Gardening in B.C.

The secret of cut flowers is to do the right thing to the right plant. Use these tips to create beautiful long-lasting cut flower arrangements for your home.

Jun 28, 2003 - Susan Ward

Think perennials are fussy and don't bloom long enough to provide much colour in the garden? Think again. Here are 6 easy-care perennials that bloom on and on...

May 25, 2003 - Susan Ward

Does your garden have heavy, wet clay soil? Here's how to amend it so your plants will thrive instead of struggling to survive.

Apr 29, 2003 - Susan Ward

It's time to get out there and get your garden back into shape. Here's what you should do first and how.

Mar 26, 2003 - Susan Ward

Which flowering cherry should you choose? Here are some of the most popular ones with details about when they bloom to make your choice easier.

Feb 26, 2003 - Susan Ward

When the apricot and plum trees bloom, you know spring has truly arrived. Here are the earliest blooming flowering trees for your garden.

Jan 27, 2003 - Susan Ward

The Christmas cactus is a truly beautiful plant that will add some much-appreciated color to your home during the dark season. Here's here to care for it throughout the year.

Dec 29, 2002 - Susan Ward

Indoor composting is clean, odorless and easy, so why put your composting activities on hold for the winter?

Nov 26, 2002 - Susan Ward

Make winterizing your garden easy this year with this list of things you can do before the storms hit to ensure a glorious spring.

Oct 27, 2002 - Susan Ward

Learn how the pros grow bushy, beautiful dahlias with these dahlia care tips from Jack Bush of Island Dahlias.

Sep 28, 2002 - Susan Ward

How do I get "bluer" blooms? When should I prune? When should I cut flowers for drying? Here are the answers to your questions about hydrangeas.

Aug 20, 2002 - Susan Ward

More deer-resistant annuals so you can have a garden full of blooms, no matter how many deer wander through your yard.

Jul 29, 2002 - Susan Ward

Longing for colour but afraid to plant flowers because of deer? These deer resistant annuals are the answer.

Jun 26, 2002 - Susan Ward

Increase your fruit trees and vegetable crop yields by attracting Mason bees to your home garden. Building a bee condo is easy!

May 28, 2002 - Susan Ward

Looking for a Rhodo? This list of early bloomers, rhodos that do well in exposed sites, and tried and true will make it easier to pick the rhodo that's right for your garden.

Apr 29, 2002 - Susan Ward

It's Rhodo season again! With over 900 species and uncounted hybrids to choose from, your choices can seem overwhelming. Here's how to choose the right rhododendron for your garden.

Mar 30, 2002 - Susan Ward

Is it time to prune your Clematis? Here's how to tell, and how to prune your Clematis the right way at the right time.

Feb 25, 2002 - Susan Ward

Instead of throwing your Poinsettia into the trash, why not grow it on for next year? Follow these simple steps to get your Poinsettia to rebloom.

Jan 29, 2002 - Susan Ward

Where is that Christmas tree from? Buy a B.C. grown tree this year and support our local tree farmers.

Dec 18, 2001 - Susan Ward

Delight the gardeners on your gift list with these spectacular, eminently practical reference books - or add them to your own growing reference collection.

Dec 4, 2001 - Susan Ward

Are there gardeners on your gift list? Here are some ideas for gifts that gardeners will love, from homemade collections of spices through ergonomic gardening tools.

Nov 20, 2001 - Susan Ward

Piles of valuable nutrients rain onto our yards and gardens each fall. Here's how to make the most of fallen leaves.

Nov 6, 2001 - Susan Ward

When many plants are looking bedraggled, the garden chrysanthemum comes into its own. Here are 5 reasons why you should add mums to your fall garden.

Oct 23, 2001 - Susan Ward

Make your spring display spectacular with these tips for creating the most pleasing effect with tulips.

Oct 9, 2001 - Susan Ward

Bring spring inside this winter with these simple instructions for forcing spring bulbs.

Sep 25, 2001 - Susan Ward

Powdery Mildew is a common unwanted guest in B.C. gardens in the fall. Here's information on the disease and its symptoms, and a home remedy to get rid of it.

Sep 11, 2001 - Susan Ward

Moonflowers are indeed poisonous. But there's a lot of different plants known by this common name. And why should we destroy beautiful plants just because they're dangerous?

Aug 28, 2001 - Susan Ward

Can a Spider Plant with brown leaf tips and a dried up African Violet be saved? Susan gives advice about renovating two suffering house plants.

Aug 14, 2001 - Susan Ward

Do you have damp, shady spots in your garden? Astilbes will brighten them up.

Jul 31, 2001 - Susan Ward

How to create your own strawberry bed and grow those sweet, succulent berries that make the ones in the stores seem like plastic.

Jul 17, 2001 - Susan Ward

Strawberry season is in full swing. Whether you go out to a farm or pick from your own patch, there's no taste quite like it! But how do you extend the season?

Jul 3, 2001 - Susan Ward

Here are five dependable, beautiful perennials that bear true blue flowers.

Jun 19, 2001 - Susan Ward

Patches of blue are a great contrasting colour in your beds and baskets. Here are five annuals that have true blue blooms.

Jun 5, 2001 - Susan Ward

Ever think of sharing your gorgeous lilies by cutting them, exhibiting them, or propagating them? Here are the details.

May 22, 2001 - Susan Ward

Descriptions of the main diseases and pests that affect lilies - and how to avoid them.

May 8, 2001 - Susan Ward

Tricks to keeping lilies happy include underplanting, mulching, and fertilizing - and keeping them dry through the winter rains.

Apr 24, 2001 - Susan Ward

It's lily planting time again! Here's a guide to choosing and planting lilies to make it easy for you.

Apr 10, 2001 - Susan Ward

An introduction to lilies, with an outline of the nine lily classifications to make choosing your favourites easier.

Mar 27, 2001 - Susan Ward

Our climate is ideal for growing these spectacular shrubs, as long as you choose the right Camellia and site it carefully.

Mar 13, 2001 - Susan Ward

Protecting our water supply starts at home, in our own gardens.

Feb 27, 2001 - Susan Ward

Fern-like foliage and delicate arching sprays of heart-shaped flowers make Dicentra a must-have addition to your garden.

Feb 13, 2001 - Susan Ward

In drifts, used as underplantings with perennials or shrubs, or in pots, small bulbs create a big effect in the early spring garden.

Jan 30, 2001 - Susan Ward

Winter interest, spring splendor, summer beauty, evergreen; Pieris is a shrub for all seasons!

Jan 16, 2001 - Susan Ward

Enjoy the fantastic shapes and stunning blooms of cacti in your home by following these tips for growing cacti successfully.

Jan 2, 2001 - Susan Ward

A real Christmas tree is the wise environmental choice, and selecting one is a tradition your family won't want to miss.

Dec 19, 2000 - Susan Ward

If you don't have at least one Amaryllis, you're depriving yourself of one of the best winter-flowering plants. They're simple to care for, and spectacular bloomers!

Dec 5, 2000 - Susan Ward

Expand your garden's fall palette with these shrubs that turn glorious shades of red and purple in the fall.

Nov 21, 2000 - Susan Ward

Tired of trying to cram descriptions of your dahlias onto little tags? A Dahlia Log makes tagging much easier, and is a great way of keeping track of your tuber exchanges with friends.

Nov 7, 2000 - Susan Ward

Winterizing your roses doesn't have to be a backbreaking chore; get your roses ready for winter the easy way!

Oct 24, 2000 - Susan Ward

Roses aren't just a summer flower. If you pick the right roses and prune them at the right time, you can enjoy their splendid blooms deep into fall.

Oct 10, 2000 - Susan Ward

Tired of flipping through that pile of catalogs? Editor Susan reveals the best places to find, drool over, and order bulbs online for Canadian gardeners.

Sep 26, 2000 - Susan Ward

What's the secret to growing sweet corn in your home garden that's still sweet when you eat it? Find out in this guide to harvesting sweet corn.

Sep 12, 2000 - Susan Ward

The crop is in! How to harvest, can, freeze, prepare, cook, and just plain eat all those delicious tomatoes you've grown. With lots of recipes if you're tired of just slicing them up for sandwiches.

Aug 29, 2000 - Susan Ward

If you want to know how to prune, stake, trellis, feed, water, or plant tomatoes, this first part of "Tomato Frenzy" has the answers (including why you should feed Tums to your tomato plants).

Aug 15, 2000 - Susan Ward

Planning is the key to cutting down on your deadheading chores. Find out which shrubs, perennials, and annuals you should choose if you're interested in a low-maintenance garden.

Jul 31, 2000 - Susan Ward

Are you a summer garden-slave, endlessly watering your garden? Cut down on your watering chores, and spend time enjoying your garden rather than lugging water out to it.

Jul 18, 2000 - Susan Ward

Are there sections of your garden you're unhappy with? Do you have plants in the wrong places or eye-jarring design flaws because of someone else's gardening mistakes? Find out what you can do to make your garden yours.

Jul 4, 2000 - Susan Ward

Is there a Kalmia in your garden? With glossy, evergreen foliage all year round and exquisite clusters of blooms in late spring, there should be. If you love rhodos, you'll love Mountain Laurel!

Jun 20, 2000 - Susan Ward

If you haven't yet, it's time to get those tubers into the ground, so you can enjoy stupendous, spectacular dahlia blooms this summer

Jun 6, 2000 - Susan Ward

Whether you're putting in your first herb garden, looking for information on a specific herb,or wanting to know more about what to do with the herbs you're going to harvest this summer, there's a cornucopia of information online. Use Editor Susan's web picks to find what you want to know about herbs, without having to endure endless sales pitches.

May 23, 2000 - Susan Ward

Are deer treating your garden like a delicatessen? Find out how you,your garden and deer can peacefully co-exist.

May 9, 2000 - Susan Ward

Carnations aren't the only dianthus worth planting; pinks will add a charming romantic look and fragrance to borders and beds all summer long.

Apr 25, 2000 - Susan Ward

Get the charm of a country cottage garden in your own yard, even if you live in the city! The cottage garden style is informal, adaptable and beautiful. Tour some cottage gardens online and start designing a cottage garden of your own.

Apr 11, 2000 - Susan Ward

Wondering what those weeds are that are sprouting up all over? Want to know which weeds are classifed as noxious in BC and what that means? Get to know the weedy enemies that are threatening your grass, flowers, and vegetables so you can win the weed war!

Mar 28, 2000 - Susan Ward

Keep your heathers beautiful and blooming with these tips on siting, watering, feeding and pruning.

Mar 14, 2000 - Susan Ward

Looking for a shrub that will provide your landscape with color all year round? Heathers are the answer.

Feb 29, 2000 - Susan Ward

Add masses of bright colour to your mixed borders, shrub beds, planters, and windowboxes. As there's over 400 species of primulas, there's at least one for your garden!

Feb 15, 2000 - Susan Ward

The star-shaped,long-spurred flowers of Columbines nodding above their lacy foliage adds a delicate charm to the spring garden. Find out about heirloom varieties of this ever-popular perennial and where to get them.

Feb 1, 2000 - Susan Ward

Looking for some different annuals to seed this year, or planning to create a cottage style garden? Heirloom annuals provide color, texture, and fragrance that may be missing from some hybrids, and deserve to be grown more widely.Consider Phalecia, Nigella, Clarkia, and Hersperis matronalis when you start seeding outdoors.

Jan 18, 2000 - Susan Ward

Thinking of a new bed for the New Milennium? Here are Editor Susan's netpicks on garden design, from sites that guide you through the basics of balance and symmetry, through sites where you can choose specific bed plans.

Jan 4, 2000 - Susan Ward

Explore the wealth of folklore and traditions associated with Holly and discover where and how all of Canada's Holly is produced.

Dec 21, 1999 - Susan Ward

Shop from the cozy comfort of your home for great gifts for the gardeners on your Christmas list. Editor Susan gives you the online gift scoop on Canadian gardening sites.

Dec 7, 1999 - Susan Ward

You don't have to fight your way through storms and snow to find your favourite gardening magazines. Find out where some Canadian gardening magazines are online and what Editor Susan thinks of them...

Nov 23, 1999 - Susan Ward

You don't have to buy new fuschias, geraniums and begonias every spring if you overwinter them... find out how.

Nov 9, 1999 - Susan Ward

If your garden doubles as a deer supermarket, plant spring-flowering bulbs that they don't like for a splendiferous spring.

Oct 26, 1999 - Susan Ward

Every gardener deserves a spectacular spring display, even those who live in deer country. Find out which bulbs deer will leave alone and how to plant and care for them.

Oct 12, 1999 - Susan Ward

Want to save the seed of your favourite flowers and vegetables or are you interested in being a part of preserving our seed heritage or using seeds to fight world hunger? Find out how to save seeds and what to do with them.

Sep 28, 1999 - Susan Ward

It's time to bring your garden inside for the winter.Here's how to store carrots and potatoes,and freeze herbs,berries and vegetables for freshness you'll really appreciate those dark winter days.

Sep 14, 1999 - Susan Ward

When is the perfect time to pick your vegetables for the most flavourful harvest? Here are tips on when to pick your corn, tomatoes, and zucchini,and sites to visit to find further information.

Aug 31, 1999 - Susan Ward

Has your glorious flower display turned into a few dibs of colour here and there? Adding fall bloomers such as Mums, Susans, Coneflowers and Stonecrops can make sorry beds stupendous.

Aug 17, 1999 - Susan Ward

Where to find the information you need about the structures you're planning to add to your garden,from arbors through stepping stones.

Aug 3, 1999 - Susan Ward

If you've ever tasted them, you know how superior home-grown strawberries are to the bland imported ones in some supermarkets. Here's a how-to guide for growing succulent strawberries in your own back yard.

Jul 20, 1999 - Susan Ward

The Campanula family contains some of the most troublefree and versatile perennial performers for summer. And they'll tolerate those moist,shady spots that other perennials won't.

Jul 6, 1999 - Susan Ward

Need to find out what's chewing holes in your hosta or when to prune your lilacs? Here are the editor's picks of the best sites to ask garden questions and get answers you can grow on...

Jun 22, 1999 - Susan Ward

Flowering trees can do a lot more for your yard than just provide shade, especially if you keep the principles of tree placement in mind when you're choosing one.

Jun 8, 1999 - Susan Ward

You know about basil and tomatoes and roses and garlic. But what about French beans and onions or lettuce and strawberries? Companion planting can provide larger, healthier plants and help avoid spraying.

May 25, 1999 - Susan Ward

Love the look of hanging baskets but hate the cost? Making your own is a lot cheaper and the results are just as lovely.

May 11, 1999 - Susan Ward

If your rhododendrons don't look like the ones featured in the online tours, it may be time to research rhodo pests and diseases.

Apr 27, 1999 - Susan Ward

How to give your rhodos what they need when they need it and websites where you can find your next stunning acquisition.

Apr 10, 1999 - Susan Ward

There's an amazing variety of garden tools and accessories available on the Web. Here are the Editor's picks of a few items you might find indispensable this season, that you can order from Canadian sources.

Mar 19, 1999 - Susan Ward

Salads that are a delectable combination of sweet crunchiness and tangy bite can start in your own backyard or sunny windowsill. Find out about mesclun and get your own salads started.

Mar 5, 1999 - Susan Ward

If you're looking for a dependable, easy-care, attractive spring bloomer to add to your garden, lungworts are the answer.

Feb 19, 1999 - Susan Ward

Overview of gardening sites to visit in January in BC

Jan 8, 1999 - Susan Ward