Japanese Maple – Garden Soil Testing help

Hi I have unsuccessfully tried planting blood good AND emperor 1 Japanese maples thrice in the past 5 years in the attached backyard garden, They thrive for a year and die out, some kind of disease I think. Is there…

Japanese Lilac Tree Dieback

I have two Japanese lilac trees, approximately 20 years old. They are planted at the front of the house, facing north. One tree has major die back. Leaves suddenly wilt on individual branches then drop off. I’m not sure if…

Soil Composition

I have a community garden here in Toronto. I am thinking of topping up my garden by adding a couple of inches of Triple Mix (soil, peat moss and compost). After applying this layer of Triple Mix can I also…

Soil quality assessment – where to get it done?

In order to decide how to improve the soil in raised beds, where can one get soil composition tested in Toronto/GTA in order to discover what is missing for optimum plant growth? Beds contain shrubs, decorative trees/ flowers/bulbs (not vegetables)…

Soil Fertility: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide

Description Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to supply and sustain nutrients for healthy plant growth. Maintaining the fertility and health of garden soil is important for good lawn and garden management. Soil fertility promotes the development of…

Wilting tomatoes and cukes

Good day! My name is Marcela and I am looking for a place that will test my garden soil. Cole’s Notes – last year my tomatoes and cucumbers were horribly effected by “something” in the soil (that’s my guess) that…

Preparing a Space for a Pollinator Garden

I am taking over an empty garden that is covered with 2 to 3 inches of black wood chip mulch. Below that is a layer of black landscaping fabric. I would like to make a pollinator garden with the space,…

Soil Testing

I am curious to know if I should do a soil test to understand the level of nutrients that my vegetable garden contains and the possibility that I may not be replenishing the nutrients used by my plants each year.…

Advice on planting for full sun

Dear Master Gardner, My backyard has intense western sun, especially in the afternoon. I’m wondering what trees/shrubs are hardy enough to withstand afternoon sun. The soil may have fungus so the ideal tree/shrub should be hardy enough to tolerate these…