about an hour yesterday afternoon perched on a stool in front of a patch of borage (Borago officinalis) with my camera poised to take photos of pollinators as they went about their business collecting pollen. I observed at least 6 different types of bees on this particular plant, many of which were small …
Borage (Borago officials) flowers shot against a backdrop of Golden Jubilee Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum ‘Golden Jubilee’) leaves.
Growing herbs as cuttings is one quick and cost effective way that I multiply some of my herb crops — particularly basil — midway into the growing season. This way I don’t have to grow as much from seed, and should I purchase a particular variety, I only need purchase one transplant. Not all cuttings …
This is how it started (sort-of): Three years ago I found Tobacco Hornworms making a meal of some of my tomato plants. I was fascinated and repulsed. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures, and then, like a good gardener, I immediately killed them. It wasn’t long before I regretted that action. I’ve …
A year ago I had to give up dairy, which has lead me to rediscover the many uses for coconut and coconut products. Meanwhile, we recently cleaned out our basement and in the process unearthed an old plastic popsicle mold that hasn’t seen the light of day since we moved here 5 years ago. A …
UPDATE: You can see the entire conversation over here. 1 hour to talk herbs and edible flowers in the garden and kitchen: growing them, using them, enjoying them. When: Friday, June 3, 2016. 1-2pm EST Where: Facebook.com/yougrowgirl Afterward, I will choose one commenter at random to receive a copy of my book, Easy Growing: Organic …
Over the weekend we made a day trip to Richters Herbs, so I could partake in my yearly bacchanalian overdose on herbs. This was our first time driving alone (rather than hitching a ride with friends) and I was pleased to find out that they are a dog-friendly business, allowing us to bring Molly inside …
It used to be that I would wake up every morning and charge ahead into the garden first thing. I can no longer do that since I still have a lot of strength and endurance to recover after last year’s health issues. This garden season, I’ve been starting each day with a slow and gentle …
For flower lovers, spring is the time to visit the woodlands here in Southern Ontario. This time when the forests are bright, just before the trees get their leaves is when you can see an abundance of wildflowers in bloom. Last weekend, we took a short trip just outside of the city to Rattlesnake Point …
The attendance of pollinators and other insect allies in my garden has blossomed in the five years since I first put spade to the earth and dug up the turf grass that dominated this yard. Over the years, I’ve had many gardens in a range of urban settings, but none have been as alive as …
Earlier today I was doing some writing on the book I hope to publish in the near future. One of the sections I was working on was about particularly aromatic plants and I got the sudden urge to invite readers via social media to share their favourite plant smell, whether from foliage, flower, or otherwise. …