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The number of emails about Ants this spring season has been endless and it makes sense as Ants increase in activity during periods of dry weather and this spring has just been that dry. A little about Ants:

They are an extremely social insect that work together as an organized colony.

The Queen Ant rules the roost and everyone works to serve her.

Once ants find a food source they will leave a sent trail to let others know where the food is!

Ants really don’t harm plants however they will create unsightly mounds in your lawn and will impact the health of your lawn.

Ridding yourself of Ants:

1. Water, once you spot a mound take your hose and only allow a slow trickle of water to come out. Place over the mound and slowly soak the area…this will drown them out.
2. Boiling water a traditional way of getting rid of Ants! Boil your kettle and pour it over the mound. Note this may harm or kill plants within the mound including your lawn.
3. When you spot a trail of ants wipe there scent trail away with vinegar and insure the food source is removed.
4. Ant Bait. Mix a 50 / 50 Mixture of Borax and sugar and place in small mounds around the ant colony. The ants will take the combo back to the queen and feed her. Once the queen is gone so is the colony.

Note: There are several ant baits and traps available to purchase including insecticidal sprays that can be applied around door frames, window ceils and cracks and crevasse preventing ants from coming into your home. Use as directed!!

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This weekend is the big one for gardening!! Traditionally Victoria Day weekend is the time to plant for gardeners and non-gardeners alike meaning lineups at local garden centres may be long and service a little short. My recommendation is to shop early on in the day or late in the evening. Selection will vary depending on retails but most restock in the early morning or late evening.

The big plan for us here at CityTV is the transformation of our upper patio!! I’ve personally been working on the planning stages of this over the last few months. My trusty landscape designer Beth Edney of Designs by the Yard helped with the concept and Home Depot has come to the plate to pull it off. In the end we will have a rooftop patio complete with planting boxes, cooking area, lounge area, and additional seating. Here are the plans…I’m off to Home Depot to select plant material today and the entire patio will be completed by Friday!!

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Sorry for posting this list a little late! Trust me I have a load of excuses but let’s just leave it at ….

Voltage Osteospermum (Annual) http://www.ballhort.com/Growers/plant_info.aspx?phid=046105898006060&dispmode=

Trailing Alyssum Lobularia Snow Princess (Trailing Annual) http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/detail.cfm?photoID=9316

Euphorbia Breathless (Annual) http://www.ballhort.com/Growers/plant_info.aspx?phid=026005897005863

Forever and Ever Flowering Hydrangea (Flowering Shrub) http://www.foreverhydrangea.com/

Endless Summer Hydrangea (Flowering Shrub) http://endlesssummerblooms.com/en/consumer

Weigela Shining Sensation (Flowering Shrub) http://gardening.about.com/od/whatsnewinthegarden/ig/New-and-Cool-Plants-for-2009-/Weigela–Shining-Sensation-.htm

Deutzia Spring Sensation (Flowering Shrub) http://www.novalis.com/OurPlants.aspx?Mode=Programs&CatID=100017&ProgramType=Feature

Mock Orange Snow White Sensation (Flowering Shrub) http://www.conard-pyle.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=spplants.plantDetail&plant_id=518

Sea of Gold Juniper (Spreading Evergreen) http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1630/sea-of-gold-juniper.php

Some great news set to be released tomorrow by Scotts Canada helping the battle against dandelions…stay tuned!!

Off to shoot photography for the book today in the East End!!

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Here we are two years after the implementation of a cosmetic pesticide ban in Ontario and the result …a sea of yellow! Dandelions are a broadleaf perennial weed. The upside coffee can be made from their roots, wine from their flowers and they can be broiled for a great serving of vitamin packed greens. The downside they are very vigorous growers and after established they are not easy to control. In the world of cosmetic pesticide bans here are your only ways to control dandelions:

1. Hand removal: You must remove the entire tap root, if you don’t the dandelion will only grow back bigger and better next time. Hand removal is the most effective mechanism of control. My favorite dandelion digger is Fiskars UpRoot Weeder http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10101&productId=10563
2. Mowing: Proper mowing from insuring you cut and remove flower heads of dandelions before they broadcast seed and maintaining your mowing height at 2 ½” as the longer blades will help to shade out weed seed preventing germination.
3. Boiling water: Pour boiling water directly on dandelions…note this will kill grass surrounding dandelion.
4. Sarritor: A new product that is basically a non-harmful fungus that attacks some broadleaf weeds including dandelions. Note: Timely application is required; product must remain refrigerated before use. www.sarritor.ca
5. Keeping a healthy lawn: The goal is to insure your lawn is a bully and not the dandelion. Fertilization, proper watering, timely mowing including topdressing and reseeding or patching will have your lawn dominating against the sea of yellow!!!

I’m hearing that within the next few weeks depending on approvals Scotts Canada will be releasing a new product for the organic control of dandelions. I’ve been told of its active ingredient but I’m sworn to not to tell.

Truthfully my feeling is we need to embrace the yellow and get use to dandelions…they are a pretty flower when they bloom in my neighbours lawn!!!

Got a garden question email me @ frankieflowers@citytv.com
Follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/frankferragine (no spaces)

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day a time to celebrate everything green. Gardening can be one of the greenest activities you can do for yourself, your community and the extended environment around you. The key for a garden that’s green is to pick plants that work. Plants that don’t require chemicals or synthetic fertilizers to keep them growing and the best ones are those native to your area!! Native plants are generally easy to grow and provide habitat for all things wildlife as well as help improve air quality, cool our city streets and improve the curb appeal of our homes. How do you know if a plant is native?? First ask your local garden centre like Sheridan Nurseries for Native Plants selections and the newest way is go to the web and go to the new Ontario Tree Atlas. With just a few clicks finding out the right plant from your yard is effortless. Enjoy.

Ontario Tree Atlas http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/ClimateChange/2ColumnSubPage/267028.html

Quick List of Native Plants (Southern Ontario)

Canadian Hemlock
Serviceberry
Red Maple
Eastern Redbud
Gray Dogwood
Witch Hazel
Pagoda Dogwood
Fragrant Sumac
Coneflower
Nannyberry
White Trillium

Spring is in the air and everywhere I just love this time of year!! I took some time the other day to go for a little walk through one of my favorite Toronto communities. To my delight the area had numerous plantings of “First Flowering” tree’s and shrubs although the bloom period my be short there is nothing more inspiring than seeing early spring bloom. Here are my favorite first flowering trees and shrubs:

1. Forsythia – Extremely hardy, can be pruned numerous times in a season, fast growing with wonderful yellow flowers!!

2. Magnolia – Star and Saucer – Saucer Magnolia with big bold white to pink blooms, short lived but wonderful…these need space not recommended for those living in Zone 4 or colder.

3. Azalea – Requires acidic soil, wonderful range of colours. Northern lights are very hardy.

4. Eastern Red Bud – Amazing pink flowering. A great statement in the garden in spring.

5. Witch hazel – a funky yellow flower, wonderful specimen and very hardy.

Others include:

Flowering Almond
Flowering Cherry

Yesterday I toured through the future facility of Evergreen’s new home at the Brickworks in Toronto. This facility is going to ROCK!! Well I should say bloom with great and inspiring ways to get Toronto and surrounding areas Green!! I’m very excited about their nursery with a focus on Native Plants, Kids planting areas, farmers market, a café by Brad Long and much, much more …check out the tour for more info go to www.evergreen.ca

VIDEO

Now onto the getting down and dirty!! One of the most important things you can do for your garden is build a great foundation. That foundation is the soil! Today on BT I featured soil, soil testing and when and why you should consider purchasing bulk vs. bagged soils. Check it out:

Product Sources:

Nature Mix Soils www.modugno-hortibec.com
Turf Revolution Mail in Soil Test http://http://www.turfrevolution.com/TR_soiltest_ret.html
Miscellaneous Garden items: www.bradfordgreenhouses.com