Posted to Ontario Barn Preservation – Cars in Barns Are Barn Finds

This is the post I wrote about old cars being found in even older barns, for the Ontario Barn Preservation newsletter, January 2023. Cars in Barns Are “Barn Finds” I like to photograph old buildings, farm houses and barns included. I’ve met a lot of people who also have an interest in old places. Not … Read more

Keep Plants Instead of Pets

Get plant friendly. Plants don’t destroy clothing or furniture, they don’t bite, drool or bark. You don’t need a bag to pick up their poop if you take them on a walk. You don’t need to take plants to the vet. Plants can smell wonderful. You can eat some of them, if you choose. Plants … Read more

Ice Bubbles in Alberta

In a post about beautiful places around the world, Alberta is one of those selected. EarthPorn – 11 Mindblowing Locations You Won’t Believe Are Really on Earth It’s beautiful, interesting, and explosive. This remote lake in Alberta is home to ‘ice bubbles’ – bubbles formed when methane gas freezes as its approaches the surface of … Read more

Invasive Reed Across Ontario

I keep forgetting the name for this plant. I hear about it often and see it far more often than I’d like to. Any place we used to have bulrushes and cattails, there are now phargmites instead. I almost applaud the few times I still see cattails. I’ve heard this is a very hard plant … Read more

Ruderal – Growing Where it Can

Found this on Twitter today. It’s a great word for urban exploration, at least for me. I do like the plants growing in odd places: rooftops, cracked cement, and railway tracks as shown in the photograph. Sort of abandoned gardens and yet, most were never planted deliberately. Where have you seen something growing in spite … Read more

Keep Your Poinsettia After Christmas

It is possible to keep your poinsettia alive into the Spring season when it can flower again for Christmas holidays the next year. Of course, flower is the wrong word when dealing with poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima, from the spurge plant family). They don’t have flower petals. Those red leaves are called bracts. The red leaves … Read more

30 Fun Things to do with a Digital Camera

Create a wish list. Make a catalogue of things you would like for your next birthday, Christmas or other event. Take a photo of important information like a list of phone numbers, your Christmas card list, something you need to remember later and so on. Take a photo of your shopping list so you can … Read more

Famous Women Gardeners

Famous Women Gardeners By Gay Klok Introduction GERTRUDE JEKYLL V. SACKVILLE-WEST EDNA WALLING LESTER ROWNTREE ELIZABETH VON ARNIM You may have heard of the first two but not have heard of the last two ladies. During the next weeks we will learn how these five women had an enormous influence on our modern-day gardens and … Read more