Explore grow lights to boost seedlings this year

First the plants get tall and thin, and then they fall over and die.

Such is the fate of seeds grown too long on a winter windowsill.

Like Humpty Dumpty, a germinated seed can't be put back in the seed. Once seeds get enough water to germinate, they sprout and are suddenly desperate for light to grow. A windowsill can work for micro-greens, but larger plants need intense light to grow, and the easiest way to get it is to set up grow lights.

Making realistic (garden) resolutions for the new year

If you want to build the best garden, grow the best food and raise the best petunias this summer, now is the time to set growing goals in motion.

But whatever you do – don't compare yourself to the neighbours.

"You should see Marinette's garden," my helpful husband points out one day last fall. "It is just beautiful."

Yes, it is – no contest. I've seen pretty pots on her doorstep and I am familiar with her weed-free gardens, but my efforts are not in the same league.

Read up on raising plants before the spring showers start to fall

Want to become a better gardener next spring? Start reading about it now.

No, seriously.

The most common winter gardening activity is reading. The cheapest source of information is seed catalogues – they are packed with inspiration.

I learn so many new things from catalogues. According to The Baker Creek Heirloom seed catalogue , 300 independent farmers grow and supply their seed; tulip flowers are edible and delicious when stuffed and baked; there are at least 15 kinds of orange tomatoes, and; Peru is a domesticated crop hot spot.

Making great compost this winter

My husband is a new-age composter.

By that, I mean composting is a new thing for him – something he hasn't historically been involved with.

And if there is one thing my engineer husband likes it's a task with logical and direct instructions. He doesn't want to guess what I need for my birthday, so he isn't going to guess what pile the potato peels he's holding should be dumped into.

Don't abandon your garden too soon

The back of the truck was full of flowers – even though they still looked decent. The gardener, in this case, wasn't about to wait until all her blooms were frozen in her beds and flowerpots, so she was tearing everything out early.

Dead flowers are a downer and no one wants to look at them for the next eight – yes eight – months. 

The proper way to collect wildflower seed in Calgary and area

By his own admission, Murray considers himself an amateur green thumb.

He bought an acreage property in Springbank 10 years ago and has continued to improve his garden space every year.

But now he is thinking of something big.

The big plant sell-offs with drop-dead discounts are on now and every gardener wonders the same thing. Will buying plants in the fall really save money or is it false economy to shop for plants in September?

If I was a meteorologist, I could answer the question of "how late can I plant?" with more accuracy. however, I'm a gardener and can only speak for the plants.

Here are five reasons why late plants don't transplant well, one thing you can do to help the survive and a list of plants waiting for you to buy them right now.

Tidying up your yard and garden for a more attractive sell

It is pretty standard practice to tidy your house before resale, so I was surprised when my 30-year-old son, a newly minted professional, emailed me a photo of a house he was buying in Smithers, B.C.

There were clothes on the floor in one shot and people lounging on the couch in another. It didn't seem like there was any tidying evident, and he wasn't the least bit worried about it.

A look at the beneficial - and not so beneficial - insects in your garden

Aphids are considered bad bugs. They multiply in the garden and are visible on the tips of rose bushes and highly fertilized annuals. The first line of defence against aphids is water. Hose off plants or clip off and throw away aphidcovered growing tips. Another option is to let the good bugs get rid of the bad bugs for you.

A look at the beneficial - and not so beneficial - insects in your garden

Aphids are considered bad bugs. They multiply in the garden and are visible on the tips of rose bushes and highly fertilized annuals. The first line of defence against aphids is water. Hose off plants or clip off and throw away aphidcovered growing tips. Another option is to let the good bugs get rid of the bad bugs for you.