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

by Margaret Inwood, Lanark County Master Gardeners Timing is everything in life, especially when it comes to harvesting herbs for pre-serving and storing. Whether you intend to use the herbs medicinally or for cooking, it is important to gather them at that point in their growing cycle when their volatile… READ MORE

by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners Lanark County Master Gardeners invites you to join us at our Open House on August 11 from 2-4 pm at Rock Wall Gardens as we celebrate 25 Years of providing gardening advice in Lanark County. Come to view gardening demos, ask questions, join… READ MORE

by Ankaret Dean, Lanark County Master Gardeners This spring and summer the rainfall has been very low again: passing showers seem to miss us and no long three day rains. However there are quite a few ways that we can help to preserve moisture in the soil even if the… READ MORE

by Judy Wall, Lanark County master gardeners As we head into the upcoming gardening season, this is a good time to review many of the bugs in our gardens. So many of them are actually very beneficial in that they can actually help you eliminate or control the bad bugs.… READ MORE

by Margaret Inwood, Lanark County master gardeners   Earwigs live for only one year and may die during the winter months. In early spring, any surviving females lay their eggs in tiny nests in the top 5 cm of the soil. It is a good time to dig around all… READ MORE

by Judy Wall, Lanark county Master Gardeners   Millions of years ago, dinosaurs as big as houses ate their way through ginkgo groves in North America, munching on the trees’ leathery fan-shaped leaves as they went. Today, we only know about dinosaurs because of their fossils, but the ginkgo tree… READ MORE

by Margaret Inwood, Lanark County master gardeners It is very easy and convenient to grow several salad greens on a small amount of garden space. You can pick them fresh and enjoy their colourful, delicate flavours such as peppery, tangy, or a taste of mustard or anise. Several lettuces can… READ MORE

by Paul Pospisil, Master Gardener Emeritus Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, also, Lycopersicon lycopersicum) are gardeners' number one favourite vegetable to grow. And no wonder, with the juicy, bursting flavour of home-grown tomatoes fresh off the vine! I grow 20 or more varieties, trying some new types each year, just for the… READ MORE

by Margaret Inwood, Lanark County Master Gardeners Pruning should be done when plants are in full leaf to prevent excessive sap loss. Pruning is done to keep trees, shrubs and plants a good height and width, to remove dead and diseased branches and to encourage flowering and fruit development. Sometimes… READ MORE

by Helen Halpenny, Lanark County Master Gardeners Today I went to a nursery and saw a herbaceous peony priced at $99. Yes, it was rather a rare plant. That made me remember my visit to a lovely garden a couple of years ago, whose owner told me she had a… READ MORE