A couple of weeks ago, gardeners in northern North America were worried about the buds breaking prematurely. Gardeners on social media were wringing their hands in worry. But really it’s not a huge problem. Sure, there may be a few less flowers in spring, but most shrubs and trees will survive. The real problem is the numerous freeze/thaw cycles, which damage plants if garden beds haven’t been mulched.

Written on Thursday, February 9, 2012 in Blog, Gardening

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Written by Cristina da Silva

It has been a weird winter so far. Up and down temperatures, freeze and thaw. It’s the freezing part that worries me. Freezing means having to use salt on walkways. And as I gardener I try to minimize my salt use. Salt damages most plants.

Written on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 in Blog, Gardening

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Written by Cristina da Silva

A couple of months ago I promised to share my Successful Gardening show presentation “Fun, Whimsical and Crazy Gardens” on this blog. It was an hour long presentation, and for brevity’s sake I’m writing three different blogs: fun, whimsical, and crazy.

I have already covered the “fun” aspect. Whimsical is next, and it’s the hardest to describe. Whimsical is used so loosely. Very often it’s used for cutesy, playful gardens. But whimsical gardens are so much more than that.

Written on Thursday, December 8, 2011 in Gardens

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Written by Cristina da Silva

I cheer when temperatures dip below 7 degrees Celsius (45 degree Fahrenheit) and stays above 0 degree Celsius (32 degree Fahrenheit). No, I haven’t completely lost my mind. It’s the magic temperature range that many deciduous plants require to flower abundantly in the spring.

Written on Friday, December 2, 2011 in Plants

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Written by Cristina da Silva

Like a little tempest in a teapot, the debate over real Christmas trees versus artificial trees heats up again. With all this hot air, the real meaning behind Christmas trees is being shoved aside. Christmas trees are supposed to remind us of everlasting life during winter not carbon footprints and dollars.

Written on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 in Plants

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Written by Cristina da Silva

In the GTA (zone 5), winter urns are huge. Even the box stores and large chain supermarkets carry cut evergreens and decorations. Winter urns filled with cut evergreens and decorated with sparkly bright ornaments are common. I am not surprised… a beautiful bountiful colourful urn always lifts my spirits during drab dull winter days.

Written on Friday, November 25, 2011 in Plants

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Written by Cristina da Silva

I love watching the Weather Network every morning. I usually decide what to do outdoors while watching the local weather and slowly sipping coffee. Yesterday, the Weather Network had a segment on making Christmas wreaths that captured my interest.

Written on Thursday, November 17, 2011 in Plants

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Written by Cristina da Silva

Boxed amaryllises (technically, Hippeastrum) stacked up in my local grocery store remind me it’s time to start indoor bulbs. I believe in being proactive. If I start bulbs now, I will stave off the growing, colour and flower deprivation that sets in during January and February

Written on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 in Plants

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Written by Cristina da Silva

If you wondered about the flurry of gardening blogs in the last 30 days, wonder no more. I took the National Blog Posting Month challenge to post a blog every day for a month. I’m thrilled that I’ve managed to write and post a blog every day from October 4th to November 3rd.

Written on Thursday, November 3, 2011 in YES! Garden Moments

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Written by Cristina da Silva

After talking about planting my bulbs for the last month and half, I finally planted my tulips yesterday. I always have the intention of picking my tulips carefully so there are colourful blooms from early spring to late spring. But despite my best intentions, I usually succumb to the siren call of pretty colours and pleasing shapes.

Written on in Plants

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Written by Cristina da Silva