Seedy Saturday Almonte

Seedy Saturday Almonte on February 20th 9-3 at the Almonte Civitan Hall.  Admission is $2.  Bring any seeds, gardening books and supplies to swap.  Learn about and purchase heirloom, organic, open pollinated seeds and plants.  Participate in presentations on garden extending, hoop house techniques, square foot planting, plant breeding and more.  Stop by to meet the seed, plant and food producers from in and around Almonte.  Brought to you by the Beyond the Garden Gate.  Sponsored by Neighbourhood Tomato with support from Almonte and District Horticultural Society, Mississippi Mills Public Library and Seed Lending Library, Lanark County Master Gardeners, Canadian Organic Growers and Seeds of Diversity Canada.

Winter Seed Sowing

Winter sowing is a fun and easy way to start seeds outside during the winter. Seeds are sown in miniature greenhouses made from recycled plastic containers, and then put outside in the snow and freezing cold. The rest of the work is left to Mother Nature. Once the weather starts to warm in the spring, the seeds will germinate at their own pace, just as in nature. Sounds cool, right? It gets better…

Since the winter sown containers go outside, they don’t take up space in the house. With winter sowing, there’s no need to sterilize seedling flats and trays, you don’t need any special equipment (like lights or heat mats), there’s no risk of the seedlings damping off, and no need to harden them off. Plus, winter sown seedlings are hardier and more robust than seeds sown indoors, which means they have a much higher survival rate. Wow! Are you ready to try winter sowing? Get Busy Gardening has produced this wonderful Step-by-Step Guide. Read more.

Year of the Soil in Review

To kick off 2016, we are introducing a new Web Feature called Sidebar Feature.  This feature, on the right, will contain in depth information on a topic.  Our first feature for 2016 is on

the United Nations International Year of the Soil (2015) in review.  We have collected many of the excellent graphics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), videos and an interesting and informative Quiz about soil.  Click/tap our new Sidebar feature to navigate the flyout.  Have a look and let us know what you think.

Edible Garden Newsletter January 2016

Why should I start plants indoors?  How do I start plants indoors?  When I started my own tomatoes, they were tall and spindly and flopped around.  In this month's Newsletter, we cover the why's and how's of growing your own transplants.  Also, we have an article from a gardener who grows the best tomato plants that are always the first to sell out at our annual Plant Sale.  Read more

How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden

A windowsill Herb Garden is an excellent way to beautify your home and save money in the kitchen, Infographic has created this excellent graphic and cheat sheet to help you grow herbs indoors and out.  Read More

Edible Garden Newsletter December 2015

It is December.  Gardening season is so far away.  What is a gardener to do?  Get ready to start your seedlings indoors.  This month we focus on what you need to grow your own seedlings, Read more

Edible Garden Newsletter November 2015

Do you want to grow your own edibles but you do not have enough full sun?  This issue of the Edible Garden Newsletter features "Shad-ibles" or Edibles that grow in less than full sun.  Many gardeners compost all summer long but give it up when winter rolls around.  Find out how you can keep producing your black gold all year long.  Read more

Plant your Garlic Now!

October is Garlic Planting month.  I typically plant my garlic on the full moon in October but this year the full moon is late so do it now while the weather is nice.  We are republishing the October 2014 Edible Garden Newsletter to remind you how to plant your garlic so you can reap the rewards late next summer.  Read more