Green Oasis on Broadview

The term “invasive species” can mean a non-indigenous species that has a negative impact on its new habitat (like the Asian long-horned beetle). Or it can mean a species, indigenous or non-indigenous, that proliferates in a given area (like the mint plant). Often the two go hand in hand, because when a plant [...]

Keeping Chickens in your Toronto Backyard!?
It’s true, Torontonians  are catching onto this trend, following other Ontarian and Canadian cities in taking care of chickens in their very own backyards and bringing new meaning to the terms “urban farm”.  Imagine having the freshest, organic eggs straight from your own flock for breakfast… Toronto Chickens is hosting [...]

With its large, drooping, dark green leaves and fruit reminiscent of the tropics, the Pawpaw doesn’t seem to belong in Southern Ontario. In fact, the Asimina is the only member of the Annonaceae family found outside of the tropics. But we’re pretty lucky to have it.
Native to most of the Eastern United States [...]

78% of the earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen. Abundant and useful, it stabilizes other elements in the atmosphere and is an essential nutrient for plants and animals to produce amino acids, which are a component of proteins and DNA. Proteins enable plants to grow strong stems and green leaves. Protein also gives the plants more nutritional [...]

Forest gardening is landscaping technique modeled after a natural woodland ecosystem. Forest gardens utilize interplanting and companion planting (link) to promote polyculture instead of monoculture. While imitating the functioning of a native forest ecosystem, forest gardeners substitute inedible trees and plants with those which yield food for humans. It is important to include [...]

Interplanting is the practice of interspersing more than one crop in a given area. It is an organic gardening tool that can be used to improve the growing conditions of one or more of the crops. At its best, this companion planting offers mutual benefits to all plants involved. For example, a traditional [...]

Gardening in the sun is taxing, and most of us are grateful for a little tree cover on a sweltering summer day. However, it can take a little ingenuity to find plants that thrive in the shade – as we gardeners certainly do. Are you in the dark about how to make those [...]