Tithonia rotundifolia commonly called Mexican sunflower needs to be better known in Canadian gardens. In Mexico it grows as a perennial to six feet. In our country Tithonia reaches about three feet (one metre) as an annual with drought and heat tolerance. Dazzling three-inch bright-orange flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Deadhead spent flowers for ongoing blooms July through October.

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

Woman helping children plant vegetables

Cultivating little green thumbs

School Green Team gets hands-on experience growing veggies

As part of her Grade 3 Green Team science project at Dundonald School in Saskatoon a couple of years ago, Dr. Debbie Miket helped her students plan and plant a small vegetable garden. “A friend told me she wouldn’t be using a portion of her garden plot, so I asked if our Green Team could […] Read more


Finding a life mate

Finding a life mate

Seeds of encouragement: Choosing one is a big deal and not many farmers want to talk about it

Over a decade ago I received a wedding invitation from a grateful reader. He had been wondering about how to find a wife, and he read my article on matchmakers. It worked. He wanted to share his joy as a farmer in finding a life mate. There was a family farm case where the 25-year-old […] Read more

Too frosted to forgive?

Forgiveness is an issue that farm families need to take a look at

Man, I can’t believe that guy, every time I make a mistake, he just can’t accept my apology, and he keeps really good track… for years!” Does your farm team have the ability to apologize, and accept mistakes? I was saddened to hear a young farmer confide with me that in all his years, he […] Read more


Well-deserved honour

Well-deserved honour

Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee shares her love of horticulture

Sara Williams, one of the most highly respected and best-known horticulturists on the Prairies, was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame last summer. The annual award is presented to people who have made significant contributions to agriculture, farming and the rural way of life. The Saskatchewan Perennial Society, the Saskatoon Horticultural Society, and the […] Read more

Woman smiling

Life’s secrets, according to you…

People of the world, tell me this — what’s one simple, magical thing 
that makes you smile every time you experience it?

It’s a wonder how much time and energy we spend chasing happiness when really, if we stood still for a moment and absorbed the ordinary, everyday moments, we’d realize that we already have it all. It reminds me of a quote from William Martin: “Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such […] Read more


Success or mess?

In the third part of a series on succession planning, Management Minute focuses in on the family

In our introductory article to this series we looked back over our last 10 years identifying successes and messes we’ve seen in business transitions. We developed an extensive list of reasons why those transitions were successful or what caused them to go off the rails. We grouped this list into five key areas that captured […] Read more



Life’s secrets, according to you…

People of the world, tell me this — what’s the most embarrassing 
thing you’ve ever done? Part three

I’m guessing that all the bumping about on the ski jumps led to the serious loosening of my guts. As I was lining up for the chairlift afterwards to head back up, my stomach started making some very strange sounds. It felt like something was kicking me from the inside –—something large — with a […] Read more

castor bean flowers

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