Today is my birthday, and while January was a time to relax and recharge, February is all about getting organized for the growing season ahead. No need to panic—we still have time—but now is the moment to plan.

Start by ordering seeds for your garden so they’re ready to be started before spring arrives. Review the plant lists from your favorite nurseries. Thinking about adding an apple tree? Consider what type suits your needs. Do you prefer McIntosh for its perfect pie-making qualities, or are you curious to try the new Fuji Supreme, licensed by our very own Vineland Research and Innovation Centre right here in Niagara?

Here’s what you need to do now:

1. Choose Your Nursery: Identify where you’ll be buying your plants. Order a catalogue if available, or organize your resources to easily navigate their website to check plant availability and costs.

2. Select Your Seed Supplier: Find a reputable seed company—there are excellent options right here in Canada. Place your seed orders soon to ensure you get the varieties you want.

Plan, plan, plan! This is the foundation of a successful gardening season. As you plan your garden orders, it’s important to think beyond just what looks good. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

1. Mature Size: Consider how big the plant will get when it’s fully grown. This helps you space your garden wisely and avoid overcrowding.

2. Sun Requirements: Does the plant need full sun, partial shade, or can it thrive in low-light areas? Matching plants to the right conditions ensures healthy growth.

3. For Food-Bearing Plants: Check how early they start producing and how long they’ll keep going. A mix of early and late producers can extend your harvest season.

I don’t stress much about soil because I always “fix” it as needed—but it’s good to know what your plants prefer so you can adjust accordingly.

Think in Layers:
When planning, imagine creating a food forest with layers for optimal production. Start with trees, add shrubs beneath them, and then fill in with low-growing perennials. Weave in flowering plants throughout—some are edible, while others simply add beauty or make lovely cut flowers to brighten your home or share with friends.

Thoughtful planning now leads to a vibrant, productive garden later.

Looking Ahead: A New Approach to Cultivation

Next week, I’ll be sharing thoughts on cultivating without relying on the conventional techniques we’ve grown so accustomed to. Imagine gardening without herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers—embracing methods that work in harmony with nature.

Until then, enjoy exploring plant options and dreaming up your perfect garden. Have a wonderful week!

As January draws to a close, let's savor these last cozy moments of winter—sipping a long espresso by the window, watching the snow gently fall and the wind weave through the bare trees. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, even better! But while we enjoy the warmth and stillness of the season, it’s also the perfect time to start dreaming of spring. Now is a great moment to plan for the gardening season ahead—choosing seeds, sketching layouts, and envisioning the vibrant blooms and fresh harvests to come.  

As we start looking ahead to the gardening season, now is the perfect time to assess our outdoor spaces. Consider areas with sun and shade, potential spots for new gardens, and ways to improve your landscape. This year, why not take it a step further and grow some of your own food? Producing fruits and vegetables at home allows you to control how they’re grown — potentially keeping them free from harmful chemicals. I conducted a study in 2024 and have shown that store-bought produce often contains unwanted residues compared to organically grown crops. By planning now, we can create a garden that’s not only beautiful but also a source of fresh, healthy food for our families.

Municipalities need to get serious about sustainability and rethink some of their outdated rules and regulations. Remember the Burlington case in June 2023? A homeowner’s naturalized garden—designed for sustainability—was destroyed, with the city even threatening fines. This highlights a troubling disconnect. Lawns require far more resources to maintain than wild gardens, yet some cities still cling to outdated policies that discourage eco-friendly practices. In a time when governments are investing millions in sustainability initiatives, it’s frustrating to see municipalities contradict these efforts. Is this just a lack of understanding, or something worse? Either way, it’s time for change. Let’s push for smarter policies and fight for what’s right.

Plan to plan:  Having a clear goal is essential. We need to take the time to think about what we truly want—especially when it comes to food security, sovereignty, and safety. As the challenges of accessing quality food continue to grow, planning ahead becomes more important than ever. Food scarcity is already becoming a reality, but there is a solution within our reach: private gardens. Growing our own food can help address not just one, but multiple challenges we face. Now is the time to start planning for a more sustainable and secure future.   

Grow food, not just lawn: Transforming yards into productive gardens instead of traditional lawns has countless benefits. It conserves water, boosts biodiversity, and creates a healthier environment. Growing your own food also enhances food security by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. Beyond that, it fosters a sense of community—sharing your harvest with neighbors and exchanging knowledge strengthens local connections. A garden isn’t just a source of fresh produce; it’s a step toward a more sustainable and supportive way of living.

This could be a great alternative to urban farming in Michigan! (MIUFI) Let’s innovate and lead the way. While governments push for change, they often fall short in execution. Instead of waiting, we can take action and show them how it’s done—by creating real, sustainable solutions in our own communities! 

Gardening is a rewarding and enjoyable activity for many plant lovers, whether it's about creating a beautiful space, adding privacy, or simply connecting with nature. However, for those new to gardening or focused on enhancing their property, success can sometimes feel out of reach. Why does this happen? The answer lies in the roots—literally.

Plant roots require the right environment to thrive, and not all soils provide what they need. For example, simply using a bag of topsoil from a local box store might not be enough. It's essential to consider what plants really need to put their roots in. It is not just “soil”.

This brings us to an important topic: soil health. Healthy soil, not just depleted or lifeless soil, is the foundation of thriving plants and plays a critical role in tackling bigger issues like climate change, soil regeneration, and sustainability. By focusing on soil health, we can create gardens that not only grow beautifully but also contribute to a healthier planet.  

Imagine eating your own pears - part of food sovereignty - by growing your pear tree. Not only could you enjoy fresh fruit straight from your garden, but you could also share the bounty with friends, family, and neighbours in the fall. However, growing a pear tree is more challenging these days due to climate change. Droughts, floods, and unpredictable winter weather make it harder for plants to thrive year after year.

To ensure your pear tree grows successfully and sustainably, it’s essential to start with the right approach. Use the proper soil at the base of the tree, dig a hole of the correct size, and plant the tree at the right depth. There’s a science behind all of this, and while it may seem complex, any gardener can learn the skills needed. If you’re unsure where to start, I’m always here to help!

Once established, your pear tree can become self-sufficient for years, but only if it’s given the right start and receives minimal ongoing care. By focusing on soil health and proper regeneration, your tree will become more resilient to climate challenges, diseases, and pests. Healthy soil is the foundation for a tree that thrives and produces fruit season after season.

Gardening, however, isn’t always simple, and many people face setbacks due to a lack of knowledge. Planting without the right information isn’t sustainable—your tree may fail to grow, leaving you without any pears and needing costly replacements. Proper planting techniques save time, effort, and money in the long run.

This is especially critical in new subdivisions (and even some older neighbourhoods) where the topsoil has often been stripped away, leaving barren land or compacted soil where even grass struggles to survive. These soils lack the life and nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. If you want to enjoy the benefits of your garden, soil regeneration is essential. With the right care and preparation, your pear tree—and your garden—can thrive.

Soil is the basis of life!

Winter has arrived, bringing its chilly weather. But for those born before the 2000s, it's hard not to notice how unpredictable the seasons have become. Take February 2024, for example—one day, I went outside, dug a hole in my garden, and recorded a video about soil health while wearing a T-shirt! That’s definitely not typical February weather for a Canadian winter! As a child, February meant large snowbanks, not spring-like days. What a difference!

January is the perfect time to unwind after the busy gardening season and prepare for the next. It’s a great opportunity to dive into some reading and learn more about gardening practices (for example, I love reading this type of book at this time of year: The Garden Lover's Guide to Canada by Larry Hodgson or Jardins privés du Québec by Perry Mastrovito). I encourage everyone to explore (or continue exploring!) the vital topic of sustainability in gardening—it is a vital topic of sustainability in how we grow our food or flowers for our garden - it’s truly a critical topic to understand as our weather changes and our cities continue to expand.

Of course, reading about new plants is always exciting. Nowadays, I like exploring these new plants' ways of growing and trying to figure out how they can improve soil health and give something back to us. During the winter months, I focus on indoor plants, which I love incorporating into my summer flower containers for a creative and edgy touch.

Sustainability remains at the heart of everything I do, both personally and through my work with Oasis Natural AgriScience (https://www.oasisontario.com/). It’s a topic worth exploring as we prepare for another wonderful gardening season!

Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll share plenty of helpful tips and information to inspire and guide you as we gear up for the next gardening season. My goal is to help you thrive in your gardens and perhaps even change your perspective on gardening.

As we head into 2024, it’s more important than ever to focus on how we, as gardeners, can contribute to healing and restoring Mother Earth. Gardeners hold one of the most powerful voices in our communities, provinces, and even our country—there are so many of us! 

Let’s work together to garden in ways that nurture the planet and create lasting, positive change.

Soil is the basis of life!

How do we investigate ?  

Is my soil healthy?