Apr
05

Video and Giveaway: Mark Cullen's New Book and Early Lawn Tips!

When we blogged about our new spring schedule, you guys certainly weren’t shy about expressing your love for gardening shows. But how do you really feel about?? Just kidding! I say this because we heed all your much welcomed comments and will certainly do our part here on HGTV.ca to keep your gardening thirst well sated. 

At this past Canada Blooms flower and gardening festival in Toronto, I caught up with one of Canada’s best recognized garden gurus, Mark Cullen. At this point Mark really is a Canadian gardening institution, which makes him the perfect person to tell us what it actually means to garden like a Canadian, as he details in his new book, The Canadian Garden Primer.  (See Giveaway below!)

Following that more philosophical question, Mark offers some practical tips on how to kick start some healthy lawn growth, right now. Gardening is a choice not everyone makes, but a lawn is a common inheritance that at least in my neighbourhood, tends to make for some arduous (and comical) lawn Olympics.

 Above photo: Bullfrog Power

 

GIVEAWAY:  As I just mentioned, Mark Cullen has a new book out, and it’s all about the newest trend in gardening (as in everything else, for that matter): organic – out with those pesticides, over-watering, toxic soil and your ideas about “pretty” vs gloriously natural.  The Canadian Garden Primer: And Organic Approach is a lifelong garden guru’s amassed and revised encyclopaedia of gardening knowledge, organized into easy chapters with great tips and humorous anecdotes. I have five copies of Mark’s new book to give away, for those of you whose thumb is turning green with envy as you read this – don’t worry!  You can be a garden guru too!

This Giveaway is now closed.  Congratulations to Jane W., of Cambridge, ON, Kim G., of Courtice, ON, Judith W., of Niagara Falls, ON, Anna G., of Toronto, ON, and Shawna S., of Milton, ON.  

Simply email me the correct answer to the following question: What is the name of Mark’s company, of which he is the president?

Email me at stylesheet(@)hgtv(.)ca, with Mark Cullen in the subject line.  (Please see Contest Rules.)

Related:  All About Gardening

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Comments:

Is there an effective natural alternative to getting rid of white grubs. I know of Merite (chemical). I also know of microscopic worms (name excapes me) that i heard is all natural but must be applied a couple of times during the season (not as effective).

Theres a rumour going around that a solution of water and dish washing soap (sunlight or any lemon scented one) that you apply using a garden sprayer. This sounds great but i don't know if it works nor do i know what concentration should be used. Will it harm the lawn/soil in the short or long term?

Of course any applications would work better if the neighbors got involved as well, unfortunately some people don't mind a lawn that is being eaten or refuse to spend any money.

I'm keeping the grass long 3" and i try to reseed when i can. My lawn is in good shape and i would like to keep it that way.

Thanks

April 10, 2009 6:58 PM

 

soap does not kill the grubs but what it does is "season" the grubs unfavourably so that the racoons/skunks etc will not dig the lawn to eat them. It seems wildlife does not like soap on their grubs. I have done this and it appears to work. Just sprinkle soap powder on your lawn.

April 11, 2009 7:33 AM

 
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