Helen Chesnut

5 days ago | timescolonist.com | Helen Chesnut

Best-laid plans indeed. Over a week without deadlines, meant to deliver time to decompress, rest, and attend to the garden, turned into a mountain of messes needing urgent fixing. A birthday and a meal out with old friends managed to wind up the “holiday” on a jolly note. Cards bore messages like “Nothing beets your birthday” and “Happy birthday to a hardy perennial.”Happenings in the garden have been spirit-lifting as well.

1 week ago | timescolonist.com | Helen Chesnut

Dear Helen: I began last year attempting to grow plants in containers and I still need advice on a number of issues. When is a good time to sow outside in containers? I live near a low mountain with a bit of snow on it. How cold is too cold? How do I prepare the soil for planting in containers still holding last year’s planting mix? What vegetables are easiest for novice gardeners? D.B. When choosing what to grow, make a list of vegetables you most like to eat.

1 week ago | theprovince.com | Helen Chesnut

Plus: Methods for overwintering cauliflower  •   •  You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article contentQ.

2 weeks ago | theprovince.com | Helen Chesnut

Available in a variety of showy colours and combinationsPublished Apr 08, 2025  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  2 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Sempervivums, also known as hen and chicks, display year-round rosettes of spiky, succulent foliage. Photo by Deborah MaierReviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected.

3 weeks ago | timescolonist.com | Helen Chesnut

Dear Helen: I am helping a friend plan a deck garden this year and I appreciated your thoughts on container gardening in a recent column. Do you have any favourite catalogue or company that you particularly like for container vegetables? E.C. West Coast Seeds marks vegetable, flower and herb listings with the symbol of a plant in a pot to indicate varieties that are suitable for growing in containers. William Dam Seeds and many other companies do the same.