There are a few times in my career when I get to be a part of something that's way bigger than me. Projects that mean more on a global scale where my participation really makes a difference. Being a part of the Honey Nut Cheerios #BringBackTheBees seed campaign was one of those times. The goal of this program was to encourage homeowners to plant more wildflowers, a natural food source for bees. I’m happy to say that the target to send out 35 million free seeds was exceeded…by a HUGE amount! Canadians committed to planting more than 115 million seeds. This blew me away!

Well, maybe the weather doesn’t agree everywhere, but the collection of plant catalogues sitting on my desk clearly says otherwise. For me, spring is the time to plan everything that I want to do outdoors once the snow officially melts and the ground warms up. 

Noticing your neighbours a little more then usual at this time of year? I’m not surprised! Everyone wants to get outside, but the trees and shrubs don’t have leaves yet so we all look straight into each other’s yard. This is why the box stores sell a massive amount of cedars in the spring. We rush out to buy some quick privacy for our backyards!

There are times in our lives when we need to pay attention to certain things happening around us and take action to make certain situations better. This is one of those times. We are losing our global bee population.

Like a lot of us this year, I needed a break from snow and cold and wanted a little sun and colour back in my life. Let me tell you, these types of trips are very dangerous looking at all of the bright tropical plants. I’ve been guilty of bringing home my share of painted ceramics that I thought would be great in the yard.

If I invited you to a seed-saving event in the upstairs of a local church, how would you respond?

So it may seem like this is a strange time to talk about chickens but this is the point that you need to make a decision on having backyard hens so that you can place your order for spring chicks! At least that was what I was told! For the record, I made the decision to buy chickens way before the fad of backyard chickens really took off. With a property in the country, I thought that having some happy free-ranging chickens would not only be idyllic, my family would also benefit from all of these fresh eggs that the experts say are both healthier and tastier.

There's a moment in all of our lives that causes us to change our path and head in a new direction. For most of us, unplanned or not, it has already happened. Moments like a marriage or the birth of a child. Even though these events may have been planned, these catalysts still move us onto a new path that shapes our lives in a positive way.

My own unplanned moment happened on a volleyball court in 2009, and while the experience may not have started out in a positive way, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

I know how busy everyone is at this time of the year, so it means a little more when people make the extra effort to host a party. So I always try to do a little extra around the holidays for anyone who makes the effort to have me over for dinner. This year, instead of a bottle of wine, I’m doing something a little different.

My friends and family consider me to be a little type A when it comes to personality traits, but the truth is, I like to perfect things in my life…like when I put up my holiday lights every year.  Here are my tried and true tips that will ensure your own form of perfection!

What is the first thing your guests see when they come over for a holiday event? Its not the hallway, the living room, the cramped spot to hang all of the coats…it's your front door! I spent my Saturday morning adding some festive cheer to my front door at the farm and here's how I did it! 

As a landscaper designer, I’ve seen it all when it comes to outdoor home design and improvements; from backyard wastelands to jungles that got away. I’ve even heard every excuse in the book. So when did backyards become so intimidating?

Here are my 5 favourite excuses that people use when stuck in a gardening "rut."

Can you imagine having a garden with zero weeds? Here’s how to get one!

Weeds are simply plants that grow in spots you don’t want them.  Most of weeds need three things to grow; soil, sunlight and water.  If you can take one of these three things away…voila! No more weeds. In this case, we are creating a barrier to block the sunlight.

Here are the products you will need.

It’s bulb time - my favourite time of the year! Planting bulbs now is the best way to add spring curb appeal to your home. If patience is not your thing…then fall planting for spring blooms might be something your therapist should recommend because they are so worth it!

Here is my foolproof way to plant bulbs.

The most requested outdoor feature for the 2015 backyard was…(insert drumroll here) the raised vegetable planter. Are you surprised? With so many Canadians growing their own vegetables at home now, the raised planter has become the must-have item.

Believe it or not…fall is the perfect time to install one and here are all the reasons why you should go for it!

This is my inaugural blog post and it feels like I’m about to go on a blind date with thousands of readers I haven’t met before! That said, I think the best way for us to start our relationship is with a little honesty.