Growing 101
The Magic of Evergreens by Rob Sproule Have you noticed that almost all the plants traditionally brought into the home at Christmas are evergreen? Whether Christmas trees, holly, mistletoe, or boughs, they all hold their
Growing Amaryllis by Rob Sproule When it comes to raw, shameless flower power, Amaryllis is a heavy-weight contender. A holiday favourite thanks to its natural tendency to bloom in mid-winter, the finger-span wide red, scarlet,
GMO: Friend or Foe? by Rob Sproule I wrote this article because I wanted to educate myself. In a conversation about GMOs, months ago, with the Creative Director at the greenhouse, I made a
History on our Doorstep: Beaver Hills Initiative by Rob Sproule We’re all guilty of it. When we think of exploring Alberta’s natural wonder, our minds turn to a 4 hour drive West to the postcard
Bringing in the Herbs by Rob Sproule Alberta gardeners have a downright Buddhist acceptance of temperance. We labour in our yards like sand mandalas, painstakingly crafting their beauty with exquisite attention to detail, and when
Poplar Borer by Shirley Martin We have two small dogs who are getting up in years making more temperate weather ideal for walking them. My daughter and I decided to check out the local lake
Himalayan Balsam by Rob Sproule I love spy movies, ones like James Bond where the cars are fast, the suits expensive and you never know which beautiful woman you can trust. When I see
The Sweetest Thing: Picking & Storing Apples by Rob Sproule The Perfect Pick Apples sweeten as they ripen, so you’ll want to let them “hang out” as long as possible before picking, although not so
Colorado Potato Beetle By Rob Sproule The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), alias potato bug, alias 10-striped speaman, is the most destructive potato crop pest in Canada. After entering Canada via Ontario in 1870,
Square-Foot Gardening by Rob Sproule From lasagna gardening to vertical beds and hydroponics, I’ve seen a lot of trendy gardening techniques walk the stage and, usually, keep walking off the other end. Usually they’re
Japanese Knotweed by Rob Sproule I don’t like scary Journalism. If I see a news report that tells me to stay tuned to find out what common household product might kill me, I change
Blueberries 101 by Rob Sproule With it’s recent rockstar, superfood status, it’s easy to see why so many people are asking about how to grow blueberries. When asked, I’m used to getting a double-take when
Scarlet Lily Beetle By Rob Sproule Whether it’s their ease of growth or stunning flowers or just that we’re surprised that such a gorgeous plant can survive here, lilies are many Canadians’ favourite flower. They
Perennial Blooming Calendar by Rob Sproule Every perennial has its season, and whether it be an iris, rose or mum, the goal of planning a bed or border is to make sure something is always
Not All Bees are Scary by Rob Sproule I’m writing this article because it drives me crazy when people ask me how to kill the bees in their yard, assuming that all bees, wasps and
Trends in Container Gardening by Rob Sproule Container gardening isn’t a trend, it’s a deep shift in how we garden. For decades, we’ve been shifting more of our flowering annuals out of the flower-bed
Seed Bombs by Rob Sproule Seed bombs, also called Green Grenades, are pretty much the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. They’re the artillery of guerrilla gardening, projectiles that throw seedy shrapnel across vacant lots and
Mountain Ash in Alberta by Rob Sproule One of most common trees around Edmonton, the mountain ash is also one of the easiest to grow and one of the few hardy trees that are beautiful
The Mosquito Proof Yard By: Rob Sproulemosqutio Standing Water Changing the Habitat Defence Disease: Myths and Facts Nature is wondrous. While my bug articles are usually, inevitably, about getting rid of said bug, I normally
Creating a Shady Sanctuary by Rob Sproule “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep a bower quiet for us, and
Container Gardening Secrets by Rob Sproule Gorgeous containers aren’t just found in glossy magazines and Martha Stewart specials. They’re within our grasp no matter how black our thumbs may be, and I have a few
Jurassic Plants by Rob Sproule The magic of dinosaurs is in their ability to transform us into children with a single thought. Conjure an epic battle between a Tyrannosaurus and a Triceratops in
Airplants by Rob Sproule When it comes to plants, the geek in me loves everything strange. Plants that push the boundaries of what’s possible in evolution always keep me coming back, whether they’re
Cats and your Houseplants by Rob Sproule I’m a huge cat lover and am the first to point out that, in the home, they are an enigma. We’ve been tapping into the intense
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