Down The Garden Path Podcast

This month on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes five talented landscape designers, each with their own style, story, and specialty. What connects them all is a shared passion for creating beautiful, thoughtful outdoor spaces for their clients. Tune in each week in March as they share their experiences, perspectives, and the many ways landscape design can shape how we live outdoors.

This week, Joanne welcomes John Bright, a certified landscape designer in London, Ontario, and owner of BRIGHT Design Studio.

Topics Covered

• Why landscape design matters (for homeowners)
  • John compares exterior projects to interior renovations or building a home: you wouldn't start without drawings; outdoors shouldn't be any different.
  • A plan helps homeowners avoid expensive mistakes before "dig day," especially when space is tight.
• What makes landscape design uniquely challenging
  • Designers work with living things that change over time (plant growth, seasonal interest, variability in nursery stock).
  • Outdoor spaces must function across four seasons, not just look good in summer.
  • Microclimates, soil, sun/shade, and neighbouring conditions are all part of the design reality.
• Small-space design: why it's harder than it looks
  • John's specialty is small-space landscapes, influenced by his Toronto experience and today's shrinking lots.
  • In small yards, every inch counts and being off by even a foot can ruin furniture clearances and functionality.
  • Strategy: prioritize needs vs. wants, then get creative to fit the wish list.
• How to make a small yard feel bigger
  • "Go up" with pergolas, trellises, archways, and vertical structure.
  • Use larger-format pavers and thoughtful laying patterns to change how the eye reads the space.
  • Darker fences/screens can help the background "disappear."
  • Use a few anchoring shrubs/trees and keep the plant palette simpler for a cleaner, more expansive feel.
• Why designers bring value beyond the property line
  • John and Joanne talk about "borrowed landscape" (benefiting from neighbours' trees) and the risk of relying on neighbours for privacy or shade.
  • Designers look at the whole context, including what could change next door.
• John's process and how he tailors deliverables
  • Starts with a short discovery call and then a deeper consultation on-site.
  • He adapts to how clients "receive information":
    • Technical clients: plans, CAD drawings, details/sections
    • Visual clients: concept sketches and/or 3D visuals
  • Tools: AutoCAD (plans/details), hand sketching (idea exploration), SketchUp (3D & grading/spot elevations).
• "Design in a Day" (and what it really means)
  • It's more like an accelerated intro, often 24-72 hours, depending on scope.
  • Best for smaller areas (like a front garden) and for clients who want quick concepts or a DIY jumping-off point.
  • If clients continue into a full package, the initial investment can roll forward (rather than starting over).
• Materials and palettes as part of design
  • John treats exterior materials like interior selections: coordinated colour palettes, wall stone, caps, pavers, decking options, etc.
  • Contractor preferences and client budgets shape what's realistic, but the goal is always a coherent plan.

Takeaways and Tips

• Treat outdoors like a renovation. If you'd never renovate a kitchen without a plan, don't rebuild a backyard without one.
• Small yards need more planning, not less. Tight spaces amplify mistakes, design prevents "we're off by a foot" problems that become expensive fixes.
• Start with needs, then earn the wants. Sorting the wish list into must-haves vs nice-to-haves makes the design process faster and smarter.
• Make small spaces feel larger with a few key moves: go vertical, simplify the plant palette, choose bigger-format hardscape materials, and use placement to guide sightlines.
• Don't borrow privacy from your neighbours. Neighbours change; trees get removed; pools get installed. Build privacy and shade into your plan when possible.
• Expect the landscape to get better with time. Planting often looks "new" at install; maturity is the real finish line.
• If you can't visualize plans, ask for the right format. Some people need detailed drawings; others need sketches or 3D. A good designer adjusts how they communicate.

You can find BRIGHT Design Studio online at www.brightds.ca and on Instagram.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

This week, Joanne welcomes master gardener Ingrid Janssen to the podcast to discuss the inspiring work being done by Little Forests Durham, a nonprofit organization focused on planting Miyawaki mini forests throughout Durham Region.

About Little Forests Durham

Little Forests Durham is a volunteer-run community non-profit organization based in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada, focused on giving tools, knowledge, and support to people, communities, organizations and local authorities to plant Little Forests in their neighbourhoods and communities.

Topics Covered

• Ingrid's background as a Durham Master Gardener, seed collector, and advocate for native trees
• How Little Forests Durham was founded in 2024 and inspired by Little Forests Kingston
• What a Miyawaki mini forest is and how the method aims to compress forest succession into 20-30 years
• Why these forests are planted using dense layers of native trees and shrubs to mimic a natural forest community
• The importance of soil preparation, including cardboard, compost, and mulch to suppress weeds and build fungal-rich soil
• How sites are chosen through collaboration with municipal staff, parks departments, and local partners
• Why publicly accessible land is a priority for Little Forests Durham projects
• The logistics behind site prep, including access for trucks, compost delivery, mulch spreading, and volunteer coordination
• How volunteers help with planting days, often in large numbers, making it possible to plant hundreds of trees and shrubs in a short time
• Why planting design still matters, even in a more naturalized system, with careful placement of canopy trees, understory trees, and shrubs
• The realities of maintenance, including weeding, invasive species removal, tree protection, fencing, and monitoring for drought
• How mini forests help address climate change by increasing biodiversity, cooling urban spaces, and creating habitat for wildlife
• The role of partnerships with organizations such as Rotary Clubs, conservation authorities, Green Communities Canada, Greenbelt Foundation, and Trees for Life
• The group's ambitious goal of planting 30 mini forests by 2030 in Durham Region
• How listeners can support the effort through volunteering, joining the team, donating, or helping bring projects to their own communities
• The idea that homeowners can create smaller-scale versions in their own yards, known as pocket forests
• Ingrid's love of native trees, with a special mention of her flowering dogwood, grown from seed she collected herself

Takeaways and Tips

• Mini forests do not require huge spaces. Even a small corner of a park or a backyard can support a meaningful planting.
• Native trees and shrubs matter. They support biodiversity, wildlife, and long-term ecological health.
• The Miyawaki method is about community. It brings together people, plants, fungi, wildlife, and local organizations in one shared effort.
• Good site access is essential. Successful projects need room for compost, mulch, tools, and tree delivery.
• Volunteer-friendly planning makes all the difference. Clear layouts and simple planting instructions help create a positive experience.
• Soil prep is key. Cardboard, compost, and mulch help suppress weeds and create better conditions for young trees to thrive.
• Maintenance matters. The first few years require protection from rabbits, trampling, invasive weeds, and possible drought.
• Climate action can be local. You don't have to wait for large systems to change. Communities can begin by planting trees where they live.
• Small efforts add up. Whether it is joining a planting day, donating materials, or creating a pocket forest at home, every action helps.

You can find Little Forests Durham online at www.littleforestsdurham.ca and on Instagram, and Facebook.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

This week, Joanne welcomes Madison House of Bloomin' Easy Plants to the podcast to talk about what makes gardening feel "easy" for newer gardeners and what's new in their plant lineup this year.

About Bloomin' Easy Plants

Bloomin' Easy finds stronger, more compact, longer-blooming genetics (often from European breeders), then trials plants for years in Canadian conditions before they ever reach garden centres. They also build support tools around each plant, such as QR-code care reminders, an app, a 24/7 chatbot ("Ask Miss Diggs"), and even "mental reality" previews, so shoppers can feel confident choosing the right plant for the right spot.

Topics Covered

• What Bloomin' Easy Plants is (and who it's for): a brand built to help casual/new gardeners succeed with approachable plants and simple guidance.
• How plants get to homeowners: breeders → Bloomin' Easy trials → propagators create "baby plants" → finished container growers → local garden centres/big box stores.
• Why "grown locally" matters: plants supplied by growers near your garden centre are more likely to be adapted to your climate (better survival and performance).
• Plant genetics and long trialing: many varieties are trialed 3–10 years to confirm hardiness, disease resistance, compact habit, and flowering performance.
• Support tools for success: QR tags with care reminders, an app, "Ask Miss Diggs" chatbot (with info backed by credible sources/universities), and "see it mature" preview tech.
• Boxwood challenges and replacements: discussion of boxwood blight and boxwood tree moth concerns, plus plants that can be shaped and used as alternatives.
• New/featured plants and why they stand out:
  • Blue Box® (Rhododendron / "small-leaf rhodo") as a boxwood-like replacement with early blooms (magenta or light pink) and evergreen structure; prune right after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.
  • Hydrangea "Bubble Bath": a compact, mophead-style look; zone 3–8, 2–3 ft tall/wide; lime-tinged blooms fading to creamy white; great in pots due to tidy shape.
  • Perennials expansion: Bloomin' Easy launched perennials about two years ago due to grower demand; perennials follow the same "compact and easy" standard.
  • "Forged by Fire" (Silene): early spring bloomer with dark foliage and bright red flowers; compact (about 12–18 in), and noted as a native option with improved garden behaviour.
  • Garden phlox varieties (e.g., Center of Attention, Confetti Cake): selected for long bloom and powdery mildew resistance in damp coastal trial conditions.
  • Rudbeckia "Solar Sisters": a standout for rich colour and season-long bloom; treated as an annual in cooler zones if it's not hardy where you live.
• Industry-side support for garden centres: in-store display materials, a pro portal for assets, and staff/customer education events at partner garden centres.
• Zones are nuanced: even within the same neighbourhood, microclimates matter; tags include temperature info to make zone guidance easier.

Takeaways and Tips

• "Right plant, right spot" beats "green thumb." Start with sun requirements, mature size, and your hardiness zone—most frustration comes from a mismatch, not failure.
• Buy within your zone (and your microclimate). If your yard is windy, exposed, or freeze/thaw heavy, choose hardier options or protect tender plants.
• Look for locally grown stock when possible. Plants finished by nearby growers are more likely to be tuned to your region's conditions.
• Use the tag tools. Scan QR codes for planting depth, spacing, and care reminders—especially helpful for first-timers.
• Boxwood alternative pruning tip: if you choose a spring-blooming "boxwood look-alike," prune right after it flowers so you don't remove next season's buds.
• Pot-to-ground trick for tender perennials/shrubs: enjoy them in containers, then plant them in the ground before freeze-up to overwinter (or treat as seasonal "annuals" if they're not hardy).
• When shopping, don't assume "perennial section" is hardy for you. Always check the tag for zone; some plants may be sold as seasonal colour in cooler climates.
• Find a retailer near you: Bloomin' Easy offers a retailer map on their site—use it to track down specific new varieties locally.

You can find Bloomin' Easy Plants online at www.bloomingeasyplants.com and on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

In the fourth episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne discusses the basics of fertilizing houseplants.

Topics Covered

• When to start fertilizing
  • Wait until days are noticeably longer (sometime after daylight savings time) when plants begin active growth again.
• How to read fertilizer labels (N-P-K)
  • The three numbers represent Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K).
  • Leafy plants may benefit from higher nitrogen; flowering plants often need more phosphorus.
• Choosing an "all-purpose" fertilizer
  • Balanced blends (e.g., 10-10-10) can work for many houseplants, especially as a baseline.
• Three common fertilizer formats
  • Water-soluble liquid: mix into watering can; easy to apply while watering.
  • Granular: sprinkle on the soil surface; dissolves as you water (Joanne notes it can feel less precise).
  • Slow-release pellets: dissolve gradually; may only need reapplying every few months.
• Frequency & control
  • Liquids are immediate and routine-friendly; granular and slow-release can be less frequent but require awareness of plant needs.
• Start gently
  • Use half-strength for the first few feedings at the start of the season to ease plants in.
• Organic vs. big-box options
  • Joanne prefers organic options (often lower N-P-K numbers) and mentions the appeal of local/smaller brands, while acknowledging "use what you have" if it's already in your cupboard.
• Check expiry dates
  • Expired fertilizer is usually not harmful—just potentially less effective.
• Know your special plants
  • Spot-check care requirements for "can't-risk-it" plants: heirlooms, cuttings, orchids, sentimental favourites (she shares the example of a long-loved rubber tree).
• Homemade fertilizer recipes (with caution)
  • DIY approaches (tea/coffee grounds/fish emulsion) exist, but beginners should stick to products with known N-P-K values.

Takeaways and Tips

• Don't rush it: Start fertilizing when daylight increases (typically after daylight savings), not in the dead of winter.
• Half-strength first: For the first few fertilized waterings, go 50% strength to avoid shocking plants waking up from slower winter growth.
• Match fertilizer to the goal:
  • Leaf growth: consider a more nitrogen-forward option.
  • Flowering: look for a higher middle number (phosphorus).
• Pick a method you'll actually remember:
  • If you're consistent with watering, liquid can be easiest.
  • If you forget steps easily, slow-release may be safer; just add a reminder so it doesn't get missed.
• Follow the label (seriously): Package directions matter more than brand debates.
• Research your "VIP plants": If a plant is sentimental or pricey, do a quick care check so you're not guessing at feeding needs.
• Use what you have, smartly: If you find old fertilizer, check the expiry date; it may still work, just a bit weaker.
• Keep it measurable: If you're newer to houseplants, prioritize fertilizers with clear N-P-K numbers over DIY mixes until you've got a baseline routine.

Other Houseplant Chat episodes

Getting the Light Right

Soil and Watering Tips

Propagation Made Simple

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

In the third episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne discusses propagation, a simple and rewarding way to expand your plant collection.

Topics discussed:

• Quick recap of Houseplant Chat #1 and #2: winter light, soil refresh/repotting, and watering
• What propagation is (and why it's easier than starting from seed)
• Best beginner-friendly plants to propagate: pothos and philodendrons
• Fixing a long, "leggy" trailing plant by trimming and replanting rooted cuttings back into the base to fill it out
• How to take cuttings: clean tools, cut around leaf nodes, and root in water
• How long rooting can take (and why patience pays off, especially for woodier plants)
• "Mother plant" strategy: pruning the original plant and using the cuttings to rebuild a fuller shape
• Gift and budget-friendly uses: making plants to share, sell, or give as gifts
• A reminder that plants are more resilient than we think, and even cut stems can be decorative in water
• Using propagation as décor: greenery in vases for low-light areas and windowless rooms

Takeaways and Tips:

• Start with easy wins: pothos and philodendrons root quickly and are beginner-proof.
• Always cut near a node: that's where roots are most likely to form.
• Use clean, sharp tools: cleaner cuts make for healthier cuttings.
• Re-fill leggy plants: root cuttings, then plant them back into the pot to thicken the base and make the plant look brand new.
• Don't panic if something snaps off: trim it neatly, pop it in water, and see what happens.
• Water propagation can double as décor: a vase of cuttings adds life to dark corners, and you can pot them up later.
• Expect slower rooting on woody plants: they can still work, but they take longer.
• Experiment without fear: some cuttings won't take (and that's okay) because the learning is part of the fun.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

In the second episode of Down the Garden Path's "Houseplant Chat" series, Joanne focuses on soil and watering techniques during the winter months.

Topics discussed:

• Joanne emphasizes the vital role that soil plays in the health of our houseplants.
• Steer clear of potting soils with added fertilizers or unnecessary ingredients, as houseplants generally do not require fertilization during this period.
• Instead, opt for a basic, nutrient-rich potting mix that supports healthy growth without overwhelming your plants.
• For those with existing plants, it's essential to check if they need repotting. Signs include roots sticking up in the pot, visible roots at the bottom, or soil that dries out quickly after watering.
• When repotting, Joanne suggests using a pot that is one size larger than the current one, as jumping too many sizes can lead to overwatering issues.
• The pot-in-pot method is a practical solution for those who struggle with overwatering. By placing a smaller, drainage-friendly pot inside a decorative pot, you can monitor how much water your plant is receiving. If water collects in the bottom, simply remove the inner pot, dump any excess water, and replace it. This method not only protects your plants but also prevents them from sitting in standing water, which can lead to root rot.
• Joanne shares her experience as a chronic overwaterer, noting that it's common to either neglect plants or drown them with too much water.
• She advises checking the soil moisture before watering, suggesting using a water meter for peace of mind.

Takeaways and Tips:

• Assess whether your plants need repotting based on visible root growth and soil absorption.
• Consider using the pot-in-pot method to prevent overwatering and maintain healthy roots.
• Use a water meter to accurately gauge soil moisture before watering.
• Choose a quality potting soil without excess additives, especially in winter.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

This week, Joanne kicks off the 12th season of the Down the Garden Path podcast with the first episode in her "Houseplant Chat" series: Getting the Light Right.

Tune in to learn how to keep your houseplants happy when winter light disappears. Topics discussed:

• Joanne emphasizes the importance of light for houseplants, especially in January, and shares practical tips for ensuring plants receive adequate light.
• She discusses her personal experiences with moving plants around her home to optimize their light exposure and highlights specific plants that thrive in low-light conditions, such as the ZZ plant and snake plant.
• Joanne addresses the importance of keeping plant leaves clean to enhance light absorption, suggesting simple methods for dusting leaves.
• She introduces the concept of grow lights, explaining how modern options have evolved to be more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly, often featuring timers for convenience.

Takeaways and Tips:

• Consider the light your plants are getting during winter.
• Moving plants around can help them get more light.
• Dusting leaves improves light absorption for better health.
• Grow lights have evolved to be more user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
• Using a timer for grow lights simplifies plant care.

Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

This week, Joanne welcomes horticulturist Stephen Biggs back to the podcast to talk about his latest project, the newly expanded Canada Gardener's Journal.

About Steven

Steven was recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the "green gang" making a difference in Canadian horticulture. His home-garden experiments span driveway straw-bale gardens, a rooftop kitchen garden, fruit plantings, and an edible-themed front yard. He's a horticulturist, award-winning broadcaster and author, and former horticulture instructor with George Brown and Durham Colleges in Ontario, Canada. His other books include Grow Olives Where You Think You Can't, Grow Lemons Where You Think You Can't, Growing Figs in Cold Climates, Grow Figs Where You Think You Can't, and No-Guff Gardening, available at foodgardenlife.com.

Tune in to learn more about Canada Gardener's Journal. Origins of the Gardener's Journal

• Started 34 years ago by Margaret Bennett Alder
• Inspired by her father's paper booklets he used to manage tasks and meds
• Margaret used the format to track garden tasks, neat plant sources, and observations
• First year: ~50 copies printed; grew to 500 the next year
• By the 25th edition (2017), and her retirement at age 90, over 18,000 copies sold
• Margaret passed away at 98; the journal is part of her gardening legacy

Evolution of the Journal

• Originally the Toronto Gardener's Journal, then the Toronto & Golden Horseshoe Gardener's Journal
• Taken over by Helen and Sarah Battersby (TorontoGardens.com), who expanded its geographic scope and won awards
• Now passed to Stephen, who has turned it into Canada's Gardener's Journal

What's New in Canada's Gardener's Journal

• Now Canada-wide and bilingual, with information relevant across the country
• Includes average first and last frost dates using the most recent Environment Canada data
• Expanded sources list featuring Canadian suppliers that ship across the country (seeds, nursery stock, etc.)
• Ongoing plan to update sources as new nurseries and seed companies are suggested

From Toronto-specific to Seasonal Tasks

• Old version: weekly tasks tied to the Toronto area and similar zones
• New version: season-based task lists (spring, summer, fall, winter)
  • Includes outdoor tasks and indoor prep (seed starting, planning, etc.)
• Better suited to different climates and zones across Canada (and similar U.S. regions)

Perpetual Calendar Format

• Previously: a dated, year-specific planner (e.g., 2024, 2025) with fixed calendar weeks
• Now: a perpetual, undated week-by-week layout
  • Gardeners can start using it at any point in the year
  • Can stretch use over more than one year if desired
  • Focuses on periods of active gardening rather than wasting pages in off-months

Practical, Hands-On Focus

• Designed by a gardener for gardeners—light on theory, heavy on practical prompts
• Space for gardeners to record:
• What they planted and when
• Weather patterns and unusual seasons
• Successes, failures, and plant sources
• Acts as both a planner and a historical record for future decision-making

Why Garden Journaling Matters

• Memory is unreliable: gardeners quickly forget how wet/cool or hot/dry a season actually was
• Notes and photos together help explain:
  • Why certain plants thrived or struggled
  • How changing climate and shifting zones affect timing and plant choices
• Useful for:
  • Answering client questions (for designers like Joanne)
  • Tracking long-term trends in weather and performance
  • Diagnosing issues (e.g., why tomatoes didn't ripen as usual)

Climate Change & Updated Data

• Growing zones and frost patterns are shifting with climate change
• The journal uses the latest Environment Canada frost-date data
• Stephen expects ongoing updates in future editions as data and climate continue to change
• Honouring Founder Margaret Bennett Alder
• Margaret was passionate about a plant-based diet, which she linked to her longevity
• The journal has long included pages of her favourite plant-based resources
• Stephen has expanded this section with new Canadian sources in her honour

Availability & Price

• Price: $19.95 – positioned as an affordable gift or stocking stuffer
• Available via foodgardenlife.com under the books section
• Some specialty garden retailers carry it; retailers are listed on the website
• Stephen encourages buyers (especially Christmas shoppers) to email him via the site if they're unsure about shipping timelines
• Although now truly Canada-wide, gardeners in northern U.S. border states with similar zones may also find it very useful

Check out Stephen's books and Canada's Gardener's Journal on foodgardenlife.com. You can also find @foodgardenlife on YouTube.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden

Are you a landscape or gardening expert?

We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more.

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses soil testing with The Hobby Homestead's Amy Ellard-Gray, who grows 75% of her family's fruits and vegetables in her Guelph backyard.

About Amy

Amy runs The Hobby Homestead in suburban Guelph, where she cultivates over 100 varieties of native plants to support the local ecosystem. Through her YouTube channel, Instagram, website, and in-person consultations, she helps people design and troubleshoot their own food-growing spaces. Her mantra, "growing food in harmony with nature," guides everything she does, from tending soil life to welcoming wildlife into the garden.

Topics discussed in this episode:

"How much compost is too much?"

• Amy questioned the popular "just pile on compost" / no-dig approach (e.g., growing directly in municipal compost).
• After consulting an agronomist, she learned you can overdo compost, especially because compost often has high soluble salts that can stress plants.
• General rule of thumb from the agronomist: for established beds, about ½ inch (1 cm) of compost as a top-dressing per year is usually enough, but every garden is different.

Why test compost and soil?

• Amy now plans to lab-test her own compost (about $20) for salts and nutrients before using it widely.
• Lab tests are often similar in price to store-bought kits and usually include a quick consult to interpret results.
• Soil tests are especially valuable for:
  • New builds or new-to-you properties.
  • High-value plants (e.g., Japanese maples, fruit trees).
  • Chronic problem areas like failing lawns or veggie beds.

Home test kits vs lab tests

• Simple garden-center test kits can be unreliable, especially if old or poorly stored.
• Nitrogen is hard to test accurately because it changes quickly in the soil; even lab reports often base nitrogen recommendations on plant symptoms, not just numbers.
• Labs can tailor tests to what you're growing (lawn, ornamentals, vegetables, etc.).

pH: the quiet troublemaker

• Amy's big lesson: pH controls nutrient availability.
  • Low pH can lock up phosphorus.
  • High pH (common in parts of Ontario) ties up iron, manganese, and zinc.
• Just adding fertilizer won't help if pH is off and plants can't actually access those nutrients.
• Raising pH with lime is relatively straightforward; lowering pH (for blueberries/azaleas) is hard, requires repeated sulfur, and soil tends to drift back—Amy has nearly given up on blueberries because of this.

Choosing soil: bulk vs bags, municipal compost

• Amy strongly prefers high-quality bulk triple mix from a trusted supplier (often with nutrient analysis available).
• She's wary of:
  • Bagged soil/compost of unknown origin, age, and quality.
  • Municipal compost giveaways, due to uncertain inputs (treated lawns, herbicides, diseased plants) and inconsistent processing.
• Leftover bulk soil gets used in pots, extra beds, or stored for future top-ups—she never feels like she has "too much soil."

Building and maintaining soil in raised beds & pots

• Raised beds: start with good triple mix, then top up yearly with a thin layer of compost and mulch (leaves, straw, chop-and-drop).
• Containers: use potting mix or triple mix plus perlite for drainage; reuse soil but amend and top up rather than dumping it every year.
• She only uses extra fertilizer (like fish emulsion) when pushing density in containers (e.g., many beets in a small pot).

Rotation, disease, and "messy" gardens

• Classic crop rotation is more critical at farm scale; in small backyards, many diseases are airborne, so simply shifting crops a few feet often doesn't prevent them.
• Rotation still matters for certain soil-borne diseases (Amy rotated tomatoes after Alternaria collar rot), but it's not the magic solution some make it out to be.
• Leaving more plant material, leaves, and roots in place supports soil life and natural pest-predator balance, instead of resetting everything with a "clean" fall garden.

Amy's message for gardeners

• Shift your mindset from "feeding the plants" to "feeding the soil."
• Healthy, living soil is what ultimately feeds healthy, productive plants.

Find The Hobby Homestead at www.thehobbyhomestead.com and on Instagram and YouTube.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden

Are you a landscape or gardening expert?

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Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can also catch the podcast on YouTube.

This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares her passion for indoor gardening with practical winter houseplant care tips and a reminder that there's always something new to learn and grow.

Topics discussed:

1. From Annuals to Houseplants

• It's time to turn your attention to houseplants as gardening shifts indoors.
• Don't rush out to buy new plants: friends and family often have extras or cuttings to share.

2. Winter Care Basics

• During shorter days and lower light levels, houseplants slow down their growth.
• Do not fertilize in winter; they're not actively growing.
• Keep watering moderately: it's better to underwater than overwater.
• Use a moisture meter or finger test to check the soil before watering.

3. Refresh and Repot

• Check plants for dryness, dust, or signs they've outgrown their pots.
• Wipe dusty leaves with a damp cloth to help them absorb light.
• Consider repotting if roots are showing through the drainage holes.
• Use potting soil, not garden soil, and choose soil types suited to plant varieties (succulents, orchids, etc.).
• Avoid decorative pots without drainage for valuable plants.

4. Easy Propagation and Gift Ideas

• Take cuttings from plants like pothos, philodendron, and peperomia.
• Start them in water using clear containers to monitor root growth.
• Plant swaps are a fun and inexpensive way to expand your collection.
• Propagated plants make meaningful, affordable holiday gifts.

5. Learning and Experimenting

• Joanne shares her experiences with low-maintenance plants (snake plant, ZZ plant, pothos).
• Recently inspired to try more demanding varieties like Alocasia.
• Discusses challenges like insect issues and learning about proper soil mixes.

6. The Joy and Benefits of Houseplants

• Houseplants add life, colour, and calm to indoor spaces during the winter.
• Handling soil can improve mood and mental health.
• Every room benefits from having at least one plant.
• Notes the outdated NASA air-purifying study—plants don't clean air significantly but do add humidity and beauty.

Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden

Have a topic you'd like me to discuss?

Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with me on my website: down2earth.ca

Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.

Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide.

Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.