Peaches on the Prairies?

With proper overwintering, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labours

Don’t tell Bernie Nikolai it isn’t possible to grow peaches or figs outdoors on the Canadian Prairies. He has been doing it successfully for several years in his backyard in Edmonton. Take, for example, what Nikolai refers to as his . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

High expectations from hydrangea introductions

The best flowering shrub for your yard just got better

With its long-lasting flower display, the hydrangea outshines pretty much any other hardy flowering shrub in the northern garden. It is about to get better — not only because of new and improved hydrangea introductions coming to garden centres sometime . . .

Posted: 2021-12-18

Readers across country share super solutions

Back by popular demand, here are 15 super solutions sent in by readers: 1. To store rolls of gift wrap, use an empty wine box. The dividers help hold the rolls upright in a relatively small space. You can store the . . .

Posted: 2008-07-20

Six bang-for-your-buck vegetables you can plant now

Tips on how to grow your food garden more easily, affordably, and productively

With the arrival of the first day of summer, is it too late in the growing season to plant melons, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and herbs? Don’t tell that to Tiffany Grenkow, urban farmer and garden steward for the food . . .

Posted: 2022-06-25

RENOVATION: Riverside reno rollicking along

Couple having tons of fun with Wellington Crescent property

Turning a storey-and-half house in old Tuxedo into a four-storey (including basement) ultra-modern mansion is not a job for the faint of heart or weak of limb. But Steve Thomas and his wife Dr. Rashmi Nigam have made remarkable strides . . .

Posted: 2013-11-09

Wildwood reno gets glowing endorsement

Modern renovations share several characteristics: Walls are removed to enlarge cramped spaces, palettes are limited to muted tones, and for the most part, many design features can be traced to the school of minimalism practised most notably by Le Corbusier.Given . . .

Posted: 2014-12-31

Sowing seeds of hope

New documentary stirs outpouring of support for Ukrainian gardening in a war zone

There is every possibility Alla Olkhovska will spend this Christmas in darkness and bitter cold. Olkhovska lives and gardens in Kharkiv, Ukraine, where a black winter has been forecast. But Olkhovska will work steadily throughout this Christmas season — . . .

Posted: 2023-12-23

GARDENING: Out of their element

But you can grow West Coast plant here

Lenten Rose HAVE you ever visited a garden that featured plants you were completely unfamiliar with and yet so striking in their form and presentation, you felt a sense of awe at both the gardener and the garden? . . .

Posted: 2012-05-12

Reader feedback on fencing options

I received feedback recently from readers concerning my fence column of May 9. One gentleman wanted to know why I hadn't included PVC or polymer fences in the article. Another said the information I provided on chain-link fences was out . . .

Posted: 2015-05-30

RENOVATIONS: Easy does it

Chalk-based paint removes need for stripping

Still stripping? Stop now. Your antiquated, yet serviceable pieces of furniture encrusted with layers of lacquer, varnish or other gunk can be rejuvenated with a single coat of paint, no caustic strippers required. Newly developed calcium carbonate-based paints have . . .

Posted: 2013-12-14