Author: Gayla Trail
Mantis Watch 2009
As previously mentioned, I bought a praying mantis egg case at the Parkdale Horticultural Society Plant Sale the other day. It’s not exactly the most effective form of pest prevention in the garden for a few reasons: 1. Praying mantids are not discerning and will eat any and all insects in the garden, including the …
The Real Dirt: Globe & Mail Kitchen Gardening Column
I’m excited to announce that I will be writing a seasonal edible gardening column for The Globe & Mail that will be published most Saturdays in the Style/Life Section of the paper from now until fall. The first, introductory article was published today and is available for free viewing for a limited time on The …
The Annual, All That Money I Spent at the Parkdale Horticultural Society Plant Sale, 2009 Edition
The title says it all. Although, taking the Street Garden out of the picture this year significantly reduced the opportunity to spend more. I could completely disregard most flowers, bushes, or bedding plants, focusing instead of edibles and a few hardy, drought tolerant plants for the fire escape. Bringing a set number of dollars and …
Stinging Nettle Tea
In my world, foraging goes hand-in-hand with gardening. Maybe it’s because the compulsion to do both comes from the same place in my brain (a fascination with the natural world and an interest in knowing how things work). Or maybe it’s because I am thrifty and can’t stand the idea of so much good stuff …
Untitled (A Darker Side to Gardening)
Over the weekend, I decided to read Jamaica Kincaid’s “The Autobiography of My Mother” for the second time. Opening the first page, I notice a note scrawled into the top right hand corner in my own handwriting, “pg 143.” Turning to page 143 I find the following passage underlined: “He had an obsessive interest in …