H&G Scott's Nursery Spring 2015

Scott's Nursery

SPRING 2015

Home& Garden magazine

An Interview with Cobi Ladner:

Spring Trends for 2015 Spring Seminar Series Succulents are Hot! Gardening Trends Ready, Set, Plant Grow Your Own

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Home& Garden magazine

PUBLISHER Carle Publishing Inc.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andy Buyting

GRAPHIC DESIGN John Christenson CONTENT COORDINATOR Stacey Cowperthwaite

CONTRIBUTORS Ken Beattie Lindsey Bunin

Angie Cleven Mark DeWolf Jenny Scott Neil Wadhwa ADVERTISING (National)

ADVERTISING (Local)

Keith Keane Jenny Scott

PHOTOGRAPHY All images sourced from Carle Publishing Inc. or Thinkstockphotos.ca unless otherwise

identified.

2192 Route 102 Lincoln, NB E3B 8N1 P: 506-458-9208 • F: 506-459-1377 http://www.scotts-nursery.ca

Scott's Nursery Home & Garden Magazine is published by Carle Publishing Inc. All content, copyright © 2015, Carle Publishing Inc.All rights reserved.

This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in this publication, however, the publisher nor Scott's Nursery will be held responsible for omissions or errors.

Please address all editorial and advertising inquiries to Carle Publishing Inc. Carle Publishing Inc. is not held responsible for the loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited material (including but not limited to manuscripts, artwork, photographs and advertisements). Unsolicited material must be included with a self-addressed, overnight-delivery return envelope, postage prepaid.

Carle Publishing Inc. and Scott's Nursery will not give or rent your name, mailing address, or other contact information to third parties. Subscriptions are complimentary for qualified individuals.

Carle Publishing Phone: (506) 454-8735 Fax: (866) 609-5674 Email: info@carlepublishing.com Website: www.carlepublishing.com

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feature

Cobi Ladner: Spring Trends for 2015

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CONTENTS Letter from the Owner

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Spring Seminar Series

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What's Happening at Scott's Nursery

Succulents are Hot!

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A Popular, Low-Maintenance Choice for Houseplants

Gardening Trends

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The Most In-Demand Garden Trends for 2015

Garden Annuals

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Annuals Bring Gardens and Landscape to Life

Feature Flower

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Re-Inventing the Petunia: The Potunia by Red Fox

Fresh Fixens

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Uniting a Country with Riesling

Plight of the Monarch

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Planting and Maintaining a Garden for Pollinators

Ready, Set, Plant

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A Checklist to Ease Your Spring Gardening Start

Product Feature

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From George A

fter what seems like the longest, coldest winter on record, we are all more than eager to trade in our snow shovels for that garden spade and start digging in the glorious dirt. Spring is always an exciting time of year when everything seems fresh and new again; leaves on the trees, green grass, summer birds and of course flowers from Scott’s!

We are always trying to track down new and exciting varieties of annuals, perennials and shrubs to offer our customers and this year is no exception. In between shovelling it has been a busy time for planning for the upcoming season. In addition to plant material, we carry a full selection of mulch, soils and rock in our bulk bins; lime, fertilizer and grass seed; seeds and supplies; hydroponics supplies; water garden plants and accessories; gardening tools and gift ideas; and of course free advice to go along with it all!

Be sure to stop in this spring and check out what’s new.

Get those creative juices flowing and sign up for one of our free seminars or pick up the materials and plants for that new garden project you’ve been dreaming about all winter. Browse our huge selection of pesticide-free herbs and make this the year to get cooking with your own fresh grown herbs and veggies. Or simply come just to breathe in the sights and smells of spring.

With spring heating up we are open 7 days a week for your shopping convenience. In May and June we are open weekday evenings until 8pm. Our staff would be delighted to help you bring your garden plans to life or find that perfect gift for someone special. We’ll even help you carry it to your car or deliver it for you if it won’t fit!

CANNA, Pioneers of COCO

Made to Measure

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Providing a Service That is a Cut Above

Grow Your Own

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George Scott

How to Start Your Own Urban Food Garden

http://www.scotts-nursery.ca HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE SPRING 2015

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Spring Seminar Series

What's Happening at Scott's Nursery

Container Gardening May 16 - 10:30am

Learn the secrets of successfully growing plants in containers, whether it’s edibles or ornamentals. One lucky participant gets to go home with a planted container of their choice valued at $50.00.

Building Healthy Soil May 20 - 6:00pm

Soil is the most crucial part of having healthy plants.

Join us to discover how you can improve and regenerate your soil. One lucky participant gets to go home with a $50.00 gift card.

Tomato Troubles May 23 - 10:30am

Why are there spots on my tomatoes? What causes the leaves to yellow? Why aren’t my tomatoes ripening?

Do you have tomato woes? Come and have your questions answered and learn the best practices to end up with juicy red fruit. Participants can enter to win a $50.00 gift card.

Square Foot Gardening May 30 - 10:30am

Small spaces got you down? Come and learn how to grow a full scale garden in an area as small as 4x4’. A great way to introduce kids to gardening. Participants can enter to win $50.00 worth of free vegetable plants to take home with them.

Gardening the Green Way June 3 - 6:00pm

Organic gardening is more popular than ever and it’s easier than you think! We can explain all the basics of organic gardening while answering any of your questions. Join us to build your own healthy green garden. Participants can enter to win a $50.00 gift card.

Companion Planting June 6 - 10:30am

Some plants grow well together and actually help each other while others have the opposite effect. Come and find out who likes who! Participants can enter to win $50.00 gift card.

Not Just for Fishing!

Vermicomposting June 13 - 10:30am

Find out how to put the worms to work for you! It’s a great way to get rid of kitchen scraps while creating high quality, nutrient rich soil. Participants can enter to win $50.00 gift card.

Take the Guesswork out of Pruning June 20 - 10:30am

How much do I take off? When is the best time of year to cut my tree back? Come and receive a pruning demonstration and get all those questions answered.

Participants can enter to win a gift set of pruning tools valued at over $50.00

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Succulents are Hot!

A Popular, Low-Maintenance Choice for Houseplants

By: Angie Cleven

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ucculents are hot right now, and they can take the heat literally!

Succulents have always been a popular, low-maintenance choice for houseplants but more and more people are turning to them for use in their outdoor summer displays for the same reasons. They require less water than most traditional summer plants and don’t tend to look overgrown by the season’s end. As an added bonus you can take them indoors and enjoy them all winter!

They come in a stunning array of interesting textures and colors making them a great choice for DIY projects.

Succulents are xerophytic, which means they have adapted to living in arid, desert-like environments.

They are able to do this because they have the ability to store water.

The leaves and stems of succulents are thicker and fleshier than most plants because they have developed special tissues for water storage.

This allows them to withstand long periods of drought. Besides water

storage, succulents have some other tricks up their sleeve to make them adaptable to desert life.

Since moisture is not readily available from the soil, succulents have shallow and wide root systems, sometimes 2-3 times the width of the canopy. This allows them to come to life quickly and take full advantage of the slightest rainfall rapidly and efficiently. Succulents also have smaller, waxy leaves which helps reduce transpiration. In general they have a smaller surface area and more dense structure than other plants which also helps to reduce water loss. Many succulents even have their own specialized form of photosynthesis called CAM photosynthesis. This allows the plant to open their leaf stomata during the night to collect carbon dioxide which is then stored for photosynthesis. This specialization uses about 10% of the water used in regular photosynthesis because the leaf stomata can remain closed during the heat of the day to avoid water loss. Their overall rate of photosynthesis however is much slower than the average plant, explaining why succulents are slow growers.

Succulents do require moisture but they are much more forgiving than typical summer plants. They require hot sunny days, cool nights and very little water in order to thrive.

Their shallow root systems make them a great choice for container gardening. Almost any decorative item that will hold soil and provide good drainage will work. The soil mix should incorporate some sand so that roots don’t stay wet for long periods of time. When the top couple of inches of soil are dry it is time to water. Water deeply

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and then let the soil dry out before watering again.

Some succulents such as sedums and sempervivums (Hens and Chicks) are Zone 4-5 and will overwinter here in Canada. Others such as echeveria, kalanchoe, aloe and crassula have to be brought indoors for the winter or treated as annuals.

Succulents are happy to spend the winter indoors on a sunny windowsill with minimal care. Just be sure not to overwater them during the winter months.

Plants can become leggy but they are very easy to propagate. Cut the top 2-3 inches off just below a set of leaves. Let the ends dry for a few days and callus over. Then stick them in some soil and they will happily take root and start growing. No need for rooting hormone or special care. In nature pieces break off and will root themselves just by laying on the soil surface.

So if you’re in the mood for something unique and carefree this summer, why not give succulents a try? If you’re ready to unleash your creative side, the possibilities are endless.

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Gardening Trends The Most In-Demand Garden Trends for 2015

By: Dianne Earl

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ardening is a hobby that people of all ages and backgrounds love. In today’s modern industrialized world, it can be difficult to carve out a time and a place to start a garden. Even so, many people (including millennials and young men) are getting in on the act. According to the 2015 Garden Trends Report, young men account for the biggest spenders in the gardening industry.

Urban Gardening One of the biggest trends in 2015 is urban gardening. Many people in urban spaces feel boxed in by their lack of acreage. If you live in a fourth-floor walk-up, the concept of gardening would seem well out of your purview. However, urban gardening makes gardening possible, and all it takes is a few containers and a balcony or window sill to get started.

So, how are people finding the time to rediscover gardening? And what are they doing to make it so much more fun? We’ll talk about that below.

Many people opt for bright, colorful flowers to spruce up the often drab cityscape. Others go for vegetables that they can incorporate into their cooking for healthier eating habits.

There’s nothing quite like growing and eating your own vegetables. Easy veggies to grow that don’t require a lot of space include:

brighten up any urban environment and require little care. People aren’t just gardening for nourishment or aesthetic purposes anymore.

They also want to help facilitate the growth and health of the surrounding ecosystem, and urban gardening gives them an avenue for doing just that.

• Tomatoes • Green beans • Lettuces • Radishes • Green or red peppers • Carrots You can also grow seasoning herbs like basil or parsley as well as a few fruits like strawberries or blueberries. All of these plants are wellsuited to growing in containers even if you don’t have a lot of space.

If you’re looking for no-fuss gardening, you can try cacti or succulents which will

Bright Colors Another 2015 trend in gardening is the influx of bright colors into the garden. One of the most popular shades for 2015 is the color pink.

With numerous iterations like mauve, fuchsia, blush, and bubblegum, pink flowers and plants have made a comeback in many gardens. People who grow flowers want something that pops—something that people will take notice of, and pink is filling that want for many gardeners.

On the other hand, some gardeners want a muted, rustic aesthetic that practically becomes an extension of their home. A flurry of light pastels can make your home itself feel like a comforting garden.

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Gardentainment One of the most interesting recent trends for 2015 is a fun premise called “Gardentainment.” More and more people are spending their time outdoors in an effort to accommodate guests at smaller houses, with the 2015 Garden Trends Report estimating that houses will shrink by 10% in the upcoming year. This means that people are looking to get outside when they host parties or gettogethers. North Americans are also expected to spend as much as $7 billion in 2015 on outdoor products to spruce up their patio and garden environment. The goal of Gardentainment is to make the garden like an extra room that combines all the positive elements of indoor and outdoor living.

Organic and Natural Gardening The only way to ensure that fruits and veggies you consume are organic is to grow them yourself.

This trend has been building steam for over a decade, and it doesn’t look like it will dissipate anytime soon. People are concerned about pesticides and other chemicals being infused into their food, but if you have your own garden of fruits and veggies you won’t have to worry about it. This is the best way to ensure that the food you eat is packed with all the nutrients your body needs, without any potentially harmful additives.

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Garden Annuals

Annuals Bring Gardens and Landscape to Life By: Larissa Landry

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nnuals are a part of every garden and should be embraced by all who live in climates suitable for such plants. Annuals bring gardens and landscape to life with flowers and vegetation. In contrast with perennials, annuals are simply defined as plants that grow for only one season. Some choose not to grow them due to their short life span, but you should consider using annuals to give your garden something extra. Timing the planting of annuals in certain areas can be difficult due to frost and constant weather change that could harm the plants; however, there are many annuals that require little if any care and easier to grow than people think.

Taking care of your annuals is important. As their lifecycle is only one season, you must make sure to provide them with adequate care according to recommendations as they will not “come back” the following year and give you a chance to start fresh. If grown properly, annuals will add a splash to your surroundings unlike everyday perennials. Here are a few annuals that are easy to plant and care for and are sure to garner attention:

SunPatiens (below left): SunPatiens are the easiest way to get a bright display of color in your garden with little or no care needed.

They thrive in hanging baskets, containers, and well-drained soil throughout your landscape. They require water for the first 7 to 10 days after planting and then only when needed. The leaves and stems are thick which make them more suitable for sunny areas, but also grow well in the shade. Not only is deadheading not required, but it is strongly discouraged unless the plant begins to grow uncontrollably and spills over into the rest of your landscape.

SunPatiens come in a variety of colors including orange, white and magenta. They can grow to various sizes depending on planting conditions (potted, landscape, etc.) and will reach a height of anywhere from 2 to 4 feet with a spread of approximately 2 feet. With little maintenance needed, SunPatiens are rapidly becoming a favorite of those growing annuals.

SunPatiens

Cyperus Papyrus

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Cyperus Papyrus (below right): Cyperus Papyrus, also known as “Umbrella Grass” or simply “Papyrus,” is a landscape accent grass that is quickly becoming a favorite for gardeners and landscapers. They can be grown in pots or throughout any landscape and thrive best in moist conditions.

They have also been found to be very tolerant of hot and dry conditions which makes them a landscape favorite in areas that receive little rain.

Cyperus Papyrus grows fast and it is recommended that they not be planted until after you are sure there will be no more frost. While little care is required of these plants, they will wilt and die easily in freezing temperatures. The only recommended care is to keep them moist for the first 7 to 10 days after planting and then water as needed throughout the Summer. A great landscape idea is to plant them next to ponds or water sources as they survive when their root systems are saturated.

Begonia Solenia: These are not your ordinary begonia as they require little care other than watering. Thriving especially in hanging baskets or containers, plants produce bright double flowers that are 3 inches and do not require deadheading. A self-cleaning plant, it thrives in just about all regions of the. Begonia Solenia come in flower colors in the shade of red (pink, rose, etc.). The mature plants can reach up to 1 foot in height and will spread to almost twice its height.

Hanging baskets and containers are great for Begonia Solenia as they grow best in evenly watered soil. Standing water will kill them so make sure that the area you plant them is well-drained. They will flower from Spring through Fall and make a perfect accent in any garden or landscape design.

7 Begonia Solenia

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Feature Flower

Re-Inventing the Petunia: The Potunia by Red Fox By: Dianne Earl No, it’s not a spelling error.

P O T U N I A is correct. But yes, it is a P E T U N I A.

true all season covered by a canopy of blooms. The unique colors are intense and vibrant.

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Potunias can be grown in mixed containers, hanging baskets, window boxes and flower beds.

The mounding habit makes them ideal for containers as they do not become overgrown and stringy.

ay it quickly three times – potunia petunia, potunia petunia, potunia petunia. That’s what you will be hearing this spring at the garden centre. The new phenomenon in the petunia family is the Potunia from the Red Fox breeding program. The unremitting demand for the petunia is fodder for the horticulture industry to continually re-invent this constant on every gardener’s shopping list.

“These petunias POP” is the slogan used to describe the new potunia petunia. Potunias are a unique breed of petunias producing a bubble-like round habit. The perfect selection for planters and flower beds, these plants are well suited for hanging baskets. The potunia delivers profuse blooming giving color impact all summer long.

Continuous mounding habit holds

Like petunias, potunias prefer a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and planted in well drained, good quality soil or planting medium. When transplanted, spacing of 9” to 12” apart or 3 plants for a 10” or 12” basket will produce the desirable effect. Potunias will thrive on regular watering done in early morning and applied to the root zone. They respond to a weekly application of liquid fertilizer which can be supplemented with a slow release fertilizer. Always follow label recommendations on your fertilizer packaging.

Enjoy the low maintenance!

Potunias continue to flower without dead-heading. Shoots can be pinched if they become too leggy in late season prompting new growth / new bloom response. Rain will not keep the potunia blooms down; they bounce right back after rain showers.

Potunia varieties are available in a range of distinctive and vivid colors.

Here are some of our favorites.

Papaya is a unique orange petunia that will “spice” up many color combinations Deep Purple has been the most popular color with deep dark centers contrasted against the velvet colored flower petal.

Blackberry Ice is a nice complement to Deep Purple. The white flower appears to be dipped in a bowl of juicy blackberries emulating a cool feeling on a hot summer day.

Yellow produces a delicate white edge highlighting the sunny glow of this variety increasing its attractiveness.

Red Fox is a genetics program owned by Dümmen, a German based, global, horticultural plant breeder and producer of young plants. Among many other species, Dümmen is a breeder of geranium, petunia, calibachoa, verbena, New Guinea impatiens, osteospermum, and begonia.

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Cobi Ladner

Spring Trends for 2015 Interview By: Neil Wadhwa

H&G: Spring is in the air: the weather is getting warmer, the birds are chirping, and the sun is out longer. Most importantly, the snow has stopped and the sky has gone from a dreary grey to a welcoming blue. Can we expect 50 Shades of Blue to be popular this spring?

C

obi Ladner is one of Canada’s foremost design authorities and former Editor of the country’s leading home decor magazine, Canadian House & Home. We spoke to Cobi in a previous issue about how to choose the right colour palette, and couldn’t get enough of her advice. Now that we’re pulling spring jackets out of our closets, we thought it would be a good idea to speak to Cobi again to ask about Spring Trends to watch for in 2015.

CL: The colour blue has been big now for at least the last two years, and it doesn’t seem to be going away.

Usually a colour that strong comes and goes, but blue seems to be hanging on for a long time. I’m not sure why, but I think it’s because there’s a variety of colour within blue itself.

Blue and white is a big trend, because it’s such a classic palette that’s been used for centuries, particularly with English porcelain, but it does really seem to be having a resurgence now. All the décor magazines are full of blue and white. I’ve been featuring blue and white for quite a while now just because I think it’s such a classic, and I like things in my home that are going to last more than a season. Blue and white is sort of like a mainstay of decorating. But there are other shades of blue: there’s tons of turquoise, and shades of blue being used together, or blues and greens together. Blue feels very solid. It’s a very clear, clean and direct colour, and that’s really resonating with people right now; really a classic.

H&G: And you mentioned that blue is “timeless,” so if people are decorating for spring 2015, they can be assured that it will last until spring 2016 and onwards, and still feel very fresh.

CL: Absolutely. I don’t think you can go wrong with it if you love it, and that’s what the whole trick is—you take the trends you love, pitch out the ones you don’t.

Never follow trends for the sake of following trends.

It’s about finding things you like that are also current looking. But I personally don’t think you can go wrong with blue if you like blue, because there’s always a place for it.

H&G: I feel like blue is a classic in so many areas, as well. A navy blue men’s suit is considered a “staple item,” for example, and is normally the colour men turn to when buying their first suit.

CL: I think it’s a livelier dark colour too, so an alternative to black. Black has a serious side to it, whereas navy can be sporty, tailored, classic,

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traditional, and even contemporary. It can be many things, and maybe that is the popularity of if; people are able to really transform it into lots of different looks.

That’s why when I started my product line, I really wanted a blue and white bedding set, and some of the product people said, “Blue doesn’t sell!” Yet, my experience with it across every category is quite the opposite: blue has sold very well in everything we’ve done in the past three or four years. I don’t know why people in the product business are so weary of blue; I’ve certainly found it’s been a seller for us. And I see big companies, like Ikea and a few other big spots, now have a few pieces they’re doing in blue or turquoise. These big companies invest in pieces that they have to make a million of, so they need to have safety in colour, and also expect the demand for the colour to increase.

H&G: How about yellow making an appearance this spring?

CL: Hello, yellow! We haven’t seen much yellow at all, and for a lot of people yellow is difficult to work with—but strong hits of yellow are now popping up, and the shades of yellow vary from Dijon to taxicab to buttercup to a clear lemon yellow.

The one thing I’ve noticed is the yellows are all strong colours: they’re not soft, they’re not pastel, and they’re not Eastery. The yellows are all strong shades, and I really think it’s got to do with the sunny, happy feeling that yellow brings. Yellow is associated with joy, energy and warmth—it really stimulates us when we see it. The world can feel kind of heavy these days. We’re getting bad news, and so yellow is this injection of happiness in a room or outfit. Yellow really does pop when used strongly; you can’t ignore it. It’s just sort of that fun, happy, hit.

Yellow also has a contemporary feeling to it when it’s really clear and bold, which is found in more modern spaces. For example, there might be a really great appliance done in bright yellow in a modern kitchen, or a chair that’s bright yellow in an all grey interior. That’s how I’m kind of seeing it. Bold, bright, hits, and it certainly brings that sunny, joyful energy into a space.

H&G: So you’re talking about yellow being used in splashes and hits, rather than as the primary colour in a room?

CL: Yes, that’s right—it’s splashes of modern. The other reason why yellow would pop up now is that it’s quite often associated with food and health, and health is just so top of mind at the moment. It seems like health news is constant and everybody is just looking for that next great healthy food. I’m not really sure, I’m just looking for different ways to spin it, but yellow certainly

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does have that vibrancy. And as consumers are getting older, maybe they look for a feeling of energy and, as a result, turn to that clean slate look, which yellow provides.

H&G: Do you have any preferences with how you like seeing yellow being used?

CL: I like yellow with grey and with white. I see yellow a lot with other colours, but I’m not as keen on it with different colours, interestingly enough. I do like yellow with a neutral palette, like with taupe grey. So, if you have a neutral room that you really don’t want to overwhelm with a lot of colour, yellow might be a fun colour to put in a couple spots, whether it’s a throw or a lamp, for example.

H&G: How can Pantone’s Colour of the Year be used this spring?

CL: Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2015 is marsala.

Marsala is a town in Italy known for making red wine—which is what the marsala colour resembles.

With marsala, you get old world warmth and comfort that also comes with a sense of history and strength.

It’s a very rich, full-bodied colour, very robust and comforting, and I’m sure it’s been chosen as Pantone’s Colour of the Year for all those reasons.

Marsala is really strong colour—it’s a bricky, earthy red— but the interesting thing is that even though it’s a strong colour, it still manages to look great with other colours. You can do a palette with marsala and all kinds of other earthtones, and it blends really well; you can use marsala as an accent, or you can do a whole room in it and it would be very livable. I guess you can live with it because it’s got that earthiness.

H&G: When I think of marsala I think of it being used in a really modern living room. What rooms do you think marsala works best in?

CL: It would be great in a den or dining room—rooms used more at nighttime, where the lights are a little bit low. Marsala has that rich, old world kind of quality to it, so you’re going to get that instant warming of the room.

But I think Pantone chose marsala because of the comforting effect that marsala provides, and people are looking to create that in their homes. It’s a timeless colour, no question, it’s a very old colour, and it looks good with wood, more than with chrome and steel. It’s definitely got a textual feel to it. It’s very different from [most other colours], which I think is neat about it, and I think it does look good in a house if you’re looking for textured, rich tones that go great with wood.

come back, copper, and gold, versus the last 10 years, which has been silver, chrome, and pewter. If you look at the colours we’ve been discussing, they all look great with gold. The metals of choice often affect the colours used in a room.

H&G: Are there any trends that you think people should avoid this spring?

CL: I think people aren’t as sucked intro trends as they used to be. I haven’t really seen anything for the home that’s too crazy, personally. I think that we’ve grown up more; we don’t really decorate by following trends—I hope not, anyway—and I think that people are learning to trust their gut a little more, just like in fashion.

And I find marsala to be fairly masculine—I don’t think it’s feminine in any way—yet we’re seeing it a lot in fashion and makeup, but it does have that sort of “strength” to it, so I think men would like it as well as women.

It used to be that all men’s ties were the same width, and now you can buy ones in all widths because we’re all allowed a little bit more self-expression. So I wouldn’t say there are really wrong trends out there, I think its only wrong if you do something just because its on trend, as that’s when you’ll fall out of love with it quickly, because you didn’t check in with yourself on whether you actually liked it or not—you just followed the trend.

H&G: The way you’re describing this colour, I feel like it would be great for the fall—am I correct?

H&G: What can people expect from your spring 2015 line?

CL: It’s great in any season. But we don’t decorate that way, we don’t change with the seasons. I think there are some people that just like fall colours and to me this one would be a beautiful fall colour to focus on, and all other fall colours would work well with it.

CL: I have different products, and with every line we always add new styles for the new seasons. This year I’ve added new styles based on the colours we talked about, including a new bedding pattern that’s patterned with spurs, and it’s kind of grey with bits of yellow and turquoise. That’s something where if you wanted to introduce a bit of yellow, you can do it with a bedding pattern like this, which has touches of yellow on it. I’ve got lots of good things coming!

H&G: You also mentioned that marsala is a timeless colour, much like blue. Do you think there is there a reason as to why we’re revisiting these timeless colours in 2015?

CL: That’s funny, because it’s not always the case [that we turn to timeless colours]. We’ve had a lot of pink lately, and a lot of other colours that have been very current and modern day. These colours [that we’ve discussed] are more historic—marsala and blue in particular—and I do think there is a reason why we’re turning to these colours this year. I think sometimes we reach back in history, or we reach forward, and it all depends on what’s happening in the world. It depends on whether we feel things are great, or we don’t really love what’s happening right now and then turn to the touchstones of the past to make us feel better.

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I really do think all of the news in the world does influence us, and I’ve also noticed that colours are affected by the metals being used. In a lot of the rooms we need metal, we need fixtures, we need hardware, and right now there’s a really strong trend towards warm metals. We’re seeing all sorts of brass

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Fresh Fixens

Uniting a Country with Riesling By: Mark DeWolf

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ecently, Wine Country Ontario sponsored the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers’ Best Sommelier in Canada. The event, held at famous Canadian director Ivan Reitman’s Montecito restaurant, in downtown Toronto, was a showcase not only of the talented sommeliers from coast to coast but of our burgeoning wine regions.

The tri-annual event pitted Canada’s top sommeliers in a competition culminating in a final round that had the 3 finalists demonstrating a variety of skills including decanting and blind wine and spirit tasting.

Eventual champion, Elyse Lambert, a Sommelier Consultant at Maison Boulud in the Ritz Carlton, Montreal, wowed the crowd by correctly identify 5 of the 6 products placed in front of her.

For me the highlight of the weekend were the wines showcased by Wine Country Ontario, and no grape stood out more than Riesling. Germany has had millennia to establish Riesling as its star varietal but now after only a few decades of trial and error, it is also establishing itself as this country’s preeminent white varietal.

Riesling Rising This spring reach for Riesling when entertaining. Forget preconceived notions that Riesling equates to sweet Ontario vintners as well as vintners from coast to coast, are crafting Riesling in a more balanced food friendly style compared to the sweet tooth satisfiers that emerged in the 1980's and 90's.

You might ask what makes Riesling such a great food wine. Riesling has all the elements to work with a wide range of food. Its rich aromatic profile, often suggesting stone fruit, such as peaches, lime and delicate floral tones allow it to pair with aromatic foods, while its mild sweetness is the perfect partner to the foods with a mildly sweet flavour.

Shellfish such as lobster, shrimp and scallops all have mildly sweet flavour profile that works magically with Riesling, but so does the pork and even chicken. If that weren’t enough great Ontario Riesling has a backbone of crunchy acidity that pairs well with dishes with their own fresh acidity. White fish seasoned with a splash of lemon juice works, but so do dishes with white wine sauces or vinaigrettes.

And if that weren’t enough, drier styles work magically with salty food such as oysters and light salty cheeses, such as feta.

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This Spring Thai Me Up My spring entertaining repertoire veers away from rich stews and braises to dishes reliant on fresh herbs and citrus fruits. Often my palate veers to light cuisine of Southeastern Asia, particularly Vietnamese Thai dishes. They are often highlighted by fresh flavours and ingredients including chilies, ginger, palm sugar, tamarind, cilantro and lime all playing a key role. It all plays in the favour of an off-dry Canadian Riesling; especially younger styles that still have all their lime fresh acidity in the fore.

Thai Noodle Salad 1 Thai chili, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, minced 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp fish sauce 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped 2 limes juiced 2 tbsp palm sugar 1/2 tbsp sesame oil 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 2 poached chicken breasts, cubed 1/2 cup shredded carrot 1 scallion, sliced 1 900-gram package soda noodles, cooked Place the first 12 ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well combined.

Place soba noodles and cubed chicken in a bowl. Top with the dressing and combine. Serve in individual bowls garnished with fresh cilantro and a wedge of lime. Add peanuts for a little extra crunch, but be sure to make sure no guests have nut allergies.

Spicy Sushi Sauce While it is quite easy to make your own sushi, if time is of the essence and you want to add a quick splash of Riesling friendly flavour to takeout sushi, make a spicy mayonnaise based sauce.

1 cup mayonnaise 1 lime, zest, juice 1 tbsp sugar 3 tbsp Sriracha chili sauce Salt to taste Combine all the ingredients. This sauce can be serve over sushi as a pairing to Riesling for a fun family dinner, combine ground pork with peanut butter and a dash of fish sauce. Grill and top with our Spicy Sushi Sauce.

Oysters with Cucumber and Ginger Mignonette 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 1 tbsp minced pickled ginger 2 tbsp minced red onion Oysters 1 cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, diced Combine the rice wine vinegar, sugar, pickled ginger and red onion in a bowl. Whisk together. Open fresh oysters. Serve the oysters with the Ginger Mignonette and diced cucumber along with a fresh, dry style of Canadian Riesling.

Riesling the Bi-Coastal Grape 2013 Planters Ridge Riesling, Nova Scotia This new entrant to the emerging Nova Scotia wine scene has all the hallmarks of a cool climate Riesling with crunchy fresh citrus, melon and green apple flavours. The perfect pairing to Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

Available only in Nova Scotia.

2013 Charles Baker Ivan Vineyard Riesling, Niagara, Ontario A lime fresh Riesling with lots tart green flavours that continues through the finish. Hold on to this one for a few years to let it fatten up or serve with salty oysters topped with a diced cucumber and ginger salsa.

2013 Tantulus Riesling, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Upfront peachy sweetness gives way to mineral-laden flavours with a lime fresh backbone of acidity. Thai pork skewers anyone?

Mark DeWolf is a food, wine and travel writer. He operates With Zest Tours which conducts epicurean adventure travel to destinations such as Tuscany, Bordeaux and South Africa, amongst other regions.

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Plight of the Monarch Planting and Maintaining a Garden for Pollinators

By: Ken Beattie, Canada's Favourite Gardener

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lanting and maintaining a garden for pollinators, and specifically butterflies, can add an entirely new dimension to your home landscape.

The term “pollinators” refers to a number of individual species in the vernacular of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. I classify birds, butterflies, bees and beneficial insects as pollinators and yes, even the odd slug, but I won’t go there.

You may be very aware that in Canada our Monarch butterfly population has been depleting at astronomical rates, placing this species in peril or at the very least as a threatened entity. There is much written about the plight of the Monarchs and various reasons offered for this remarkable decline, but what are everyday Canadians doing about the situation and how can we help our Monarchs? The first reaction seems to be to plant Asclepias species, or Milkweed, as this range of plants are the preferred food of the Monarch caterpillar.

Have you tried to buy Milkweed plants or for that matter attempted to grow them from seed? Somehow, the head is willing but there a huge gap in the rest of it. Well, fear not

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) http://www.cwf-fcf.org/ has come to a rescue, of sorts, for those of us who want to help the Monarchs. A soft product launch in Ontario has been planned for this May offering very smart looking Monarch Kits with four specific plants in each handy carrying case. Milkweed of course makes up a portion of the kit as well as nectar and food plants for the adult butterfly. What could be simpler, pick up a couple of these kits and follow the easy instructions to plant a butterfly garden. The CWF also has remarkable online resources on Monarchs as well as oodles of other great conservation initiatives for the homeowner as well as educators and students. Supplies will be extremely limited as Milkweed is not a popular commodity as of yet so producing enough for the entire country posed considerable challenges.

Naturally you could try growing plants from seed, but the success rate for the most part is not high.

Milkweed requires a stratification period, or we call it winter! The native stands, what is left of them, produce seed in the late summer and early fall. As with most of Canada we know what follows fall… winter, and freezing temperatures.

The Milkweed seed sits nestled into its new soil, frozen until spring when it potentially germinates and eventually grows to flower. I would of course encourage you all to try growing Milkweed from seed, however just be conscious of the process.

The Monarch caterpillar is particularly selective of its food source. Milkweed(s) are the preferred rations. Naturally, Milkweed species

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vary as we cross the country, but they all hold a similar quality and that’s the “milk” or latex juice that gives these plants their name. I was told by a respected insect aficionado that one of the reasons Monarch caterpillars eat Milkweed is because they require the latex in their system so that they may develop flexible, pliable wings as adults. This may be fact but at any rate I like to think that this may play a role. The more accepted thinking is that Milkweed sap or latex makes the caterpillars rather nasty tasting to their predators. The notion is that over time, predators have come to realize this and don’t bother the developing munchers. Either way, Mother Nature has some pretty remarkable defense mechanisms.

When planning any manner of pollinator garden it is wise to consider the entire season and relative life cycle of the insects(s).

Very similar to feeding the birds from a feeder, we don’t just stop feeding them once started, the process continues for the entire year or at least full season. The caterpillar,

or teenagers of the insects, eat pretty much continuously (sort of like human teenagers). Given this, a hardy and plentiful food source is necessary, and don’t expect the plants to be pristine and perfect, they are lunch for the caterpillars.

Of course the insect eggs came first, but the mamma butterfly knows where to lay them so when her brood hatches there is ready and available food.

The parent insects also need sustenance, typically gathered as nectar and or pollen from blooming plants. Research and learn the preferred host and food source plants for your specific region and specific butterflies or other pollinators that you wish to attract as every region differs somewhat.

Your garden centre personnel should be right on the ball with localized, specific information as well as source plants for you to purchase. Indeed, Monarch butterflies need our help but they may not be an insect typically found in your region, so to plant a monarch specific garden may not be wise.

We prefer to encourage beneficial insects into our gardens, but I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention at least one species that is not all that welcome. Wasps have been a particular problem across Canada for those of us who spend most of our waking hours outdoors. I have seen restaurants actually forced to close their outdoor patios due to wasp infestations at certain times of the summer. One simple trick that seems to work came to my attention in British Columbia on Vancouver Island. Once seated at a gorgeous patio under the shade of a wisteria laden trellis, the waitress placed several wee bowls of what appeared to be brown sticks on our table.

Inquiring minds of course had to know what this was and the purpose of same. Cloves was the response,

plain old cloves. Curious to see if this somewhat folksy application worked, I was amazed, it did… not a wasp. Thinking through why this might work, it occurred to me that cloves have a very high level of volatile oil, eugenol to be precise. I suspect that wasps dislike the smell, perhaps reminding them of the dentist’s office as it does me. The waitress informed me that once the cloves dry out to simply spritz the container with water and the aroma comes back. Now there’s a great tip for you as we approach patio and gardening season.

7 Ken Beattie is Horticulture Education Manager for the prestigious Canadian Wildlife Federation http:// www.cwf-fcf.org/

Black swallowtail butterflies, one of my favourites, prefer parsley as a host plant. So, if parsley is a plant that you can grow readily, plant an extra few for the swallowtails and see what happens. Red Admirals will feed on many of Canada’s native plants as will Morning Cloaks and the wee Clouded Sulphur butterflies.

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Ready, Set, Plant A Checklist to Ease Your Spring Gardening Starts By: Larissa Landry

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othing keeps a gardener on their toes like a frost warning! Eager gardeners, anxious to get ‘the first tomato’, often plant their tender plants too early. Then, they get a clear, bright cold night, and wake up to frost- damaged, limp, and quite possibly dead plants.

Spring Checklist

Gardening here in Canada we can be at risk of a late spring frost. Many people like to plant their cucumbers and petunias in May, but then should be prepared to listen religiously to the forecast. Plants in containers can be brought inside and tender plants can be covered with a sheet if the temperature dips close to zero.

Gardeners who live in low lying areas have to be extra cautious.

Remember to harden off seedlings and transplants and protect them from harsh winds as well. The best way to protect your plants from frost is to not plant them too early.

However, if you insist on daring Mother Nature, protective row covers, water filled plant cones, and wooden cold frames can help you extend your growing season.

Remove winter protection from your plants as soon as the soil begins to thaw.

When the garden is dry enough, pick up litter, remove dead branches, weed beds and trim edges. Cut back any foliage kept for winter interest, but watch out for new shoots!

Spring is a great time to fertilize and amend your garden. Try to mix some organic matter; compost, manure, or peat moss into your soil every year.

Add 2-3” of mulch to keep soil cool in summer, control weeds, and add nutrients and organic matter.

Prune summer flowering shrubs or shrubs with decorative foliage before the buds open. Prune spring-flowering shrubs, such as forsythias and lilacs, right after they bloom.

Enjoy the bulbs you planted last autumn!

Divide mature perennials such as phlox, hostas and bee balm.

Harden off seedlings and transplant them to the garden once all danger of frost is over.

Stake tall perennials such as peonies, delphiniums and bellflowers while they are small.

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Product Feature CANNA, Pioneers of COCO By: Eric Bergeron, Canna Inc.

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oco peat is the leftover material after the fibers have been removed from the outermost shell (bolster) of the coconut. Impressed by the potentials of this product CANNA, always researching new pioneering ideas in the horticultural world, began exploring the coconut option when the peat was just giant piles of debris left over from the production of coconut fibers. This debris was deposited around the landscape of producing countries in giant, rotting piles.

After many years of research and the need for higher controls in order to receive the coveted RHP standard of Holland, CANNA began controlling the product from harvest, through treatment, and into giant concrete bunkers to age to the exact level needed, then buffered, packaged and delivered to the market.

All this is without steam sterilizing, which resulted in other beneficial consequences. By avoiding the steam sterilization to ensure RHP acceptance, CANNA also avoids chemical changes in the medium like

the detrimental nitrate conversions to nitrite forms (toxic to most life forms).

Making CANNA COCO a natural choice for growing healthy crops.

A long journey towards acceptance It took 10 centuries to make this waste the medium of the future. The first description of the coco process dates from the 11th century and was recorded by Arabian traders.

In 1290, Marco Polo described the process of extracting fibers from coconuts. For centuries, this process went unchanged. Coco peat was a waste product from factories that used coco fiber as a raw material for making sailing ropes, chair seats and mattress fillings.

In 1862, John Lindeley, botanist, gardener and secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society, introduced coco peat as a growing medium to English horticulture. After successful experiments in the gardens of the Society, complications appeared due to harmful substances naturally present in the material and the fact that knowledge regarding the application was still in its infancy.

Ultimately its quality caused too many problems for various crops in such a way that the use of coco declined in agriculture.

growing medium. New techniques and analysis methods meant coco could be turned into a valuable growing medium. From this moment it became possible to grow many crops successfully on coco.

The rise of COCO in hydroponics After its introduction to rose cultivation in 1986, it became clear that coco could be an ideal growing medium for root development, resulting in stronger crops.

Unfortunately, the success with roses could not be repeated with all crops.

The quality on the coco material was not constant and there was an enormous lack of coco cultivation knowledge.

In 1993 the need for alternatives for peat moss and other media, like rock wool, increased, CANNA started their first experiments with coco. This did not directly result in a marketable product, the insights of “specialists� appeared to be conflicting and there was no answer to practical coco cultivation problems. To determine the coco potentials in an objective way, the only option for CANNA was to do

It took another 100 years before coco was rediscovered as a potential

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the pioneering work itself. Two years later, CANNA launched “CANNA COCO and this initiated the first COCO product on the consumer market (Germany, 1996).

are released to the plant at just the right times. This means the grower doesn’t have to worry about the proper point to convert from grow to bloom nutrients!

CANNA successfully created a new medium complete with a special COCO nutrient solution.

Benefits of CANNA COCO • Environmentally friendly, from renewable resource • Better wettability than peat based growing mediums.

• Unequalled ease of use and re-use • Physical structure that remains stable during the whole crop • Sodium and Potassium at low levels for an optimal culture

Not a typical inert substrate Because coco is 100% organic it has a high but relative Cation-exchange capacity (CEC). This means the substrate has the ability to hold and retain certain nutrients vigorously thus requiring these nutrients be supplied in a special form that remains available to the plant.

Due to the special Coco characteristics in combination with the unique pre-buffering process, it is possible to combine vegetative and flowering nutrients in one nutrient mix. The media and the plant itself control which nutrients

Coconut peat has some wonderful physical properties that greatly benefit plant growth. To begin, it is renewable so no stripping of nature’s resources. It makes use of the final product left over from cultivating and harvesting the much prized nut.

At the right point in decomposition, the coco peat can be used as a stand-alone medium with no need to add perlite or other persistent amendments.

At the proper point of decomposition, the particles form the perfect combination of airto-water spaces, because of the different fractions present, which actually mean more air space to water space with the micro-pores holding a reserve of water, giving a nice water buffer to the grower.

There is no oil on its surface, unlike peat moss, so wetting the particle is never an issue. The key in all this is to decompose the particle to the perfect point.

By using the correct age of coco, with the right porosity, coco potting medium should be able to work through almost a year’s worth of

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cropping before changing. The pH stays correct and only the structure changes limiting the useful period.

Finally, the pH of the medium, when buffered and controlled, remains constant pretty much throughout its useful life. The medium sets its pH at between 5.2 and 6.2, perfect range, and will hold it there. Unlike peat based products that try to go back to a pH of 4.5 or less within 3 months of being planted.

Coco is an ideal medium. Plants thrive in coco when everything is right.

Like all its product lines, CANNA believes in the complete package concept. Avoiding errors is essential.

The Coco growing ‘system’, medium and nutrient line up, were engineered through years of inhouse research and countless field tests to provide the correct growing solution, the exact composition and concentration of all the things required for using coco as a growing medium.

CANNA COCO nutrients are designed to work with the exact properties of CANNA Buffered COCO. There is no better or easier way to begin and continue the Coco Growing Experience.

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Made to Measure Providing a Service That is a Cut Above By: Lindsey Bunin Photos by: Adrien Veczan

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reat thinkers have spoken of the measure of men, but the talented team at Robert Simmonds have it down to a science. Quality is synonymous with the way the store’s qualified staff dresses their clients, and of course fit is key. The clothing retailer offers on-site tailoring to ensure each customer is well dressed.

Providing a service that is a cut above, Robert Simmonds also specializes in made-to-measure pieces that are custom fit to the wearer, not to be confused with bespoke pieces.

“The distinction is that made-tomeasure is created with a preexisting pattern,” explains Carolyn Snell, senior sales associate with more than 12 years experience.

“This service allows us to alter a standard size pattern to fit a customer.”

The knowledgeable staff at Robert Simmonds has the fit — or will create it — to suit any body type.

A variety of vendors provide Robert Simmonds with style specs on various patterns and Snell’s experience allows her to decide which style would work best for each client.

“I start with the template, then I tell the company what I need — ‘I would like you to drop the collar 5/8 of an inch because this individual has very erect posture,’ for example,” she says.

It’s Snell’s experience and the time she takes with each customer to ensure satisfaction that helps to set Robert Simmonds apart from other clothing retailers in Fredericton.

Robert Simmonds’ in-house master tailor, Tony Dableh, has 53 years of experience in providing customers with exactly what they need. Owner Paul Simmonds brings his own 35 years of expertise to the table to serve his loyal patrons as well.

“We work as a team,” Snell says.

“If I’m not sure about an alteration, we bring our tailor in to consult. If he can’t make it look the way it is supposed to look for a customer, we’re not going to sell that suit.

We’re not in it to make a sale for the sake of a sale.”

Made-to-measure prices vary depending on size, number of alternations, fabric choice and extra details, such as buttons or lining.

“People choose made-tomeasure for a couple of reasons.

“People choose made-to-measure for a couple of reasons. Sometimes the off-the-rack just doesn’t fit certain body types.”

CAROLYN SNELL

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THE MODERN SUIT Update your suit for the new modern fit

Sometimes the off -the-rack just doesn’t fit certain body types, like a bodybuilder with bulky shoulders and arms, but a smaller waist.”

There are savvy gentlemen, too, who know exactly what they want, and the staff at Robert Simmonds prides itself on the ability to deliver.

“Also, there are limitations to off -the-rack. Some customers want a specific fabric or certain style options, like one button or a bright red lining. Made-to-measure provides a customized experience.”

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The silhouette for a man’s suit has changed so much in the last five years, you may want to think about that black suit in your closet. It may look fine, but style is in the details.

To update your suit choice to a more modern fit, keep in mind these tips: JACKETS ARE SHORTER: They should cover the seat, but not be longer.

LEGS ARE NARROWER: Baggy pants are a thing of the past — look for a modern, narrow cut.

LAPELS ARE NARROWER: Keeping with a narrow leg, lapels should have a sleek line.

ARM-HOLES ARE SMALLER: A properly fit suit jacket will feel slightly constricting, not loose.

PLEATS BE-GONE: Pleats are out of date, and can give a wider, bulky look through the hips.

DRESS SHIRTS SHOULD BE TAPERED: Dress shirts should not puff out of the waist line — have them tailored if seams need to be taken in for a smooth fit.

SUITS ARE TRIM, NOT TIGHT: The key is to have the suit tailored to your body, no matter what size — stick with your proper sizing, just look for a good fit.

WIDE TIES ARE OUT: In keeping with a narrow silhouette, ties should be slightly narrow.

COLOURFUL SOCKS: Add a little flair to your suit and match up dress socks for a complete style.

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Grow Your Own How to Start Your Own Urban Food Garden By: Emily Tregunno, Halifax Seed

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here’s nothing like the flavour of mixed greens in a salad or a tomato fresh off the vine from your own backyard. Growing your own food has been increasing in popularity over the past few years, and it’s much easier to get started than you think!

Planning One of the keys to success is planting the right varieties in the right place. Get to know your gardening space and where your microclimates are (a pocket in your yard that could be warmer, or more sheltered and shaded than the rest). Those spaces that are shady

will be cooler and best suited for greens, peas, and onions. Hot, dry microclimates are perfect for peppers, tomatoes, and herbs.

the flexibility to grow just about whatever you want. Use them to grow large-vine varieties, like winter squashes and watermelons.

Next, are you working with a large backyard garden or trying to maximize every inch of a patio?

When working in small spaces, you will want to utilize containers, bamboo poles, and arbours to help you grow up - not out. Look into choosing patio and pole varieties that will work well in confined spaces. If you have small garden plots or raised beds, Square Foot Gardening would be a great method for you. Large gardens have

The most important ingredient to success in your garden is to ensure you grow varieties you want to eat and cook with. Growing what you like will keep you motivated to continue to care for the plants throughout the season. This, along with how much space and daily sunlight you have, is key to choosing the right seeds or transplants. If this is your first time gardening, you may want to start small.

Seed or Transplant All varieties of garden vegetables and herbs are available in seed form, but sometimes it’s easier to purchase certain varieties as transplants.

Transplants are seeds that have been grown until they are large enough to be transplanted directly into the garden or container.

The benefit of seeds is the sheer variety available, as well as the control of how you want the plants to be grown, especially if you are looking to grow organic. If you are new to gardening or are limited on indoor sunny space to start plants, transplants are perfect. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, celery, and many herbs are best for purchase as transplants when starting your first garden.

There are varieties of vegetables you won’t find at the garden centre this spring. If you want to have them in your garden, you will only be able to start them as a seed. Root vegetables like carrots and parsnips along with peas and beans are all great for growing right from the seed.

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Making the Most of Your Urban Garden You would be amazed with the sheer quantity of ready to eat vegetables that can be grown on a small balcony. Choose vine varieties that can be trellised - pole beans and peas are great and can withstand some shade. Patio varieties like Salad Bush cucumber, Yum Yum peppers and Celebrity or Scotia tomatoes are all bred to grow compactly in containers. Leafy greens and herbs all grow well in containers too, just be sure that you have plenty of holes in the bottom of the pots for drainage and watch the moisture level in the soil – containers require more water as the soil dries out faster then in the garden bed.

A great way to help get the most out of a small garden plot is to use a Square Foot Gardening method.

Divide your plot by the square foot into a grid, marking off each section with rope or wood. You will be able to grow anywhere from one seed to 16 in each section. Look on the back of your seed packet for the recommended spacing of each variety.

Top 10 Picks to Grow in 2015 • Mascotte Beans • Westland Celery Leaf • Vates Collards • Hansel Eggplant • Northern Ligths Leeks • Microgreens (indoors) • Shiro Pack Choi • Spicy Slice Pepper • Nova Tomato • Valentino Watermelon

Step – By – Step Seed Starting Supplies Needed: Plastic tray without holes, CellPaks, clear dome, seed- starting mix and a spray bottle. Options supplies would include a heat mat to keep the soil warm for optimum germination and root development and grow lights to provide the proper amount of direct light for strong stems and plants.

1. Dampen the soil enough to form a ball when squeezed.

Spread soil evenly into CellPaks (placed in the tray) and pat down lightly.

2. Plant seeds according to the depth suggested on the back of the packet.

3. Lightly cover with soil and spritz with water.

4. Cover with plastic dome and place in a sunny window or under grow lights.

5. Do not let soil dry out.

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