Happy Earth Day

Touch the earth lightly, use the earth gently,

Nourish the life of the world in our care:

Gift of great wonder, ours to surrender

Trust for the children tomorrow will bear.

~Shirley Erena Murray

Happy Earth Day!

46 years ago, the Earth Day movement began, creating awareness of environmental issues. Now we continue to celebrate ideas and lead by the power of our example. Its more than just a one day celebration, it's a movement to take us all through the year.

This year at Dufferin Garden Centre, we have decided to call this the year of the Bee. With the concerns in the news and our own neighbourhoods, we would like to help support our pollinators. You will find many of our products and plants labeled with our very own Bee Friendly label, signifying our support for pollinator friendly habitats.

Our draw this month celebrates Spring and the Bee Friendly Movement. Visit today and fill out a ballot to win: a Bee House OR an Ivory Silk Tree Lilac. The lucky winner will be chosen on Earth Day Weekend, Saturday, April 23, 2016.

Dufferin Garden Centre is a busy place with trucks arriving daily with shrubs, trees, perennials, herbs and more! We are definitely enjoying the start of the season! Welcome Spring!

Spring Hours:

Monday - Saturday :: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday :: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Pruning...

...is a large subject that has filled many books. But the basic pruning principles are relatively simple. Do you have mature shrubs such as a forsythia that has become leggy, or have you purchased a new home and not quite sure how to start?

We will cover the very basics of pruning in this article.

PRUNING

Happy Earth Day - Plant a Tree!

Did you know that restoring our forests remains the most affordable, health-promoting and regenerative solution to climate change?

This year, as political leaders from around the world gather in New York to sign the Paris Climate Agreement, the global network of Earth Day organizations are kicking off an ambitious campaign to plant 7.8 billion trees, one for every person on the plant by 2020.

How you can help to fight climate change in your own back yard? Our nursery stock has just starting to arrive and we are pleased to offer seedlings of native trees: Red Oaks, Birch and Silver Maple.

Earth Day Canada

Feature Product :: Gaia Green Premium Organic Fertilizers

Gaia Green Products Ltd . has been manufacturing and distributing a complete line of organic fertilizers and soil amendments to farm and garden markets since 1990.

Their organic fertilizers and soil amendments are formulated using only the finest organic and mineral inputs to ensure a complete balance of nutrients. All of the products are free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, providing an alternative to conventional products.

All Gaia Green Premium Organic Fertilizers are 100% environmentally friendly, are acceptable for Organic Food Production and are G.M.O. Free. Safe for kids and pets!

Available at the Dufferin Garden Centre, see below for further savings.

Gardening Myth Buster :: Freshly pruned trees should be coated with a seal to keep fungus out.

FALSE!

Although this used to be a common practice, it is not required anymore. The sealant or pruning paint prevents the cut from healing properly and forming a callous, thus making the tree weaker. It can also seal in water, bacteria, fungi and decay...which is not the intention!

The better option is to make a clean cut and let it heal naturally. Let's not interfere with the natural recovery process that Mother Nature has perfected!

Bee Friendly :: Tips on creating a Bee-Friendly Garden

Beneficial pollinators are a crucial part of our environment and gardens, especially our vegetable gardens. Of all the pollinators, bees are by far the most important!

We can make a difference by creating a bee-friendly space in your garden, by choosing bee-friendly plants, planting wildflowers, keeping our gardens chemical free and let it continue to flower. It could be as small as creating a container that provides a pollinator habitat or incorporating bee-friendly plants throughout your existing garden.

BEE FRIENDLY

From the Veggie Patch :: Asparagus

Nothing says spring harvest better than fresh asparagus! Read on for tips about growing your own, harvesting and a recipe for Balsamic Onions, Asparagus and Goat Cheese Pizza.

ASPARAGUS

Gardening 101 :: Compost Tea - the ultimate plant beverage!

In the spirit of Earth Day, we are celebrating with an eco-friendly fertilizer that can be made at home.

What is Compost Tea?

- made by steeping compost in water, then used to drench the soil
- contains the beneficial micro-organisms that are applied directly to the plants as they absorb the liquid through their roots
- this is especially valuable in your vegetable garden, improving the nutritional value of your veggies

SEE THE FULL ARTICLE

Feature Plant :: Cinnamon Snow Lenten Rose

The Cinnamon Snow Lenten Rose is part of the outstanding Helleborus Gold Collection bred by Josef Heuger in Germany. Other members of this collection include Pink Frost and Ice Breaker Lenten Rose.

FEATURE PLANT

For the Birds :: Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

A flash of green and red is the first sign that the hummingbirds have returned to your garden! They are brilliant in colour and fun to watch them dart with precision-flying from feeder to flower.

Is your garden ready for the 'Hummers'? They love the nectar or sugar water in flowers or feeders but also eat both plant and animal material such as insects and small spiders.

FOR THE BIRDS