Turn a shady 2x corner into a low-maintenance pollinator garden with native perennials
I turned a small, shady corner of my yard—an awkward 2x nook under an overhanging maple—into a low-maintenance pollinator haven using mostly native perennials. If you have a similar tight, shady corner that seems impossible to plant (too dark, roots competing, soil a little compacted), I’ll...
Featured
Fix blossom end rot on tomatoes in seven practical steps for container growers
I remember the first summer my patio tomato plants started showing small, sunken brown patches on...
Build an upcycled rain barrel filter that keeps mosquitoes out and delivers clean water to raised beds
I’ve been collecting rainwater for years, but one summer I noticed mosquito larvae wriggling in...
Troubleshooting yellowing leaves: 7 specific causes and how to treat each
I always get a little pang when I see leaves going yellow on a plant I care about. Yellowing — or...
Step by step guide to grafting apple trees for better fruit and disease resistance
I still remember the first time I tried grafting an apple tree: my hands were sticky with sap, my...
Companion planting pairs that reduce pests and boost tomato yields
I’ve always treated companion planting as one of those simple garden strategies that rewards you...
How to use mulch correctly around shrubs to prevent rot and encourage deep roots
Mulch is one of my favorite garden habits — it transforms bare soil into a tidy,...
Latest News from Groupegarden
Plant Care
Why your tomato plants drop flowers and how to fix it this week
I planted a second round of tomatoes last month and watched, heart in my throat, as healthy-looking plants produced clusters of perfect yellow flowers that then shriveled and fell away. If that’s happening in your garden, you’re not alone — blossom drop (when flowers fall before setting...
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Pests & Diseases
Natural homemade spray recipes that actually stop aphids on roses
I hate seeing my roses coated in tiny, sap-sucking aphids. Over the years I’ve tried commercial sprays, sticky traps and staggered plantings, but my favourite approach is a set of simple, natural homemade sprays that actually work — when used correctly. Below I share the recipes I use in my...
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Plant Care
When to prune spring flowering shrubs for bigger blooms next year
I love the way a shrub-heavy border sings in spring—clouds of lilac, lemony bursts of forsythia, and the soft flaring of azaleas. Over the years I’ve learned that timing the pruning of spring-flowering shrubs correctly is one of the easiest ways to make those displays even better next year....
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Plant Care
The best container mixes for fast draining pots and bigger root systems
I often find that the difference between a pot that struggles and one that thrives comes down to the potting mix. When you want fast-draining containers and bigger, healthier root systems, the right mix is everything. Over the years I've tested dozens of blends on balconies, raised tubs and patio...
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Plant Care
How to revive soggy soil in raised beds without digging everything up
I often get questions about raised beds that stay waterlogged — soggy, smelly soil that seems to suffocate roots and zap plant vigour. I’ve had my share of beds that looked promising after a big planting project, only to turn into a sponge after the first heavy rain. Over the years I’ve...
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Eco Gardening
How to create a pollinator corner with native perennials on a tight budget
I love creating small, buzzing pockets of life in corners of the garden that weren’t doing much before — and a pollinator corner is one of my favorite weekend projects. With a tight budget, a little planning and a focus on native perennials, you can turn an overlooked patch into a refuge for...
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Garden Design
A simple waterwise planting plan for a small south facing balcony
South-facing balconies are tiny pockets of sunshine and possibility — I’ve turned a narrow 1.5‑metre balcony into a productive, fragrant and low-maintenance spot by focusing on smart plant choices, right-sized containers and a few waterwise tricks. If your balcony bakes in the midday sun,...
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DIY Projects
Step by step: build a recycled pallet vertical herb garden that lasts
I love turning simple materials into useful garden features, and a recycled pallet vertical herb garden is one of my favorite weekend projects. It’s cheap, stylish, space-saving and—when built well—surprisingly durable. Below I’ll walk you through how I build one that lasts, step by step,...
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Seasonal Planting
Planting calendar for beginners: what to sow now for steady summer harvests
I love the promise of a summer harvest that keeps giving—tomatoes ripening one after another, beans climbing the trellis, salads that never run out. For beginners, the secret isn’t magic; it’s timing and simple routines. Here’s a practical planting calendar and the “what to sow now”...
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