Hi! My name is Erin and I’m based in Ontario, Canada (growing in USDA zone 5b). I’m a passionate gardener and I’ve recently turned my hobby into a career. Along with writing for Planter, during the growing season I work at a small-scale organic market garden.
I have a Horticulture Certificate with a focus on Greenhouse Production from the University of Guelph. I’m also a Master Gardener in Training and I volunteer on the Board of Directors for our local horticultural society.
When I’m not writing for Planter or tending the garden, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and our four kitties! đđđđ
Choose the Right Compost for Your Garden
Most gardeners know that itâs a good idea to add compost to the garden. Compost helps improve soil structure, feeds beneficial organisms in the soil, and provides a slow-release source of nutrients. The tricky part about âcompostâ is itâs a catch-all term for many types of decomposed organic materials. Compost isnât just a homemade compost pile with kitchen scraps and yard waste, thereâs also manure compost, municipal compost, worm compost, and more....
When Can I Start Seeds Indoors?
Many of us gardeners start getting the urge to get something growing as the gardening season draws nearer. We start to wonder to ourselves âWhen should I start my seeds indoors?ââŠall the while knowing the answer is more than likely not yet. While itâs a common gardening question, there isnât a one-size-fits-all answer for when you should start seeds indoors. There are several factors to consider when deciding the seed starting dates that will work best for you....
Plan Your Curry Garden
While there are many factors to consider when planning a garden, itâs important to plan based on the types of dishes you and your family enjoy preparing. If you and your family enjoy cooking food with a global flair, you might want to consider planning a âcurry gardenâ.
âCurryâ is actually a loose, catch-all term that doesnât properly refer to any specific dish. In its originating culture, each dish would have its own unique name....
Know Where You Grow: Hardiness Zones and Frost Dates (Update)
In November 2023, the USDA released updated plant hardiness zones. The new map shows that many areas have become warmer in the past decade, with some areas moving up one or two zones. The hardiness map for Illinois. Left side: 2012. Right side: 2023. When starting a garden, understanding the growing climate in your area is an important first step. There are two key pieces of information to know about your local growing climate: your hardiness zone and frost dates....
What to Do with Your Herb Garden Before Winter
The peppers are done. The tomatoes, long-gone. But your herb garden is still chugging along into the depths of fall. The first night that a hard frost rolls in you might find yourself half-frantically wondering âwhat should I do with my herbs?â Because herb plants are diverse, thereâs different techniques you can use either to save the plants or to salvage a final harvest!
Harvest your herbs Your first instinct might be to just hack down every little bit of greenery thatâs left on your herb plants....
Plant Garlic Now(ish) for Next Year!
Garlic is a crop that can be a bit tricky if youâve never grown it before. Itâs not too hard to grow, but itâs easy to miss the optimal planting window. In general, if youâre growing in a cold climate youâll want to get your garlic in the ground in fall for a harvest the following season. The exact timing to plant garlic can vary and youâll want to keep an eye on the weather forecast- both for the best growth and so you donât have to plant in miserable weather!...
Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For (in Fall!)
In some ways growing a fall garden can be easier than a summer garden. Extremes of heat, and drought often give way to more moderate conditions (that is, until frosty weather hits!) While some pests and diseases are less problematic in fall, there are some that can become more active. With time in the growing season running short, you might not have time to replant plants that succumb to pests and diseases....
Seed Saving 101
Have you ever wondered if itâs possible to save seeds from your plants, instead of buying new seeds every year? With a bit of knowledge you can absolutely save seeds to grow next year! While seed saving can be a complex topic, donât let that deter you from attempting to save seeds to use in your own garden. Read on to learn the basics of seed saving, so you can get started with saving your own seeds!...
What Can I Plant in Early Fall?
As back-to-school approaches it can feel like planting the garden was all but a distant memory. But with the cooler temps comes a whole new potential garden season! While some plants like broccoli and cabbage commonly need to be started in the summer to be ready in time for a fall harvest, there are still plenty of plants you can start growing in early fall! Of course what you can plant in early fall depends on your location, so as a first step be sure to check the Growing Calendar in Planter to see which plants can be grown now in your local area....
Help Your Garden Survive a Heat Wave
While some areas (like my own) have been experiencing an unusually cool, wet growing season this year, many gardeners are in the midst of heatwaves and drought. Heat waves can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with as a gardener. You can be doing everything right- ensuring your plants are off to a good start, keeping them pruned, trellised, and weeded, but once extreme heat hits gardening can become a battle for survival....