Add a little adventure to your springtime eating by picking and cooking with wild plants. Spring provides the greatest abundance of edible greens, flowers, roots, and grasses. Hundreds of options appear each year, especially in the Northern hemisphere. A few examples include dandelions, chickweed, trout lily, sassafras, and nasturtiums. Edible wild plants and flowers are great because:

• They’re tasty!
• They’re free!
• Shopping becomes an adventure!
• Looking for plants is a great group activity!
• They’re easy to find and prepare!
• They’re good for you!

Getting started is simple. Just grab a good identification guide, such as the Peterson Field Guide to Wild Edible Plants, and head outdoors. Keep a few things in mind as you hunt:

• Avoid picking around dirty areas””roads, coal plants, dumps, power lines, and the neighbor’s yard. (Unless you know the neighbor and know if they use any pesticides, it’s best to go other places.)
• Always positively identify a plant before you eat it.
• If you have allergies, test the plant by:
  • Rubbing a small bit on your wrist and waiting to see if you have a reaction or rash.
  • If you have no reaction, bite a tiny piece off, chew for 15 seconds, then spit it out. Again, wait for any reaction like tingling or burning.
  • If you still have no reaction, eat a small amount, and wait again to make sure you’re okay. If you’re fine, prepare your feast!
• Wash everything thoroughly to remove insects, bird droppings, and other wonders of nature that might make you sick.

Using Your Harvest

There are endless ways to prepare your great wild harvest. To get you started, here are five popular wild flavors and meal ideas.

French Marigolds

These flowers taste like a cross between radicchio and tarragon and make a beautiful contrast to green salads. Pluck the petals, and use them in place of bitter greens.

Nasturtiums

Just as spicy as their red and gold blooms look, nasturtiums add peppery taste to dishes like gazpacho, soft cheeses, or hot soups. Just chop the fresh flowers and stir them in!

Cattails

Boil, roast, fry, and spice the roots of a cattail like you would a potato. Make sure to pick the younger plants; older cattails can be stringy.

Cornflowers

Known for their “cornflower blue” color, these small, spiky blossoms have an earthy, sweet flavor. Garnish cupcakes, brew teas, or toss them into salads to add color and that sweet spice.

Amaranths

These bright pink bunches taste just like sweet corn! Add them to salads, eggs, and savory dishes, or tuck them into mixed drinks to appreciate their loveliness and sweetness.

Want more ideas like these? Contact us for expert help and tips. Have great ideas? Share them with us!

One of the most visceral indicators of change throughout the year are perennial flowers. We all have memories of the time of year when the goldenrods pop up, or when all the favorite flowers of spring make their grand appearances. These are times that we become fond of, and when we see that special flower appear each year for the first time, our hearts do a little jump. These annually reappearing plants remind us of the cyclical beauty that occurs in life: that there is a time to sprout, a time bloom and a time to die and let the next generation of life take root.

Perhaps you have hesitancies about planting perennial plants because they require a certain planting timeline. Maybe the idea of having to plant in advance seems tedious. However, there are many rewards to this type of gardening.

Many gardeners often report having planted a certain flower, whether in bulb or seed form, and a few months later, having forgotten about the new addition to his/her garden, being pleasantly surprised when that flower pops up. Our collection of articles will make the planting process simple for you and, most of all, give you extensive ideas about what to plant. Perhaps you didn’t even know that a particular plant existed; we would love to make that plant a part of your garden, to be planted and to appear in unexpected glory at its annual time.

Additionally, these plants and flowers offer their skill of reappearing voluntarily. So, often times, advanced planting only has to be done once, and you are able to receive multiple years-worth of growth, which, in turn, brings additional thrill. Just like a welcome visitor, your plants will regularly return to your garden, make themselves at home, and bring some new and varied beauty.

Find an extensive collection of articles on these special plants and those which grow particularly well in Canada at http://www.canadiangardening.com/plants/perennials. Here you will come across new ideas, flowers you forgot about and tips for keeping these classic, reappearing plants healthy. Additionally, you will discover a great variety of plants on this page: ones which flower in the shade, medicinal plants, low maintenance, grasses, flowers of all types of blooms and colours, and plants which reappear in a variety of seasons, not just spring. You will likely find the new addition to your garden that will become a classic, reappearing guest during that special time.

If you’re like this homeowner, there comes a time that you look outside your window and wonder if there’s anything you can do to make your humble abode look a little less humble. Take heart! There’s a plenty you can do with a little imagination and some quality stone placed in just the right spots.

With what our post covers below, you’ll soon be on your way to enhancing your landscape and upgrading your home’s value using anyone of the following natural stones readily available.

Granite for the Outside Pool/Patio Areas

If you’re thinking exterior landscapes, you’ll probably want to add an outside patio area too. Whether for an outside pool area or a surrounding barbeque pit, you should be thinking about durability from the elements or something that withstands those possible stains from a Bloody Mary or ketchup spill. What better stone for counter-tops than pure granite?

Unmatched as the strongest of structural stone materials, its earth-rich colors and coarse grain designs make it a stone of choice for decorative as well as functional purposes. Of course, you could choose cheap ceramic tiles for floor covering; however, chances are they won’t last too long when your kids knock over the grill and crack the tiles.

On the other side of the coin, granite does need some maintenance and is fairly expensive. Furthermore, if the stone wasn’t properly sealed from the beginning, some stones may stain.

Slate for Exterior Walkways/Elegant Garden Areas

If you want to add a touch of class to your exteriors leading to the garden or yard, then weather resistant slate is the way to go for many homeowners and business owners too! Simply having cement or concrete is not, let’s face it, very attractive. If you’re living in areas of varied weather patterns, you’ll soon know that cement can get slippery, moldy and needs regular paint overs.

Not so with slate! With it’s own mother nature scheme of colors such as yellow, brown, dark gray, lavender, pink and every variation imaginable, you’ll soon be the talk of the town or your neighborhood.

More appropriate for enclosed garden patio areas and/or walkways leading up to or from the house, naturally textured layers of this quality stone make an ideal spot for meditation in your newly landscaped garden. Add some slate benches and enclosed walls with columns for semi-privacy, and you’ll be good to go!

Highly resilient and one of the most commonly used stones, slate nevertheless should be installed by only an expert. Slate, as granite, is not an inexpensive item and costs depend many times on the availability and locality of the manufacturer and destination of the stone.

Travertine for Garden Fountains/Walls

If you’re into having a more elegant feel to your exteriors, why not add a fountain? When dealing with travertine stone, nothing gives a more antiqued look. Extremely versatile inside or out for working of tiles and pavements, this stone was primarily used in construction projects in ancient times and so it continues until this day. When beauty is a prime consideration, going travertine may do the trick!

Bearing a reputation for not having longevity, travertine continues to grow in popularity and hasn’t deteriorated any since the Trevi Fountain in Rome was built 300 years ago. Withstanding earthquakes, WWII bombings and even giggling tourists, it durability stands a testimony to its quality.

Cost-wise and compared with either slate or granite, or even marble, travertine doesn’t pan out as being that expensive an option. Generally, marble sells from $4 to $35.00 per square foot; however, travertine sells for about $2.50 per square foot in many supply houses.

Having a beautiful deck is a part of the American dream. Our oases of wood and patio furniture are the platforms for parties, sipping coffee on misty mornings and basking in the summer sun. Decks are an investment in our happiness and the value of our homes, and giving them some TLC every now and again will keep them in good shape. Keep these tips in mind when you set out to do a few repairs, restore your existing deck or build a new one. And if you need any help, contact a Missisauga landscaping company that cares.

strong>Spring Cleaning
Think your deck is self-cleaning? Think again. Your deck collects all sorts of dirt and debris throughout the year that wears away at your finish and can cause rot. Give your deck a major cleaning and inspection every spring and fall. Sweep fall leaves off regularly, and clean any dirt spots left by planters and pots.

Mind the Gaps
The debris that collects between your deck boards is more than just an eyesore. As organic material decays, it can cause your deck boards to rot along with it. Most builders leave a scant 1/8-inch gap between boards. By simply upping the gap space to 3/8-inch, most material will fall through instead of collecting. Clean between your deck boards at least twice a year.

Protect Your Rims
Giving your deck a polished look can complicate maintenance. Many decks have decorative fascia, decking material that is attached to the edge of the deck to hide its under-structure, attached to its rims. Thin gaps between the fascia and decking can collect water and debris, causing rot. When designing a new deck, making sure your decking material covers the fascia and rim can eliminate this issue. On existing decks, you can add a thin piece of lattice between the fascia and rim can prevent water from pooling.

Brush Up on Finishes
Do you read the product information on your deck finish? Most homeowners don’t, and what you don’t know can harm your deck. Transparent stains, beloved for bringing out wood’s natural warmth, need to be reapplied about once a year and are not as UV-resistant. Tinted stains are more UV resistant and can often go up to four years between applications. Paint, while providing a clean finish, quickly shows wear from foot traffic but is otherwise resilient. No matter what finish you choose, pick a product that boasts UV-resistance, anti-mildew and water repelling properties on the can.

Refinish Like a Pro
If you’re going to undertake refinishing yourself, keep a few things in mind. Your deck needs to be completely dry before applying stain. Even if the wood feels dry to the touch, wait at least three days after power washing before taking brush to board. Consider hiring pros to do the power washing. It’s easy to strip off layers of wood on accident.

Don’t Skimp on Lumber Quality
Saving a couple bucks today can cost you down the road. Low-quality lumber is full of pockets that will collect rot-inducing water and debris. Always build decks and replace boards out of quality lumber. Redwood and cedar are the best natural wood choices, but low-maintenance composite decking is becoming a top choice for new decks.

When building a great garden, one of the best ways to make it really stand out is to include a patio in your design. By putting a patio inside your garden, neighbors, friends, and family members will be able to enjoy your beautiful garden while spending time building closer relationships. By reclining on quality outdoor furniture, your guests will be able to relax on a hot summer day while enjoying the beautiful scenery. This article will outline some of the best patio ideas for small gardens in your own back yard.

Put It in the Shade
On a hot summer day, nothing is worse than a scorching-hot patio. Keeping your patio in the shade or near a cool water source will help reduce the temperature of your investment even on the hottest days. Select a spot that has numerous tall trees or a steep hill to keep the hot sun from chasing away your guests.

Use Quality Furniture
After making the investment in a high-quality patio, there is little reason to be cheap on furniture. Make sure you have enough tables and chairs to accommodate most of your guests, and choose items that will last well into the future. By carefully selecting these items, you can be sure that everyone in the neighborhood will want to call your patio home!

Include a Grill
Enjoying your patio with friends and family wouldn’t be much use if there isn’t a good reason to use it. Including a grill will help encourage guests to want to spend time on your patio by staying close to your delicious food.

Cover Your Investment
When spending time with your guests outside, rain will eventually ruin the fun times. Investing in a fixed roof or retractable awning will help to ensure that even when it rains your patio will remain as the center of your neighborhood.

By following these patio ideas for small gardens, building your outdoor dreams will become more obtainable and more likely to succeed. Once your patio has been built inside your garden, you can be sure everybody will want to come and spend time enjoying your new creation!

Is that bare patch of grass mocking you from the front porch? Starting your own garden is actually a lot easier than you’d think. You just need a little inspiration first! Here are six ideas for transforming your yard into something beautiful and putting those Better Homes and Gardens people to shame.

1: Clear A Path
If you don’t know where to begin, how about giving yourself a walkway? You can literally create any kind of path you’d like, including a straight walk to the back door or a winding curve all the way around the home. Beginners should stick with paving or stepping stones, though once you’ve advanced your gardening skills a bit, you can go back and add gravel or lay brick. You might also choose to leave the path entirely undoctored, just framing a line of grass with stones, and your own tread will naturally flatten the earth over time.

2: Plant A Shrub Garden
Shrubs are extremely easy to raise, making them perfect for the first-timer who isn’t quite sure if their thumb is green or more of a questionable seafoam. Hydrangeas and geraniums will flourish with very little effort on your part, and if you cultivate them in a dazzling array of colors, your little shrub garden will become the highlight of your yard.

3: Create A “Zen Zone”
Get away from it all by turning a corner of your yard into a place of tranquility. Plant bonsai trees to create cool shade; make yourself a little oasis with a bamboo fence; dig a small pond running over rocks to soothe you with the sounds of running water. In case you couldn’t tell, these are all time-honored Japanese garden ideas, but you don’t have to come from the Land of the Rising Sun to appreciate their dedication to beauty and reflection.

4: Edge Your Beds
“Edging” in this context simply means creating a break between the grass and your intended flowerbed. It can be accomplished by using a shovel or bio-degradable spray to mark lines in the ground where you want to start digging up grass and adding mulch. It’s as simple as that! Then you can started by creating a square garden, a circular garden, a garden wrapping around your house, et cetera. Don’t be afraid to play around with fun shapes or unique designs that will make your yard pop.

5: Replace Your Grass
What? You mean I’m not stuck with the dingy grass I inherited with my property? That’s right! It’s entirely possible to renovate your lawn through a process called “overseeding.” In layman’s terms, it means choosing a new species of grass for your lawn and then sprinkling it with impunity over the old stuff. Through a dedicated application of water, sunshine and periodic reseeding, you can give your yard a complete facelift. For even more ideas for lawn care, click here.

6: Add Accessories
Gardens aren’t all about the flowers. For example, if you’re building a themed “Caribbean night” garden, you can install tiki torches and wicker chairs arranged in a semi-circle around the grill. If you’re going for a storybook feel, wrap lines of fairy lights around your tree trunks and invest in a few birdbaths that would make any Disney princess envious.

These are just six ways to punch up your yard into something special. If you’re intrigued by the possibilities, or if you’d like more inspiration for easy garden ideas, visit us at our blog!

To see the prices on outdoor furniture at a major big-box retailer, you’d think your wallet would need to be tracked down and captured before opening for that amount. The prices on pieces designed for external use are ridiculous ”“ but they don’t have to be. It’s easy to make outdoor furniture yourself out of items you may never have thought of! And the best part, these pieces blend in perfectly the rest of your landscaping. Knowing how important landscaping in Missisauga is, we’ve compiled this list of versatile, functional furniture!

1. Make an outdoor table with an old spool of wire.
   Those enormous wooden spools that are so common around construction sites? They can be bought for cheap from nearly any flea market or thrift store and make wonderful outside tables. Cutting them in half can double their use, making them look like small mushrooms rising from the ground just for your convenience. A layer or two of outdoor paint and they’ll be as resistant as any other item you find anywhere else.

   These spools make the perfect options for outdoor barbecues and summer evening parties. Nothing like sitting around with friends and discussing your lives while nibbling on ribs and drinking a cold brew. An additional item to note about these spools is the hole often in the center of them ”“ it’s the perfect fit for a patio umbrella. Getting any ideas?

2. Design your custom outdoor couch with wooden pallets.
   Wooden pallets are everywhere; any company that ships large amounts of product has them in droves. Homeowners like to buy the pallets for cheap to reuse the wood inside of them, and for good reason; it’s much less expensive than paying for commercial furniture! Stacking the pallets together and then using nails or screws to secure them will allow you to design your own patio couch. The pallets are already moisture resistant, so there is little prep work to be done. Once you’ve assembled them in the desired shape, a quick coat of paint and some cushions to go on top will give you a place to sit and recline at a fraction of the cost you might have paid in stores.

   Building your own couch can win some major guy points with friends, and score major brownie points with the wife. Plus, it makes an awesome conversation piece when people come over to visit. Nothing is quite like saying, “I built it,” when asked where you bought a piece of furniture!

3. Build your own easy to clean fire pit.
   Finding an old metal drum is pretty easy; a lot of auto shops have them. Just ensure that the drum itself is thoroughly cleaned out before you use it. A good way to do this is to start a fire inside of it and let the flames burn away any lingering chemicals that might be inside. Afterward, find someone to cut the drum in half (or do it yourself). Placing the drum in the center of your patio gives you an area to pile wood and start a fire when you want it, and with only half the drum in place, it can easily be hidden with rocks around the base.

   This makes it look like you have a professionally installed, expensive fire pit for the price of a few hours’ work and a bit of metal. Putting a grate over the top of the drum is a simple matter, and provides a cheap, do it yourself grill that will provide hours of use for the entire family. Everything tastes better when cooked over wood instead of charcoal, anyway. When you need to empty the pit, just remove the grate and dump out the ash!

For more ideas, visit our website or do some browsing of your own. Creating simple outdoor furniture takes just a few hours of your time, and can be very rewarding both in how fun it is, and in how much money you’ll save.

Eavestroughs are supposed to collect rainwater and direct the water away from your home’s foundation. However, when they become clogged, they do not function properly and result in damage to the home. The main culprit behind a non-functioning eavestrough is clogged channels. Clogs can occur when twigs, leaves and other types of debris deposit themselves in the eaves through and get caught in the downspout. The blockages occur over time. Cleaning your eavestrough is one of those home maintenance tasks that often gets ignored. The fact that this part of the house is often out of sight is the main reason behind the neglect. Unfortunately, the putting off this maintenance can cause disruptions in its functioning. Here are six reasons why you need to clean your eavestroughs.

Rotting Wood

If your home has any wood around it, a clogged eaves through can cause the wood to warp and rot. If water builds up and is allowed to stand for a couple of hours or days, the moisture can start to impact the wood. If the problem persists, you may find yourself spending thousands of dollars replacing the wood around your home. Bugs are attracted to moist conditions. When moisture collects near the wood and foundation, it can attract termites.

Potential Breeding Ground for Insects and Other Pests

Standing water in an eavestoughs can serve as a breeding ground and home for animals and insects. The non-draining water will start to stand, causing any debris to rot. The pools of rotting leaves and water become an attractive home to mosquitos. The pools also provide a source of food for other insects and can attract birds, skunks and other unwanted pests.

Blockages During the Winter Causes Leaks

If you live in an area where snow is a regular part of winter, you need to keep your eavestrough free of debris. Ice can form around them and exacerbate the blockage problems. Ice blockages prevent the drainage of snow. When the snow melts, the water has no where to go and could start to leak into the interior of your home. This leaking can cause costly damage to your walls and ceiling. The leaks can also produce hazardous mold.

Foundation Damage

Clogs affect the regular functioning of your home’s eavestrough. Instead of the water moving away from the foundation, it is now channeled to or near it. Pools of water that begin to form around your home’s foundation will eventually damage it. When the water does not flow through the system, it will pour over the eavethrough’s sides. Over time, the water that the settles near the foundation will cause cracks and other foundation issues. These problems may lead to foundation failure.

Avoid Physical Damage to the Eavestrough

When your eavestroughs become cluttered with leaves, twigs, water and other items, they get weighed down. The excess weight can cause them to start to pull away from your home and alter their shape. When the eavestrough pulls away from the home, they are no longer able to do their jobs. When the eavestrough pulls away, it changes the flow of water. This change can cause leaking,foundation and damage to the home’s wood features.

Lawn Damage

Failing to keep your eavestrough free from debris can also help your lawn. Clogs can cause an overflow in water. Excess amounts of water can kill your grass, trees and plants. It can also lead to severe lawn erosion that requires a professional to fix. Again, these are problems that occur overtime, but a lack of attentiveness can result in lawn care issues. If your lawn is damaged by water, lawn service in Toronto can help you repair the problem.

It is easy to overlook cleaning your eavestroughs, but doing so can be detrimental to your home. They should get cleaned them twice a year, in the spring and fall. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, it is one that will save you money in the long run. When a problem arises as the result of a lack of maintenance, the repairs can cost thousands of dollars. It is not advised that your clean your gutters yourself If you need to schedule a cleaning, contact your local eavesthrough cleaning company. They have the professional expertise to safely and effectively keep your eavestroughs maintained.

When Jack Frost is busy nipping at your nose, he’s probably nipping away at your plants, too. Just like people, some types of plants are sensitive to the cold. When there’s a chance for frost, unprotected plants can become damaged as the water contained inside the tissues of their stems, leaves and petals becomes crystallized and can no longer travel. This causes plants to shrivel up or turn brown or black in color. When your local weather forecaster calls for a chance of spring frost, there are several things you can do to defend your plants.

Where your plants are located on your property has a lot to do with how they will react to frost. Plants located in low-lying areas often fall prey to frost because the cool, dense air settles there. Plants not surrounded by heartier growth, such a wall of trees or bushes, are also likely to fall victim to frost if conditions are suitable.

The severity of frost determines how you should protect your plants. For example, during a light frost, you may only need to drape a bed sheet or burlap sheet directly over your tender plants to protect them. A harder frost often calls for a bed sheet, blanket or plastic sheet to be propped up and over the plants (not touching them at all) with tall stakes, then secured to the ground with rocks or bricks. This helps insulate the plants inside. Individual plants can be covered with milk jugs, plastic cups or glass jars. Always remember to remove any coverings early in the morning to let in oxygen and sunlight and to prevent the plants from becoming overheated.

Potted plants can be stored overnight inside of your home, shed or garage until the next morning. To protect low plantings from frost damage, you can cover them in a layer of mulch. Once the frost has passed the next morning, gently uncover the plantings. Some types of plants can be watered the day before an expected frost, as the water moistens the soil and helps trap heat overnight. It’s best to check with a professional landscaping business, such as Neighbourhood Landscaping Inc, to ensure that your plants are safe to water before a frost. Some plants, like succulents, should never be watered before a frost.

It is important that you do not overreact to plants damaged by spring frost. Many types of plants are able to bounce back from minor frost damage. Do not clip off damaged leaves or dig up damaged plants immediately following a frost. Clipping off damaged leaves exposes undamaged layers to future frosts. Give your plant some time to heal and develop new growth before removing damaged parts. You may also be able to gently wash frost crystals off of a plant with a hose, especially if the sun hasn’t warmed the plant up yet. Washing a plant with frost damage that is already warmed up by the sun can cause irreversible tissue damage.

Think about the impact water has on even the largest of structures; the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rainier, and cliffs along England’s coast all came about after eons of water erosion. It doesn’t take an ocean of water to erode a structure, though. It’s amazing how a little water can make a world of difference, and unless you’re interested in a home remodel nightmare, it’s important to give water the respect it deserves. Out of all the things that might keep you up at night, one you probably haven’t considered is poor drainage. Poor drainage can wreak havoc on your foundation, reducing the value of your home in a matter of weeks or month. If you’re concerned that something might be awry with your home’s plumbing, don’t hesitate to contact a trained professional; waiting too long could be the costliest mistake you’ll make all year. Drainage seems pretty straightforward: water falls on your roof, is caught by your gutters, and then goes down through the downspout. However, any one of these points, as well as the way rainwater hits your lawn, can all contribute to drainage problems.

Bad drainage is at it’s most obvious when your lawn is flooded. All of that water needs to go somewhere, and if it doesn’t drain into the water table or footing drains underneath, it’ll pool on the surface of your lawn. If your lawn sits on a hill, the water may roll towards your house. Under those circumstances water may start to soak into the foundation of your home, leading to water soaking into the concrete. Over time, the water can cause cracks in the concrete, or even rotting of the wooden posts that secure your home to the ground. This danger is even more apparent in the Winter. Under freezing conditions the water expands into ice, hastening the pace that cracks appear in your foundation. These cracks allow plants to take root in the foundation, breaking the concrete even further. Though you may not notice it, within months water and plants could severely damage your foundation.

When the drainage problems results from roofing problems, rather than your lawn, similar situations can arise. Oftentimes,drainage problems are a result of poor maintenance. Gutters may fill up with leaves, and the water may start to flood over the side of the roofs. On most houses, water flows through the gutters towards downspouts. These downspouts direct the water to places where they can’t damage the concrete. However, when the water starts pouring over the roof it can soak into your foundation. Obviously, whether the water comes from your lawn or the roof, this can cause your foundation to collapse, making the house unsafe to stay in.

One of the most serious drainage problems comes in the form of leaks in your roof. Roof leaks can cause less noticeable drainage through your walls, ruining dry wall as the water runs down to the foundation. This means that instead of the problem being relatively confined to your foundation, you may end up having walls that are structurally unsound, only furthering a drainage nightmare. Additionally, mold and mildew may set in; these problems could make your house next to worthless. This is because mold and mildew are difficult to get rid of and in high enough concentrations may contribute to respiratory problems.

If you notice drainage problems on your roof or in your yard, the key thing is to act fast, especially if you’re not sure when they started. Problems with water drainage may not seem like a big issue if your house isn’t flood, but overlooking them could ruin your investment in the house. Luckily, trained professionals can help to resolve problems with your home’s drainage. Check out http://www.nlinc.ca/lawn-care-toronto/ to learn more about how professionals can help resolve your drainage problems before they take a bite out of your home’s property value. Remember, the sooner you confront these problems with professional support, the less damage drainage issues will do to your home- and your bank account.