Handcrafted pots and outdoor furniture

Mandy Melnyk has made some changes to her egg and poultry business in the last few months. The owner of Meadow Creek Farms in northern Alberta serves about 200 families a month with her egg subscriptions and broiler chickens—but now, instead of customers coming to pick up their orders from Melnyk directly, she’s spending a lot of time in the car, delivering them herself. 

When I moved to Michigan 13 years ago, I was ­excited by the endless plant possibilities afforded by my new Zone 6 location. Compared to the secluded 5-acre garden I had left behind in southern Minnesota, however, my newly purchased corner lot surrounded by houses and neighbors felt like a fishbowl.

Gardeners who grow in containers may find themselves asking “Can you reuse potting soil?” In this article, I’m going to answer that question, along with a few others you might have about recycling used potting soil. Commercially made potting soils are expensive, and even if you follow ourDIY potting soil recipes and make your own mixes, the cost can still take a bite out of your gardening budget. Reusing potting soil can help. But it won’t work in every situation, and you have to follow a few guidelines to ensure the health of your container plants. Let’s dig in!

Today’s update will be our final update of 2023. With things slowing down in the field, we will take some time to focus on other projects, and the Weekly Field Updates will resume in January. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season, and we’ll see you back in 2024!

The festive season is upon us, and what better way to spread joy and warmth than by adorning your outdoor spaces with dazzling Christmas lights? Outdoor Christmas lights have become an integral part of the holiday tradition, transforming ordinary surroundings into enchanting winter wonderlands. In this guide, we'll explore the magic of outdoor Christmas lights and share tips on creating a stunning display that will leave your neighbours in awe.

DIY Porch Pots with Spruce Tips & Evergreens Watch and learn how to use spruce tips, pine branches and more evergreens to make gorgeous winter porch pots! Plant porch pots with spruce tips and evergreens for winter interest

If you've been eyeing a piece of leather furniture but are hesitant to commit or are interested in learning a bit more about the merits of leather before investing, the pros are here to help.

Not everyone’s house is suitable for large gatherings. Although it may have felt big when you bought it, even a relatively large house can start looking smaller the moment you add three, two, or even one extra person into the mix.

If traditional Christmas carols were given a modern spin, «Deck the Halls,» would really mean deck the halls, roof, porch, and lawn. While a Christmas tree in the living room is still the star of interior holiday decor, front yards are often the next hot spot for holiday decor displays.

Buying furniture can be an overwhelming process, especially if you know what you need but aren’t quite sure what you want—and the challenges only grow from there. Once you finally figure out your preferences, where do you begin?

Aspen (Populus tremula) is a deciduous, broadleaf tree known for its habit of ‘quaking’ or ‘trembling’ in the slightest breeze. Indeed, its botanical name ‘tremula’ was given due to its trembling habit, and it’s also known as ‘quaking aspen’. Aspen tree leaves have flattened, flexible leaf stalks, which is how they are able to flutter so easily.

We’re off to New Zealand today to visit Lynne Leslie’s garden. We’ve visited before (Lynne’s Garden in New Zealand), and it is always fun to see what she is growing.