Watch our Tick Webinar Recording with Dr. Nicolette Faraone

We were fortunate to have Dr. Nicoletta Faraone, PHD. join us for a tick webinar to teach us all about tick safety and prevention! Dr. Nicoletta Faraone is an assistant professor at the Chemistry Department, Acadia University, Wolfville (NS). She teaches Biochemistry and Natural Product Chemistry. Her research focuses on studying tick chemosensory system, how ticks detect odours from hosts and how they respond to repellents. She designs and develops novel essential oil-based tick repellent products. In this one hour long webinar, customers had the chance to learn from Dr. Faraone and ask their questions. If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the recording below!

For more Expert Advice on products we carry to protect your pets, click here.

What Type of Garden Best Suits Your Needs?

Are you interested in starting your own garden, but aren’t sure where to start, and what type of garden would work for you? Here we’ll share information about different types of gardens, and hopefully help you choose the type that best suits your needs!

Edible Gardens

Edible gardens are perfect for those who want to grow their own fruits and vegetables! The great thing about this kind of garden is that it doesn’t have to be complicated and you can do it in containers that you already own! If you are in an apartment and have a balcony, you can still grow edible plants like tomatoes, herbs, and even edible flowers. 

Urban Gardens

Urban gardens are great for those who have access to a small years, balcony, or roof. They are gardens that don’t take up much space, but still allow you to perk up and beautify a small space to grow certain fruits or veggies. Be cautious of rooftop gardens, as you must take into account the weather conditions that could vary depending on the height of your building. Choose plants that can thrive in light, strong winds, and heat. 

Environmental Gardens

There are many types of environmental gardens, you just need to find the type that interests you the most and matches your gardening goals!

         Pollinating Gardens

Pollinating gardens contain a multitude of plants, flowers and shrubs which attract the insects and animals responsible for pollination. Some familiar friends you may find in these types of gardens are garden butterflies, bees and birds, to name a few.

         Wildlife Garden

The wildlife garden attracts small animals and insects and allows them to survive on the plants and flowers found there.

Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens, unlike other types of gardens, remains simplistic in its design. Water is an important part of this type of garden, such as streams or ponds. If you have a large lot, you could even add bamboo features like a bridge or create stone trails for some extra design added to your space! These gardens are relaxing, and will allow you to have a zen space only a few steps from the house.

Water Gardens

If your property allows, a water garden can add a peaceful and original touch to your backyard. Whether it’s a small pond, or a waterfall, you will be sure to find many kinds of moisture-loving aquatic plants, like water lilies and cattails. Not all fields however can accommodate this type of garden of course. It’s important to check with your municipality to make sure the project is doable !

Tropical Garden

Tropical gardens are surprisingly easy to create and feature many famous plants, such as Geraniums and Cannas or even palm trees (although you likely aren’t seeing these anywhere in the Maritimes). If you want a colourful and original garden, this might be the perfect type for you! However, make sure you have the space to plant several species of plants for added diversity to your garden.

Woodland Gardens

A woodland type of garden consists of a wooden garden which groups together trees and wildflowers. It is the perfect kind of garden if you have a rather shady space because the plants they have thrive well without direct sunlight.

In conclusion, there are a ton of different types of gardens, you just need to choose the one that you find yourself most passionate about and that best meets your needs and gardening goals! Of course, when you are developing a garden, it’s important to take into account the space you have available and the type of soil on your land. Budget correctly to ensure you have the materials required for whichever design you choose. Big or small, we have everything you need to get equipped with starting and maintaining your garden! Ask one of our Experts in-store to know how we can get you started!

How to Help Endangered Bees in Your Garden

It is a well-known fact that for several years now, bees are in serious danger of extinction. This could have serious consequences for our diet at the planetary level. If you want to help the bees in your garden in your own way, here are a few things you can think about to help #savethebees!

Plant wild flowers and fruit shrubs

Wildflowers are excellent for feeding bees and giving them the nutrients they need to survive. Experts suggest planting varieties that are native to your region. Here are a few examples of helpful wild flowers and shrubs to sow in your garden:

• Lilacs
• Red clovers
• Blueberries
• Poppies
• Blackthorns
• Rosehips

Install a small garden pond nearby

Having a water point not far from the garden will allow bees to hydrate! By drinking the water, the bees dilute the honey that is used to feed the larvae in the hive. If your space is rather limited (if you only have a balcony, for example) you can use small plates, giving the insects an ability to drink water without the risk of drowning.

Planting organic seeds of honey plants

In your garden, try using organic seeds and sowing honey-like plants. These contain high quantities of pollen, nectar, and protein that bees use for pollination. Try to diversity your selection of plants and flowers, so that bees are spoiled for choice when pollinating! Here are some examples of flowers and plants that bees like:

• Rosemary
• Dahlia
• Lavendar
• Cosmos
• Lilies
• Yarrow

Additionally, it’s recommended to keep a space in your garden where you do not mow the lawn too often. A more “wild” type lawn allows flowers to develop and bees to forage at their ease.

Don’t use herbicides or pesticides in your garden

This argument goes without saying if we want to protect the bees. Pesticides and herbicides are very harmful to this species and is often the leading cause of death amongst the bee population. If bees forage on a plant that is covered in pesticides, it won’t survive. There are several more environmentally friendly alternatives when it comes to removing unwanted elements from your garden. Ask us what products we offer in-store to help!