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![]() John DegrootSarnia Observer |
Aglaonemas are in. Fiddle leaf figs are out. Sansevierias are in. Birds of paradise are out. Palms are in. Succulents are out.
The three-day affair brings together growers, buyers, greenhouse builders, fertilizer companies, pot sellers and all things and people related to the...
Indoor gardeners eventually will discover mealybugs, the bane of tropical plants.
Indoor gardeners will eventually discover mealybugs, the bane of tropical plants.
Little do our neighbours know that we really appreciate them for their trees.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has completed a major brush clean up at Sarnia’s Modeland Road and Indian Road Highway 402 interchanges.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 cents...
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 that...
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 Mandaumin...
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...
Many people have a favourite style and year of automobile. Mine is pinpointed and concise – any coupe from the 1930s! The art deco styling,...
When is an evergreen not an evergreen? Truth be told, evergreens are not forever green, which is why they are more appropriately called conifers....
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...
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 the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 our...
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...
When potato beetles eat the leaves of your home-grown potato plants, your yield at harvest time can be reduced substantially. If bean beetles...
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...
Containers filled with annual flowers add beauty to our outdoor living areas, providing colour all summer long. In our backyard we enjoy 15...