Gardening Advice for Your Own Backyard

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, Fifty-Five Plus magazine and the Ottawa Citizen/Sun newspapers.
  • 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! PLUS it’s free to subscribe!

* 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: The Hidden Life of Trees, What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries From a Secret World, by Peter Wohlleben

    Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton Trowel Talk Newsletter, March 2026

    This bestselling book has opened the eyes of millions around the world, describing trees as sentient, social beings. Author and forester Peter Wohlleben employs solid science to describe in non-scientific language these wonderful life forms and how they live. In this article (see page 8) I review the three editions of this book: the original, the illustrated edition and the graphic adaptation. Prepare to be delighted and amazed by what you learn!

  • WILDSCAPING: Wild Planting in a Strong Design

    Wildscape on the grounds of Highclere Castle, a.k.a. Downton Abbey

    Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton Newsletter, August 2025

    Around the world, home gardeners and landscaping professionals are shifting their priorities to a more naturalistic approach – and with good reason. Using more native plants in your garden doesn’t mean it has to look “wild” or messy. My article explains how to design a beautiful landscape where function and a healthy ecology also provide a “wow” factor.

  • High Performance, Low Maintenance Plants (Updated for 2025!)

    MGOC Trowel Talk Newsletter, April 2025

    How would you like to fill your garden with outstanding plants that don’t need a lot of attention? Imagine spending more time pursuing other interests like travel during the growing season – all without sacrificing beauty in the garden! Read my article here for how you can make this dream a reality in your own back yard.

  • Soil: It’s Not Dirt!

    MGOC Trowel Talk newsletter, June 2024

    Dirt is what you sweep off the kitchen floor. Soil, on the other hand, is a fascinating, living world of microscopic flora and fauna. They all play vital roles in plant growth, plus help maintain breathable air to sustain life on earth.

    Read all about it in my article, here.

  • 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