The Growing Season

“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

So does it do anything else? 

Picking up where last week left off, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight multi-purpose plants in the second part of the series on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Bamboo kicks of the hort-topics.  Why isn't bamboo more prominent in Canada? 

Fabrics, construction materials and aesthetics - bamboo can do it all. 

Toilet paper and how its made will dishearten you. 

Is sugar cane used it Canada.   Jack outlines how its integral to many of the aspects of Canadian life. 

Should you let your grass go to seed?  Yes and no. 

Grass clippings get Jack REALLY excited.   There are so many uses, some of which will shock you. 

Hogweed comes into focus on Strange But True. 

As has become an annual tradition, dandelions feature prominently. 

Stinging nettles are AWFUL.  They can be used, medically, for so much.  The trio explain. 

Cotton is a WATER HOG.  

Goutweed.  UH-OH.   Lets talk about it. 

Bull rushes and life jackets.

Tune in.

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

So what else does it do?

That's the focus of this week's episode of The Growing Season.  

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the Swiss Army knives of the horticultural world.  

Multi-Purpose plants come into focus.

Willows kick off the show in style.  You wouldn't believe the number of things a willow can be used for.  

Willows are packed full of calcium, so in a pinch you could use a willow to boost your calcium intake. 

Lumber, lumber, lumber.  It's a hot topic politically and the trio dive into a conversation about our most used construction material.  

What trees are the most widely used for nominal lumber?   An investigation occurs.

Outdoor lumber yard vs. indoor lumber yard.   Is there a difference?

MATT DISCOVERS A SITKA SPRUCE.  Then he falls in love.

What is cellulose?   Why is it important?

Pine nuts.  Pine seeds.   Lets talk.

Birches are beautiful but who knew how useful they can be outside of the fact that they give your landscape a unique shot of colour. 

Birch syrup is tasted on air.  The show comes off the rails. 

You can tap your Japanese Maple and acquire syrup from it.  We're not kidding!

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Splish, splash I was taking a bath, walking around in my backyard!!! 

Everyone get their duck-waiters out! 

As a result of the immense amount of snow dropped in February 2025 many of our outdoor spaces are flooded.

“Keeping water away from home should be of paramount concern…”

Speaking of flooding, Matt McFarland tells tales of his recent adventures with his washing machine. 

Jack and Lynne McFarland help to pull the curtain back on drainage details on The Growing Season.

More homeowners are going to larger capacity downspouts. Why? 

Plants acquire oxygen through their roots. How does this work with a saturated soil?

If you have flies and sulphuric odors in wet areas on your property what does that mean? 

Matt goes on a rant about cedars.

The trio highlight moisture tolerant plants that will work great in your garden.

Birch are salt tolerant. Who knew? 

Tune in.

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

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

Ahhhh, the familiar sounds of spring. 

Flying overhead, emerging from their southern getaway is the returning Canadian Geese. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss all things avian on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. 

What percentage of Canada’s birds migrate south in the fall and return north in the spring? Why do they migrate? 

 How do the birds know when it’s right to make the return home?  Is there a scout crew that is sent out first? 

A discussion of aircraft and migratory patterns occurs. 

Birds can sleep whilst flying. What?  How? 

The list of prominent Canadian birds is explored. 

The correlation between birds and dinosaurs occurs so, naturally, Jurassic Park is discussed. 

Birds and mating. How does this happen? 

Owls, owls and more owls…

Birds see food based on colour. You’ll be surprised to learn how. 

Ravens make a strange noise. Matt tells a story about his kitty and a raven. 

Birds eat grit to help break down food. Why? 

ASTEROIDS AND EARTH!!!

Tune in.

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

If you're thinking about a vacation, why not consider Mexico?

Canada and Mexico's involvement in Trump's idiotic trade war is the impetus for this week's episode of The Growing Season.  

Matt is spitting mad and he unloads on The President Of The United States.  Discussions of politics abound...

What are the temperatures like in Mexico, currently?  What about hardiness zones?

The average amount of precipitation in Mexico is compared to Ontario's. 

Cacti and their presence in Mexico's landscape is discussed. 

You WILL NOT BELIEVE what was invented in Mexico.  Its absolutely not on your bingo card. 

How is it that the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas all building similar structures at the same time?   Was there outside interference? Like from the stars?

Speaking of The Aztecs, their legendary floating gardens are explored.   How was this achieved? 

Mexican flowers, both annual and perennial are discussed.  Passion flower, bird of paradise and poinsettia are just some of the flowers mentioned. 

Mexican surfing is a big deal.

Volcanoes and horticulture are briefly discussed.   Mexico's coral reefs are highlighted. 

The Gulf of Connor McDavid - that's the most important factoid from this week's show.

Tune in.

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

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“Questions, concerns, queries?” Lets chat!

And now for the cleanup!  Wow. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the aftermath of the insane snowstorm of February 2025 on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. 

We have icicles. SOOOOO MANY ICICLES. 

Is that a bad sign?  Can we do anything about them?

Matt talks about driveways, window wells and how they tie into snow. 

Clearing the snow from around your drier and furnace vents is discussed. 

Melted snow as water for your plants and pets comes into focus. 

Jack discusses winter wheat and how it may be affected by this much snow. Will our agriculture be negatively affected by this? 

Freeze/thaw and root systems, house foundations and concrete becomes a topic of talk. 

What is the “snow belt?” Why is this area called the “snow belt?”

The trio research which fish hibernate in Ontario. 

That time when Niagara Falls just stopped… It froze completely over. 

The McFarlands top the show off with a discussion on avalanches. 

Tune in.

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What is a TGS Tiny Garden? CLICK HERE.

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So we got absolutely walloped. 

Breaking from the trend of the last few winters, the GTA and much of Ontario got absolutely nailed with snow over the last week. 

Records were set. Driveways were shovelled again and again and again and again. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland recount Snowmageddon 2025 on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. 

Matt highlights his adventures blowing close to 20 driveways with 14”- 16” of snow blanketed over the area. 

Over the last few weeks the GTA has seen close the 2.5 feet  it has been absolutely crazy  

With climate change on the forefront of our minds shouldn’t storms like this be a thing of the past? 

Snow ploughs dropping insanely heavy snow at the ends of our driveways. Yikes  

Is there a way of avoiding such a mess? 

How will your trees and shrubs deal with all this snow?  Will there be damaged done to their structure? 

Can your pets drink melted snow safely? 

Streamers and lack of lake freeze becomes a topic of conversation. 

The McFarland trio recount historical snow storms. 1975, 1977, 1999 share the spotlight.

Jack tells a ploughing story for the ages.  

Tune in.

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So who had “an important time in history” on their bingo card for February 2025?

We sure didn’t! 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland guide The Growing Season into waters inspired by the current news-making trade-war that Canada currently finds itself embroiled in with the United States. 

We’re proud to be Grown in Canada!

Obviously politics will figure into this week’s conversation and Canada’s border with the US is the topic that kicks off the show. 

What does “Made In Canada” actually mean? 

Where does broccoli come from at this time of the year. Jack and Matt get into an argument over the subject. 

The trend from farming in Canada gets the boys heated in conversation. 

What is the “Wheat Board?”  How does it function? 

Jack dives into the different types of farming and their environmental impact. 

Canada is known for their blueberries. Why? 

Cheese, milk, eggs and all things dairy are Canadian specialities. The trio discuss our dairy superiority. 

You’ll be surprised to learn the water requirements for a single cow. 

Potatoes!  Yup. We get Canadian about them spuds. 

Canola is the most valuable crop you can grow in Canada. 

Hens and hormones - let’s talk. 

If it’s grown in Canada the McFarlands talk about it on this week’s show. 

Tune in.

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!

"This week’s show makes repeated references to coition, coitus, copulation, carnal carnivals and other c words.  We’ll be putting the Bed in flower beds on this weeks episode of The Growing Season and may not be suitable for the fruits of your intimate interactions... "

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight the sexiest plants for Valentines Day in what has become an annual tradition. 

Romantic movies, music and treats for this time of the year come into focus. 

Jack and Matt tell stories about falling in love with their wives. 

Roses, roses, roses... What a great place to start.  How do you keep your cut flowers looking fresh well after Valentines Day?

Does the colour of the floral vase make a difference? 

How has Jack's cancer journey affected the romantic side of his marriage?

Matt discusses his grocery journey this past week.  In trying to buy Canadian products he happened upon some interesting products. 

Orchids, chrysanthemum, baby's breath and many more plants are reported to have aphrodisiacal qualities.  The trio bust some myths. 

Viagara and chocolate - Happy Valentines Day!

Does coffee have a relationship with intimacy?   We find out. 

Swords, shields, bottles of monkey urine and underdeveloped chicken embryos - yup, all related to Valentines Day. 

Looking to get in the mood?  Try some whale vomit. 

Tune in.

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There was just SOOOO much info.

50 Years and Counting pt. 2 is the feature on this week's episode of The Growing Season.

What did people do before the microwave?   Lynne McFarland describes how she would heat up her husband's meal when he arrived home from the jobsite late at night. 

"Imagine If You Will" takes you back to 1975. 

Jaws, mutton chops, blockbusters, muscle cars and smoking in operating rooms are just some of the touchstones mentioned. 

"99% of all the oxygen around the world is stored in rock..."

How much toilet paper will a human use in their lifetime? What is caustic soda?

Jack McFarland tells a story about how buried construction materials really threw a  monkey wrench into his plans.

Horticultural chemicals and their sale/use over the last 50 years is discussed.   Matt tells a story of an industry peer that was exposed to said chemicals over the course of time. 

Jack's extensive use of pressure treated wood in the 1970's and 1980's comes into focus. 

DDT - that acronym sends shudders down the spines of many - and for good reason!   The McFarlands discuss why. 

Roundup, roundup, roundup... Lets debate.  The new formulation of Roundup is chatted on. 

Tune in.

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.