Follow a self-taught backyard gardener in her gardening obsession
A reflection on the successes and failures of establishing a native garden. From the enthusiastic spreading of Pearly Everlasting to the disappearance of native milkweeds, gardening is always a learning process. Get real-world insight into the challenges of creating a native backyard garden.
Follow along as a backyard gardener starts a native wildflower garden from foraged and donated seeds. From winter sowing to garden design, this post has many ideas about how to start a backyard native wildflower garden in Montreal, Quebec.
Seeing bees buzzing around my garden is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening. I've compiled my list of the top ten plants to attract bees. Why not plant flowers that are not only beautiful, but help the planet by feeding bees and other pollinators? You'll love having a garden buzzing with life!
Follow along on my second year of winter sowing in Montreal. I explain how to winter sow seeds. My own technique combines the use of milk jugs and plastic bins. I discuss the relative merits of different methods and share my insights.
Planning for the 2024 growing season in Montreal, Canada. I am considering various growing techniques for poppies and cosmos, including winter sowing. With a focus on trying to add more native plants to my garden design, I consider the relative benefits of keeping geranium and non-native rudbeckia.
Have you been noticing strangers lurking around your garden lately? Perhaps you’ve noticed someone furtively brandishing a pair of scissors and an envelope? An interloper snapping a quick pic before snatching the seed heads from your plant? Well, that creepy individual might well be me. The plans have been in the works for a while.... Continue Reading →
This post should come with a trigger warning. It won’t be my usual gushing prose interspersed with gorgeous pictures of my garden. No, it is going to be full of decimated, damaged, and besieged plants. Consider yourself warned! Japanese BeetlesWhere do Japanese Beetles Come From?Will Japanese Beetles Kill My Tree or Plant?Japanese Beetle TrapsNeem Oil... Continue Reading →
Honestly, my husband and I almost never argue. Not about money. Not about chores. But come planting season, almost like clockwork, you'll find us squabbling in the backyard. Although, if I’m being honest, his irritation with me starts building well before planting season. “Where are you going to put all of that?” he’ll sigh when... Continue Reading →
Am I kidding myself by thinking that most of the hard work of gardening is complete? That all I have to do now is put my feet up and wait for everything to take off? I’m sure there’s stuff I’ve forgotten, but for now, I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself. Clean Up I cleaned all... Continue Reading →
I have a confession to make. I am a columbine seed head thief. You might see me in late July furtively cutting the seed heads off your columbines before scurrying back home. A Love Story I fell in love with columbine in the winter of 2020. In fact, I think that’s the year my gardening obsession... Continue Reading →
Martha's Garden Obsession 