Trowel Talk Newsletter December 15, 2024

 

The Trowel Talk Newsletter for December 15th, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• Native Cranberries Bring the Festivities;
• Everything you Always Wanted to Know about Biocontrols;
• Celebrating the Season with Indoor and Outdoor Arrangements;
• Wild Clematis.

Our Master Gardeners answer the following questions:    

• Why are the flowers on my peonies decreasing in numbers?
• Is it too late to dig up some tender plants (dahlia and canna) from my garden?

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, email us at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo: by Dale Odorizzi Lanark County Master Gardeners enjoy a delicious pot luck luncheon and then create festive arrangements using plant material we brought in from our gardens. 

Trowel Talk Newsletter November 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter November 15, 2024 is now available. Brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County.

This issue contains the following articles:

• Sitting in the Garden Thinking Positive Thoughts;
• Everything you always wanted to know about bio controls;
• How to take great nature and garden photos;
• Spiderwort.

Our Master Gardeners answer the following question:

        ? What do I need to know to give a Japanese maple a chance of survival.

        ? My weeping larch is looking unhealthy, What could be the matter with it.

Photo of Black Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillar dining on my carrot tops. by Dale Odorizzi

If you would like to subscribe to Trowel Talk Newsletter, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Survey

 

We are conducting a survey on the Trowel Talk Newsletter. Please click the link below and take a few minutes to complete the survey. Thanks in advance. From your Master Gardener Trowel Talk team in Ottawa and Lanark County.

Link to Survey.

Trowel Talk Newsletter October 15, 2024 revised

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter for October 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• To Wrap or Not to Wrap?
• Visiting Montreal Botanical Gardens.
• The Garden Edger.
• Sneezeweed.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

    ? Should I be worried about the mushrooms growing on top of my indoor planters.

    ? My purple coneflowers started budding but never got any further. What was it?

Photo of Grass-Leaved Goldenrod by Dale Odorizzi--Mystery native plant that appeared this spring in my 9th Floor planter.

If you would like to receive the newsletter each month in your email inbox, send a message to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter October 15, 2024

Trowel Talk Newsletter for October 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• To Wrap or Not to Wrap?
• Visiting Montreal Botanical Gardens.
• The Garden Edger.
• Sneezeweed.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

    ? Should I be worried about the mushrooms growing on top of my indoor planters.

    ? My purple coneflowers started budding but never got any further. What was it?

Photo of Grass-Leaved Goldenrod by Dale Odorizzi--Mystery native plant that appeared this spring in my 9th Floor planter.

If you would like to receive the newsletter each month in your email inbox, send a message to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter September 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter September 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• Crocus: Welcome Spring with Bursts of Colour
• Creating a No dig Border
• Best Trees for Aroma
• My Handy Root Knife
• Tall Meadow Rue.

Our Master Gardeners answer these questions:

    ? When would you use a hedge trimmer or shears on shrubs instead of pruners.

    ? What are the best spring bulbs for planting in the lawn.

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo by Dale Odorizzi

Trowel Talk Newsletter August 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter August 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• Seizing the Moment with Herbs.
• Feed the Soil, not the Plant.
• Northern Bushes for Aroma.
• My Favorite Gardening Tool--Flathead Screwdriver.
• Wild Bergamot.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

        ?    Can I use herbs after they flower.

        ?    How can I keep my hydrangeas standing  after a heavy rain.

Photo Mock Orange a northern bush that fills the air with a sweet smell by Dale Odorizzi.

If you wish to receive our newsletter each month in your inbox, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter July 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter July 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County.

This month's issue contains the following articles:

• Snip and Snack in Your Veggie Patch.
• Growing Yucca as a Garden Shrub.
• Red Maple.
• Containers with Alluring Scents.
• Weed Torch.
• False Indigo.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

    ? Who is eating my azalea leaves.

    ? What is causing the brown patches on my large spreading juniper.

We also let you know where you can find Master Gardeners to answer your questions over the next month.

Photo by Dale Odorizzi of Chives being enjoyed by a Great Spangled Fritillary. Also delicious for people!

If you would like to receive the newsletter in your email inbox, send a message to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter June 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter June 15, 2024 Trowel Talk Newsletter June 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• Soil: Its not Dirt!
• The Scented Garden--Aromatic Herbs.
• Hackberry--Celtis occidentalis.
• Foam flower--Tiarella.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

        ? My daylilies have started to produce leaves with white stripes. Is it a disease or mutation or something else.

        ? Can you suggest a way to have both a dog and a nice garden.

Find us tells you where to find Master Gardeners in Ottawa-Carleton and Lanark County from June 15-July 15.

Photo by Tim Deslippe of Tiarella growing in his neighbour's garden

To receive the newsletter each month in your email in box, send a request to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter May 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter May 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles:

• Climate Change and the Home Gardener.
• Egyptian Walking Onions--A No Fuss Vegetable
• Native Tree Profile--Tamarack.
• Great Gardening Tools--The Tool Butler.
• In the Alcove Garden--Harebell.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

• Why do my tulips only bloom for a few years and then just produce leaves?
• Are there edibles that can grow in limited sunlight?

Photo Trilliums poking through blanket of leaves. by Dale Odorizzi

If you would like to receive the newsletter in your inbox, send a message to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter April 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter April 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This month's issue contains the following articles:

• Keep those plant tags
• Gardening in Small spaces
• Great Gardening Tools: Garden Claw
• In the Alcove Garden: Meadow Anemone

Our Master Gardeners answer your questions:

• How do I get a lush lawn in the shade?
• When is it time to take the covers off your shrubs?

Spring is here! The first Bloodroot of the year. Photo by Lanark County Master Gardener, Timothy Deslippe.

If you would like to receive Trowel Talk directly, contact lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter March 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter March 15, 2024 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains the following articles.

• Direct Seeding in the Gardens
• Under the Microscope
• Short-Handled Ho-Mi Digger
• Paper Birch
• Canada Serviceberry.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions--Planting tree in a narrow space?

If you would like to receive Trowel Talk in your inbox, eamail us at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo of a young Serviceberry by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners

Trowel Talk Newsletter February 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter February 15, 2024 is now available brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains  articles on the following topics:

• Architectural Plants.
• Bur Oak.
• Oak Wilt in Ontario.
• Cutting Tools: A Cut Above.
• Wild Strawberry.

Our Master Gardeners answer the following questions:

• Should I focus on buying organic seeds?
• Why is my rabbit's foot fern not thriving?

To receive the newsletter in your inbox each month, email me at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo by Kim Allen of granddaughter, Rosie visiting and helping with the harvest. Children who help in the garden tend to eat more vegetables.

Trowel Talk Newsletter January 15, 2024

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter January 15, 2024 is now available brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This issue contains articles on:

• Violets in Space!
• Ode to the Sawzall.
• Eastern White Pine.
• Prairie Smoke.

Our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

• Can I reuse soil in containers next year?
• Are some house plants better than other to improve indoor air quality?

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo of Mama deer and fawn playing in front of a young 4 Acre White Pine Plantation by Dale Odorizzi

Trowel Talk Newsletter December 15, 2023

 Trowel Talk Newsletter for December 15, 2023 is now available. Take some time from your busy festive season to enjoy our latest edition, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County, This edition includes the following articles:

• Land Acknowledgement.
• Native Trees for Ottawa Gardens.
• Planting for Northern Cardinals.
• Little Bluestem.
• Book Review: Growing Joy

In addition, our Master Gardeners answer the questions:

• Are there native plants that are compact and colourful?
• What care do air plants need?

If you would like to receive this newsletter each month in your inbox, send a message to lanarkmg@gmail.com

Photo by Dale Odorizzi of Highbush Cranberry, native shrub and a favorite of Northern Cardinals. Like my Mom, birds prefer the Cranberry berries after a frost. They often stay on the shrub for most of the winter.

Trowel Talk Newsletter November 15, 2023

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter November 15, 2023 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County.

This month the newsletter contains the following:

• Ten Common Gardening Mistakes.
• To Prune or Not to Prune?
• Planting for Sparrows.
• New England Asters.

Our Master Gardeners answer the question:

• My green hostas have yellow spots or speckles. Is it a disease?
• How late in the season can I divide and replant perennials?

Photo by Dale Odorizzi--Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth), an easy to care for annual. Sparrows enjoy it in the fall, especially the White Crowned Sparrow who arrived in large flocks and devoured every seed in a few days.

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter email us at lanarkmg@gmail.com

Trowel Talk Newsletter October 15, 2023

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter October 15, 2023 is now available brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. In this month's issue, we bring you the following articles:

• Perfect Porch Pots for the Winter Season.
• Tsuga canadensis--Eastern Hemlock.
• Planting for White-Breasted Nuthatches.
• Solidago flexicaulis--Zigzag Goldenrod.

Our Master Gardeners answer the question:

•  How do I deal with raspberries that come from the neighbouring plot in our community garden?
•  Will my 'Phantom standard hydrangeas need additional winter protection?

Sugar Maple in the Fall--Beautiful to the eye and much used by birds and insects. Photo by Dale Odorizzi

Send email to lanarkmg@gmail.com to have the newsletter delivered to your inbox

Trowel Talk Newsletter September 15, 2023

 Trowel Talk Newsletter September 15, 2023 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This month we feature articles on the following topics:

• Growing Raspberries;
• Edible Herb Flowers to Enjoy;
• Planting for Blue Jays;
• Flowering Raspberries.

Our Master Gardeners answer the following questions:

• When is the best time to move a climbing rose?
• How do I save a standard lilac tree?

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Photo of Chives and a Great Spangled Fritillary by Dale Odorizzi

Trowel Talk Newsletter August 15, 2023

 Trowel Talk Newsletter August 15, 2023 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This month's newsletter contains the following articles:

• Gardening in Small Spaces
• Growing Alpine Plants aka Rock Gardening
• Meadowsweet--Queen of the Prairie
• Planting for Mourning Doves
• Turtlehead.

This month, our Master Gardeners answer these questions:

• What plants can I use that bloom for a long time
• How can I help my established gooseberries.

To receive our newsletter in your inbox, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Photo of Meadowsweet by Dale Odorizzi

Trowel Talk Newsletter July 15, 2023

 

Trowel Talk Newsletter July 15, 2023 is now available, brought to you by the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. This month's issue contains the following articles::

• Reclaiming Gardens in a City Park;
• Glen Villa Art Garden;
• Planting for Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds;
• Joe Pyeweed Eutrochium maculatum.

Our Master Gardeners answer the following question:

• My ornamental grasses have some blades that are turning brown;
• When is the best time to divide peony and poppy?

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter, send an email to lanarkmg@gmail.com.

Photo of  Joe Pyeweed Eutrochium maculatum by Dale Odorizzi, Lanark County Master Gardeners