Master Gardener News - The Heat is ON!

Early summer is a time of bounty in our gardens. We are enjoying the lush canopies of our trees, the abundance of beautiful blossoms, and harvesting from our vegetable gardens - this is a time for us to flex our green thumbs. Here are a few things keeping us busy in our gardens:

Cutting (and eating) garlic scapes so that bulbs will mature and be ready to dig in a month.
Pruning the spring-flowering shrubs for shape and to improve flowering. Pruning Video
Caging and staking our abundant beans and tomatoes.
Weeding all beds to stop the little devils from going to seed. Know Your weeds
Keeping things pretty - Deadheading flowering plants and gathering cut-flower bouquets.
Watching for aphids and Japanese beetles and dealing with them quickly.
Harvesting peas, strawberries, and all cool-season lettuces.
Pinching top growth of herbs to encourage branching and keep them from flowering.
Watering weekly (early mornings or evenings) our trees and gardens during this hot dry spell! More Water-Wise tips.

Our Latest 'Sprouts'

Summer’s simple pleasures include delicious strawberries

Aw...Summer. We look forward to its simple pleasures – warm weather, gardens full of scents and colours and delicious local produce. Grow your own or find a local UPick.

Gardening with Fewer Chemicals - Introduction to IPM.

Gardening with fewer chemicals is better for us and the environment. IPM is a practical, ecological, common-sense way to deal with pests, weeds and disease.

Japanese Beetles - Coming Soon to a plant near you!

Japanese Beetles are most active from late June to early September. These voracious little pests damage many species of plants. Fight back!

My Green Obsession - 'Lawn vs Dogs' Renovation tips

Going crazy trying to maintain a perfect lawn after visits from your pet? We're happy to bring you some pointers to help keep your lawn spotless, even after Spot has visited it.