The site of the current Toronto Botanical Garden is expected to be the newest botanical garden on this continent. It is an exciting time for all of us aware of what is going on there.

A visit to a new botanical garden located in one of the most unlikely places: Omaha, Nebraska.

Let’s look at a few of the public green spaces that we enjoy in this wonderful city of Toronto.

A review of this past year of my columns reveals some interesting nuggets, some of which you may have missed or simply forgotten.

Each year I publish my ‘gift list’ for the gardeners on your Christmas list and I receive a great response. In an effort not to let you down, here is the current edition.

I’m hoping that by the end of today’s column, you will have a deeper appreciation for the one ‘living’ item that may be on your list this season and one of the few gifts that does not require batteries – poinsettias

Real Christmas trees are the winner, hands down.

My list may provide the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh late autumn air (yes it IS autumn still). In any case, you will ignore my suggestions at your own expense as I am just trying to help save your investment in a great looking garden next year. As always, your interests are my primary interest.

There has been a lot of buzzing about bees in the last while. Seems everyone has an opinion about the potential banning of a certain classification of pesticides called ‘neonics’ which, arguably, may be responsible for the drastic reduction in bee populations over recent years. Whether you eat honey, raise bees or are indifferent to them, everyone has an interest in the welfare of bees.

Greenwin is a property management company and landlord in the GTA that is working hard to change negative perceptions relating to their profession.

This is Veterans week and it seems to me a good idea to hear a few good stories that illuminate the meaning of this special time of year. I have one such story. It is a gardening story and a war story but it is mostly a ‘character’ story that truly needs to be told.

Ever since I opened my ‘insect hotel’ in by backyard this summer I have been made acutely aware of the fact that this is a bad idea, according to some pretty smart and generally well-informed people that I know. My, how wrong they are.

One thing for sure, when I am gone there will not be an ‘in lieu of flowers’ statement at the end of my obit.
But if there were, it would read, ‘in lieu of flowers: vote’. Why? It is important. In fact, what could be more important? It is free, it supports a system that is the best that we have come up with so far and if you don’t vote, you end up with the government that you deserve.

It is Thanksgiving weekend and I have been thinking: what are you thankful for? The content of this column has been filled with some of the most hopeful and encouraging messages, thanks to a wide variety of people. I have reached out to eight of my regular contributors in an effort to get a snapshot of their thankfulness. I asked each of them to send me one thought and the reason why they are thankful for it.

Your hibiscus, dipladenia and dracaena [among others] provided a great service during the gardening season but their time out of doors is over. That is, if you want to enjoy them indoors for the off-season and have them survive to enjoy another season outdoors next summer.

Growing garlic is oddly counter-intuitive. You might naturally think of planting garlic when you plant your vegetables and herbs in the spring. The ancient herb is grown from a bulb or, to be more precise, a clove, which is broken off of a bulb. In short, you plant the cloves in the fall, harvest the ‘scapes’ early in summer, and harvest the bulbs in August. Here’s how it works:

The researchers define plant blindness as ‘the inability to see or notice the plants in one’s own environment, leading to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs.’ Plant blindness also comprises an ‘inability to appreciate the unique biological and aesthetic features of plants.’

Next time you take a breath be sure to thank a tree. The numbers are in and they are impressive. We can stop arguing over the importance of a healthy urban tree canopy and devote more time to celebrating heritage trees, and planting and protecting urban trees. Based on new research, I believe that it is time to elevate the discussion.

According to the Audubon Society, it is not difficult to improve the status of your outdoor living space ecologically. All you have to do is ‘take the pledge’ to do your best.

Frequently asked ‘fall gardening’ questions – and answers.