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If you’re like me, you love blackberry everything – jam, cobbler, pie, glaze, you name it. But good, fresh blackberries have a short season and, if you’re buying responsibly (that is, from a reputable local farmer), they can be expensive. This expense is for good reason: while blackberries are one of the easier fruits to … Read more

Hey there fellow cat parents! I’ve noticed many of us use those handy little hand warmers during the cold months, and as a pet owner myself, I started wondering about their safety around our feline friends Let me break down everything you need to know about hot hands and cats Quick Answer Hot hands can … Read more

I studied horticultural sciences at university and in my free time you can find me in my own patch of land, growing anything with roots. I am particularly passionate about self-sufficiency and seasonal food. Favourite fruit: quince, cornelian cherry and blueberries Favourite vegetables: peas, tomatoes and garlic Though we typically think of them as a … Read more

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is a unique native wildflower that emerges in wooded areas and shady garden beds across much of North America. With its umbrella-like leaves and solitary white flower mayapple can lend an exotic touch when allowed to grow as a garden accent. However left unchecked, mayapple can multiply quickly and aggressively via underground … Read more

These recommendations are primarily for homeowners and communities that would like to start working in their neighborhood greenspace. For each species we recommend herbicide-free control methods, but have added an herbicide option for some species for those who are comfortable using them. These methods were selected while keeping in mind limiting soil disturbance, reducing herbicide … Read more

All you need to know about growing the sweet gum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, in this Grow Guide. The sweet gum tree, also known as American red gum, is a beautiful tree with maple-like leaves that turn spectacular shades of purple, crimson, orange and yellow in autumn. It produces small, insignificant green flowers in spring, these … Read more

Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! I’ve been working with Euonymus Emerald Gaiety for years at our garden center and I’m excited to share everything I know about the best companion plants for this stunning variegated shrub. Whether you’re planning a new garden bed or looking to spruce up an existing one I’ve got you covered … Read more

There’s nothing better than a tasty homemade cherry pie, and today I’m sharing a recipe that takes only 15 minutes to prep! I make my own cherry pie filling at home with a few shortcuts to keep it simple. This easy, sweet pie is packed full of cherries and is best served with a generous … Read more

Often, the minutia of a complicated project bogs down progress. In the planning phase, we laser-focus on our part of the job, and we ignore what’s going on elsewhere. Reflecting on it afterwards, we fail to see how other’s work led to our failure or success. We lose sight of the big picture. This becomes … Read more