Is this true or false? If you grow spuds and have pairs of barn swallows visiting or nesting in your yard, they can eat a thousand potato beetles in a few hours. I, Ted, am curious whether any Grainews reader has had such an experience. Feedback, (if any) is welcome in this connection. Anyone who […] Read more
Get ready for the garden pests
Here’s some tips and spray recipes to help you fight back
Homemade recipes to help control apple maggots and ants
Plus, Ted shares a letter from Alberta
A phrase taken from Isaiah 11:6 says, “and a little child shall lead them.” Most scripture scholars agree the passage containing those seven words has nothing to do with children teaching or leading adults. However, in our day-to-day living we’re never too old, nor too wise to know it all. We’re still learning from each […] Read more
Is stress getting you down? Here’s some ways to unwind
Are today’s fast-paced lifestyles and pressures on the job leaving a lot of folks feeling anxious, nervous, worried, lacking energy and perhaps even difficulty at falling asleep? Listening to radio news, watching it on TV and reading the news in print are further daily reminders we live in a stress-filled, perplexed world and trying times. […] Read more
All about tomatoes
Plus, Movember moustache month, and a carrot cough remedy
Don’t know whether Theresa Tanguay from Austin, Manitoba impressed the neighbours, but she sure impressed the Singing Gardener. Even her husband Armand Tanguay commented, “one slice of that tomato fills a sandwich and easily covers a slice of bread.” Armand’s the sheep farmer in the family and during 47 years of happy marriage he still […] Read more
Time to remember
A profusion of scarlet-red Flanders poppies with jet-black centres always rouses comment and attention in the garden. Red poppies also initiate memories, but their symbolism goes beyond that. From youth to seniors, Canadians wear a poppy on the left side over their heart as a quiet symbol of appreciation and high regard. A strong desire […] Read more
Favourite recipe, gardening stories, thanks from readers
Ted shares what he’s been hearing from you
A handwritten letter is a rare gem, but occasionally one does trickle into my mailbox. As a result I’ll share a recipe for best perogy dough ever, so stick around if you will. Also, best seeding dates according to the moon. Here’s a tip o’ my hat to all readers joining me here on the […] Read more
Pictures say more than words
Plus, get all the info about castor beans
Today it’s fewer words and more pictures. Right about now let’s say it’s time for a coffee break or tea at 2 p.m. So settle back wherever you are and from whatever you’ve been doing and join me for a time. Take a moment to get comfortable at the lunch counter or kitchen table with […] Read more
More information on dill
Plus, where to buy cuke seeds and Ted shares some of your emails
So what’s on this agenda? An old catch-no-cold remedy — lots on dill — where to buy pickling cucumber seeds — emails and who knows what else? I’m not at the end ’til I get there. Every gardener worth their dill pickle juice … has grown dill and made dills at one time or another. […] Read more
Travel down Tomato Trail with Ted
The Singing Gardener: Plus, how do you handle your tomato issues?
Does that sound a bit like a spoken jingle when you read it out loud? Use your imagination for a moment. Let’s pretend we’ve gathered together in the greenhouse where it’s nice and warm and are enjoying a cup of energy tea. You’ve caught me sippin’ on a cup of energizing organic Cardamom Chai loose-leaf […] Read more
The return to cast iron cookware
It’s time for another chapter of the Singing Gardener page and more Ted Talk. When I use the word “talk” it’s as though you and I are right there, face to face, speaking to each other. In recent weeks there have been plenty of geese flying overhead in “V” formations. Some say the leader is […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
