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John Degroot

John Degroot

Sarnia Observer

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GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Almost everybody likes lavender

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Almost everybody likes lavender
yesterday 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Everybody likes lavender

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Everybody likes lavender
yesterday 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What’s hot and what’s not

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What’s hot and what’s not
07.02.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What’s hot and what’s not

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What’s hot and what’s not

Aglaonemas are in. Fiddle leaf figs are out. Sansevierias are in. Birds of paradise are out. Palms are in. Succulents are out.

07.02.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dispatches from the tropical plant expo in Florida

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dispatches from the tropical plant expo in Florida

The three-day affair brings together growers, buyers, greenhouse builders, fertilizer companies, pot sellers and all things and people related to the...

31.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dispatches from the tropical plant expo in Florida

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dispatches from the tropical plant expo in Florida
30.01.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mealybugs the bane of tropical plants

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mealybugs the bane of tropical plants

Indoor gardeners eventually will discover mealybugs, the bane of tropical plants.

24.01.2025 8

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mealybugs the bane of tropical plants

Indoor gardeners will eventually discover mealybugs, the bane of tropical plants.

23.01.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Neighbourhood trees bring birds to your home

Little do our neighbours know that we really appreciate them for their trees.

18.01.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Coming soon to a 400 series highway interchange near you

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has completed a major brush clean up at Sarnia’s Modeland Road and Indian Road Highway 402 interchanges.

09.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Choosing a school for a career in the ‘green industry’

Thinking of going back to school and wondering if the green industry is right for you? Thinking of going back to school and wondering if the green...

03.01.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What to do with your used Christmas tree

It was Boxing Day a year ago when I tossed the Christmas tree into the backyard. It was Boxing Day a year ago when I tossed the Christmas tree into...

27.12.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Some spruces and pines good for wind control

Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, 2010, Lambton County was slammed with one of the largest snowstorms on record.   Over 250 motorists couldn’t make their way...

19.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Raised bed gardening can maximize production

Internet search engines know I am a gardener and I am older than 60. Internet search engines know I am a gardener and I am older than 60. Pop-up...

12.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Raised bed gardening can maximize production

The internet must know that I am a gardener and must also know that I am over 60.   Pop-up ads, Facebook notifications and email interruptions...

11.12.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Benefits of winter outweigh its troubles

If it were not for the weather, and perhaps politics, our chatter would be cut in half or more. My friend Julius from Gulu Town, Uganda was in...

06.12.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Benefits of winter outweigh its troubles

My friend Julius from Gulu Town, Uganda was in Toronto last week, visiting his daughter and son.   The six-hour drive against Toronto traffic was...

06.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Pilot program a step to add more trees to Sarnia properties

While not as entertaining as a Netflix movie, I have got into the habit of watching Sarnia council meetings While not as entertaining as a Netflix...

29.11.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Pilot program a step to add more trees to Sarnia properties

While not as entertaining as a Netflix movie, I have grown into the habit of watching Sarnia city council meetings, a task made easier now that...

28.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Is Canada’s two-billion-tree goal achievable?

Four years ago, in an effort to fight climate change, the federal government committed to planting two billion trees by 2030. Two billion trees in...

22.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Ontario-grown garlic is a better deal

Ontario grown garlic will cost around $1.50 a bulb. But dollar for dollar, local garlic is a better deal, with a superior taste. We’ve probably all...

15.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Ontario-grown garlic is a better deal

We’ve probably all done it. Bought the cute sleeve of three garlic bulbs from the grocery store. The price was right, sometimes as low as 99 cents...

15.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Norway maple's drawbacks outweigh its positives

Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer platanoides) were horticulture’s answer to everything. Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer...

08.11.2024 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: In defense of Norway maple

Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer platanoides) were horticulture’s answer to everything.   They were the miracle tree, the standard that...

07.11.2024 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: In praise of Mandaumin Woods

Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve. Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin...

01.11.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: In praise of Mandaumin Woods

Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve.     It is with hesitation that I recommend visiting Mandaumin...

01.11.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: A conifer’s needle drop

When is an evergreen not an evergreen? When is an evergreen not an evergreen? Truth be told, evergreens are not forever green, which is why they...

25.10.2024 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

RHODES: Smith’s Tire was the place to buy a Graham-Paige car

Many people have a favourite style and year of automobile.   Mine is pinpointed and concise – any coupe from the 1930s!   The art deco styling,...

25.10.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: A conifer’s needle drop

When is an evergreen not an evergreen?   Truth be told, evergreens are not forever green, which is why they are more appropriately called conifers....

25.10.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Autumn’s changing of colours

Sumacs are the first to change colour, turning deep red, starting as early as mid-September. Sumacs are the first to change colour, turning deep...

18.10.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Autumn’s changing colours

Sumacs are the first to change colour, turning deep red, starting as early as the middle of September.   Their colour is rather short-lived,...

18.10.2024 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Proper fall lawn care

Our front lawn has never looked better, thanks to rainfall once a week in June, July and August. Our front lawn has never looked better, thanks to...

11.10.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Proper fall lawn care

Our front lawn has never looked better, thanks to rainfall once a week for June, July and August.   Even September’s mini drought was good for the...

10.10.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Asters strutting their colours

There is little joy to be found for drivers along highways 401 and 402 in Southwestern Ontario, unless you appreciate pavement, gravel, highway...

04.10.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Asters strutting their colours

There is little joy to be found for folks behind the wheel when driving along the 401 and 402 in Southwestern Ontario unless you appreciate...

03.10.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Review of this year’s container plants

Back in May, someone asked me to help choose flowers for her containers around the pool. Back in May, someone asked me to help choose flowers for...

27.09.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Review of this year’s container plants

Back in May someone asked me to help choose flowers for her containers around the pool.   There was a wedding planned for August, and she wanted 12...

27.09.2024 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Native tree winners and losers

Four years ago, I planted 22 native trees in our back forty.   Two of each, like Noah and the Ark.   We have a narrow, deep lot. Our front yard and...

19.09.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tasks for the fall

The first day of fall arrives Sept. 22, bringing crisp weather, cooler nights and heavy morning dew. In early July, I could read the newspaper...

13.09.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tasks for the fall

In early July I could read the newspaper outdoors at 9:30 in the evening. These days I turn the lights on at the patio at 7:30 p.m. In a few months...

13.09.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Vegetable crops for the fall

Nighttime temperatures recently crept down to six or seven degrees Celsius, a bit unusual for the first week of September. Nighttime temperatures...

06.09.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Vegetable crops for the fall

Nighttime temperatures recently crept down to six or seven degrees; a bit unusual for the first week of September.   Last year, we did not get our...

06.09.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Yew a great alternative to boxwood

The future for boxwood looks grim. The future for boxwood looks grim. Boxwood, a broadleaf evergreen, has long been a staple for landscaping. It is...

30.08.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Natural solutions to garden pests

When potato beetles eat the leaves of your home-grown potato plants, your harvest can be reduced substantially. When potato beetles eat the leaves...

23.08.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Using natural insecticides

When potato beetles eat the leaves of your home-grown potato plants, your yield at harvest time can be reduced substantially.      If bean beetles...

21.08.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Hydrangea popularity not diminishing

How long will our obsession with hydrangeas go on? How long will our obsession with hydrangeas go on? Thirty and 40 years ago the hot shrub was...

09.08.2024 1

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Hydrangea popularity not diminishing

How long will our obsession with hydrangeas go on?     Thirty and 40 years ago the hot shrub was purple leaf sand cherry (Prunus x...

08.08.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Flowers peak in mid-July to mid-August

Containers filled with annual flowers add beauty to our outdoor living areas, providing colour all summer long Containers filled with annual...

03.08.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Flowers peak in mid-July to mid-August

Containers filled with annual flowers add beauty to our outdoor living areas, providing colour all summer long.   In our backyard we enjoy 15...

02.08.2024 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot