By Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardeners There is nothing like watching a few seeds popping up indoors when there is still snow on the ground. By starting seeds indoors they get a good head start on those planted outdoors. This means that you will be enjoying your fresh vegetables… READ MORE

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardeners Although window boxes and hanging baskets have been in vogue for many years this year people are taking a new look at growing plants, such as vegetables in containers. With the renewed interest in growing vegetables and herbs, the garden nurseries are offering… READ MORE

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners Growing your own vegetables is the most rewarding form of gardening—the plants are beautiful and you can eat the results. Starting your vegetable transplants from seeds kicks all of these rewards up a notch. Every time I pick up a tiny tomato seed… READ MORE

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners It’s that time of year again—time to decide what type of tree should become the centrepiece of your Christmas decor! For the past decade, the question about the greenest Christmas tree has caused considerable debate among environmentally conscious merrymakers. Both sides have made… READ MORE

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardeners   Both names are correct for this plant, which cats adore, and my column is for gardeners who want to give their cats a treat. This interesting plant is a type of herb belonging to the Nepata family. It grows 50-100 cm. tall,… READ MORE

Lanark County Master Gardeners   Dill is a herb used for flavouring. It belongs to the Apiaceae family (formerly Umelliferae) as does fennel, queen ann’s lace (carrot), and parsnip. Its botanical name is Anethum gravcolens - not surprising, since the species name graveolens means a rank smell of intense and… READ MORE

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners Cilantro is a wonderful herb to grow because you actually get two herbs in one. When it is young and fresh, you have delicate, lacy leaves with a pungent flavor. As it matures and goes to seed you have Coriander. Although the two herbs… READ MORE

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners   We often think vegetables are for eating and flowers are for looking at. You can combine the two to add flair to your food with flowers. Make sure that your flowers are edible and that they have not been sprayed with chemicals.… READ MORE

by Kathleen Lang, Lanark Master Gardeners You would be hard pressed to find a child who doesn’t like digging in the dirt, so gardening has a built-in draw as a fun activity. To get young children excited about having their own garden, start small. Don’t make the mistake of overwhelming… READ MORE

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark Master Gardeners For centuries people have used fertilizers to increase their crops and encourage plant growth. Until the 20th century these consisted of organic material and inorganic mined mineral nutrients. It was not until the industrial revolution that chemically synthetic inorganic fertilizers were discovered. It has been… READ MORE

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark Master Gardeners Tomatoes, we are told, are the most favourite vegetable grown by gardeners in North America. This is partly because our climate is ideally suited for their growth, lots of warm sunshine and a long frost-free growing period. Because of this, there are now over 700… READ MORE

By Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardeners At this time of the year, the flowers in the local grocery shops look so tempting. They make a perfect cheer-up gift for an ailing friend, a thank-you present or sometimes just to spoil yourself. A cyclamen is reasonable price and great value;… READ MORE

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardener Lavender is native to the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean, and belongs to the mint family of plants called Lamiaceae. The name lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, which means "to wash." In Egypt, lavender was used in cosmetics and embalming products. The… READ MORE

Written by Paul Pietsch, Lanark County Master Gardeners

This plant is bought as a bulb, usually in the fall. Plant the bulb half into the soil. Water and fertilize. It will take six to eight weeks for the bulb to flower. Usually the flower stalk will grow first followed by the leaves. All the time you should water… READ MORE

Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners   As the days of working outside in your garden draw to a close, it is time to put away your garden tools properly for the winter. Doing so can add years to the life of your garden equipment. Your tools will be protected… READ MORE

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners Did you grow a tomato you loved this summer? Try saving its seeds so you can enjoy the same great taste next year. Select a tomato you loved. There is no point saving seeds from an inferior plant. It will result in inferior… READ MORE