First and foremost, we are solely Ontario sourced seeds. Absolutely all our stock is grown from hand collected seeds derived from Ontario. Just because growing and gardening centers advertise native stocks does not mean that these stocks are Ontario sourced. In fact, many native stocks are imported from the States and resold here.
BUYER BEWARE – ALWAYS ASK IF YOUR PLANT PURCHASE IS ONTARIO SOURCED. BE ONTARIO PROUD.
Many of our customers ask us about the funky pots at our nursery. To some people they look unprofessional and helter skelter but to us they are our badge of honor. We ask clients to bring back all pots and containers so that they can be reused, again and again, until they fall apart. Only at this time do we take them away to be recycled. Just one way our nursery walks a little softer on the Earth and implements low impact practices.
People assume that work at a nursery stops once the trees go dormant. Far from it. As a matter of fact, I am still seed collecting for next year. We are now harvesting the conifers, such as the fir. We hand collect all our seeds that we use at the nursery. Proud to say that all stock is Ontario sourced.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
Check out our amazing artisan soaps. We have, also, launched a new line of specialty soaps. Great stocking stuffers.
People are asking what the logo we are sporting on our website is about. The ‘In the Zone’ program is a joint venture between Carolinian Canada and World Wildlife Fund to connect citizens and gardeners to healthy landscapes, trails and gardens. The ‘In the Zone’ program wants to celebrate our native plants and wildlife. When you join this program you can receive free gardening resources.
As a native plant nursery participating in the program, we are assuring you that all plants sold by us are native and Ontario sourced. When you see these tags or stickers, then you can be confident that your purchases support and sustain our native Ontario landscape and wildlife.
Hoping to see you IN THE ZONE
So many people despair when considering plantings with walnut. They would rather get rid of these magnificent trees instead of investigating compatible plantings. The group of plants that can survive and grow harmoniously with walnuts is extensive.
Please follow the link to the listing. There are always choices when planting to walnut.
Happy gardening.
Last year, we had a bus tour coincide with the blooming of the false indigo. I love the way one of the passengers described the plant. ‘Pollinators just don’t love this plant, they attack it!’ And he was right. There were insects everywhere. Some were on the plant and others hover waiting for their opportunity.
I disappointed a lot of people that day by saying we had no false indigo. We had been trying different recommendations from different sources but nothing seemed to work. Got lucky on the 3rd attempt. Finally…we have false indigo.
Seriously, there are plants that pollinators love and then…there is the false indigo.
We absolutely love this time of year. A time to hike and get out into nature on a regular basis. A necessity, in our business, since we hand collect our seeds from Southern Ontario. People ask why we just don’t buy the seeds or seedlings.
To me, that would defeat our whole genetic program. The only way we know, for sure, where these seeds have come from is by picking them ourselves. It is not just about location but the way in which the seeds are chosen. We do not just pick from one tree or one shrub but from multiple shrubs or parent trees to diversify the genetics of what we are picking. Even though they are all from the same geographical location we pick as much as we can from varied parents at that site. In this way, we are diversifying that genetic base.
Is it more work? You bet. But I am convinced that we need to continue these seed picking efforts if we are to diversify our future forests and make them resilient towards climate change.
Have to go now. Seed picking awaits!
We are always looking at ways we can diversify the Ontario landscape and enable assisted tree migration. For the past 2 years, we have intensified our efforts to find more southerly seed sources. These southerly sites will allow for tree and plant migration to the north. The more sites, and parent stock, available the greater the genetic diversity moving northward.
But what about cottage country? Climate change will not skip over this precious area. We decided to include more northerly locations to help assist our lake area with assisted migration. Not only does migration include vegetation moving northward but also laterally. Basically, expanding east to west boundaries.
Stay tuned.
This is usually the time of year where customers phone in a panic wondering if it is too late to plant. Much to their surprise, I respond to them by saying they are too early – wait till September.
Why? It is more logical to plant in the Fall. By September, our weather changes from blistering heat and droughts to cooler temperatures and rain. This decreases the heat and water loss stresses on plants. Also, with the dropping of leaves there is less water loss since leaves are not transpiring. In the end, this equates to you not standing at the end of a watering hose everyday making sure your plantings are watered.
The most fascinating point about Fall planting is what happens below the ground. Ground temperatures stay at a constant 56F till December, depending on the weather. With the lack of activity above ground (no leaves photosynthesizing) the roots establish and grow undisturbed. By next spring, the roots are well anchored and the plant ready to burst into spring.
From a frugal point of view, the Fall is the best time to purchase. Most nurseries are down sizing their stock and usually great deals are to be had. So, bottom line, relax and wait for the Fall and then plant all those great deals.
A very complex subject. 25% of our bird species are declining, and rapidly. Other species, such as waterfowl and raptors are increasing. Many, many factors from banning DDT to international agreements on bird breeding grounds have influenced bird populations.
At home, we have to realize one startling fact. Birds are starving to death. If you want to increase populations and save them from the brink of extinction you have to have food available. And lots of it – especially for migratory birds. Birds usually prefer their native berries since they have co evolved with these plants. However, there are some shrubs that our birds love that aren’t native.
I am referring to the currant family. We have purposely sought out the old heirloom black and red currants on farms that birds persistently visit. Now we have black currants ready. Remember, share the berry wealth. Or even better, every bush you plant for yourself plant one for our feathered friends. They will thank you for it.
