You know, I tend to agree. All beans are kind. Especially Fortex. I’m still harvesting handfuls of this delicious French filet pole bean, and loving every morsel. What were the standouts from your garden this summer?
Michael Pollan’s The Botany of Desire now on TV
I recently had the opportunity to watch The Botany of Desire, a two-hour special that will premiere on PBS on October 28 at 8pm. You should make a note of that date, because you won’t want to miss this. Subtitled “A Plant’s Eye View of the World,” The Botany of Desire is based on the […]
How not to use a Japanese maple
My husband works in a funky live/work loft building, which is full of artists, photographers, dancers and other creative types. Most of the gardens along the front of the building are eclectic, colourful and a bit boisterous. Then there’s this. I think it’s the red lava rock that really makes it special.
Garden Tour: Gordon’s cosy, canyon-inspired garden
Gordon Harris’ Campbell River garden. The Basics Name of gardener: Gordon Harris Location: Campbell River, BC Size: A narrow, trailer park lot Orientation: South, but with a great deal of shade, and no sun in winter Years gardened: Seven Style: Natural/cottage mixture The Details Inspiration: A forested, box canyon Favourite element: Peaceful ambiance Favourite plants: […]
Six new annuals from Proven Winners
One of the best things about being a garden writer is receiving plants to trial. Nurseries and growers send writers and other horticultural industry types their newest plant introductions so we can try them in our own gardens, provide feedback, and—hopefully—fall in love with them and rave about them to others. I especially like receiving […]
Gardens to visit: Terra Nova
My family and I visited the Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond today. Despite having being told about the awesomeness of Terra Nova over a year ago, today was our first visit. Spelt growing in the Daily Bread section of the Schoolyard Society garden mixes wonderfully with other edibles. The original ornamental grass! In addition […]
First tomato!
Normally right around this time I’m excited to see the first green fruits forming on my tomato plants. Never have I actually harvested this early in the summer. Then I planted ‘Ailsa Craig.’ “Our earliest tomato,” said the guy I bought the seeds from (Two Wings Farm at a Seedy Saturday), and he wasn’t kidding. […]
Review: Troy Bilt lithium ion battery cordless string trimmer
A little while back, Troy Bilt sent me their new TB57 Lithium Ion Battery Cordless String Trimmer to try out. That’s me, above, holding it gingerly and looking like I’m about to stroke its hair. What can I say? I’m not all that familiar with power equipment – I felt it best to approach with […]