Grass Roots Gardens

When the garden design you did with Nook Gardens (who did the bulk of the designing: credit where due! :-) ) fills in so nicely it blends in with its surroundings... just joy & gratitude that this is 'my office'.

When you show up to install fall colour in your client's planters, but they still look like this on Oct 8... you leave them be and come back later. :-)

Sedums. Glorious sedums.

Happy Earth Day to everyone. I want to thank all our wonderful clients for all the support over the last little while. I'm back to full health and we are lucky to be able to continue working during these challenging times. I have put safety protocols in place to protect my crew and all my clients and we'll follow all the guidelines as they change in order to continue to do so. ... We are now almost caught up with the backlog and are starting to plan forward as we start booking for June. If you have some gardening work you'd like some help with, would like a consult to figure some things out in your garden or come up with a plan for certain areas in your garden or even a bit of redesign: we'll be happy to help you! Looking forward to working in your gardens and hoping you all stay well. Ellen

Happy Earth Day to everyone. I want to thank all our wonderful clients for all the support over the last little while. I'm back to full health and we are lucky to be able to continue working during these challenging times. I have put safety protocols in place to protect my crew and all my clients and we'll follow all the guidelines as they change in order to continue to do so. ... We are now almost caught up with the backlog and are starting to plan forward as we start booking for June. If you have some gardening work you'd like some help with, would like a consult to figure some things out in your garden or come up with a plan for certain areas in your garden or even a bit of redesign: we'll be happy to help you! Looking forward to working in your gardens and hoping you all stay well. Ellen

To all our wonderful and supportive clients: thank you from the bottom of my heart in these trying times. Being sick with cold/flu symptoms during this time is challenging, but hearing that our great community of clients puts health and support first along with us, is heart-warming to say the least. Thank you and I'm looking forward to being in your gardens again as soon as I'm able! And I'll keep you all posted re. potential changes to any work you have scheduled in the ...meantime as the days go by. Stay well, keep safe, help each other out where you can and let's get through this together. Ellen and crew Casey & Catherine

Flowering tulip tree: spotted the flowers by chance, as they are mostly hidden under the foliage! How bizarre!

Happy 2019! Hope the new year is off to a good start for all of you. We have been busy working on prepping the spring schedule as we had hoped to start work in a few days... Looking at the forecast though, we decided not to send out date confirmations to you all just yet... as we might be shoveling snow instead of weeding come next week. :-) But we're all on standby and ready to get going! And we're all looking forward to seeing you all in your gardens again this year! ... Catherine, Jenya, Casey, Bronwyn & Ellen

Having fun in clients' gardens... Meet Jenya & Casey: two of our hard-working crew!

The Seed to Sky Plant sale is almost here!! Always a great event in our community as the selection is always amazing, plentiful and the volunteers & master gardeners on site are wonderful in helping you pick up plants that will work for your garden. Sale is cash only and will be on this Saturday 11th May so swing on by to pick something up for Mother's Day, for your own garden, for friends...

Front garden transformation on an all seasons in one day kinda day. First install of the season. #showmustgoon

Happy 2019! Hope the new year is off to a good start for all of you. We have been busy working on prepping the spring schedule as we had hoped to start work in a few days... Looking at the forecast though, we decided not to send out date confirmations to you all just yet... as we might be shoveling snow instead of weeding come next week. :-) But we're all on standby and ready to get going! And we're all looking forward to seeing you all in your gardens again this year! ... Catherine, Jenya, Casey, Bronwyn & Ellen

Want some spring colour? Now is the time to get some glorious bulbs for that pop of colour to let you know that winter is over. And Botanus has a sale on! Great quality bulbs for less!

Hi everyone, the Japanese beetle has been discovered in Vancouver and could pose a serious threat as it does NOT limit itself to grass like the chafer beetle. It happily will eat a variety of species and will kill them. Please read the article to familiarize yourself with the beetle and who to report to if you find one of these guys on your property. ... If you are in the quarantine zone (see below for link), you can ONLY dispose of your green waste through your city bin. NO soil or plant material may leave the quarantine zone. If you do have larger amounts of green waste, a temporary transfer station has been set up inside the quarantine zone, where the debris will be treated. Contact the city of Vancouver or myself for more details. Thanks! Quarantine zone: http://www.inspection.gc.ca//japanese_beetle_vancouver_pub

Hi everyone, the Japanese beetle has been discovered in Vancouver and could pose a serious threat as it does NOT limit itself to grass like the chafer beetle. It happily will eat a variety of species and will kill them. Please read the article to familiarize yourself with the beetle and who to report to if you find one of these guys on your property. ... If you are in the quarantine zone (see below for link), you can ONLY dispose of your green waste through your city bin. NO soil or plant material may leave the quarantine zone. If you do have larger amounts of green waste, a temporary transfer station has been set up inside the quarantine zone, where the debris will be treated. Contact the city of Vancouver or myself for more details. Thanks! Quarantine zone: http://www.inspection.gc.ca//japanese_beetle_vancouver_pub

Hi everyone, Lawn watering regulations are in effect as of today, May 1st.

Bamboo for sale! We're digging up mature Fargesia Rufa for a client on Tuesday. The picture was taken in 2016, but it's now 6-7ft tall already. The bamboo is a clumping bamboo and has been in the ground for 5 years without running everywhere. Pretty well-behaved and can easily be kept in its place. It can be grown in the ground or in containers and can take full sun. Perfect as a privacy screen.... Clumps will be sold for $35-40 each. Retail cost for similar will be upward of $79+ tax, so it's a great deal. Picture only shows one side of the yard, we'll have about 20-40 clumps available. If interested, send me a message or email for more info.

Hi everyone, Lawn watering regulations are in effect as of today, May 1st.

Has your lawn been attacked once more this winter by crows & raccoons digging for chafer grubs? Gardenworks is doing a free seminar on how to combat the little pests. Alternatively, you can also contact us and we'll be happy to come and give you an assessment of what would be needed to repair and treat your lawn. Or what can be used to replace it with chafer-resistant alternatives.

If you are in dire need of some sign of spring, Phoenix Perennials is now open for their Hellebore Hurrah! Click the link for more info on the many varieties they have in stock. Drive safe getting there as that snow is coming down hard! http://phoenixperennials.com/HelleboreCatalogue2018.pdf

Happy New Year everyone! With the snowdrops, helleborus and winter aconite starting to bloom, the gardening season is approaching fast. Planning is under way and we look forward to seeing you all out there soon!

From all of us here at Grassroots: Wishing you and yours a very joyful Christmas and an amazing start to the new year.

From blank canvas to wonderful garden. Amazing flagstone patio + custom-made trellis by Sol Landscapes.

Hi Everyone, If you're looking for a good deal on some great plants, Gardenworks has both of those for ya this Saturday! It's their annual Sunrise to Sunset sale. Happy shopping and gardening!

Another small transformation complete! We love it when we can help you reclaim 'lost' garden spaces.

Spring is finally here and it is time to get out into the garden! The Seed to Sky Garden Club is hosting their spring plant sale on SATURDAY MAY 13th at Cityview Baptist Church, 4370 Sophia Street. Flowering shrubs, small trees, veggie starts and much much more. Plant quality is checked and has never disappointed. Come early for the best selection: doors open at 10am. ... We'll have some trays on hand, but make sure you bring a box or bag for your plants as you will most likely will not go home empty handed. :-) Looking forward to seeing you there!

All kids still get in free until March 31st! With spring finally here, this is the time to go exploring!

From all of us here at Grass Roots: we wish you and yours the warmest of holidays, spending time with those you hold dear. And a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful clients for your continued trust in us for your gardening services! Happy holidays and all the best for 2017!

It's fall and the leaves are down in thick blankets. A pet peeve of mine is still seeing people blow or rake the leaves into the street. Not only does it block the drains and gutters, which with the rain we've been getting is just a recipe for flooding disaster, but it makes it really difficult and unsafe for bikers to get around. What's more, you could even end up with a fine from the city as you're required to take care of the leaves in front of your property. To help take care of the copious amounts of leaves the city trees often drop, the city has organized a few weekend pickups of unlimited leaves! You can put them out in paper yard bags or store bought bins. You can also add them to your green bin for weekly collection. For dates for the unlimited leaf collection weekends and other info re. leaves:

Were you hoping to install a small yew hedge this fall? I'm digging up a small yew hedge that I planted recently, as the client opted for a slightly different solution in the end. So, I have 8 yew trees, each 4ft tall, very bushy & healthy, that are now in need of a new home. Happy to let them go at wholesale cost. Please contact me if you're interested!

Meira: here they are! And handraking leaves vs. using a blower... yep, similar results people! Minus the fumes. :-)

Yes! Pesticide doesn't only kill the chafer beetles & grubs. It is NOT a miracle cure.

Backyard 'nursery' sale! I have been storing and caring for a number of plants in my backyard that now need to find a forever home! I have the following up for sale: * 1 Colonnade Apple tree. It's in a 5 gallon container where I potted it up about a year ago. It's healthy and ready for its forever home. Will only grow approx. 2-3ft wide, so perfect for the smaller garden. Will need another one to crosspollinate. - GONE ALREADY * 1 Yellow tree peony - GONE ALREADY * 1 Perovsk...ia Little spires - GONE ALREADY * 1 Rosemary Harkness Rose- Lovely fragrance! GONE ALREADY * 1 Orange blooming deciduous Azalea - GONE ALREADY * 1 White Meidiland rose (super fragrance!) - $10 * 2 Choisya Ternata Goldfinger - 1 still available $15 * 1 Caryopteris Worcester Gold: Just starting to bloom! - $15 * 1 7.5ft tall forsythia shrub - Was a rescue and is now super healthy and ready for its forever home - FREE and in the alley behind my house. PM me for address. And last but not least, a GORGEOUS 10ft dogwood Eddie's White Wonder. Going for wholesale price of $265. Pass it on to your friends, family, neighbours! All these plants must find a new home soon.

From one picture to the next in just a few days: happy client and satisfied gardeners! That's how we roll.

While we had 40+ mm on Saturday, we need a whole lot more to get through the summer. Please only water your garden beds when absolutely necessary (mature gardens only need deep watering twice a week!) and adjust your sprinkler systems according to restrictions in effect (lawn sprinkling/stage 1 restrictions are in effect at the moment already). Thanks! :-)

As of 15th May, we're already at stage 1 water restrictions, meaning lawn watering is now restricted. There is a crackdown on enforcement this year: you get caught watering when it's not your turn, there will not be any warnings. You will get an instant fine of $500. If you have a built-in sprinkler system, please talk to your irrigation specialist to have the watering adjusted. ... With another drought predicted for this summer, please conserve water. Your lawn will return to green all on its own in the fall. :-) Thanks!

The answer is 'no', it's not worth it.

Hi everyone, Phone is all back up and running! :-) Unfortunately, all calls/voicemails left in the 1.5 days of it being 'off' are lost. So if you left me a voicemail or texted, can you please re-contact me? Thank you so much! Ellen

Hi everyone, Just a quick note to point out that my telephone is out of order after upgrading it. So best way to reach me for the next few days will be email. So sorry about the inconvenience, but I'll update things here once my phone is back to operational. And I'll return calls as soon as it's back up and running. Thanks for understanding. Ellen

With many people once more facing the devastating effects of the chafer beetle grubs' feeding habits, this is a good article that explains what the problem is and how it can be addressed. We will be replacing several of our customers' lawns with micro-clover and micro-clover/tall fescue blends this spring. But before we do, we will remove the existing lawn remnants, leave it bare for a few weeks so the crows/raccoons can feast on the remaining grubs and then we will install the new alternative, chafer-resistant lawns. So while there is no magic solution to fix it now, there are alternatives available.

Hello everyone, The big Soil, Manure, and Compost Sale is back at Van Dusen Botanical Garden!! It takes place on Saturday, February 27 from 10 am to 3 pm... Location: The west end of the VanDusen Botanical Garden parking lot The proceeds from the sale of these products will support the ongoing work of the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association. They will have: * Red Label Topsoil from high grade organics * Brown label manure * Compost from Harvest Power For more product info: http://www.heavyethics.com/VanDusen/Description.html Price: $5 per bag (approx. 20 litres/20 lbs.) You can pre-order from the link on the description page.

Hi everyone! The crocuses are up, aconites & snowdrops are blooming and the air smells of sweetbox. That can only mean one thing: spring is on its way! We are preparing for the season here at Grassroots and we look forward to seeing you all in your garden soon! Ellen

As 2015 draws to a close, we here at Grass Roots want to wish you and all yours a wonderful New Year! May 2016 bring you joy, , love, laughter, good company, good health and brand new adventures. See you in your garden in 2016!

If your lawn is under the attack from crows & raccoons, digging for the chafer beetle grubs, there is no need to despair! While there is not much that can be done at this point in the season (but rake up the dead tufts of grass), next season there is something you can do. In the spring (approx. April) you can overseed the affected areas and have them grow back in. Then, in June/July, when the beetle starts its cycle of laying eggs, you will need to treat your entire lawn wi...th nematodes (little microscopic worms that will eat the eggs & emerging grubs). 1 Application can keep your lawn safe for 3-5 years, but if your entire lawn was 'lost' to the beetle, a few applications may be necessary to control the issue. If you'd like some help with nematode application, you can contact us and we'll be happy to order and install them for you.

Hello everyone, If you (like us) have been busy raking leaves, the city is now starting their city-wide annual leaf collection! You can bag up any leaves that don't fit in your green bin in paper yard waste bags and set them out for collection on the following weekends:... * October 23-25 * November 14-15 * December 12-13 * January 16-17 (this last one will include Xmas tree collection) Don't blow or rake your leaves into the street/gutter, as not only could they block drains and cause flooding, it's also classified as illegal dumping and could result in fines of up to $2000! Ouch.

Botanus is giving 45% discount on all remaining bulbs! You can browse online & have them shipped right to your door! They can be planted till end of December, so there's still plenty of time to plan your spring bulb display! Happy planting!

It's almost garlic planting time! Have you got your seed garlic ready? If not, you can still order some top quality seed garlic from West Coast Seeds.

Metro Vancouver has lowered the water restrictions to level 2 as of today as reservoir levels are returning to normal levels thanks to the rain we've had. This means that we can now return to watering gardens with sprinklers/soaker hoses (if needed) and you can now also water your lawn once a week. For more info on what is and isn't allowed: http://www.metrovancouver.org//WSRP_At_a_Glance_2015_Table

Heavy rain is forecast for metro Vancouver for this weekend, possibly starting tomorrow already. Hooray and hallelujah! :-) As it has been so dry for so long, the soil will not be able to soak it up at first, which will result in more run-off than usual. So, before the rain arrives, if you have a drain near your house on the street, please check and make sure it's not clogged with leaves/dried plant debris, so the water has somewhere to go. Watch out for localized flooding & further afield, apparently also be alert re. landslides.

While cleaning up a garden today, I counted not 1, not 2, but 32 cigarette butts in the crisp, dry grass! While I have no objection to people smoking outdoors, please, beware where you put out your cigarette! Everything is tinder-dry! And also: pickup your cigarette butt & throw it in the garbage. Thank you!

Even though we had a bit of rain yesterday, we are still under water restrictions at level 3. Just a quick reminder of what this means: This means you can hand water your existing garden & plantings with a spring-controlled nozzle. No sprinklers or soaker hoses, no automated systems, and no lawn sprinkling. The level 4 restrictions (no outdoor watering at all) are only in place for the Sunshine Coast at this point. ... Here's hoping we get a bit more rain today! Every little helps!

Are you going away on holidays in August and don't know what to do with the watering of your garden now that hand-watering is the only way to go? We can help! Simply contact us to discuss your dates and watering needs. We are organizing a watering crew of local teenagers willing to help out and can take care of scheduling etc. for you. So you can go on holiday and relax, knowing your garden is in good hands. Have a great evening!

I got this wonderful email from Phoenix Perennials and wanted to share it with you, as it provides some great tips, both for indoor & outdoor water conservation! Tips for Surviving Summer Drought in the Garden Established perennials, shrubs, and trees are likely going to get through this drought just fine. They might look a little tattered by fall but they'll perk up when the rains start and next spring.... Here are some tips for getting through our summer drought, taking care of your garden, and saving water at the same time. Water at the Right Times and the Right Way: Water early in the morning or late in the evening. Less water will evaporate from your plants during these cooler temperatures. Only water the soil. Don't waste water by spraying the foliage. Mulch Now: Adding a mulch of bark, grass clippings or compost around drought sensitive plants or new plantings. Mulch will help preserve soil moisture by shading the soil surface and adding extra organic matter that holds water. Bark or grass might be better for shading but as they break down over the next months or years the microorganisms doing the work will steal nitrogen from your plants. Move Pots into Shade: If you have containers that are sitting in full sun and requiring lots of water, move them into a more shaded position where they won't dry out so quickly. Reuse Grey Water: Water used indoors such as for baths, showers, food preparation and cooking, and other household tasks can be used to water plants. Household soaps and detergents are harmless to plants and may even be a mild fertilizer. Put a bucket in the shower, reuse your kids' bath water, save the water from washing vegetables or boiling pasta (add salt after cooking), or collect dish washing water if it's not too grungy. Cut Back on Fertilizing: If you're using liquid feeds on potted plants cut back or stop altogether to keep plants from putting on new growth. Collect Rainwater: If we have any (and that's a big "if") but if we do see rain in the forecast set up some barrels or buckets under your drain spouts. Lawns: Don't worry too much about your lawn. It's not going to die. It's just going to go summer dormant. It will green up again when the rains start in the fall. If you need to cut it, don't cut it so short. Move the wheels lower to leave your lawn longer. Use the mulching option on your mower to add clippings back into the thatch of the lawn to conserve water. Save Water Indoors: There are lots of tricks for saving water inside the house: only run the dish washer and washing machine when they're full, take shorter showers, collect the cool water from your hot water tap while you're waiting for it to get hot, and don't let the water run when you're shaving or brushing your teeth. There's also that age old adage familiar to many people with cottages or who have depend on well water: "If it's yellow let it mellow. If it's brown flush it down!" You can save lots of water by decreasing your daily flushes! ;-)

And now... we're at water restrictions level 3. Many people are wondering what this means exactly, so here we go: * You can NOT water your lawn at all. Golden is the new green. And when the fall rains come: your lawn will green up all on its own. * Sprinkler use is completely off limits. If you have an automated sprinkler system, you will need to turn it off or have the company who manages it for you come turn it off for you. ... If you DO continue to water your lawn or use sprinklers (either in-ground systems or above ground sprinklers you move around yourself), you could risk a hefty fine. Also be aware that people can call in to the city to report you if they notice you using sprinklers. * You are NOT allowed to wash your car at home (only windows & lights for safety reasons) or use pressure washers to clean your pathways/homes * You ARE allowed to water existing plantings with a handheld springloaded shut-off nozzle or with a container (watering can/bucket) If you have any further questions re. the watering for your particular garden, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be happy to discuss it with you.

While the drought level is now up to level 4, water restrictions are still at level 2 for the time being.

As I get questions re. watering every day, a quick recap to how the watering restrictions at level 2 might apply to you:. * Your lawn: can ONLY be watered once a week. Even-numbered addresses Monday 4am-9am - Odd-numbered addresses Thursday 4am-9am. You do not need to water for 5hrs. 1 hr max = plenty. Any lawn watering outside of those times can result in a fine of $250. * Your established garden trees/shrubs/perennials: you can still water those with sprinklers/soaker hos...e. We recommend giving them a deep water 2x per week during the early morning hours or the evening (after 7pm). Deep means letting a sprinkler/soaker hose run for at least an hour to ensure the water reaches the roots. This also 'teaches' your plants to get more resilient in finding water deeper in the soil, resulting in less reliance on watering in the long run. * Your veggies/plants in pots: these can be watered daily by hand. * If we have just installed a new lawn for you, please refer to the email we sent you re. watering instructions taking the restrictions into account. You might also need to apply for a permit with the city. * If we have just installed new garden beds for you, please refer to the email we sent you re. watering instructions taking the restrictions into account.

Vancouver is now at level 2 drought. What does this mean for you and your garden? I would recommend you water your established plants 2 to 3 times a week, but water it very deeply during the early morning hours or the evening (after 7pm). Deeply means letting a sprinkler run for at least an hour to ensure the water reaches the roots. This also 'teaches' your plants to get more resilient in finding water deeper in the soil, resulting in less reliance on watering in the long r...un. If you had a new garden installed recently, watering could be a bit more important. Ask us for guidelines if you need any help on how often to water your newly installed garden. As for lawns: you are allowed to water it once a week (see the article). Mine is already turning into a crisp little patch as I stopped watering it. When the rains return (hopefully soon), your lawn will rebound. And in the meantime: no mowing required! :-)

With the heat & dry weather continuing, don't forget to water, but please mind the water restrictions.

Hi everyone, I still have 8 gorgeous Manitoba tomato plants up for grabs! $2 each. Let me know if you'd be interested in one or more of these!

Truck full of tomatoes! Just picked up this year's batch of tomato plants for sale to clients and the neighbourhood. List of varieties and quantities available AT THIS MOMENT is as follows: Gardener's Delight: 16 plants at $3.50 each Indigo Rose Organic: 8 plants at $4.99 each Siletz Organic: 9 plants at $3.50 each... Sungold: only 3 plants (and these are popular!) at $3.99 each Early Cascade: 15 plants at $3.50 each La Roma Heirloom: 16 plants at $3.50 each Manitoba: 9 plants at $2 each as they are a bit smaller than the others. Black Cherry: 5 plants at $1.50 each - these are still pretty small and are 'basketstuffer' pot size. If you're interested, let me know how many & which variety(ties) you'd like and of course, when you can come by to pick them up. Happy growing everyone!

The Seed to Sky garden club has passed on the word that the leftover plants from the plant sale are up for grabs - FREE - at the side of the church off the parking lot. They are all potted up and you can help yourself. Please don't disturb the plants growing in the community garden plots, thank you!

Thank you to all who came out to the Seed to Sky plant sale! So good to see so many of you come out. It was a big success that's for sure! Thanks so much on behalf of the Seed to Sky garden club!

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS... to the Seed to Sky plant sale!! smile emoticon It will be held on Saturday May 9, 2015 from 10 am 1 pm at Cityview Baptist Church & Community Garden... 4370 Sophia Street (one block east of Main) - Please enter through the side entrance on 28th Avenue. There will be a great selection of perennials including hostas, grasses, geraniums, phlox, asters, rudbeckia, groundcovers, etc. There will be vegetable starts and herbs. Vines. There are even some shrubs (forsythia, hebes, etc.) And still so much more!! There are refreshments available and there will be plenty of door prizes, so stick around to see if you have won! There will be Master Gardeners on site to answer your gardening questions. And...you can come say 'hi' as I'll be there too! Even though we'll have quite a few flats available, we often run out, so just in case: please bring a bag or plant flat to carry your plants home. See you there!

If you missed the Van Dusen Plant sale today: don't despair! The Seed to Sky plant sale is coming! Just in time for Mother's Day! It will be held on Saturday May 9, 2015 from 10 am 1 pm at Cityview Baptist Church & Community Garden 4370 Sophia Street (one block east of Main) - Please enter... through the side entrance on 28th Avenue. There will be a great selection of perennials including hostas, grasses, geraniums, phlox, asters, rudbeckia, groundcovers, etc. There will be vegetable starts and herbs. Vines. There are even some shrubs (forsythia, hebes, etc.) And still so much more!! There are refreshments available and there will be plenty of door prizes, so stick around to see if you have won! There will be Master Gardeners on site to answer your gardening questions.And...you can come say 'hi' as I'll be there too! Even though we'll have quite a few flats available, we often run out, so just in case: please bring a bag or plant flat to carry your plants home. See you there!

A small transformation....

There has been a lot of concern in the media the past couple of years about this invasive (& aggressively stinging) species of red ants. Given that the most common means of garden to garden transmission is via plants, we thought it timely to share some information with everyone about ways to prevent transmission to your own gardens given that this is the season of plant sales. First of all, this species of ant is not new to our area. There is a neighbor on Prince Edward stree...t who has been dealing with them in her garden for 12 years. There is also another neighbor on Sophia Street who has them, so they are definitely in our neighborhood. Precautions you can take to prevent transmission to your garden: 1) Sink any new plants (in their pots) into a bucket or tub of water for 24 hours. Any ants that float to the top should be collected in a baggie and frozen for 24 hours before being disposed of in a sealed bag in the garbage. 2) Give the plant pots a good bang on a hard surface, this will bring the ants scurrying out of the pots 3) Another technique used at Van Dusen, is that any new plants that come in to the compound are put on a tarp in a 'quarantine' area with apple slices places beside the pots. The fire ants are attracted by the apple and will show themselves within an hour. It is also recommended that you do this for all your plant purchases, even from nurseries as this ant has been discovered in several locations around Vancouver now. Attached is the link to an information sheet on the European Fire Ant: http://mgabc.org//European%20Fire%20Ant%20Fact%20Sheet%20- (Thanks to the Seed to Sky garden club who kindly prepared this info to circulate)

After taking a break last year, the Seed to Sky Garden Club Plant Sale is back! Hooray! It will be held on Saturday May 9, 2015 from 10 am 1 pm at Cityview Baptist Church & Community Garden... 4370 Sophia Street (one block east of Main) - Please enter through the side entrance on 28th Avenue. GREAT SELECTION OF PERENNIALS INCLUDING HOSTAS, GRASSES, GERANIUMS, VINES PHLOX, ASTERS, RUDBECKIA, GROUND COVERS HERBS, VEGETABLE STARTS DOOR PRIZES, REFRESHMENTS & MORE Master Gardeners on site to answer your gardening questions. Please bring a bag or plant flat to carry your plants home.

TreeKeepers is a non-profit partnership between Tree City and the Environmental Youth Alliance working with the City of Vancouver to grow the urban forest. TreeKeepers is offering 16 different types of young fruit and ornamental trees to Vancouver residents for the modest price of $10 -15. You can see what is available and, if you wish, place an advance order for pick-up at a local community centre. Or just go there on the day and take your chances. Highly desirable offerings... include Magnolia 'Leonard Messel', Cotinus (smokebush) 'Grace', and 'Honeycrisp' apple trees. Pick up dates are from April 11 - 22, so place your order soon. For more information, including pick-up locations and dates, go to http://treekeepers.ca/plant-a-tree/

If your lawn is currently under attack by crows & raccoons, chances are big your lawn has a chafer beetle population. To limit the damage over the coming years, treating with nematodes over the summer months is the way to go, as that is when they lay their eggs (which turn into the white grubs the crows & raccoons love so much they'll tear up your lawn for them later on). We'll be ordering the Terranem nematodes in June for any clients who would like to treat their lawn (either DIY or have us do it). Let us know well in time so we can include you in the order.

The crocuses are coming up, the snowdrops are blooming... spring is already inching closer! (Sorry to all on the East Coast!) We are getting ready to get out there and come see your garden! I have a great crew lined up as well as an extended network of quality trades for tree work, lawncare, hardscape, irrigation and lighting. See you all soon!