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John Degroot

John Degroot

Sarnia Observer

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GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Grass seed explained

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Grass seed explained

It is time to look after a few weak or dead patches of grass. Do you know which grass seed to select that will grow best in your yard and blend with...

yesterday 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Topsoil and grass seed blend can repair damaged lawns

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Topsoil and grass seed blend can repair damaged lawns

Snow plough damage at the road. Grub damage. Mice or rodent trails. Fungus. A layer of leaves that smother the turf. Cavities caused by fallen limbs....

09.04.2026 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Why does grass turn brown?

03.04.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Why does grass turn brown?

Please don’t drive past my house and take notice of the grass. It looks awful.

02.04.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Your early spring garden checklist

Share this Story : The Sarnia Observer Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Your early spring garden checklist This...

27.03.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Sycamores grow comfortably in different climates

20.03.2026 30

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Sycamores grow comfortably in different climates

When our kids were kids, about 20 years ago, we exchanged homes with a family near Southampton, England, about two hours’ drive west of London.

19.03.2026 30

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Greens of all kinds popular in spring

Like a kid in a candy store. The day we received the new seed racks, I scoured the selection, looking for what’s hot and what’s not.

13.03.2026 30

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Lessons for seed sprouting

Share this Story : The Sarnia Observer Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Lessons for seed sprouting It’s almost...

03.03.2026 30

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Bitter-cold winter could take toll on trees

The winter that will not end.

27.02.2026 30

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: This winter’s impact on trees

The winter that will not end.

26.02.2026 60

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Grow a palm indoors for a taste of the tropics

Palm trees are to Florida what tulips are to the Netherlands. Or sugar maples to northern Ontario.

20.02.2026 30

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Palms enjoy indoor home environments

Palm trees are to Florida like tulips are to the Netherlands. Or sugar maples to northern Ontario.

20.02.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Invasive phragmites needs solution to curb growth

A few decades ago, purple loosestrife hit the news.

13.02.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPING: Solution needed to curb invasive phragmites growth

13.02.2026 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: The good weeds in your lawn

07.02.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: The good weeds in your lawn

Most gardeners have done it. When they least expect it. Pulling out weeds and a sudden jab of pain on the hands or arms. Like a bee sting.

03.02.2026 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Keeping tropical plants from going south

30.01.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Keeping tropical plants from going south

Those of us in the horticulture and floriculture business cringe when we hear someone say they cannot keep houseplants alive.

29.01.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Deep freeze will help farmers with pest control

24.01.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Deep freeze will help farmers with pest control

You and I have not enjoyed the weather for the last few weeks.

23.01.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tree bark takes on different forms, colours, textures

17.01.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tree bark takes on different colours, textures

14.01.2026 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: A gardener’s year in review

09.01.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dealing with trees damaged by ice storms

02.01.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dealing with trees damaged by ice storms

Ice storms show us that nature does what she wants to do.

01.01.2026 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Trees' benefits greatest when they are alive

26.12.2025 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Interesting facts about trees

23.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: How a thatch roof works

19.12.2025 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: How a thatch roof works

How does a thatch roof work and why don’t they leak?

19.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Walnuts impressive, despite negative characteristics

The walnut crop in my neighbourhood is heavier than usual.

12.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Walnuts impressive, despite negative characteristics

12.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: The right tree in the right place will outlive you

06.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Right tree, right place

05.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Protecting evergreens in winter

28.11.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Protecting evergreens in winter

28.11.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Good care will help poinsettias stay colourful

21.11.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Good care will help poinsettias stay colourful

A decade or two ago, I would have said the busiest day for buying fresh-cut Christmas trees was the Saturday nearest Dec. 10.

21.11.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Take nature's cue and let leaves rest

14.11.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking nature's cue and letting leaves rest

There is nothing scientific about composting.

14.11.2025 8

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Roses still looking good in November

07.11.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Roses still looking good in November

It’s not over until it’s over.

06.11.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Burdock a nasty weed with some positives

An avid hiker once told me that if you want relief from summer heat, grab a burdock leaf and wrap it around the back of your neck.

24.10.2025 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Burdock a nasty weed with some positives

24.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mums a burst of colour on cooler days

Garden mums are autumn’s go-to flowering plant, delivering a burst of colour just as the weather becomes cooler and nights become longer.

22.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mums a burst of colour on cooler days

Garden mums are autumn’s go-to flowering plant, delivering a burst of colour just as the weather becomes cooler and nights become longer.

22.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

Thanksgiving 2025 is going down as my best ever.

22.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

Thanksgiving 2025 is going down as my best ever.

22.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

Thanksgiving 2025 is going down as my best ever.

17.10.2025 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

17.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot