Growing Bell Peppers – Insect infestation

Hi, I have an allotment garden and last season had success growing pepper plants and getting them to flower and fruit but a black bug seemed to burrow into my plants and destroy much of the fruit. Other gardeners at…

Growing raspberries in eastern Ontario

I planted raspberry canes in spring 2021 and had a reasonable crop of berries in September/October. A handful each day for about three weeks. Then last year the berries never ripened! We had blossoms and tiny fruit but they never…

Okinawan purple sweet potatoes

Hi. How hard is to grow them in Toronto? If I can grow them here, can you give me a time frame from start to finish (eg, time of year to plant, time period from from water to soil). Most…

How to grow broccoli sprouts

Can you please give suggestions on how to grow broccoli sprouts safely to prevent mold or E coli? I would like to start growing broccoli sprouts in mason jars. Is there a recommended way?…

School Front Garden & Trough Planters

Hi, I’m writing because the Parent Council at my childrens’ school would like to enhance our gardening options. Currently, we have garden beds in the front of the school along the walkway, as well as four trough planters at the…

Setting up a balcony garden

Hi, I have moved into an apartment. It is 17 floors up, east facing, with not too much wind. My balcony gets about 5 hours of direct sun in the morning. I would like to grow flowers and vegetables. Could…

Privacy Bush/Flowers

Hi there, We are looking to plant a bush, flowers, etc along our 20 foot chain link fence in our backyard. The area gets sun in the summer from about 10am-4 pm. We want to plant something that offers alot…

Crop Rotation and Winter Soil Amendments

I have a plot 15 ft x 20ft at a local garden club where I have been growing mainly heirloom tomatoes (heavy feeders) in the same spot for 10 years. I use quality turkey and worm compost every year. But…

Too Hot To Handle

I ordered a vegetable box, but got some hot peppers in a pint, which I can’t tolerate. Do you know of a way to make a mix of this as an animal deterrent, by using a high speed blender?. The…