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John DegrootSarnia Observer |
Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, 2010, Lambton County was slammed with one of the largest snowstorms on record.
Internet search engines know I am a gardener and I am older than 60.
The internet must know that I am a gardener and must also know that I am over 60.
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...
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...
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...
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 10...
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...
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...
Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer platanoides) were horticulture’s answer to everything. Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer...
Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer platanoides) were horticulture’s answer to everything. They were the miracle tree, the standard...
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...
Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve. It is with hesitation that I recommend visiting...
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 are...
Many people have a favourite style and year of automobile. Mine is pinpointed and concise – any coupe from the 1930s! The art deco...
When is an evergreen not an evergreen? Truth be told, evergreens are not forever green, which is why they are more appropriately called...
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 red,...
Sumacs are the first to change colour, turning deep red, starting as early as the middle of September. Their colour is rather short-lived,...
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...
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...
There is little joy to be found for drivers along highways 401 and 402 in Southwestern Ontario, unless you appreciate pavement, gravel, highway...
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 pavement,...
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 her...
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...
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...
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...
Nighttime temperatures recently crept down to six or seven degrees Celsius, a bit unusual for the first week of September. Nighttime temperatures...
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...
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...
When potato beetles eat the leaves of your home-grown potato plants, your harvest can be reduced substantially. When potato beetles eat the leaves of...
When potato beetles eat the leaves of your home-grown potato plants, your yield at harvest time can be reduced substantially. If bean...
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...
How long will our obsession with hydrangeas go on? Thirty and 40 years ago the hot shrub was purple leaf sand cherry (Prunus x...
Containers filled with annual flowers add beauty to our outdoor living areas, providing colour all summer long Containers filled with annual flowers...
Containers filled with annual flowers add beauty to our outdoor living areas, providing colour all summer long. In our backyard we enjoy 15...
They’ve munched on a few of my oak leaf hydrangeas, eaten up some sunflower leaves, but so far, damage is minimal. They’ve munched on a few of my...
They’ve munched on a few of my oak leaf hydrangeas, eaten up some sunflower leaves, but so far, damage is minimal. I checked the...
The magnificent weather we’ve enjoyed the past few weeks has brought me outdoors much more than usual The magnificent weather we’ve enjoyed the...
The magnificent weather we’ve enjoyed the past few weeks has brought me outdoors much more than usual. Especially Sundays. Reading, falling...
Most of my backyard misgivings involve plant selection, a common dilemma for keen horticulturists. It’s been said authors often look back at their...
It’s been said that authors will often look back at their earlier work and wonder what led them to write what they did. I would think anyone...
Landscape fillers 'serve to perform without grabbing your attention' When designing home landscapes, I will be sure to recommend two or three...
When planting flowers in containers we always talk about thrillers, fillers and spillers. When planting flowers in containers, we talk about...
When planting flowers in containers we always talk about thrillers, fillers and spillers. The thrillers are the focal points, the flame...
Red foliage this spring has been redder than red. Red foliage this spring has been redder than red. The cooler, wetter than average spring has given...
Red foliage this spring has been redder than red. The cooler and wetter than average spring has given us leaves that are uber lush with foliage...
Most of us have not heard of haskap berries. But that's about to change. Most of us have not heard of haskap berries. But that’s about to change. ...
Most of us have not heard of haskap berries. But that is about to change. In the world of berries, haskaps are often compared to blueberries....