Book Your Spring Clean Up

After a long hibernation, the earth (and Green Gardeners) are starting our annual March to Spring Colours.

The weather forecasters recently adjusted the Spring to temper our hopes for a repeat performance of early greenings. We shall see.

We are excited to begin our 7th season and have new updates and Spring Specials to the site coming very shortly.

Clean Up and Makeover Front and Back Toronto High Park

div style=padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6874738039/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=Before Makeover style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6874738039_4eecd5cf5c_s.jpg alt=Before Makeover style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6874739539/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=Before Makeover style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6874739539_6db770c064_s.jpg alt=Before Makeover style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6874741159/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=Before Makeover style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6874741159_95f332227d_s.jpg alt=Before Makeover style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875358163/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0668 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6875358163_d1861ec281_s.jpg alt=IMG_0668 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875359587/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0669 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6875359587_aeb1334a44_s.jpg alt=IMG_0669 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875361063/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0670 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6875361063_94d1d77da5_s.jpg alt=IMG_0670 style=padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//abr clear=all /a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875362681/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=Clean Up and Makeover Newly planted style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6875362681_e0bfa87567_s.jpg alt=Clean Up and Makeover Newly planted style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875364275/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=After Clean Up and Makeover style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6875364275_906fdb206c_s.jpg alt=After Clean Up and Makeover style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6874744101/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0647 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6874744101_aff6662423_s.jpg alt=IMG_0647 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6874745691/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0649 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6874745691_cf0b3681e6_s.jpg alt=IMG_0649 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6874747163/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0650 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6874747163_072d68b591_s.jpg alt=IMG_0650 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875335495/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0653 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6875335495_4d149a63c8_s.jpg alt=IMG_0653 style=padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//abr clear=all /a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875336893/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0654 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6875336893_6c1f64d89f_s.jpg alt=IMG_0654 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875338339/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0655 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6875338339_11a83a4a29_s.jpg alt=IMG_0655 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875339855/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0656 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6875339855_9936a4685d_s.jpg alt=IMG_0656 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875350437/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0663 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6875350437_a6b752c0c9_s.jpg alt=IMG_0663 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875348987/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0662 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6875348987_0e21d9bbe8_s.jpg alt=IMG_0662 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875347327/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0661 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6875347327_34df05aabf_s.jpg alt=IMG_0661 style=padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//abr clear=all /a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875341201/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0657 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6875341201_33b0d9591e_s.jpg alt=IMG_0657 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875342835/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0658 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6875342835_b3d441b29b_s.jpg alt=IMG_0658 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875344549/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0659 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6875344549_ccbb631d56_s.jpg alt=IMG_0659 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875351889/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0664 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6875351889_917d6058e5_s.jpg alt=IMG_0664 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875353347/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0665 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6875353347_3b38475d6e_s.jpg alt=IMG_0665 style=padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//aa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/6875345721/in/set-72157629315772835/ title=IMG_0660 style=text-decoration: none;img src=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6875345721_772e1695ea_s.jpg alt=IMG_0660 style=padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;//abr clear=all //divdiv style=font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5pxpa href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengardeners/sets/72157629315772835/Clean Up and Makeover Front and Back Toronto High Park /a, a set on Flickr./p/divpThis is a test post from flickr demonstrating some of the elements in a makeover.br /
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Frontbr /
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1. We deweeded the front from rampant grass growth in the front garden and transplanted the Dwarf Alberta Spruce to form a foundation planting.br /
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2. We planted a number of low maintenance and spreading perennials to fill in the areas inlcluding thread leaf coreopsis, black eyed susanbr /
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Backbr /
We deweeded the back gardens and installed sod over weedy areas for a back yard kids play areabr /
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Sidebr /
Installed Flag and pea gravel in a dark North facing area.br /
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/p

Featured in TORONTO LIFE Best of the City 2010 Guide

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Common Plant Disorders, Diseases and Pests…Top 10 Lists

“What’s wrong with my plant?” You ask as you walk through your garden and notice subtle indications of malaise to complete devastation of what was recently a thriving healthy plant or garden. It can be overwhelming to identify what exactly has gone wrong. The key is an accurate and speedy response to symptoms. An expert can be hired or a guide on plant ailments can be a great tool to assist you in the task of identification, treatment and prevention such as the excellent comprehensive book title “What’s Wrong With My Plant?” by Steven Bradley.

This post lists a basic top 10 overview of disorders, diseases and pests.

A Plant Disorder stems from the physiology of the plant attributed to environmental factors (such as erratic watering, inappropriate lighting and temperature ranges ) and nutritional deficiencies. Major nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (potash) as well as additional trace nutrients in lesser amounts. Each plant requires a fertilizer in different combination amounts.

Downspouts- Save Water and Protect the Foundation of Your House

Downspouts are essential structural components in leading rain water away from your home. Dependent on your soil type -particularly clay – a poor downspout design can have a damaging impact on the foundation of your house . PVC downspouts are a great eco-friendly alternative that are weather/ rust proof and withstand much more weight than the traditional metal medium and offer the opportunity to create a new system that collects rainwater.

Improve the value of your home and water costs by looking into this alternative. Green Gardeners can help you with this initiative.

To book a FREE CONSULTATION click here http://greengardeners.ca/book-a-free-consultation/

Winter Gardening – there is more to do than feeding the birds…

Heat up some cocoa and throw your woolies on, there are a variety of hardy plants such as evergreens, uncut perennials and ornamental grasses that will add depth and colour to your garden through the winter season. Decorative urns, statues, wood and stone work also offer design permanence through the cold phase.

When the ground is covered in white and your thumb is still feeling green there are still activities you can do to nurture the health and look of your garden outdoors:

- Wrap delicate shrubs and trees before the worst of cold arrives.

- Cover garden beds with more mulch, leaves or soil if you notice plants are beginning to heave out of ground.

- Remove broken branches as they occur and fluff off snow from evergreens to prevent further breakage.

- Apply dormant oil as spring approaches to prevent pest infiltration as they begin to come alive. Be sure to check which plants are sensitive to this treatment to avoid damage: such as junipers, spruces, maples, smoke trees …..

Ingredients for a non toxic dormant oil recipe:

1 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoon biodegradable liquid soap
1 gallon water

….enough for one mature fruit tree.

On the contrary we may have a mild season too so expect to see the unexpected – possibly your rosebush in full splendour along with yew, rose hips, mugo pine and member of the cedar and sedum families.

In short, even though your garden will be resting it can still be enjoyed and nurtured.

PS. Don’t forget to make a snow angel.

To book a FREE CONSULTATION click here http://greengardeners.ca/book-a-free-consultation/

Mildew Prevention in the Garden – The Common Cold of the Plant World

That powdery suspect on your plant is mildew. Your plant may be in good health but like the common cold it can strike when the factors are just right. Its a highly contagious condition that may not be fatal but severely compromise your plants health.

Any combination of moisture in stagnant air, dry soil, overcrowding and too much shade can result in mildew. With fall being a time for all of these variables to occur below are a few recommended steps for prevention:

- avoid wetting foliage by watering at ground level.

- remove garden debris and deadhead exhausted perennials to deny spread.

- natural fungicide sprays to combat mildew include wettable sulfur, baking soda, apple cider vinegar and garlic concoctions. Be sure to apply these at cooler periods of the day such as early morning or evening. Be sure to test on a small area first and wait 24hrs. Also wear a mask and gloves to prevent any reaction.

To book a FREE CONSULTATION click here http://greengardeners.ca/book-a-free-consultation/

Bulb Planting Ideas…and tips to deter squirrels from them

The season has arrived to plant our beloved bulbs. The squirrels are all too excited about this. But so are we.

Green Gardeners can help you dig now to enjoy a blast of colour in the spring and beyond. Consider a vivid spring arrival of a “rainbow garden” using a variety of bulbs. Or a random placement of Scilla adding an complementary indigo touch of magic in the tapestry of your green lawn.

Crocus, Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacynth, Iris, Allium, Snowdrops and Scilla are just an example of hardy bulbs for fall planting which in some zones can extend into December planting. Although in this case as in most – the sooner the better due to unexpected early frost. Bulbs benefit from the winter dormancy and soak up the gradual moisture of melting snow to help them bloom. Applying a mulch will also keep winter weeds at bay.

As for the bushy tailed collectors a few ways to deter them from unearthing your bulbs include:

1) Sprinkling bloodmeal (reapply after rain) or plant several crown imperials (Fritallaria imperius) or Rhubarb -they don’t dig the smell.

2) Cover the planted bed with a layer of sharp gravel – for the same reason we humans wouldn’t want to walk on it barefoot.

3) Place a piece of wide gauge hardware cloth over bed after planting .

4) If you want to keep it really simple – stick to only daffodils and hyacinths….they wont go near them. Not that we know of yet.

Green Gardeners can source the assortment of bulbs perfect for your garden and do the digging and soil treatment for you.

To book a FREE CONSULTATION click here: http://greengardeners.ca/book-a-free-consultation/

http://greengardeners.ca/book-a-free-consultation/

Seal your interlocking or natural patios or driveways with Green Gardeners and Envirobond

An innovative research lab based in Kitchener, Ontario – ENVIROBOND has developed an organic stabilizing jointing material which is sand/ stone based that has proven effective in eliminating the nuisance of futile weeds that plague interlocking. This product will also combat ant infestations. This product is environmentally friendly, resists erosion and is self healing meaning that it will remold itself to paver joints.

Green Gardeners can assist you by weeding out your patio and then applying ENVIROBOND to the joints in your pavers.

According to their web site you can expect 2 to 3 years maintenance free from weed growth. At that time a new application can be applied.

sourcing this product and applying it for prevention or to existing troubled areas.

Click here to book a FREE CONSULTATION http://greengardeners.ca/book-a-free-consultation/

or to learn more about ENVIROBOND products and properties please visit their link:

http://www.envirobond.com/

Featured in TORONTO LIFE Best of the City 2010 Guide

Green Gardeners has made “the list” in the September 7th issue of TORONTO LIFE Best of the City 2010 Guide for their pick in ECO-Landscaping services. Contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION to find out why they chose us!