In southern Ontario (zone 5-7) columbine flowers are putting out seed pods that are ready to collect at end of June, beginning of July. They are prolific seeders and make for a fun seed collection activity with kids.

Many misused terms get thrown around in gardening forums, Facebook groups and general conversations when discussing plants. This occurs even more when native plants are concerned. We get to the bottom of common terms such as invasive and aggressive, which will allow you to garden more confidently, when selecting plants for your space.

Naming the beings around us creates a sense of familiarity, comfort and community. We are far from alone in this world but we are currently out of touch. Greeting our fellow beings by name is a simple way to rebuild that relationship.

“This plant makes me happy! I must have it!!” But at what expense? Let’s do a little case study! Three early-spring plants that all bloom around the same time. Three very different effects on the environment around them.

Mimicking the seasons with simple garden tasks is an easy way to hand your children superhero-esque powers while teaching them key facts about the world around us. This will give them a sense of control and leave them with awe, instilling respect for nature through the process.

Whenever we step into the role of gardener, we are either directly or indirectly mimicking nature. If seed starting fails to, start… we can look to how that seed would be grown in natural settings to find the answers.