Making Gardens
Book 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.
Read MoreEmbracing Nature’s Edge: The Importance of Naturalizing Shorelines in Haliburton County
In the landscape of Haliburton County, where lakes and water bodies form a picturesque backdrop, the naturalization of shorelines stands out as a pivotal practice for cottagers. Natural shorelines, adorned with native vegetation and undisturbed habitats, are not just visually appealing but also vital for maintaining the ecological integrity of these aquatic ecosystems.
Read MoreGarden Ecotones: Where Forest and Garden Meet in Haliburton
In the world of gardening, especially in forested regions like Haliburton County, the idea of creating garden ecotones offers a unique opportunity to blend the cultivated with the wild, enriching both the environment and our experience of it.
Read MoreA Different Kind of Beauty: Discovering Gardens in the Off-Season
As autumn’s vibrant palette fades and winter’s chill sets in, traditional gardeners often see this as a cue to ‘put the garden to bed.’ This usually involves tidying up, cutting back dead foliage, and preparing for a dormant season. However, native plant gardens challenge this conventional approach, revealing a different kind of beauty in the fall and winter months – one that is not only visually appealing but also ecologically significant.
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