Lina's Garden Journal

Tag: Inspiration

  • An Ode to my Flowering Croton

    An Ode to my Flowering Croton

    I purchased a croton as a birthday gift to myself in March 2020. The exciting news is that today, exactly 5 years later, my croton is flowering. A cause for celebration, as I’ve read that this particular plant rarely flowers when grown indoors as a tropical houseplant.

    To celebrate the life of my 5-year old croton and this rare occasion, I’ve tapped into my inner poet to write a piece about the budding life (pun intended) of this dear houseplant.

    And yes, to your delight or dismay, it has come to the point of this gardening journal we’re I’m personifying my plants. Good luck readers.

    An Ode to My Croton

    My dearest croton, bold and bright,
    gold and red streaks, what a true delight.
    Your painted leaves, nimble and free,
    With fiery moves that I love to see.

    As you grow each vein so true,
    You are a tapestry in sunlit hue.
    You stand with pride, night and day,
    At times, dressed oh so tacky on display.

    And when you bloom—its rare and sweet,
    A lovely gift, if but a moment’s treat.
    How you’ve grown, with colours so deep,
    An aging soul, in my heart you’ll keep.

    Now, the real question is: Can I do anything with these little flowers? I welcome your insights and ideas in the comments.

    2020
    2022
    2023
    Christmas Tree of 2024
  • A Snowy Journey to a Warm Gathering: Reflections on a Successful Seedy Saturday

    A Snowy Journey to a Warm Gathering: Reflections on a Successful Seedy Saturday

    I’m back fellow fans of gardening! (Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?). And I’m here to report on the details of a very successful Seedy Saturday event in Fonthill, Ontario.

    Yesterday, I attended this milestone event—the 10th annual Seedy Saturday hosted by the Master Gardeners of Niagara. The drive there was a bit tricky due to winter conditions, but any concerns quickly faded upon arriving at the venue. The atmosphere was warm, not just in temperature, but in spirit.

    Despite the weather, the turnout was remarkable. Organizers reported that at least 300 people had already passed through the doors by mid-morning, a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of the gardening community. The energy in the room was infectious, as passionate gardeners, seasoned growers, and eager beginners gathered to swap seeds, share knowledge, and celebrate the promise of the growing season ahead.

    Mark your calendars! Next year’s Master Gardeners of Niagara Seedy Saturday will be held on February 14th, 2026.

    One of the standout features of the event was the seed swap, a cornerstone of any good Seedy Saturday. Tables overflowed with packets of heirloom tomatoes, heritage beans, native wildflowers, and everything in between. For those who didn’t bring seeds to trade, packets were available for just 25 cents each—an unbeatable price for anyone looking to expand their garden. At this remarkable price, I walked away with just under 30 packets of new seeds. The exchange of seeds also meant the exchange of stories: where the seeds came from, how they thrived in different conditions, and the best tricks for growing success.

    Beyond the swap itself, the event buzzed with conversations about sustainable gardening, biodiversity, and the importance of preserving heirloom varieties. The Master Gardeners of Niagara, ever generous with their expertise, offered guidance on everything from cold moist stratification (hot tip: native perennials love this) to the joy of experimenting with allium seeds, ensuring that everyone left feeling more prepared for the upcoming growing season.

    Events like Seedy Saturday remind me why I love gardening—not just for the joy of nurturing plants, but for the incredible community it fosters. The camaraderie, the shared excitement over a particularly rare variety of watermelon or a new composting tip, and the sense of connection to both people and the land make these gatherings truly special.

    As I drove home, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. The winter conditions may have made for a slightly challenging trip, but the warmth of the gardening community more than made up for it. Here’s to another season of growing, sharing, and celebrating the seeds that bring us together.

  • Wildlife and Gardening: Friend or Foe?

    Wildlife and Gardening: Friend or Foe?

    Wanted to share a video that I came across recently by globally renowned British artist and wildlife filmmaker, Robert E Fuller, who created a habitat for local wildlife by building a pond. Watching this video brought me so much joy and it has inspired my partner and I to follow Fuller’s lead.

    Check out Fuller’s other live nest cams.

    As a gardener, I could take two different approaches to wildlife in my garden — fight or embrace wildlife. I know that wildlife plays a vital role in gardens and the broader ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity and the health of natural cycles. That doesn’t mean we don’t shed a tear when a squirrel takes a bite out of every tomato on a healthy vine or a rabbit munching on a handful of everbearing strawberries. And although I curse the deer (shown below) who ate my apple trees, they too play a role in the broader ecosystem. More on this in tomorrow’s post.

    • Birds, bees, butterflies, and other creatures are essential pollinators, ensuring the reproduction of flowering plants and food crops.
    • Predatory insects and animals help manage pest populations, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
    • Wildlife also contributes to soil health—earthworms aerate the soil while decomposers, like fungi and insects, recycle organic matter into nutrients.

    A garden that supports wildlife becomes a mini-ecosystem, fostering interdependent relationships between plants and animals.

    By creating habitats with native plants, water sources, and shelter, gardeners can support these critical species, promoting ecological balance and resilience while enriching their outdoor spaces with life and movement.

    That said, I still may at times curse at our resident deer when she chomps on my trees.

  • Working on my Growth

    Working on my Growth

    Working on my growth. See you in a week!

  • Motivation Monday

    Motivation Monday

    Every year I create a vision board. It includes photos of things I want to build or plants I want to grow in my garden.

    Last year I built two large teepees to grow sugar snap peas on. The design came from a photo I saw in the online gardening club I joined – Club Farmluxe. I built it by fastening fallen branches (collected throughout the property) with twine.

    I found that the peas climbed well because I surrounded the teepee with chicken wire. Else they would not have latched onto the structure.

    The year prior, I painted plant markers onto flat rocks and I still use them!

    This year I will create a directional post with signs to my garden beds, veggie patch and orchard. Here is my motivation pic from Pinterest.

  • My Favourite Quote

    My Favourite Quote

    You are a rare rose in a garden of weeds

    – Waldo from The Little Rascals (1994)

    What can I say? Some quotes just stand the test of time. Had to share the hilarious clip for my friends and subscribers!

    And my favourite! A David Austin rose.
  • Just Do It! And Keep at it.

    Just Do It! And Keep at it.

    You’ve started to catch the gardening itch, but what to do next. You’ve got a small space, like me, and you want to grow tomatoes. The only advice I have is…do it! Keep at it. Try and try again. The only thing I had going for me at the start is that I persevered. I tried it. And to be honest, my tomatoes didn’t taste as great as I thought they would. Back in 2018, I’m growing herbs, I’m growing tomatoes, and something is off. I learned that gardening is about finding your niche, knowing your hardiness zone (so you know what grows best in your area) and persevering. Some folks are fabulous at growing tomatoes, some folks are fabulous at growing zucchinis. I’m better at the latter. I don’t touch tomatoes these days, but one day I’ll try them again! Grow what you like, like what you grow!

    My dog chilling with my balcony plants circa 2018. Perhaps the tomatoes encountered blight which is why they didn’t taste that great. They are a finicky crop. The other plants thrived that year albeit!
  • Catching the gardening bug

    Catching the gardening bug

    So you want to start a garden, but not sure where to start. Well, let me tell you, the Internet is your best friend. About ten years ago I knew nothing about plants, but I knew I wanted to grow some herbs on my balcony. Homegrown herbs just taste better. So what did I do? I went online, I bought a pot, some soil and some herb seeds. And did they grow? No.

    But then I got smart. As an aspiring gardener I went to the local nursery and spent about 20 bucks on herb seedlings. Success! I had parsley, I had basil, I had dill and mint.

    Hot tip: do not plant mint in the ground. It grows like a weed. Always plant it in a pot.

    And so I soon caught the gardening bug. I wanted to grow more!… Stay tuned.

  • New Year, New Goals!

    New Year, New Goals!

    As the new year begins, I’ve set my sights on ambitious gardening goals that fill me with excitement and a touch of anxiety. It all began today when my mother reminded me that I needed to start my seeds indoors in just two months for spring planting. Naturally, I hit the panic button and made an impulsive purchase of $40 worth of seed packets from a Canadian supplier. That’s not all she wrote though. She inspired me to create a blog about my gardening adventures today, so here we are. Thanks mom! I have taken the leap into chronicling the highs, the lows, the planning (or lack thereof) the sowing, the harvests, and all the “dirt” from my gardening experiences throughout the year.