For my fellow gardeners and those of you who are looking for help with your plants and planting:

I am a member of the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton (MGOC)*, a group of volunteers who offer free, authoritative and unbiased gardening advice to the public. I also have decades of “hands-in-the-dirt” experience, have studied post-secondary horticulture and plant science, and continue to upgrade my skills every year through technical training.

Click the links to find:

  • links to my gardening advice articles, in MGOC’s “Trowel Talk” newsletter and Fifty-Five Plus magazine
  • the opportunity to browse “Trowel Talk” and the MGOC website. Each one is rich with ideas, advice and gorgeous photos – I guarantee you will come away with at least one new gardening tip that you can use!

* Master Gardeners are volunteer, non-profit organizations established throughout Canada and the United States. Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton is one of 38 Master Gardener groups in Ontario

Book Review: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover’s Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants), by Maria Failla

MGOC Trowel Talk newsletter, December 2023

As a Master Gardener, I know that cultivating plants equals cultivating happiness. Yet I also know people who insist they are bereft of green thumbs, consider themselves capable only of bringing cut flowers home from the grocery store, and self-identify as “plant killers.” Maria Failla’s book reaches out to this audience of “plant killers.” In a warm, enthusiastic and informative style, she introduces houseplant care as self-care: a way of introducing more joy into our homes and our overall outlook.

Read my book review on Page 6 of Trowel Talk.

Grow a Garden Full of Memories

MGOC Trowel Talk Newsletter, June 2023

However you define a garden oasis, I’d like to encourage you to grow some memories! Consider choosing specific plants to celebrate the people and places most important in your life. You can give yourself the pleasure of revisiting favourite friends, family members, events and places—and not have to leave your backyard.

Read the article here – click on Page 4 in the top right

High Performance, Low Maintenance Plants

Fifty-Five Plus Magazine, May 2023

Imagine filling your garden with beautiful plants that hardly need any attention. Imagine being able to travel during the growing season and not worry about coming home to hours of garden maintenance. Imagine spending more time golfing or relaxing with friends on your patio.

Sound like a pipe dream? I have good news: Plenty of plants deliver exceptional performance while not demanding much care.

Read the article here