Make a final sowing of spinach along with mâche, also known as corn salad, which matches spinach for standing up to a light frost. Spinach will take a longer and longer to germinate as the soil cools; but you should…

The first frost date for the GTA is late September.  If a frost is forecast, protect tender plants with an old sheet; bring in plants that cannot withstand any frost and harvest fruits/vegetables that will be damaged by even a…

September:  Peonies Division and moving of peonies should be done in September so that a network of feeder roots can be established before winter.  After digging up the root and washing off the soil, allow it to dry in the…

Many of the butterflies that add beauty to our gardens overwinter here.  Create an environment that will give them the food and shelter that they need.  Find a corner of your garden that is in the sun and out of…

As the evening temperatures begin to drop, it is time to think about bringing in your houseplants that have summered out of doors.  If possible, lift the root-ball out of the pot to check for unwanted pests; rinse the leaves…

September is the time to  move and divide spring and summer blooming perennials.  Enrich the entire area with compost rather than just the planting hole.…

Fall is an excellent time to plant many trees and shrubs.  When selecting a tree or shrub, consider size at maturity; exposure to sun, wind and road salt; tolerance to urban pollution; soil and drainage.  The key to growing a…

Take advantage of the still-warm soil and upcoming rains by planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens; use root-stimulating fertilizer to promote root growth. Now’s the time to divide and replant perennials such as peonies and irises, too.…

Tomato plants transplanted into the garden the first week of June were exposed to very cool nighttime temperatures and really didn’t start to grow until the middle of July.  The soil remained cool and wet because of poor drainage.  Lesson…

Check the moistness of your containers before watering by poking a finger down an inch or two.  Water at the base of the plant and water in the morning so that the plants have time to absorb the water before…