The Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Winter is just about here but The Growing Season asks the question: "Can you garden in areas like Antarctica, The Arctic, The North Pole and other sub-zero climates?"

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the plants that survive and thrive in environments that get way, way, wayyyy below zero.

What do deserts and sub-zero environments have in common?  More than you think.

Arctic willow, sedges, grasses, potatoes, cabbage, garlic and a question about White Pines covers the bases for plants.

What is silica and how does it tie into sub-zero horticulture?

You'll be surprised to learn the medical requirements and restrictions in place for those looking to work in a research station in Antarctica.  Its almost science fiction-esque.

Arctic bumblebees, nose bot flies and the arctic dance fly are just some of the insects that get the spotlight. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE. 

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Some birds and butterflies fly south but where do the other creatures go?

This week's episode of The Growing Season dives into migration south and the staygration that many creatures employ to survive the sub-zero months.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland chat about skunks, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks and many more of the critters that cohabitate with us. 

How long can a human survive buried underneath snow?   An interesting story emerges.

A hilarious skit concerning a posse of rabbits develops.

Jack and Matt discuss deer damage on trees and shrubs and how to prevent or mitigate the amount of damage that deers can cause. 

Dogwood, birch, ash, maples and many more species are discussed with respect to their winter attributes.  

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Lets get ready for the long sleep one more time...

In part 2 of this series The Growing Season jumps into a pile of leaves before they're blown into the flower beds for the off-season. 

In honour of Remembrance Day Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss poppies and why they were so prominent in Flander's Fields.  You'll be surprised to learn why the poppies thrived in a war-time environment.

What is the most dangerous thing found in a pile of leaves?   

Cars setting leaves on fire?  Yup.  the trio discuss it.

Overwintering your water features is discussed and Matt tells a story about why The Growing Season changed its fall water feature cleaning process.

Winter treatment for sensitive plants is a topic that is touched on.  How do you prep your Japanese Maples and Hydrangea Standards for the winter months?

All that and more on The Growing Season.

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE. 

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Lets get ready for the long sleep!

In part 1 of this series The Growing Season jumps into a pile of leaves before they're blown into the flower beds for the off-season. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the how-to's of what to do to get your property prepped for the winter season.

How do you prep your lawn for a long sleep?  What are the benefits of gypsum?  Can you use it in the fall?

The composition of triple mix topsoil is discussed and how it relates to all those leaves your trees are dropping at this time of year.

Sumacs become a focal point and The McFarland Query System chimes in to help.

The difference between form pruning and function during are uncovered. 

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE. 

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Pumpkins, poison plants, grave digging and cows.  Wait... is this the wrong show?

The Growing Season dives into all things halloween and how the spookiest time of the year intersects with horticulture.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland chat about pumpkins and turnips and various other plants that can be carved into jack-o-lanterns.

What is the difference between poison and toxic?  The trio uncover the answers.

Loco-weed, belladonna, yews, elderberry, mountain ash berries  and many others are discussed with respect to their possible poison parts.

Matt discusses his trip to Cuba.  There were some questionable horticultural choices made on the resort.  Poisoning of the bride and groom was narrowly avoided.  SUGAR CANE!   It's awesome.

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE. 

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

"AND ITS STILL ALL ABOUT THAT RAKE, 'BOUT THAT RAKE, NO SHOVEL!!!"

In part 2 of their "Autumn's Beauty" series, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland guide The Growing Season into more of the beauty that is autumn.

Are dahlias perennials in Mexico?   Do they have a life expectancy when they are continually growing?   This sparks a conversation.

Hawthorn, Mountain Ash, Witch Hazel, Contorted Hazel, Pieris Japonica, Viburnum and Fothergilla are just some of the plants discussed. 

Sweetspire!   IT SMELLS SOOOOOO GREAT.

What is the most hardy late flowering perennial?   You'll be interested to find out that it's not a chrysanthemum.

All that and much more on Autumn's Beauty pt. 2 on The Growing Season.

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE. 

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

"AND ITS ALL ABOUT THAT RAKE, 'BOUT THAT RAKE, NO SHOVEL!!!"

It's autumn, the leaves are changing colour and falling from their lofty perches.  It happens every year and every year we marvel at its magnificence. 

The Growing Season celebrates autumn and its horticultural goings on in part 1 of this series.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland explain the science behind fall colour. 

Red Maples, Sugar Maples, Red Oaks, Gingko, Black Tupelo, Sumac, Tiger Eyes Sumac, Poplar, Birch and Aspen are just some of the plants discussed. 

Why was the hydrangea season so BONKERS this year?  The trio explains.

Also, MATT HATES BURNING BUSHES AND TELLS YOU WHY! Matt also gushes about the absolute best shrub/tree ever to be created.

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

For us Canadians, the holiday season kicks off now...

The Growing Season discusses Thanksgiving and its horticultural intersects on this week's episode of the show. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland breezily chat about the history of Thanksgiving and our indigenous people's efforts to not only aid the pilgrims but to affect our fall colour in profound ways. 

 Are you planting fall bulbs for spring emergence?

The McFarlands talk about the proper planting of fall bulbs and the many  scenarios that can effect their spring bloom.  "Flex spaces" in gardens are discussed from a design perspective.

How do you store fall bulbs?  How deep do you plant them?  What temperatures should be present to engage your bulb planting switches?

Lynne discusses how to keep critters from transplanting your bulbs.

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

You're telling me they let these people occupy the airwaves for 4 WHOLE YEARS!?

You know it!

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland chat about what they've learned over the last year and how that dovetails into what they've learned over the last 4 on air. 

The trio discuss spring shrubs blooming in the fall, poppies and opium, scented plants and the most bizarre plants available.

How can you tell if a plant is poisonous?  There are some simple tricks. We’ll fin you in. 

In typical Growing Season fashion, you're gonna come away smiling and full to the brim with info. 

Strap in and celebrate with us!

Looking to book a consult for your property?  We'd love to help.  CLICK HERE.

What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

Subscribe to The Growing Season podcast.  CLICK HERE.