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Grow Raspberries in Cold Climates

by Donna Balzer | Mar 5, 2024 | Food, THE LATEST | 0 Comments

I never paid much attention to raspberries or puppies before I bought my new "old" inner city house in Calgary 27 years ago. But almost as soon as we moved in, my 14 year old son asked an important question: could we get a puppy? I had a number of problems around...

Grow Lemons at Home In Cold Climates!

by Donna Balzer | Feb 20, 2024 | Food, Houseplants | 0 Comments

The biggest surprise I discover as a Northern gardener – now living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is that I can grow and harvest fresh lemons from the plants I grow in the ground or in pots. And even though it is late February as I write this, I am almost overwhelmed by the scent of lemon blossoms as I open my Calgary garage, flip on the lights and enter the otherwise dull, cold space.

Grow Food In Cold Climates all Winter

by Donna Balzer | Feb 4, 2024 | Food | 0 Comments

We have a greenhouse and then we having mini-tunnels inside the greenhouse. And just by having (this) extra shelter, we’re able to grow and harvest from November to April and that’s very different from (most commercial) greenhouse systems, especially in the winter.

Growing Micro-greens: Tips From the Pros

by Donna Balzer | Jan 4, 2024 | Food, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

I open the conversation by asking if the wilted arugula greens on our restaurant breakfast plates are from her employer and Mali looks at me in shock. No, she says, definitely not. And as if each leaf has a GPS tracking system on it, Mali is clear: these tiny greens...

Practical Ideas for Greenhouse Growing in Winter

by Donna Balzer | Nov 30, 2023 | Greenhouse | 0 Comments

A client planted her brand new greenhouse in late August this year with the goal of growing vegetables and harvesting food all winter. My 12 year-old grandson made the same plan, except he is using his dad's back yard and doesn't have a greenhouse. Compared to hobby...

Keep Your Amaryllis Blooming

by Donna Balzer | Nov 27, 2023 | Flowers & Alpines, Houseplants, PLANTS & DESIGN | 0 Comments

It is almost winter and you have received an amaryllis for the holidays! Lucky you. But, in truth, once these have bloomed most people toss them - hopefully into the compost and not the garbage! Amaryllis come in pink, white, red and variegated colours but...