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John Degroot

John Degroot

Sarnia Observer

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GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Lessons for seed sprouting

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 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

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

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

The winter that will not end.

27.02.2026 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: This winter’s impact on trees

The winter that will not end.

26.02.2026 20

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 10

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 10

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 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPING: Solution needed to curb invasive phragmites growth

13.02.2026 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: The good weeds in your lawn

07.02.2026 4

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 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Keeping tropical plants from going south

30.01.2026 8

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 6

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 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

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

17.01.2026 9

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 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dealing with trees damaged by ice storms

02.01.2026 10

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 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Trees' benefits greatest when they are alive

26.12.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Interesting facts about trees

23.12.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: How a thatch roof works

19.12.2025 10

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 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Walnuts impressive, despite negative characteristics

The walnut crop in my neighbourhood is heavier than usual.

12.12.2025 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Walnuts impressive, despite negative characteristics

12.12.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

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

06.12.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Right tree, right place

05.12.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Protecting evergreens in winter

28.11.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Protecting evergreens in winter

28.11.2025 3

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 3

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 2

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 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Burdock a nasty weed with some positives

24.10.2025 5

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 8

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 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

Thanksgiving 2025 is going down as my best ever.

22.10.2025 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

Thanksgiving 2025 is going down as my best ever.

22.10.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

Thanksgiving 2025 is going down as my best ever.

17.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Taking hikes this fall

17.10.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mums a burst of colour on cooler days

10.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mums a burst of colour on cooler days

10.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Leaves of three, let them be

03.10.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Leaves of three, let them be

“Leaves of three, let them be.”

03.10.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Lessons from Holland

After spending two weeks on a bike in Holland, I am inspired.

26.09.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: How Rotterdam became a world leader in sustainability

19.09.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: How Rotterdam became a world leader in sustainability

What do you do if agriculture is your primary industry, but land is preciously scarce? You build a floating farm.

18.09.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Diligence needed to remove bindweed

12.09.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot