The winter seems to drag on and on this time of year for the avid gardeners in Southern Ontario who can hardly wait to get outside to work at one of their favorite hobbies. But don’t despair, there is a very pleasant way to extend our all too short growing season by starting your own
Here are some fantastic resources from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. If you are looking to plant native flowers, trees, or prairie plants in the Stratford area, these resources will be a great start! There are also resources on invasive plants and butterfly larvae host plants.
There is a lot of information on our website about the importance of insects, native plants and caring about our ecosystem. Many people, organizations and whole cities have dedicated themselves to biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging pollinator insects. Environment Hamilton and the Hamilton Naturalists Club have developed an excellent website called Hamilton Pollinator Paradise.
Everyone enjoys watching hummingbirds. Their ever-changing colours in the sunshine, their acrobatic talents and their aggressiveness in chasing even much larger birds are a delight to watch. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds worldwide. They play an important role in ecosystem services such as seed dissemination, regeneration and dispersal of pollen. Some 75% of
Not able to attend the Gardening 101 session at the Stratford Public Library? Here is a summary of the presentation. Before you begin: What type of garden do you envision? What will be planted? Flowers, vegetables, shrubs, herbs, or a combo? Who will use the space?- Friends, family, kids, pets? Purpose of garden?- privacy, relaxing,
Know the type of shade you have! Shade from buildings or other structures – shade is denser, sun may be reflected, sun may change during the day Shade from trees – root competition – adding humus on top of existing soil, adding mulch can help condition of soil Ideal soil should be loamy and relatively
Pollinators are under increasing stress due to habitat loss, invasive species, diseases, pesticides and climate change. Following are some tips on how you can help pollinators thrive in your garden. Plant Native: Choose native plants, trees and shrubs rich in pollen and nectar. Mass Plantings: Large groups of plants make it easier for pollinators to