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 […]
Doors Open Toronto 2011 at Toronto Botanical Garden
On Sunday, I spent three wonderful hours looking at a spectacular garden, and talking to people about it. What bliss. Most of these images are cleverly devoid of people… but be assured, the place was hopping. And the rain held off. Hope you enjoy the tour.
Mark your calendars: Through the Garden Gate 2011
No need to choose between your garden voyeur fix and your favourite dad in 2011. For the first time in I don’t know how long, Through the Garden Gate, Toronto’s biggest garden tour, does not fall on Father’s Day. Every year highlights a different part of Toronto, and Swansea Village is this year’s destination – […]
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 […]
Canada Blooms 2011: Gardens and garden trends
A full blast of spring from the Home Depot Backyard Oasis. Orange, naturally. Despite the full-on colour above, this year’s Canada Blooms 2011 is not a Big Wow Year. However, it is a year of many Quiet Little Wows, the kind that have you thoughtfully nodding your head. Really, the kind real gardeners like you […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]