We discuss seed saving from native plants, fruits (yes tomatoes are fruits), and legumes. Fozzie interrupts to chase a fly. I slip up and suggest that different species can cross - that's incorrect :( . The rest of the information is good. For native seed information check out the Ottawa seed library. or Prairie Moon nursery.

Silver Springs farm is known for its garlic. Mel Jones who is in charge of the project shares how they started with a small patch of garlic and other vege. When deer ate everything except the garlic they made the smart decision to focus on garlic production and have expanded their operation yearly. They have also innovated using an old snow blower to create planting hills and inventing "the Dibbler". Check out our website - gardens4everybody.com for photos and to see Mel and his red tractor.

We interview Anne Cole coordinator of volunteers at Silver Spring farm. The Farm was established in 1867 in the Bell's corners area of Ottawa. The original farm is still in place and is now an NCC property. The farm became a residence for adults with developmental disabilities, and then 30 years ago volunteers started to grow garlic in the unused farm fields and that has developed into a huge garlic growing operation. See our website gardens4everybody.com for photos and more information. In a future episode we interview head of garlic operations Mel Jones.

Fall tasks can help make Spring less hectic. In this episode we discuss starting a new bed in the fall so its ready to go in the spring, leaf clean up, pruning raspberries, cleaning up hostas and spirea.

We apologise for some areas of poor audio on this recording. David Hill kindly gave his time to discuss how he came to office. David discussed his respect for taxpayers money and using resources wisely. We reviewed the need for nutritious low cost food in our community. David discussed an interest in dealing with invasive plant species using systems already in place. David has also has been involved in local pollinator projects.

Fall is time to get houseplants back inside, or to bring new tropical purchases indoors. We chat about checking the plants for insects, preparing the plants for coming indoors and preventing insects hitching a ride into your home.

We now have a website and you can find a fact sheet about this topic there.

Evergreens seem so able to manage without any help but as the climate changes they need more TLC. We discuss types of evergreens, their fall needs and when to prune.

Elizabeth gets to ask Maryanne for tips on getting as many tomatoes as possible to ripen before the end of the growing season. We also talk about the advantages of leaving plant roots - especially of bean plants in the ground.

Wilson shares his path to politics. He has a passion for transit and makes that a priority. He is also championing improved tree cover in Ottawa. Wilson is supporting a citizen led pollinator project in Barrhaven and discusses how the City is passing bylaws to make this type of initiative easier. Maryanne and I then try to persuade Wilson to update his mainly grass and weed backyard. We offer advice- he listens - we will have to follow up to see what happens!

Mike is the fourth generation running Ritchie Feed and Seed. This Ottawa garden center is nearly 100 year old. Mike shares his vast experience to talk us through some of his products that we use regularly in our gardens. From seed starting to fertilizer. He also has some tips on managing Japanese beetles.