Thanks for taking time and coming by to join me with this my final Grainews column for 2018. December is the month when some folks are saying happy holidays but I hold to joining those who stick to established tradition by wishing each person a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Red is such a predominant colour […] Read more
Singing Gardener: How to get Christmas cactus to put on its best bloom display
Plus, reader feedback on problem deer control
Singing Gardener: Remembrance Day 2018
Plus, a houseplant that may help you get a good night’s sleep
Hey! Hello my fellow Canadians. By the time this issue of Grainews arrives in your mailbox, Remembrance Day 2018 will be close at hand. I’ve always appreciated a spot set aside in the garden for growing poppies, especially Ladybird Flanders poppy. Even during midsummer, poppies remind me of Canadian doctor, surgeon and teacher John McCrae who is best known for […] Read more
One man’s experience with destructive deer
Ted has a recipe to help discourage them from damaging trees and shrubs
As I write this, September’s been a really wet one so far here in my part of Manitoba and elsewhere too, according to news reports. Seems moisture began falling not many days after I wrote about “The Rain Dance” in a local publication. Now a few folks have said — maybe it’s time to write […] Read more
Ted has some info on how to help control lily beetles
Plus, try this recipe from a reader for Crisp Pickle Slices
Howdy folks, howdy. Readers will notice I’m beginning this Grainews issue with a new head photo of myself and WOW do I have a lot to cover from lily leaf beetles, to controlling apple maggots. Home pickling, canning and freezing are well underway so thanks to Peggy Lunde for her Crisp Pickle Slices recipe. We’ve […] Read more
A fast-maturing turnip that can be planted end of July into early August
The Singing Gardener: Plus, info on Goosefoot, also known as Tree Spinach
Having trouble growing maggot-free turnips? Let me tell you about a fast-maturing variety that’s ideal to plant toward the end of July and into early August for a fall garden crop. They’re as easy to grow as radishes. Details and source for seeds are provided further along. Also a short presentation about a plant called […] Read more
Readers ask for more tomato info
Singing Gardener: Plus, farming couple shares photos of their flowers
All for the love of tomatoes opens the page in this my first Grainews column for 2018. I share an email from Alberta and a phone conversation with a farmer’s wife out of Unity, Sask. Am still out and about promoting the connection between five or more weekly servings of no-sugar-added homemade tomato juice, tomato soup, stewed […] Read more
Ted’s final column of 2017
Singing Gardener: Plus, a request from a psychologist and kids' letters to Santa
So what does yours truly, Ted, have to say in this my final Grainews column to close out the year 2017? A variety of subject material includes an email from a Toronto psychologist searching for information about her late grandfather. Hopefully someone out there in Grainews land may be able to assist her. Also, excerpts […] Read more
Meet a tomato-growing farmer
Singing Gardener: Plus, how do you take your garlic?
Seems to me fruits of the vine and apples of the earth are top of the list when it comes to homegrown vegetables among Canadian gardeners, so both share space on this page with a hint of garlic at the end. Had the good fortune to spend a day to remember with gardener and farmer […] Read more
Info on apple maggots and how to deter them
Singing Gardener: Plus, Ted shares more reader requests
Thank you good people for your phone calls, emails, letters. I get them all. A great big hello to Herman Swab from up there at Andrew, Alberta. Herman asks on the phone: “When are you going to write that book?” Yours truly Ted replies: There are a lot of books and magazines about gardening out there, each […] Read more
A reader looks for a solution to garden soil problem
Singing Gardener: Plus, info and benefits of lecithin
Have you ever heard of lecithin? I’ve been taking it on and off for a long time and am sharing some info of what I’ve discovered about lecithin. We’re all aware of bannock, but have you ever made it? More later. Now the curtain rises on my make-believe stage. With mike in hand and a […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
