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John Degroot

John Degroot

Sarnia Observer

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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.

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.

12.12.2024 1

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.

11.12.2024 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Benefits of winter outweigh its troubles

06.12.2024 7

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 5

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 6

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 10

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 10...

22.11.2024 10

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 10

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...

15.11.2024 7

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 7

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...

07.11.2024 8

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 9

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...

01.11.2024 10

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 are...

25.10.2024 10

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...

25.10.2024 10

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...

25.10.2024 7

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 red,...

18.10.2024 10

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 10

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 10

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...

10.10.2024 3

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 10

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 pavement,...

03.10.2024 7

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 her...

27.09.2024 10

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...

27.09.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Native tree winners and losers

19.09.2024 10

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 10

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 8

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 10

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...

06.09.2024 7

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 10

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 of...

23.08.2024 10

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...

21.08.2024 8

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 8

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 8

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 flowers...

03.08.2024 10

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 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dealing with Japanese beetles

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...

19.07.2024 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dealing with Japanese beetles

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...

18.07.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Lantanas a favourite in our backyard

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...

11.07.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Lantanas a favourite in our backyard

The magnificent weather we’ve enjoyed the past few weeks has brought me outdoors much more than usual.   Especially Sundays. Reading, falling...

10.07.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Too much colour makes a busy backyard

Most of my backyard misgivings involve plant selection, a common dilemma for keen horticulturists. It’s been said authors often look back at their...

05.07.2024 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Too much colour makes a busy backyard

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...

04.07.2024 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

Garden Clippings: Landscape fillers

Landscape fillers 'serve to perform without grabbing your attention' When designing home landscapes, I will be sure to recommend two or three...

27.06.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Adding a ‘thrill’ to the landscape

When planting flowers in containers we always talk about thrillers, fillers and spillers. When planting flowers in containers, we talk about...

21.06.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Adding a ‘thrill’ to the landscape

When planting flowers in containers we always talk about thrillers, fillers and spillers.   The thrillers are the focal points, the flame...

21.06.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Red foliage more vibrant than ever

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...

14.06.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Red foliage more vibrant than ever

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...

14.06.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Haskaps often compared to blueberries

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. ...

07.06.2024 8

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Haskaps often compared to blueberries

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....

06.06.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

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