Through the Garden Gate 2011: A preview

A gaggle of writers under the tall trees   Sure, you know High Park, Old Mill or The Kingsway. But did you know the Village of Swansea is just around the corner? Swansea? Yes, Swansea – one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. Long-time residents like to keep it that way, says garden writer Sonia Day, who lived […]

Continue Reading

Canada Blooms 2011 – Part 2

A garden gate to swing on, lean on, and peek through. An antique metal garden gate painted red is the image that stayed in my mind after my visit to Canada Blooms. It was the entry to a garden inspired by Sarah Harmer, in one of the Juno Rocks gardens. There was something delightfully homey […]

Continue Reading

Canada Blooms – Daffodils heard around the world

In Spring, cancer societies in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., Ireland and Canada sell daffodils to raise money for cancer research. But here’s something I’ll bet you didn’t know: It all started here in Canada back in 1957, when a single volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society had a great idea… that grew. That’s […]

Continue Reading

Canada Blooms: 2010 Highs & Lows

  Canada Blooms 2010: Reford Gardens always has an individual, witty display.   Some in the online garden community are talking about Garden Show Letdown. I’ve got to admit that, of late, the magical effect of our annual show, Canada Blooms has waned. I never miss it though, as it’s a desperately needed green shot […]

Continue Reading

Speaking of precipitation: Cheap rain barrels

And by “cheap,” I mean “a really, really good bargain.” The Toronto Master Gardeners has teamed with the Toronto Botanical Garden to sell these rain barrels with a neat history. They’re former food product containers that once travelled the world holding things like olive oil. Now, thanks to a Canadian company, they’re fully rigged up with […]

Continue Reading

Jamie Oliver following in my footsteps

Little did I think that when I dropped by The Stop Community Food Centre Green Barn at the Wychwood Barns on Thursday that Jamie Oliver would be hot on my heels. Sure enough, the super chef, food activist and all round cute guy visited The Stop the very next morning. Ah, my almost-brush-with-greatness. In the […]

Continue Reading

Heirloom Tomato Tasting Party

What fun to attend a tomato tasting party! Vivian Reiss’s annual tomato tasting is held on her city rooftop garden in August. She grows 57 different kinds of heirlooms and sliced them up for visitors to taste the booty, and I was lucky to attend. Deciding on the best ones isn’t as easy as you’d […]

Continue Reading

Garden Daytrips: Garden Walk Buffalo

  For Toronto garden lovers, the biggest open garden tour in North America is only a two-hour drive (and a wee wait at the border) away. In 2010, that means the chance to see more than 350 open gardens in one weekend. And admission is completely free! It’s Garden Walk Buffalo, always held on the […]

Continue Reading

Through the Garden Gate: Day Two

More garden inspiration from Through the Garden Gate 2010 in “my” neighbourhood, the Beach. Some of the tiniest gardens were the most intriguing due to the added challenge of space – or lack thereof. The Asian-inspired garden above is one of five or six on this year’s tour designed by local landscape designer Kim Price. […]

Continue Reading
1 4 5 6 7 8 11