Making Gardens
Ecological Landscaping in Haliburton County: New Guide Tells You What You Need to Know
This new guide from Haliburton County Master Gardeners provides an excellent overview of what ecological landscaping is – and how you can transform your landscape into something that’s beautiful to you and to the rest of nature.
Read MoreHaliburton Native Plants Explained
An in-depth look at the benefits of native plants, how we decide what’s native to Haliburton County, and a list of plants considered native.
Read MoreOn bioswales, SuDS and rain gardens
There are many ways to create a natural garden – and some of those ways can fulfil vital roles for us. Here’s a sign about a SuDS installation. SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) is basically a way to use plants and the ground to improve drainage. Instead of concrete which funnels water quickly away and could…
Read MoreBook Review: The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region
The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region is a beautifully produced, full-colour guide to more than 150 native plants.
Read MoreDitch the Mulch, Plant Densely: A Natural Approach to Gardening
Natural gardens use a dense matrix of plants that acts as its own “living mulch”. This approach does a better job of mimicking how plants actually behave.
Read MoreVisiting Nigel Dunnett’s Naturalistic Garden at The Barbican
I talked to a man who was doing some spring maintenance. He told me with a huge smile on his face that he loved the gardens, which were so much more interesting than the grass elsewhere, and whose lushness contrasted with the concreted brutalism of the Barbican.
Read MoreHelpful books, articles and other resources
A sample of excellent books and articles about native plant garden design.
Read MorePlugs: The Goldilocks solution to plant sizes
In the world of gardening, particularly when it comes to cultivating native plant gardens, the choice between starting with seeds, plugs, or larger plants can significantly impact the garden’s development and sustainability. Among these options, plugs often emerge as the ‘Goldilocks solution’ – not too big, not too small, but just right for creating dense, thriving native plant landscapes.
Read MoreGarden Growth: Understanding the Stages from Year One and Beyond
Embarking on the journey of creating a naturalized, native plant garden is a venture into the dynamic world of nature’s rhythms and cycles. Unlike traditional gardens that often demand immediate results, a native garden unfolds its beauty gradually, revealing its full splendor over time.
Read MoreA Garden for All Seasons: Designing with Native Plants
A garden that evolves and adapts through the seasons not only offers an ever-changing tapestry of beauty but also provides a sustainable habitat for local wildlife.
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