© Sarah Christopher

Certified garden of Arthur Plourde in Ontario

This month we have a photo from the certified garden of Arthur Plourde in Ontario, taken by Sarah Christopher. It demonstrates how attractive being wildlife-friendly can be and how to create layers in small spaces! Visit our new Photo Gallery of certified properties!

Did you know? Your everyday actions make a difference. Certified gardeners across the country have reported species at risk on their properties, supported by the habitat they provided.

Basil

Basil is well known and loved for its fragrant leaves and delicious taste that especially go well in pesto, tomato sauces and on homemade pizza. There are many kinds such as the popular sweet basil as well as flavoured ones such as lemon, Thai and cinnamon basil. It’s fairly easy to grow and full of nutrients so if you haven’t tried yet, perhaps this is the year to add a pot or two to your garden!

Read more »

Coping with Earwigs

While they may have some negative characteristics such as occasionally feeding on cultivated plants, Earwigs can also be considered a beneficial bug. Find out why and how to deal with them.

Learn more

Leaf and Flower Pressing

While drying plants can be practical as with botanists preserving specimens, there is fun and creativity to be had with pressing and using flowers and foliage. Do an internet search and you’ll find an array of candles, transparent candleholders, notecards, bookmarks, framed pictures, stained glass and more, all decorated with pressed plants.

...to do in June

• June 20 was the Summer Solstice, the day each year with the longest light and the first official day of summer. Make a list of things to do in the weeks ahead - places to go, crafts to try, recipes to make and games to play. It can help in moments of boredom or when you need an idea.
• Look for nests and fledgling birds leaving the nest. Often they remain on the ground for a few days before they fly.
• This month do something to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5), Oceans Day (June 8), Canadian Rivers Day (June 12) such as switch to an environmentally-friendly dish soap or run less water.

© Brenda Gooder, BC, Photo Club Member

Thanks to Brenda Gooder of the CWF Photo Club for this fantastic photo of a Swallowtail Butterfly.

Download

Funny Business

Why do potatoes make good detectives? Because they keep their eyes peeled.

© Douglas Bradford, Photo Club Member

Gardening Calendar

Helpful Tip for June

Provide clean water for wild neighbours to drink (or bathe in). Change often as the days heat up, keeping the water safe to ingest and preventing mosquitoes from multiplying.

For more seasonal ideas, visit our Garden Calendar.

CWF’s new Li’l Green Sprouts program gives families the tools to help their young children discover the wonders of nature in the garden, park and beyond. In buying a sturdy gardening kit full of tools, activities and more you will also get full access to a myriad of online resources for both adults and  children!

Join today

Check out our new gallery of photos from our certified gardens across the country. If you are certified and have new images, please send them along to help us show the world that wildlife-friendly gardening can be as fancy or as simple as you like.

The Canadian Nursery Landscaping Association, a CWF partner, now has Green for Life Cards allowing you to buy gifts for friends or loved ones that can be redeemed at any of the 400 independent garden centres across Canada. Visit their website for details.