Down The Garden Path Podcast

This episode of Down the Garden Path we answer garden questions live on our weekly radio show. During the middle of the gardening season, we wanted to help our listeners and answer questions and help with any dilemmas our listeners wanted to share with us.  We covered everything from lawns, vegetables, dividing perennials and even a design dilemma! Tune in to hear if we have the answer to one of y...

I think of July as the month of Hydrangeas. So this week on Down the Garden Path we discussed these beloved and versatile shrubs. There truly is a Hydrangea variety for every garden. Matthew and I  discussed best practices for planting Hydrangeas. Pruning is always a popular question when it comes to these shrubs. First, you must understand whether your variety of plant blooms on old or new wood....

We were very excited to talk to Jim Charlier all about the Garden Walk Buffalo.  Jim is a well-traveled garden tourism advocate/consultant, having been a seven-term past president of Garden Walk Buffalo, America's largest garden tour. Jim has written a gardening blog since 2008, covering his garden travels, the great gardens of Buffalo Niagara, and his own garden successes and failures. We learned...

Welcome to our Roses show. The month of July is THE month for Roses in the Garden. During this episode of Down the Garden Path Matthew and I chat about the different varieties of roses. We discuss Rosa Rugosa, Shrub Roses, Carpet Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses and some new varieties like Knock out and The Canadian Shield Rose to name just a few.  We also touch on fertilizing roses, pruning roses and wint...

There is a lot to do in the July Garden and there is a lot to enjoy, that is what we are talking about in this episode of Down the Garden Path. Our monthly feature shows are really meant to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible. Tune in to hear about a variety of todo's in your garden this month. Some of the highlights: Importance of watering your garden and some best practices...

In this episode of Down the Garden Path we revisit the topic of Vines. This is our second consecutive show on Vines in the Garden and we focus on Clematis on this episode.  We discuss the best planting practices, including the addition of mushroom compost or sheep manure to the planting holes as well as through the season for these heavy feeders.  Matthew also describes the 3 different groups that...

All about vines in this episode of Down the Garden Path. We know you will find this episode very informative. We discuss perennial and annual vines. The difference between clinging and twining vines and some words of caution, especially about Virginia Creeper.  We described flowering vines like Trumpet vine and Honeysuckle the many ways they can be used in the garden. Also some foliage vines for a...

We had a lot to talk about in this regular monthly feature show. After chatting about what was happening in our gardens this week as well as what is happening at Matthew's garden centre we did a little rant about "PLANT TAGS" Yes, plant tags! How misleading they can be, how many people misread them or don't read them at all. We gave some pointers and recommendations because we want everyone to be...

Orchestra in My Garden: Lessons learned from Digging Deep is an immersive and deeply moving book from singer/songwriter, mother, gardener, and now author, Linda Brooks. In this stunning hardcover book, Linda brings together 17 personal essays on the garden as a metaphor for life, 22 beautiful new songs as a downloadable accompaniment, and a selection of captivating photos from her own evolving gar...

We all enjoy having a green lush lawn.  This episode of Down the Garden path we switch from Garde to Lawn. We discuss the do's and dont's of each season. Matthew addresses common questions when it comes to keeping your lawn healthy and green.  

This week we discuss what to or in many cases not to do for May in the Garden.  We cover remind everyone that May 24th is the last frost date in Southern Ontario Now is the time to Harden off your seedlings before planting.  For those that bring houseplants outside, it's almost time to harden off them off. Matt gives a lot of tips on how to do get them ready for the patio. We also talked about the...

We turned the tables in this episode of Down the Garden path by chatting about Kitchen and Bathroom design and Installation with Interior Designer Kaeleigh Nadeau, Her company,  KSN Professional Rendering & Design is based in Durham Region, east of the GTA.  We wanted to highlight the importance of design in all aspects of home renovations on Down the Garden Path this week. While chatting with Kae...

This episode is perfect for anyone considering an education in Horticulture. We chat with Shane Jones, the coordinator for the Horticulture Technician and Horticultural Food and Farming Programs at Durham College.  We discuss the different programs and the career opportunities they provide in the industry. We learn about the unique involvement that the horticulture programs have with Parkwood Esta...

Liza Drozdov is Founder and CEO of HortusTV , a premium streaming channel dedicated to gardening. HortusTV is available across Canada and the US. Prior to founding HortusTV , Liza Drozdov was Executive Producer of Holmes Makes it Right, one of the highest-rated shows on HGTV and DIY, and former Vice President of The Holmes Group. She is also a Master Gardener and the author of Design My Life, a no...

So much to discuss in the Episode of Down the Garden Path. Everyone is anxious for Spring weather to begin.  Matthew gives an update on what is happening in the nursery... hint.. trees are arriving, along with cold-hardy annuals.  Matthew and Joanne chat about the reasons why we should actually stay OUT of the garden during the beginning of April. Compacted soil and beneficial insects are just a c...

In this info-packed episode, John Robertson from N.I.C. joins us to discuss Natural Insect Control and the variety of Beneficial Insects that are available for our home gardens. N.I.C. is the only source of Canadian Nemotodes and they happen to be their top selling product. We learn about how they create them and some excellent information on how to best apply them to our yards. Tune in to listen...

Jan Johnsen is a landscape designer particularly interested in the effect of gardens upon our wellbeing. Trained in landscape architecture and professional horticulture, Johnsen is the author of "Heaven is a Garden and 'The Spirit of Stone' (St Lynn's Press, 2017).  In this episode of Down the Garden Path we discuss The Spirit of Stone. In this wonderful book, Jan shares all the creative ways natu...

Jill Pillsworth, horticulturist, gardener & co-founder of Warkworth Willow Works, joins us to talk all things living willow. Warkworth Willow Works is a division of The Branch Ranch formed in 2013 specializing in varieties of willow specifically for basketry and living willow projects.  In this episode, Jill shares with us many creative ways to use living willow, both in the landscape and as well...

Ellen Ecker Ogden is a kitchen garden designer and is the co-founder of The Cook's Garden seed catalogue, and author of five books on cooking and garden design, including The Complete Kitchen Garden .  Ellen joins us on this episode of Down the Garden Path to chat about Kitchen Garden Design and her book, The Complete Kitchen Garden. We discussed the definition of a Kitchen Garden, as well as Elle...

Daniel Eggert, Organic Brand Manager at Harris seeds teamed up with Matthew on this episode of Down the Garden Path to discuss starting seeds indoors. With Daniels experience at Harris Seeds, it was good to hear him explain the difference between Organic and Non-Organic seed. With seed starting time right around the corner, it was the perfect opportunity to discuss some seed starting tips. Everyth...

Bob Reeves, President of Root Rescue Environmental Products joins us to tell us how and why he developed Root Rescue after a discovery at his family's nursery/garden centre, Reeves Florist & Nursery in 2005. He also explains to us the importance of Mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth and development.  We learned how Mycorrhizal fungi are different than other fungus and how we can use them to improve...

Megan Cain, the Creative Vegetable Gardener wants you to know that you can grow great food and be a successful vegetable gardener. Thanks to all her gardening experiences she has created a wonderful workbook called the Smart Start Garden Planner. Megan joins me on this episode to tell us all about it and she share a lot of tips and tricks for your garden planning. I guarantee this planner will be...

So many of us would love a water feature for our garden or yard but have many questions. Listen to this informative show with Ernest Williams, from Aquascape, Inc. He walks us through the many common misconceptions when it comes to water features. We also learn the variety of options that are available.  Ernest teaches us all about the different liner options and how to calculate the correct size...

This week I wanted to speak with a Landscape Contractor. Chris Ray from Humber Valley Landscaping joined me live to discuss all things landscaping. Humber Valley is a dedicated, creative landscape design and build team servicing the Toronto, Richmond Hill, York Region, West Durham regions. At Humber Valley Landscaping, they want to create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces that fit your lifestyl...

Jane Paradis has been an avid bird watcher most of her life!   She enjoys going to local birding spots all year round.  She has worked for Urban Nature Store for 9 years and truly enjoys helping customers with all of their birding questions and needs. Canadian-owned and operated, Urban Nature Store is an independent retailer that prides itself on being able to select just the best products for our...