by Donna Balzer | Sep 5, 2025 | Food, THE LATEST, Uncategorized
Gardening in Northern climates is always a challenge and after 50 years of growing I am still learning. Here is my report about this season of growing vegetables including old and new tomatoes in my zone 3/4 Calgary, Alberta garden.
by Donna Balzer | Mar 11, 2025 | Greenhouse
My first greenhouse was a disaster. My aunt was giving away her old greenhouse, most of the glass was broken, and the wood structure was old, brittle and fragile. It wasn’t long before we made another trip with our “new” greenhouse. And that was...
by Donna Balzer | Feb 6, 2025 | Food
I was sprawled on the couch reading and I was losing interest in my book when the scent of simmering soup and the distinctive aroma of fresh bay leaf wafted over from the kitchen. Whether you live in Whitehorse or Washington, bay leaf is one of those easy to grow...
by Donna Balzer | Nov 6, 2024 | Food, Houseplants
Keeping a houseplant or potted plant alive is good. Keeping a plant healthy with shiny leaves and multiple blooms is better. Using the right fertilizers is paramount to success. But the fertilizer choices are so confusing! Here are the highlights and uses of...
by Donna Balzer | Sep 3, 2024 | Bugs & Buggers, GARDENING, Uncategorized
GOOD BUGS TO THE RESCUE! What eats 10-100 aphids in less than a week, comes free of charge right into your garden and greenhouse and leaves leaves clean of aphids? I’ve written about aphidoletes before but this is the first time I was able to get before and...
by Donna Balzer | Aug 26, 2024 | Flowers & Alpines, Food
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GROW SAFFRON IN A COOL CANADIAN CLIMATE? LINDA ASKS A SAFFRON QUESTION “I have a query for you. I would like to grow Saffron for its health benefits. Can you give me a successful starting plan? I have a grow light that I purchased plus I have a...
