Shows
Down The Garden Path PodcastJuly in the GardenIn this encore presentation of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing show you how to keep your garden and landscape cool and colourful in the summer heat with tips for your July garden. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Pros and cons of the recent hard, fast rain and things to consider with your garden and containers. Lawns The importance of watering deeply but less frequently The best type of fertilizer for your lawn situation The best time to fertilize Staying on top of weeds Perennials/Annuals...2025-06-3048 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastNovember in the GardenIn this encore presentation of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing provide some tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your November garden. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: Planting bulbs Cleaning up your vegetable garden in time for winter Why you should not cut back your perennials Check out their Five Fall Lawn Care Tips for November lawn care How to protect your trees, shrubs, and evergreens from animals and winter Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss? Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com...2024-10-2941 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSeasonal StressorsIn this encore presentation of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing answer listener questions about the seasonal stressors we're experiencing in our gardens this month. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Is it one or two inches of water every week for our lawns? What about in this drought here in the GTA? More water? Reminder to water newly planted trees. Using water timers on hoses to help with watering. Any tips for choosing an apple tree for my yard? How do we apply nematodes...2024-08-2058 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastApplying NematodesIn this encore presentation of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss applying nematodes, the primary method homeowners in Canada use to control pests such as grubs on our lawns. It’s been a heavy Japanese beetle season in the Greater Toronto Area, with a lot of damage done to the foliage of our trees and shrubs. As the hot days of summer come to an end, so will they! However, where there are Japanese beetles, there are white grubs. And right now, those white grubs are beginning to hatch an...2024-08-1359 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastAugust in the GardenIn this encore presentation of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing show you how to keep your garden and landscape thriving during the August heat with tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your August garden. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt discuss what you should (and shouldn't) be doing in the garden in August. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Plan what fall bulbs you’d like to plant for your spring garden. Order now and buy early for the best varieties. Source garl...2024-08-0633 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastBerries for the BirdsIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss bushes with berries for the birds that you can add to your landscape. These bushes are different than other fruit bushes like blueberry and raspberry, etc. They came up with five different ones for you to consider and a few honourable mentions. Five shrubs to attract, feed, and help shelter birds in your yard in the colder months of the year: Common Snowberry, Symphoricarpos alba Black Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana Beautyberry, Callicapra americana American elderberry, Sambucus canadensis Ho...2023-12-0530 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastGrowing HollyIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss the three types of holly and their popularity as a replacement for boxwoods. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: Two notable holly species to add for winter interest in your garden. Ilex aquifolium, Common or Christmas Holly: evergreen with slightly sharp leaves and red berries on the female plants Ilex verticillata, Winterberry: North American native, deciduous holly Honourable mention: Ilex glabra, Inkberry: An evergreen native to the Eastern US and Canada but not in Ontario. Compact with shiny...2023-12-0525 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastJumping WormsJust when we think we have seen it all regarding our garden and pest issues, we learn about another pest we need to educate ourselves about. This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes Sean James to discuss jumping worms, what they are and why we need to be on the lookout for them in our gardens. Sean James, owner of Sean James Consulting & Design, has been gardening professionally since age sixteen. He is a graduate of the prestigious Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, a Master Gardener and was named one of “20 Canadians Making a Difference” in th...2023-11-2757 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSpring EphemeralsIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss the rarely talked about spring ephemerals, what they are, their importance, and how you can use them in your garden. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: What are spring ephemerals? Why are they important? How can you use them in your garden? Where can you find them? Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne and Matthew via their websites: J...2023-11-2015 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastNovember in the GardenIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing provide some tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your November garden. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: Planting bulbs Cleaning up your vegetable garden in time for winter Why you should not cut back your perennials Check out our Five Fall Lawn Care Tips for November lawn care. How to protect your trees, shrubs, and evergreens from animals and winter Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also...2023-11-1041 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastThe Garden Bloggers FlingIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss Joanne's experience at the Garden Bloggers Fling in Philadelphia this September. The Garden Bloggers Fling began in Spring 2008 as a meet-up for garden bloggers across the U.S. It soon became a must-attend, blogger-run annual event (paused only by the pandemic) hosted by organizers in a different city each year. Today the Fling has grown — while the name has been shortened — to include content creators across the international online garden media. Joanne was one of almost 100 gardeners who visited 15 private and public gardens in t...2023-11-0224 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLasagna GardeningIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss lasagna gardening, also known as no-till gardening. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: What is lasagna gardening? Where can you build a lasagna garden? The steps you need to follow to build your own lasagna garden. Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne and Matthew via their websites: Joanne Shaw: down2earth...2023-10-2519 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastFive Fall Lawn Care TipsIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing review their top five lawn care tips for fall. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: When to aerate and/or dethatch Top dress with a high-quality compost Why it's too late to put down seed Applying corn gluten Using fertilizer Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne and Matthew via their websites: Joanne...2023-10-2526 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastOctober in the GardenIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing provide some tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your October garden. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: How to plant your fall bulbs and garlic. Bringing in the annuals and tropicals you’d like to keep for next year or over winter. Why not prune and clean up your perennials, trees, shrubs, and leaves? How to prepare your lawn for fall and winter. Preparing your evergreens and Japanese maples for winter. Find Down the...2023-09-2551 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastWhat's Wrong with My Garden?In this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss some of the pest, disease, and environmental issues which may be causing your fall garden to be a little lacklustre this year. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: How to identify and treat powdery mildew on susceptible plant, like phlox and ninebark. Why leaves and flowers in the landscape are browning so early. What is boxwood blight and how to treat it. Other boxwood issues to watch out for to keep your boxwood healthy. Find Do...2023-09-2340 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSeptember in the GardenIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing provide some tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your September garden. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: Plan your fall bulb display. Buy now for the best selection. Continue deadheading your summer bulbs. Plant cool and cold-tolerant vegetables. What to look for at perennial plant sales. When to bring in your tropical plant material. Now is the time to apply nematodes and repair your lawn. How to treat your crab grass. Caring for your dec...2023-08-2934 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastAdding Mulch to the GardenIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss a popular and sometimes controversial topic in the garden: mulch. To mulch or not to mulch, that is the question! Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: What is mulch? The different kinds of mulch What are the benefits of adding mulch to your garden? Ways to use mulch correctly Ditching the landscape fabric Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. You can also email your questions and comments to dow...2023-08-2233 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastAugust in the GardenIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing show you how to keep your garden and landscape thriving during the August heat with tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your August garden. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Plan what fall bulbs you’d like to plant for your spring garden. Order now and buy early for the best varieties. Source garlic bulbs from a local farmer or reputable seed company to have them ready for fall planting. Continue to trim herbs like...2023-07-3133 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastJuly in the GardenSummer has just begun, and forecasters predict it will be one of the hottest summers in recorded history. In this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing show you how to keep your garden and landscape cool and colourful in the summer heat with tips and tricks and do’s and don'ts for your July garden. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Pros and cons of the recent hard fast rain and things to consider with your garden and containers. Lawns The importance of watering deeply bu...2023-06-2658 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastCarnivorous Plants with Tamara Urben-ImbeaultIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing are joined by Tamara Urben-Imbeault from Plantzza Hut to discuss how to select, care for, and grow carnivorous plants. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Tell us what inspired you to found Plantzza Hut. How are carnivorous plants different from what we might consider a traditional plant? What do carnivorous plants eat? If we don’t have insects to feed them, how can we keep them healthy? What are some of the common carnivorous plants people find in g...2023-06-1258 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastDesigning with Native PlantsWhen people think about native plants, they often think of a wild meadow or an unkept urban lot. But natives offer many design opportunities and benefits to our gardens and landscapes. On this episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss how to design with native plants and strike a balance in your garden between natives and the foreign ornamentals we love so much. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: How do you define native? Where to look for native plants? How should I start going...2023-05-2358 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastNavitarsIn this encore episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing wrap up their month-long discussion about shrubs with a look at nativars. Here are some of the topics covered in this episode: What is a nativar? How are nativars produced? Substantial differences between cultivars and nativars and what to avoid: Some attract and sustain the same populations as their native parent Others do not attract as many pollinators as their native parent. Some nativars do not have the same quantity or quality of pollen and nectar resources. Avoid nativars whose leaf colour i...2023-05-161h 00
Down The Garden Path PodcastMay in the GardenThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss the do’s and don’ts for your May garden. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Spring lawn care What can you do now? Can you rake and feed? Harden off your seedlings before planting. Harden off your houseplants Adapt to higher light levels or direct sun; most prefer only direct morning sun Tropical winter is 16°C; bring your plants out only when the outside temperature is as warm, and bring them inside at ni...2023-04-2558 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastRoot Rescue with Bob ReevesIn this encore episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing welcome Root Rescue's Bob Reeves to talk about how you can put little critters to use in your garden. About Bob Reeves Bob has come to believe that the secret to plant success is hiding in the soil beneath our feet. He began the Soil Health/Root Rescue project in 2005 with a discovery made at Reeves Florist & Nursery, his family's garden centre in Woodbridge, Ontario. Bob is the founder and CEO of Root Rescue Environmental Products. He also serves as a S...2023-04-1759 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastOrganic Pest Control with David SmorenburgIn this encore presentation of Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing welcome David Smorenburg from Upper Canada Organic Products to discuss their line of pest control products. About David Smorenburg and Upper Canada Organic Products David is the founder and president of Upper Canada Organic Products, Inc. Upper Canada Organic Products (U C Organic Products) has been a family-run business since 2002. They register, develop, and distribute the least-toxic pest control products in Canada and are a pioneer in bringing plant-based pest control products to Canada. Some of...2023-04-1059 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastGardensPlus with Dawn GolloherTo kick off the first day of spring, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss easy-care perennials with returning guest Dawn Golloher from GardensPlus. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: What inspired you to start GardensPlus? Your motto is “We focus on easy-care perennials so you can enjoy your gardens not just work in them.” Why focus on easy-care perennials? In 2021, you decided to cancel the successful Canada-wide mail-order part of the business. Can you tell us more about what led you to that decision? How many perennial types do y...2023-03-2059 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSpring Houseplant CareWith spring only a week away, our houseplants -- like us -- can tell the days are growing longer. This means it’ll soon be time to transplant, propagate, and prune our indoor jungle. This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing provide spring houseplant care tips to keep your collection looking fresh. Topics and questions discussed in this episode: Popular houseplants in 2023 Watering and feeding your houseplants Potting up your houseplants Propagating your houseplants Troubleshooting common indoor houseplant pests Preparing to put them outside for the season Resources mentioned during the...2023-03-1258 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastTerrariumsIn this week’s episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss terrariums, a fun and easy project you can do to add a dynamic living ecosystem to your indoor plant collection. Topics and questions discussed in this episode: What are terrariums? What do you need to build a terrarium? How do you build a terrarium? What materials do you need? What plants are suitable for terrariums? How do I care for my terrarium? Resources mentioned during the show Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ont...2023-03-0658 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastMarch in the GardenAs March arrives and we look forward to spring, we prepare ourselves for the one more blast of winter we know Mother Nature will throw our way. In this week’s episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing talk about March in the Garden. Topics and questions discussed in this episode: Planting seeds and staging a crop for a continuous harvest. Growing seeds: the best selection is available now! Buy now, plant later. Lawn care: we’re eager but how long do we have to wait to get started? Dormant spray: a key...2023-02-2856 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastFrom Seed to Spoon & GrowBotAI has moved into the world of gardening! This week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing speak with Dale and Carrie Spoonemore, creators of the new garden AI app, Seed to Spoon. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Why did you decide to create this app? Where does the gardening information come from? Who is this app geared towards? Is it North-America based only? Can users customize their profiles so it remembers the app remembers their location? How does it differ from Google search? 2023-02-0758 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastCreating Winter Interest in the GardenWinter can be a gloomy bleak time of year, but that doesn’t mean it has to be that way in the garden. In the season nine premiere of Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss how to create winter interest in your garden and landscape. Discover how to create winter interest in your garden and landscape. Here are some of the questions and topics Joanne and Matt cover in this episode: Thanks to all the listeners who wrote in over the break. Changes to the show format: ad...2023-01-2458 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastThe Landscape Ontario PodcastIn this episode of the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing answer questions about their book, Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, on The Landscape Ontario Podcast. In this monthly podcast, host Scott Barber has conversations on the issues shaping landscaping and horticulture in Ontario. Scott asks Matt and Joanne a variety of questions: Tell us more about your background. What inspired you to write a book together? Can you speak to the importance of keeping our gardens low-maintenance? Is the public, in general, receptive...2023-01-0927 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastChristmas Trees: Real vs. FakeIn the final episode of the Down the Garden Path podcast for 2022, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss the pros and cons of buying a real tree vs. a fake tree. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss the pros and cons of choosing a real tree vs. a live tree. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: What type of tree do Joanne and Matthew put up and why? What is the environmental impact of each choice? Choosing an everlasting, or fake, tree: What do we need...2022-12-1258 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHow to Grow AmaryllisIn this episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, professional landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing spotlight the classic holiday plant, Amaryllis. These easy-to-grow bulbs make great gifts or additions to your own holiday decorating. Some of the topics they cover in this episode: the various ways you can purchase them what they require in order to grow tips on how to keep your bulb for next year Down the Garden Path Podcast Each week on Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss down-to-earth tips and ad...2022-12-0821 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastDown the Garden Path: The BookIn this episode of the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing continue garden authors' month with a look at their new book, Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden. In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and Matthew distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Packed with timely seasonal tips for each month to help you create the low-maintenance garden of your dre...2022-11-2457 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastAromatherapy Gardening with Amy AnthonyPlants are more than just pretty; many have unique uses and fragrances. Tonight on the show, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing welcome NYC Aromatica’s Amy Anthony to the Down the Garden Path podcast. Amy discusses growing aromatic plants and essential oils and how you can make them a dynamic part of your garden and landscape. About Amy Anthony Amy is a certified clinical aromatherapist and aromatic gardener who left her career in marketing research to pursue what is closest to her heart: working with plants. As a certified aromatherapist, aromatherapy educator, herbalist, gardener, certified ma...2022-10-2559 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHeirloom Heather Flower FarmThere’s nothing quite like a fresh bouquet of flowers in the house. This week, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing welcome Heather Moran of Heirloom Heather Flower Farm to the Down the Garden Path podcast. Heather shares her tips and tricks on how to grow summer flowers and cheerful spring bulbs to create a cut flower garden of your own. About Heirloom Heather Flower Farm Heirloom Heather started as a small-scale flower farm in 2021. Dedicated to farming sustainably and using organic methods, they preach low waste and try to be as eco-conscious as they can wh...2022-10-1858 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastOctober in the GardenThis week, Down the Garden Path presents an encore presentation of the October in the Garden podcast from 2019. With gardening chores changing so much from month to month, staying on top of your outdoor to-do list can be a challenge. In this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne and Matthew discuss what's happening this month in your garden, offering down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss the do's and don'ts for your October garden. Some of the topics discussed this...2022-10-1156 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSoil Health with BIOS Nutrients with Aaron DeaconThis week, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing welcome Aaron Deacon from BIOS Nutrients to the Down the Garden Path podcast to talk about how feeding your indoor plants naturally improves their soil health. About Aaron Deacon Aaron first learned about the environmental damage caused by synthetic fertilizers and pesticides during college and set out after graduation to begin growing for himself. He received a license from Health Canada to grow medicinal cannabis and decided to go completely organic. He was discouraged by the results from products that were available on the market and began studying...2022-10-0458 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSaving Your AnnualsDo you have some annuals that are still going strong? In this episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss how some annuals can be saved and brought inside for you to use in your gardens next spring. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss ways you can save your annuals. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Annuals as houseplants? Coleus, geraniums, tuberous begonias, and sweet potato vine are some of the annuals that we can bring indoors and use as houseplant...2022-09-2058 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLawn Care and Lawn AlternativesHow's your lawn faring after these past few months of hot dry weather? As summer winds to a close, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss lawn care and lawn care alternatives. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss lawn care and lawn alternatives. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: What should we be doing for our lawns in September? How do we apply nematodes? How do we fertilize at this time of year? Seeding and sodding; is now the time? What other activities can I...2022-09-0658 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSeasonal StressorsThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing close off the month of August by answering listener questions about the seasonal stressors we're experiencing in our gardens. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss seasonal stressors in your August garden. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: Is it one or two inches of water every week for our lawns? What about in this drought here in the GTA? More water? Reminder to water newly planted trees. Using water timers...2022-08-3058 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastThe Food Garden Life ShowIn this episode of the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing answer questions about their new book, Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, on The Food Garden Life Show, a podcast hosted by Emma Biggs and Steven Biggs. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt answer questions about their book on The Food Garden Life Show. Steven and Emma ask Matt and Joanne a variety of questions: Tell us more about you and your podcast. How did you start working together? How do your approaches...2022-08-251h 01
Down The Garden Path PodcastAugust in the GardenThis week, Matt and Joanne present an encore presentation of their August in the Garden podcast from 2019. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss the do's and don'ts for your August garden. August can be a challenging month in the garden. The heat is unrelenting and the weeds are growing strong. It’s right around now that our plants can start to look a little tired or spent, and as gardeners, it can be a difficult time because we may be a little tired and spent ourselves! In this episode, Matt and Jo...2022-08-0156 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastAsk Us Anything!This week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing answer listener questions in this "Ask Us Anything!" episode. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt respond to listener questions. Some of the questions listeners asked: I saw a post online: 8 plants that repel mosquitos. Any information that you can share with us? With this excessive heat in the GTA, is it okay to put down lawn fertilizer? If so, any tips? What is the best mulch to use, and what is the best way to mulch a perennial bed? Lo...2022-07-2957 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastWild Seed Project with Anna FialkoffThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw talk about native plants with Anna Fialkoff, the Ecological Programs Manager at Wild Seed Project in Portland, Maine. Join Joanne and Matt as they discuss native plants with Anna Fialkoff of Wild Seed Project. Here are some of the questions and topics covered in this episode: What does the Wild Seed Project do and why? A non-profit to inspire people to grow native plants Set people up for success with native plants in the landscape Organize walks, talks and workshops...2022-07-2658 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHidden Gems: ShrubsThis month on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw discuss the wide assortment of shrubs available for your gardens and landscapes. With so many wonderful new and tried-and-true shrubs on the market, they believe there are a few that deserve more attention. So, in this episode, they share some of the hidden gems you can find at your local independent garden centre. Join Joanne and Matt as they discuss hidden gems you can find at your local garden centre. Here are some of the questions and topics covered...2022-07-1958 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastInteresting Evergreen ShrubsThis month on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing are talking about all the wonderful shrubs for your gardens and landscapes. In this episode, they discuss interesting evergreen shrubs. Join Joanne and Matt as they discuss interesting evergreen shrubs. What makes an evergreen interesting? What is an evergreen? Best practices when caring for your evergreens Differences between an evergreen vs. a conifer? Conifers are cone-bearing evergreens Our listeners' favourite evergreens in the warmer climate Interesting evergreens listeners should look for? Golden Mop Threadleaf False Cypress – Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘ Golden Mops' Fire...2022-07-0559 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHidden Gems: PerennialsThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing wrap up their look at perennials with an episode dedicated to some of their favourites. These hidden gems of the perennial garden work hard but are often overlooked. Join Joanne and Matt as they reveal their top five perennial favourites. Joanne's hidden gems: Geum: Geum Triflorum Zone 4 Part to full sun Green foliage with small red-orange flowers on tall stems Bergenia: Bergenia Cordifolia aka Pig Squeak Zone 4 Part shade A clumping perennial with unique evergreen foliage Flower spike in Spring E...2022-06-2754 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastPhlox and BellflowersThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing look at two classic perennials that have long been staples in our gardens, phlox and campanula, commonly known as bellflowers. Whether you’re looking for a plant with some height, or one a little lower growing, these classics have got you covered. Join Joanne and Matt as they look at perennial favourites phlox and campanula (aka bellflowers). Some of the questions and topics covered about phlox and campanula (aka bellflowers): What are the ideal growing conditions required? When do...2022-06-2153 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSpectacular SedumsThis month on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss some of their favourite perennials. They begin with a look at a versatile classic, sedums. From shrub substitute to colourful ground cover, it's hard not to have a spot in your garden for a spectacular sedum. Joanne and Matt kick off the month with a look at sedums, a perennial favourite. Some of the questions and topics covered: What is the best soil for sedums? Matt discussed the Sunsparkler Sedum series. The versatility of sedums in your...2022-06-1458 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLaunch Party!In this episode of the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing kick off the month with a launch party to celebrate their new book, Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden. Joanne and Matthew's new book, Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, is now available on Amazon. In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create an...2022-06-0752 minDown The Garden Path PodcastAsk Us Anything!This week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing wrap up May's focus on wonderful landscape shrubs with an "Ask Us Anything!" episode -- and an exciting announcement! Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt respond to listener questions. Some of the questions listeners asked: Is full sun considered to be 6 or 8 hours? What is the best way to naturally get rid of weeds in the grass? Is mulch the same as compost? What is the best way to raise pH levels in my garden soil? Can you please...2022-05-3059 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastMay in the GardenThis week, we present an encore presentation of our May in the Garden podcast from 2019. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matthew discuss the do's and don'ts for your May garden. May in the garden brings many inspiring ideas, but there are many not-so-inspiring May to-do's you will also need to get done to give your garden its best chance in the season ahead. Joanne and Matthew discuss garden trends which feature some of May’s Stars of the Garden. The Stars of the Garden plants for this month happen to be the plant...2022-05-2056 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastDeutzias & DiervillasThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing continue their look at flowering shrubs and explore the world of Deutzias and Diervillas, some gorgeous small to medium-sized shrubs with a lot to offer your landscape. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt talk about Deutzias and Diervillas. Some of the questions and topics covered: What are Deutzias? Where are they native? What zone are they? When do they flower? How much do they cost? Popular cultivars of Deutzias: Nikko Blush Yuki Cherry Blossom Yuki Snowflake Crèm...2022-05-1758 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastViburnumsThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing continue their look at flowering shrubs, discussing a few classics and a couple of superstars you might be meeting for the first time. In this week's episode, they talk about viburnums. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt talk about viburnums. Some of the questions and topics covered: What are viburnums? Where are they native? How hardy are they? How big do they get? Where can you find them? How expensive are they? Popular species of viburnum: European...2022-05-0959 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastRent the ChickenThis month on Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designer Joanne Shaw wraps up "critter month" with the ultimate critter we would all love to have: chickens. Joanne welcomes Homestead Phil, the co-founder of Rent the Chicken. About Rent the Chicken Homestead Jenn and Phil are the co-founders of Rent the Chicken. It started as a way to earn supplemental income and is now full-time employment for both stretching across the United States and Canada. They feel blessed to be connected with many hard-working individuals that make Rent the Chicken successful. On their homestead, they r...2022-04-2659 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastRoot Rescue with Bob ReevesThis month on Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing continue their "critter month" with a look into the soil and its diverse life. In this episode, they welcome Root Rescue's Bob Reeves to talk about how you can put little critters to use in your garden. About Bob Reeves Bob has come to believe that the secret to plant success is hiding in the soil beneath our feet. He began the Soil Health/Root Rescue project in 2005 with a discovery made at Reeves Florist & Nursery, his family's garden centre i...2022-04-1259 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastOrganic Pest Control with David SmorenburgThis month on Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing gear up for spring by taking a look at some garden products that will help you enjoy your garden to the fullest. In this episode, they welcome David Smorenburg from Upper Canada Organic Products to discuss their line of pest control products. About David Smorenburg and Upper Canada Organic Products David is the founder and president of Upper Canada Organic Products, Inc. Upper Canada Organic Products (U C Organic Products) has been a family-run business since 2002. They register, develop, and...2022-04-0659 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastDesigning Your Edible SpacesIn this episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing continue March's edible gardening theme with a look into the ways we can make our vegetable gardens more beautiful with ideas on how to incorporate vegetables with our ornamental gardens. This week, learn how to make your vegetable gardens more beautiful and explore ways to incorporate vegetables with ornamental gardens. Some of the topics covered: The “traditional rectangular or square vegetable garden” and how not everyone has that space; for those who do, the garden tends to only be a...2022-03-2856 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastTalking Tomatoes with Emma BiggsIn this episode of Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing continue their month-long look at edible gardening by talking tomatoes with author, speaker, and blogger Emma Biggs. About Emma Biggs Emma is a 16-year-old gardener, author, speaker, and blogger. Her passion is growing tomatoes, trying new, unusual crops, and saving seeds. She has raised over 150 tomato varieties in her Toronto garden and loves to try weird and wonderful plant projects. Emma gives talks at libraries, seed exchanges, garden clubs, and garden events. She is the co-host of The Food Garden Life S...2022-03-1559 minDown The Garden Path PodcastAsk Us Anything!This week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing wrap up February's houseplant theme with an "Ask Us Anything!" episode. Tune in to hear Joanne and Matt respond to listener questions. Some of the questions listeners asked: Does rock salt for ice hurt lawns? Are your past shows posted anywhere? After that beautiful flower blooms and dies off, what do I need to do to the plant? I already see that the home improvement stores have their spring fertilizer out. As soon as the snow melts, what...2022-02-2858 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastTropical Plants and How to Love ThemThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing speak with author Marianne Willburn about her new book Tropical Plants and How to Love Them. About Marianne Willburn Marianne Willburn is a gardening columnist, speaker and author of Big Dreams, Small Garden, and one of the six-person writing team at GardenRant. A regular contributor to Better Homes and Gardens, The American Gardener, and other national gardening magazines, Marianne has also been a weekly newspaper columnist for over a decade and is the recipient of several Gold and Silver Medi...2022-02-161h 02
Down The Garden Path PodcastPlantsome with Kevin TholenaarsIt's all about houseplants this month on Down the Garden Path podcast. In this episode, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing speak with Kevin Tholenaars about his online houseplant business, www.plantsome.ca. About Kevin Tholenaars Plantsome co-founder and CEO Kevin Tholenaars moved to Port Moody, B.C., six years ago from the Netherlands. When Plantsome's founding team realized there were very clear signals that the needs of consumers in the archaic home and garden industry were not being met, the idea for Plantsome was born. In March of 2020, Plantsome opened its digital doors...2022-02-0958 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHome Hydroponics with Tyler BarasIn this week’s episode of the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing speak with Tyler Baras, chief science officer and co-founder of Area 2 Farms in Arlington, Virginia, about home hydroponics. Tyler has a range of urban agricultural experiences from homesteading to commercial hydroponics. He has worked as a grower for 3 Boys Farm Inc., one of the first certified organic hydroponic farms in the United States. In 2015, Tyler wrote one of the best-selling hobby hydroponic books, DIY Hydroponic Gardens: How to Design and Build an Inexpensive System for Growing Plants in Wat...2022-01-2558 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastPlant and Garden GoalsThis week on the Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing talk about your plant and garden goals for 2022. Tune in for help with your plant and garden goals for 2022. Some of the questions and topics covered: How do Matt and Joanne each plan their garden? What are the benefits of planning ahead, starting a garden plan for growing vegetables or flowering annuals for a cutting garden? How do you determine the goals for your garden and outdoor spaces? What tools are available for you to help you plan...2022-01-1858 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastGarden Trends Report with Katie DubowWelcome to the new year and a new season of Down the Garden Path! In this week’s episode, landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing review Garden Media Group’s 2022 Garden Trends Report with returning guest Katie Dubow. Katie Dubow is the President of Garden Media Group, a women-owned and run public relations firm specializing in the home and garden industry and celebrating 33 years in business. Author of the annual Garden Trends Report, Dubow scouts the world for garden trends. Don't miss Joanne and Matt's conversation with Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media Group, abou...2022-01-1157 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastGarden Gift IdeasIn the final Down the Garden Path episode of the year, Matt and Joanne look at some of their favourite gift ideas for the gardeners in your life, or maybe even for yourself. Looking for gift ideas for the gardener in your life? Here are some of Joanne and Matt's favourites. Joanne's favourite gift ideas for gardeners: Floratopia by Jan Johnson Tiny Plants by Leslie Halleck Dahlia May Florals calendar Forged pocket pruner Radius Ergonomic Shovels Sun Joe electric leaf shredder Matt's favourite gift ideas for gardeners: The Toronto & Golden Horseshoe Gardener’s...2021-12-1559 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLooking Back at 2021In the second-last episode of Down the Garden Path for the year, Matt and Joanne take a look back at the popular topics and guests of 2021. Don't miss Joanne and Matt as they take a look back at the popular topics and guests of 2021 on the Down the Garden Path podcast. They also answer some listener questions: What does girdling mean as it refers to gardening? Are there any weeds that are good for your garden? Can you explain what the three numbers in fertilizer mean? What's the best way to lower the pH l...2021-12-0759 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastThe Toronto & Golden Horseshoe Gardener's Journal with Sarah BattersbyIn this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, Matt and Joanne welcome author Sarah Battersby to discuss the 2022 Toronto & Golden Horseshoe Gardener’s Journal, now celebrating its 30th year. This wonderful publication will help both you and your garden stay organized for the new year. About Sarah BattersbyAlong with coaxing anything to grow in her dry-shade city rock garden, Sarah has been carving a cultivated space out of a forest of lilacs and sumachs at her schoolhouse in Hastings County for 30 years. Sarah got the gardening bug with indoor plants as a teenager, co-writes at...2021-12-0157 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastAir Plants with Dave's Air Plant Corner's David LinIn this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, Matt and Joanne welcome David Lin, owner of Dave’s Air Plant Corner, to learn how to grow and care for this interesting and wonderful group of houseplants. About David Lin David has been growing Tillandsia for more than seven years, and as soon as he started collecting them, he was hooked! His goal is to share these amazing plants with more people and hopefully, everyone can take a breather from their busy life and admire the unique beauty and characters of air plants. Don...2021-11-2359 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLandscape Ontario with Deputy Executive Director Joe SalemiIn this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, Matt and Joanne welcome Joe Salemi, Deputy Executive Director of Ontario’s premier horticultural trades association, Landscape Ontario. Joe shares the many opportunities a trade association like Landscape Ontario has for landscape professionals and addresses some of the issues currently facing the landscape industry. About Joe Salemi Joe is a people-first leader with over 18 years in the professional landscape industry, a career culminating in the observation of the challenges and barriers landscape horticulture business owners face daily. Joe has a combined background with trade association management an...2021-11-1759 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastWinter Rose ProtectionIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw discuss how to keep your roses protected all winter long. Different roses require varying levels of care and protection. Listen to this week's podcast for tips on keeping your roses growing beautifully every year. Tune in to learn more about how you can best protect your roses over the winter months. What are the types of roses? Hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, shrub roses (knock out roses), carpet roses, miniature What are some ways you can protect your roses for the winter...2021-10-1259 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLasagna GardeningIn this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw discuss "lasagna gardening." Lasagna gardening helps you build healthy soil, even in the most challenging locations and without the back-breaking labour. Whether you're growing beautiful flowers or tasty vegetables, lasagna gardening is a great way to easily give your plants healthy living soil. Tune in to learn more about "lasagna gardening." What is lasagna gardening? When is the best time to start your lasagna garden and why? What tools and materials do you need to build a lasagna...2021-09-301h 00
Down The Garden Path PodcastSeptember Grab BagIn this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw cover a variety of gardening topics in their September Grab Bag podcast. Join them as they answer listener questions and share with you what is happening in the garden centre and in their own gardens. Some of the topics they cover in the September Grab Bag podcast: What's happening in each of their gardens garlic bulb planting fall plants lawn-to-do's Coming up next week: September 20th: Fall vegetable gardening with Gardening Girl Julia Dimakos About...2021-09-1558 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastYour Questions AnsweredIn this last Down the Garden Path podcast of August, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw wrap up the summer months by getting your questions answered! Matt and Joanne conclude their month-long discussion of popular flowering trees in the landscape, and their summer of deep dives into the perennial, shrub, and tree staples of our landscapes covering a few trees they didn't discuss in previous episodes and then focus on your gardening dilemmas. Tune in this week as Joanne and Matt finish their discussion on trees and answer listener questions. Learn more...2021-08-3159 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLarge Flowering TreesIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw continue their month-long discussion of popular flowering trees with a look at some of the other popular flowering tree cultivars we often see in the landscape. Tune in this week as Joanne and Matt discuss: The following popular flowering tree groups, their preferences, size, zones, and recommended cultivars: Crab Apple – Malus spp. Ivory Silk Lilac – Syringa reticulata. Magnolia – Magnolia spp. Ornamental Flowering Pear – Pyrus spp. Serviceberry – Amelanchier alnifolia. Serviceberry – Amelanchier canadensis. Serviceberry – Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ Tartarian Maple – Acer tartaricum. Joanne and Matt al...2021-08-2459 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastFlowering DogwoodsIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw continue their month-long discussion on flowering trees with a look at some of the popular flowering species of dogwood. Tune in to learn more about how to successfully include dogwoods in your garden. Joanne and Matt discuss: Where does the term ‘dogwood’ come from? Common species, their popular cultivars, and growing conditions of the dogwoods found in garden centres (soil, temperature, zones, lighting and watering) Is the fruit that appears on dogwoods edible? When do dogwoods need to be prun...2021-08-1859 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastStandard Flowering Trees Part TwoIn this episode of Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw continue their month-long discussion on flowering trees with a look at some of the medium-sized flowering landscape specimens. Tune in to learn more about how to incorporate medium-sized flowering trees in your garden. Joanne and Matt pick up where they left off last week and expand their answers to some questions they are were unable to explore fully: What is considered a “standard” flowering tree? How are standard, or small flowering trees, formed? Where do we measure the height of a...2021-08-1257 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastStandard Flowering TreesThis week, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw start the month exploring a new topic on Down the Garden Path: flowering trees. In this episode, they begin with a look at small flowering trees, which are referred to as standard trees. Tune in to learn more about how to incorporate standard flowering trees in your garden. Joanne and Matt discuss: What is considered a “standard” flowering tree? How are standard, or small flowering trees, formed? Where do we measure the height of a standard tree? How are we using them in the landscape? Some...2021-08-0859 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastWeigelasThis month on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw explore some of the most popular shrubs to grace nursery benches and gardens. In this episode, they take a look at weigelas, their colourful foliage, seasons of bloom, and the different sized cultivars to fit perfectly in any garden. Tune in to learn more about how to successfully grow weigelas in your garden. Joanne and Matt discuss: How to pronounce weigelas Growing conditions: soil, temperature, zones, lighting and watering Blooming: type, when and for how long, what colours Their use...2021-07-2158 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastNinebarksThis month on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw explore some of the most popular shrubs to grace nursery benches and gardens. In this episode, they discuss the many colourful ninebarks, their multiple seasons of interest, and the different cultivars which fit perfectly in any garden. Tune in to learn more about how you can include ninebarks in your garden. Matt and Joanne review: Ideal growing conditions: soil, temperature, zones, lighting and watering Full sun to part shade for best colour Quick growing Zones 2-9 Transplant well as they...2021-07-2158 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHydrangeas Part TwoThis month on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw explore some of the most popular shrubs to grace nursery benches and gardens. In this episode, Matt and Joanne finish up where they left off in last week's conversation about hydrangeas. To listen to Hydrangeas Part One, click here. Tune in for the second in a two-part series on hydrangeas. In Hydrangeas: Part 2 – Panicle and Mountain, Joanne and Matt discuss: Hydrangea growing conditions: soil, temperature, zones, lighting and watering Blooming: type, when and for how long, what colours Th...2021-07-1358 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastHydrangeas - Part OneThis month on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw take a deep dive into some of the most popular shrubs which grace the nursery benches and our gardens. In this episode, they begin their discussion with a two-part series on hydrangeas. Tune in for the first in a two-part series on hydrangeas. In Hydrangeas: Part 1 – Annabelle & Oakleaf, Joanne and Matt discuss: Growing conditions: soil, temperature, zones, lighting and watering Blooming: type, when and for how long, colours Cultivars of note for each plant Annabelle or Hydrangea arborescens cultivars Hydrangea ar...2021-07-081h 00
Down The Garden Path PodcastPerennial GeraniumsThis week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw wrapped up their deep dive into some of the colourful and resilient staples of the perennial garden with a look at a favourite of many, perennial geraniums, or cranesbills. Tune in to learn more about perennial geraniums. Matt and Joanne explain: the difference between hybrid, cultivar and variety; this is consistent across all the perennials discussed this month. how they are different plants from the annual geraniums or pelargoniums, the popular bedding plant. Matt gives a great overview of :2021-06-2959 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastPerennial Foliage PlantsThis month on the podcast, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw take a deep dive into some of the colourful and resilient staples of the perennial garden. Last week on Down the Garden Path, they examined Echinacea & Rudbeckia, and in this episode, they discuss perennial foliage plants. No garden is complete without some interesting perennial foliage. Tune in as Matt and Joanne discuss: Their favourite perennial foliage plants. Matt’s choices include: Ligularia, Rodgersia, Bugbane (Actaea), Lamium, Carpet Bugle, Kirengeshoma, Mukdenia, Mudgenia, Heuchera/Tiarella/Heucherella, Pulminaria, Sedum Growing conditions: soil, temperature, zones, lighting, wa...2021-06-2259 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastEchinacea & RudbeckiaThis month on Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw take a deep dive into some of the colourful and resilient staples of the perennial garden. Last week's topic was Salvias and Speedwells and in this episode, they discuss Echinacea & Rudbeckia, also known as Purple Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan. Tune in to learn more about Echinacea & Rudbeckia. Discover useful information about each plant, including: Growing conditions: soil, temperature, zones, lighting, watering. Blooming: type of blooms, when & for how long, what colours. Use and value of each to the perennial...2021-06-1558 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSalvias and SpeedwellsThis week on Down the Garden Path podcast, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw take a look at salvias and speedwells, the colourful and resilient staples of the perennial garden. Tune in and learn more about how to include salvias and speedwells in your garden. Perennial Salvias (also known as “sage”) are a must-have for the garden border, blooming early summer to autumn! Planted in the spring, these aromatic beauties are great for cutting and beloved by bees and butterflies. They are drought-tolerant, too. Surprisingly, they are in the mint family and also...2021-06-0859 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastDigging Deep with VeggiesIn this week's episode of Down the Garden Path, Matt and Joanne welcome returning guest Gardening Girl Julia Dimakos to discuss digging deep with veggies. Julia started growing food after having children and fell in love with it! She gardens organically and tries to keep things simple while growing new and uncommon vegetables each year. Her garden is located in Mono, Ontario, on 25 acres on the Niagara Escarpment. Two years ago, Julia expanded her vegetable garden from 2000 to 7000 square feet, continuing in the formal kitchen garden style. Julia has been growing vegetables and writing about g...2021-06-0157 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastCaring for AnnualsThis week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw take a look at new and unusual annuals in the garden and the best way to care for them. Joanne and Matt discuss new and unusual annuals and how to care for them. Some of the topics include: What’s the difference between annuals and perennials? How do we take care of our annuals in the garden? Conditions that need consideration: light, soil, watering, fertilizing What’s happening in the garden centres with the availability of annual plants. What are some...2021-05-1959 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastYour Questions Our AnswersThis week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw kick off the month by answering your questions about planting and what you should be doing in the garden in May. This week, Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing answer your May planting and gardening questions. They cover a variety of topics, including: The popularity of fruit trees: Matt discusses cocktail trees with different varieties of fruit on one tree. Tomatoes & Potatoes: He also mentions a new “product” -- a tomato plant grafted on a potato, called Ketchup and Fries. Hilarious but...2021-05-0459 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastGrub ControlThis week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw wrap up their month-long discussion on lawn care with a look at the different ways to control white grubs and other pests in the lawn. Joanne and Matt answer your questions on grub control. What beetles are leaving white grubs in the lawn? What is the life cycle of these insect pests? What products are there? In Canada vs. the U.S. We discuss nematodes and Scotts® Grub B Gon® When is the best time to apply these products? How are they appli...2021-04-2659 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLawn FertilizerThis week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw continue their month-long discussion on lawn care by looking at the different lawn fertilizers and what works best when. Joanne and Matt answer your questions on lawn fertilizer. What times of the year do we put down lawn fertilizer? How do I apply lawn fertilizer? Can I apply it by hand? Synthetic vs. organic fertilizer What are the pros and cons of each? Which is best? Why? What should you do if you burn your lawn with synthetic fertilizers? Matt and...2021-04-2059 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastLawn Care Q & AThis week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw kick off their month-long discussion on lawn care by looking at where we are now with our lawn care and answering your questions. Joanne and Matt answer your questions and discuss where the lawn care season is so far. How did your lawn make it through the winter? What lawn issues do you have to address this spring? Matt recommends Viva Lawn Repair as it is a one-step seed and compost mix. Joanne recommends Eco-Lawn Grass Seed. They discuss where to start...2021-04-1358 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastApril Don'tsGoodbye March and welcome to April! This week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw discuss what NOT to do in your garden this month. Tune into this week's podcast to learn what you shouldn't be doing in the garden in April. Matt and Joanne covered four of their top "don'ts" for April: Rake and take away leaf debris Walk on soggy parts of the lawn and garden Aerate and dethatch your lawn Prune spring flowering plants They also answered listener questions about: Aeration. Shouldn't there be a...2021-04-0658 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastYour Hardscaping Questions AnsweredGoodbye February and welcome to March! With spring just a few weeks away and warmer weather creeping into our forecasts, we're looking ahead to landscape design projects. This week on Down the Garden Path, landscape designers Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw answer your (many!) hardscaping questions. Tune into this week's podcast and get Your Hardscaping Questions Answered. Matt and Joanne fielded a record 22 questions during their hour-long show. They start by answering the basics: What does “hardscaping” mean? And by contrast, what does “softscaping” or landscaping mean? It is all about the base! Ar...2021-03-0359 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastSeed Starting 101This week, we're continuing our "growing inside" themed episodes of Down the Garden Path. In Seed Starting 101, Matthew Dressing and Joanne Shaw discuss starting seeds for beginners. In Seed Starting 101, Matt and Joanne review your steps for success: Start with a plan Choosing seeds Seed packages Equipment Growing media Planting Troubleshooting Hardening off Check out these other podcasts where Matt and Joanne have discussed seeds, seed-starting and seed saving. Growing: Indoors Starting Seeds Indoors: Daniel Eggert Harris Seeds Organic Starting & Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers for Your Garden ...2021-02-091h 00
Down The Garden Path PodcastGardening Indoors with Gardening Girl Julia DimakosWe're kicking off the month of February with our first "growing indoors" episode of Down the Garden Path. In this podcast, we discuss growing indoors and with grow lights with Gardening Girl Julia Dimakos. Julia started growing food after having children and fell in love with it! She gardens organically and tries to keep things simple while growing new and uncommon vegetables each year. Her garden is located in Mono, Ontario, on 25 acres on the Niagara Escarpment. Two years ago, Julia expanded her vegetable garden from 2000 to 7000 square feet, continuing in the formal kitchen garden style. 2021-02-041h 02
Down The Garden Path PodcastLooking Forward to 2021Happy New Year! We're closing out the month of January with our first Down the Garden Path podcast of the year. Join us as we take a look forward to 2021. In this week's podcast, learn more about: What Joanne and Matthew have been doing over the past few months The hot topics that were covered at the 2021 Landscape Designers Conference Winter gardening design challenges Down the Garden Path's monthly podcast themes for 2021 About Your Hosts Each week on Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designers Joanne Shaw and Matthew Dressing discuss down-to-earth tips an...2021-01-2856 min
Down The Garden Path PodcastTrees: Native TreesA new month means a new topic on the Down the Garden Path podcast. Each week in August, we'll be talking all about deciduous trees and upright evergreens. On this week's episode, we're kicking off the month with a pseudo-follow-up to our discussion on nativars with a look at native trees. Tune into this week's podcast as we discuss native trees. Joanne and Matt share their top five picks for deciduous and upright evergreens and why each made it to the list: Matt's top five deciduous trees: Flowering Dogwood Hickory Oak Hackberry...2020-08-111h 00