Down The Garden Path Podcast

Have you ever wished you could save your favourite annuals instead of replacing them every spring? In this episode of Down the Garden Path , Joanne Shaw shares three ways to save your annuals, from bringing entire plants indoors to growing new plants from cuttings and storing dormant tubers. Learn which methods work best for popular plants like coleus, geraniums, begonias and million bells, along...

Is October really the time to cut everything back and put the garden to bed? Not necessarily. In this episode, we've gathered some of Joanne's best tips for October in the garden. She shares why October can actually be one of the easiest months, with just a few simple tasks to focus on and plenty you can leave alone. Here are some of the topics discussed in this episode: Do less this fall: There's...

Not sure what to do with your roses this fall? This week on Down the Garden Path , Joanne is joined by master gardener and author Cauleen Viscoff to talk about making rose care a little less intimidating. They cover fall rose care, winter preparation, planting and moving roses, climbing roses, common pests and, of course, pruning. Cauleen also shares the story behind her upcoming book, Pruning Ros...

Have you considered adding native ornamental grasses to your garden? They're often overlooked but add colour, texture, and movement while providing food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. This week on the podcast, Joanne takes a closer look at a few standout varieties that can bring interest to the garden well beyond the summer months. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: Why...

Looking for a hydrangea that gives you plenty of colour without taking over your garden? This week on the podcast, Joanne shares three dwarf hydrangeas she has grown in her own garden: Fire Light Tidbit ® , Little Lime Punch ® and Invincibelle Limetta ® . She looks at how each one grows, where it performs best, and why these smaller varieties can be such a good fit for today's gardens and smaller...

Wondering what you can still get done in the garden before the season wraps up? This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne explains why fall is still a great time to add compost, plant new perennials, divide and move existing plants, and even start a brand-new garden bed. She also shares an easy, low-maintenance way to create a new garden using cardboard, compost and mulch so you can be ready to pl...

Thinking of buying mums for your fall garden? In this encore episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne reviews the pros and cons of fall mums and shares why asters may be the better choice. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: The pros and cons of fall mums: While mums are incredibly popular for fall colour, they can be higher maintenance than people expect, especially when planted in...

Late August and early September are important times for migrating butterflies like monarchs, swallowtails, and painted ladies, and the plants in our gardens can make a real difference. This week, Joanne shares simple ways to support butterflies by providing the right host and nectar plants, even if you only have a small garden, a patio, or a few containers. Some of the topics covered in this week'...

Looking for something beyond hostas for your shade garden? This week, Joanne shares three standout shade-loving perennials that bring height, texture, colour, and serious foliage interest to darker garden spaces. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: Adding height and structure to a shade garden: Larger perennials like Sun King Aralia, Bugbane, and Rodgersia can give a shade garden th...

Does your August garden need a fresh burst of colour? In this episode, Joanne shares three of her favourite white perennials for sunny spaces that add contrast, brighten the garden at dusk and keep blooming well into fall. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: White perennials bring late-season impact White flowers brighten an August garden, create contrast against darker foliage and...

What does your garden need this August? After the heat and stress of July, many lawns, containers, vegetables, shrubs and trees could use a little extra attention. In this episode, Joanne shares practical advice for watering, pruning, feeding and refreshing your garden while preparing for the season ahead. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: Reviving and maintaining a heat-stressed...

In this mid-summer tips episode, Joanne answers some commonly asked questions about managing your lawn and garden. Some of the topics covered: Practical mid-season planting advice:
 You can still plant trees, shrubs, and perennials in July, provided they are watered consistently. When purchasing discounted plants, check the roots rather than judging them by their above-soil appearance. Managing co...

Wondering what to do in your garden in July? This week on the podcast, Joanne reviews the essential July garden tasks every gardener should know, including deadheading, weeding, pest control, smart watering, and summer lawn and vegetable care. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: July garden maintenance:  The cooler spring, heavy rain, and sudden heat have left many gardens behind sc...

Peony season may be over, but there's still plenty to learn about these garden favourites. In this episode, Joanne explores the different types of peonies and explains what makes each one unique. She also shares practical tips for planting, supporting, deadheading, and caring for your peonies so they return beautifully year after year. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: The three t...

Do you have a lilac bush in your garden? If you've ever wondered when or how to prune it, don't miss this week's episode. Joanne shares timely tips for caring for your lilacs and explains why now is the perfect time to prune. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: The importance of pruning lilacs right after they bloom Lilacs bloom on old wood, so timing matters. The best time to deadh...

In this episode of Down the Garden Path, we revisit last spring's conversation with Ernest Williams from Aquascape about how pondless water features can bring the beauty, movement, and soothing sound of water into your yard. Here are some of the topics discussed in this episode: Pondless water features offer beauty with less maintenance:  Pondless waterfalls, fountainscapes, spillway bowls, bubbli...

Thinking about starting a landscape project? In this popular episode from last summer, Joanne shares practical advice from her years as a landscape designer, including how to plan with confidence, choose the right materials, and work with professionals to avoid costly mistakes. Some of the topics covered in this week's episode: Observe what works in real life Look at nearby homes to see what mater...

In this popular episode from last spring, Joanne speaks with author and fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner about her book, Fruit Tree Pruning: The Science and Art of Cultivating Healthy Fruit Trees , and shares Susan's practical advice for growing healthier, more productive fruit trees. About Susan Poizner Susan Poizner is an award-winning author, journalist, urban orchardist, and fruit tree c...

This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne explains why mulch matters in the garden, how to choose the right kind, and why proper mulching can make a big difference for your soil, plants, and trees. Mulch is Practical, Not Decorative Mulch should support the garden, not steal the show. Its real purpose is to help control weeds, keep soil cooler, retain moisture, and gradually break down to add nutr...

This week on the podcast, Joanne speaks with Bri Petersen from Urban Gardening Canada about her new e-book, Gardening Basics for the Beginner Gardener . In this episode: Beginner Gardeners Need Updated Advice, Not Outdated Rules So much common gardening advice is based on old habits, like turning over the soil every spring, cleaning up every leaf, or planting by a fixed calendar date. Bri's e-book...

What if you could walk through acres of blooming peonies and cut your own bouquet to take home? In this episode, Joanne welcomes Valérie Chort of Fleur de Roy to share the story behind Southern Ontario's largest pick-your-own peony farm and its short but spectacular bloom season. Tickets are now available to Pick Your Own Peony Flowers from June 1st to 8th, 2026. In this episode: How did a conserv...

This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne discusses do's and don'ts for your May garden, and walks you through what to do now, what to wait on, and how to give your garden the best start for the season ahead. Be patient and let the May garden guide your timing.
 May can be unpredictable, especially after a cool, wet winter. Instead of rushing into cleanup, planting, pruning, seeding, or mowing, ga...

Thinking about growing your own lettuce, spinach, and potatoes this spring? In this April 2025 encore episode, Joanne chats with Julia Dimakos about successfully growing these popular vegetables at home. In this episode: How to grow lettuce successfully for fresh, continuous harvests
 Julia explores the basics of growing lettuce from seed, including the importance of starting with fresh seed, givi...

This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne chats with Manny Lavrador about the growing interest in native trees and how to choose the right one for your property. In this episode: Why are native trees such an important topic right now? More gardeners and homeowners are looking for plants that support the environment, work well in local ecosystems, and respond to growing concerns about invasive spec...

Have you been hesitant to add roses to your garden? This week on the podcast, Joanne talks with Paul Zimmerman about Jackson & Perkins' expansion into Canada, what it means for rose lovers, and why these cold-hardy, Canadian-grown roses may be easier to grow than many gardeners think. In this episode: Roses are becoming more accessible for Canadian gardeners. Jackson & Perkins roses are now availa...