When it comes to organic gardening, many gardeners are not exactly sure of the definition. Beyond the avoidance of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on their plants, an organic gardener works to achieve a harmonious balance among natural systems, while leaving the environment with replenishment of its resources. There are many good reasons for going organic. …
The “art of good timing” is the age-old belief in lunar rhythms. In the old days, people would plan their daily life, from health and home, to nutrition to farming, forestry and gardening, around the positions and phases of the moon. The moon controls ocean tides, influences the groundwater tables and even the movement of …
Holiday wreaths have long been a tradition of Christmas. Some religions consider circular wreaths as representative of eternity. Wreaths have long been a sign of greeting that embraces nature’s goodness. When made with evergreen branches, the wreath becomes a symbol of everlasting life. With fresh greenery, it adds hope and new life. Throughout the holiday …
Long been a symbol of the holiday season, the infamous mistletoe — or modern-day kissing ball — has been placed in doorways and arches the world around. Kissing underneath the mistletoe is a sign of love, romance and prosperity. Christmas has a wide range of customs and traditions from many cultures and the meaning of …
The poinsettia plant, also known as the Christmas Star or Christmas Flower, has a history rich with tradition and meaning. In Mexico, the arrival of the poinsettia plant is associated with the story of a young girl named Pepita. As the story tells, this girl wept on her way to church, on Christmas Eve, at …
We all love to buy new, lush green tropical plants. But what can we do to help maintain the plant’s original lushness and colour? Start by selecting the right plant for the right location. First, look to the light. Most plants derive the majority of their energy from the light. Direct sunlight is considered to …
The azalea plant is among the most colourful and beautiful of flowering shrubs. Domesticated to become an indoor flowering plant, many varieties can be placed outdoors for the Yukon summer months and wintered indoors. By following a few simple tricks of the trade, you can grow azaleas to produce a flowering period of three to …
There is great excitement to starting plants from seeds. By selecting ornamental and preferred plant varieties, while giving favoured flower and vegetable varieties a head start, you have the opportunity for a summer garden that bursts with enthusiasm … a little early. From blue Himalayan poppies to the award-winning geranium, “Rozanne”, to space-saver cucumbers and …
At some point, many gardeners will experience plant pests and diseases. By selecting all-natural, organic products such as the popular neem oil to care for your plants, you can safely and effectively treat many common plant ailments. Neem oil, derived from the pressed seed of the Azadiracta indica A. Juss (the neem tree), has been …
It has been a long time since we have seen the colour outdoors. For most enthusiastic gardeners, we await that day, when we can embark into our gardens, with the greatest of anticipation. Spring flowering bulbs bring forth a multitude of colour, fragrance and personality. An antidote to the cold outdoor temperatures, spring flowers are …
Plants are natural self-propagators. Along with producing seeds, plants have a unique ability to allow for broken stems and leaves to re-root themselves and produce new plants. One can take advantage of this natural phenomenon by performing plant propagation, by taking cuttings from plants and following a few simple techniques. The ideal time to take …
Cacti and succulents make for ideal indoor plants. In their impressive forms, cacti and succulents offer a broad range of exotic varieties. Whether designed in a minimalist, dry garden or simply enjoyed planted on their own, these easy-to-care-for plants are ideal for the low-maintenance gardener. A succulent is described as a plant with thick foliage …
Working outdoors can tone your muscles and your mind. This spring, get a power workout from lawn and garden exercises. Getting fit in the garden might be more fun and easier than you think. Mowing the lawn can become a more enjoyable task knowing that you are burning 360 calories per hour pushing a power …
Edible-plant gardening is a doubly exciting venture. We all know that food tastes best when it can be consumed soon after harvest. By growing edible plants in your windowsill, you take advantage of the fresh harvest at your finger tips. Herb gardening is a rewarding and useful experience. Consider experimenting with plant varieties not available …
Tough, easy to grow and durable are musical words to a Northern gardener’s ears. To add to the symphony, spirea is an adaptable plant that is relatively fast-growing and easy to maintain. In the many spring, summer and fall flowering varieties, spirea offers a multitude of hardy and beautiful choices. Spirea plants can be found …
Perennial gardening has long been a favoured pastime for Yukon gardeners. Now is the perfect time to take a good look at the perennials in your garden, decide which perennials to plant where, shuffle existing plants around your garden and fill in empty spaces with new favourite varieties. Perennial gardens can look stunning, from early …
All gardeners love having beautiful containers and hangings baskets in their gardens. By carefully choosing varieties that are ideally suited for your garden, along with providing regular routine care and maintenance, you can enjoy having everlasting blooms all summer long. First, take a look at your gardens natural environment. It is important that you know …
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Loved the world over for their nostalgic beauty, roses have long been celebrated by artists, composers, florists and gardeners. Though many varieties of roses require extra care and attention, there are roses that are hardy enough for the Northern Yukon climate and actually require very little extra attention. Roses are an excellent choice as an …
Peonies are a beautiful, prolific flowering shrub that casts a spell, throughout the summer, with their incredible fragrance. Prized for their large, fragrant blooms and stellar foliage, peonies come in a wide range of colour, from white to yellow to coral, and from pink to purple to red, in a myriad of cultivars that will …
Fresh herbs and edible flowers are always in vogue in culinary kitchens. From the most-basic chef, to five-star hotels, herbs and edible flowers offer culinary delight that provides a finishing touch to summer cuisine. In pretty petals of golden-orange, tasty and colourful calendula officinalis offers a savory, buttery saffron flavour while a glass of bubbly …
From minor scrapes and sores, to bug bites and burns, the healing medicinal properties of the aloe vera plant have been known to cure a wide range of common ailments since biblical times. The thick, fleshy gelatinous gel, found within the stems of the aloe vera, offers a multitude of natural healing properties. The aloe …
Gardeners love the burst of colour of daylilies. In a widely available choice of colour, size, texture and blooming period, this adaptable perennial is excellent for Northern gardeners. Daylilies look great in borders and mass plantings or as a focus in container gardens. They also reduce erosion in steep areas. With an infinite number of …
Plants not only add life to dreary environments, they also filter harmful pollutants while adding oxygen to stale air. Studies also show that plants help to reduce stress levels in the workplace. Choosing plants that thrive in the office can be a challenge. Consider these few tips to choosing healthy plants for your office: First, …
With outdoor conditions turning colder, and the hours of daylight decreasing, it can be a challenge to keep tropical houseplants looking lush, during the winter months. Try to maintain optimum light for your plants. Move sun-loving plants, such as palms and ficus varieties, close to a window. You can also increase light levels, in poorly …
Kissing underneath the mistletoe is among the most favourite of traditions celebrated during the holiday season. But where did this unique symbol of the season come from? The interesting telltale folklore of the mistletoe dates back well into the Victorian age. Mistletoe has as many customs and traditions from various cultures as the meaning of …
When I was a child, my father built a 12-foot-long stone fireplace in the centre of our living room. Little did I know, at the time, that this fireplace would become the special place where we would display family mementos and treasured holiday collectibles, creating lasting memories for generations. In many homes, the mantelpiece tops …
The revered holiday poinsettia is among the most-beautiful and significant flowering plants of the holiday season. Also known as the Christmas star or Christmas Flower, the poinsettia has history rich with tradition and meaning. One of my favourite Christmas stories tells of the humble beginnings of the Mexican poinsettia flower. The story tells of a …
The Norfolk Island pine is a popular and spirited plant that has adapted to many indoor living spaces. Enjoyed for its close similarity to an outdoor evergreen tree, the Norfolk Island pine vastly resembles the spirited Christmas tree. The lush, soft needles are perfect for displaying holiday ornaments, garlands and bows. A plant that will …
Most gardeners await the spring season with the greatest of anticipation. We watch patiently for those first bulbs and perennials to spring forth into our gardens. As the last of the snow melts and the days become longer, we know that soon we will be out cultivating our gardens. On the first warm day of …
As the spring days become longer and the sun starts to shine, now is a perfect time to think about planting seeds for summer’s bounty. If you are a seed-saver and have seeds from previous years, avoid the disappointment and try a simple germination test. To test the seeds viability, take a piece of paper …
Everyone loves the tranquil calming nature of an outdoor water feature. Whether it be the splash of a water fountain or the soothing serenity of a pond, a water feature in a garden creates an interesting focal to any landscape. When selecting an area of your landscape, make a map to scale of your entire …
The concern surrounding the rapid spread of invasive plant species is one that is felt across the country. Fortunately, most of the invasive plants causing serious harm in Canada will not survive in our northern climate. However, there are some destructive invasive plant species, right here in the Yukon, which deserve our attention. An invasive …
I have discovered that gardening is more than a past-time; it’s a way of life. For me, gardening is both therapeutic and inspirational. There is something that relaxes and rejuvenates the soul which stems from the planting, nurturing and harvesting process. I was fortunate to have discovered a love for gardening at a very young …
Now is the perfect time of year to think about adding new perennials to your garden. First, take a look at your existing garden. Note the amount of sunlight, current soil conditions and exposure to wind. Most garden centres will categorize their perennials based on the amount of sunlight required (i.e. shade, semi-shade and well-lit …
The language of flowers, often referred to as floriography, was commonly used as a form of communication in the Victorian era.
Owning your own business offers great rewards, with equally great opportunities. But some entrepreneurs consider themselves working alone in business, especially if they are filling a unique niche in the marketplace. There is more to business life than flying solo. Many successful businesses have formed strategic alliances, with like-minded businesses, that gives their business the …
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Among the most striking of all North American native wildflowers, echinacea, or more commonly called coneflowers, once spread across thousands of kilometres. Appreciated in gardens and nature for thousands of years, their daisy-like flowers provided early settlers one of their most important medicinal plants. For centuries, people have been using echinacea to treat a host …
The ways in which technology improves the productivity of a business continue to grow. By selecting a technological system that is right for you, you allow your business, colleagues and consumers to flourish. From modern point-of-sale systems, to web-based technology, to mobile wireless communications, there is a multitude of ways that you can implement technology …
You might think that the Northern climate is too cold to grow beautiful, flowering roses. Think again. If your garden has an sunny location, with good air circulation, chances are you have an ideal place to grow roses. From the hardiest hansa rugosa rose, to the richly fragrant white blanc double de coubert, to the …
A new tree is a wonderful addition to any landscape project. Beyond providing shelter, shade and food for birds and small animals, trees also benefit the environment by storing carbons, emitting oxygen and recycling moisture into the atmosphere. If you are considering adding a new tree to your garden this summer, take time to follow …
The Generation Ys are competent and motivated employees, who offer a wide range of skills, talent, life experience, academic knowledge and work potential. These younger professionals who, unlike their Generation X descendants haven’t reached 30 yet, bring a new energy, drive and a “why not” attitude to the workplace. Plus this new generation of tech …
Herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials and wildflowers can all be grown from seed. By using a combination of the right seed, good quality soil and a little tender loving care, you will have abundant blossoms ready to transplant, into your garden, after the first full moon in June. A great family project, starting plants from seeds …
As the traditional flower of Easter, the lily longiflorum is highly regarded as a joyful symbol of beauty, hope and life. Two of the greatest charms of the lilium longiflorum, or Easter lily, are natural form and fragrance of this well-loved spring plant. Here are some tips for choosing healthy plants that will last throughout …
Tulips are one of the world’s most easily recognized and loved spring flowers. For lasting enjoyment, purchase tulips in a tight bud stage, where the flower is completely closed; the colour just slightly appearing. At home, re-cut the tulips on a sharp angle using a clean knife to open the flower uptake channels. Like all …
February has long been a month of romance. Every year, Valentine’s Day, a holiday honouring love and lovers, is celebrated on Feb. 14. There are many ways in which we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day and speak the language of love. One of the most profound ways is the language spoken with flowers. Flowers have long …
When you are given a bouquet of fresh flowers, what do you do? Naturally, you look for a vase and fill it with fresh water. But there’s a lot more to properly caring for and maintaining fresh cut flowers. For maximum enjoyment of your bouquet, I have created a simple checklist: First start fresh. By …
