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The lighter side of landscaping. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland, chat about horticulture served with a hearty helping of humour. With over 70 years of design and installation experience the McFarland boys dig into topics in a way you've rarely heard. Packed full of guests that represent various corners of the industry, The Growing Season is smile worthy.The Growing Season: No politics or pulpits, just plants and muddy workboots.
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The GTA set records for snowfall! In light of the recent butt-whooping the Greater Toronto Area took in the recent, record setting, snowfall, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland decided to use their Snowmageddon bullet on this week's episode of The Growing Season. In an annual fashion, the trio highlight the events of the storm and take the opportunity to dive into all things white and fluffy. 1999's version of a snowstorm kicks the show off. Matt correlates where he was then wit...
So we're in thick of it. Right in the fluffy middle. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get real STRANGE on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Winter, in all its glory, becomes the latest focus of Strange But True. Penguins kick off the show. Their breeding habits and marital preferences. Their ability to withstand absolutely frigid temperatures and a freakish talent to hold their breath. A group of penguins is called a "Waddle." Cool, eh? ...
Its the time of the year when a simple walk to the bus stop can be TREACHEROUS! Many of us are salting our exterior surfaces to reduce the chance of slipping. This week on The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss salt and horticulture on part 1 of a two part series. What are the effects on salt on the human body? Salt and the ambient amount of salt in food is discussed. Canned soup comes into focus. Why is salt used in food? What about beverages? ...
You think it's wintry in the GTA? Lets look and see what's happening in The Northwest Territories. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland continue the new year with a deep dive into Horticulture in the Northwest Territories on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Matt highlights a wonderful development in his career. Its been years in the making. A travelogue starts the proceedings. Why is Yellowknife called Yellowknife? HINT: It has to do with ...
What if!? That's how we start off in 2026. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get hypothetical. The Growing Season kicks off the new year with your lawn in mind. Your lawn, as in the thing buried under the snow. Its gone! What if our grasslands just disappeared? How would that effect our ecology? Why this topic? Why now? What is the opposite of grasslands? You'd be surprised to learn. The differences between the water consumption of grasslands and forest...
Take your fern to a film on New Years! The Growing Season celebrates New Years in style by celebrating the intersection of film and horticulture. Jack, Lynne and Matt discuss some of the ways blockbuster movies and TV shows have highlighted wonderful biomes. New Years resolutions kick the show off. Stranger Things' final episodes feature prominently. Media and music personalities that have left us this year are discussed. What does a location scout do for ...
Santa Claus is coming to town! In the penultimate episode of The Growing Season for 2025, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the some of your horticultural holiday favourites. Could you start a holiday themed decking company? Famous Christmas music and moves kick the show off. Bing Crosby becomes a topic of discussion. "All I want for Christmas," Mariah Carey's ubiquitous holiday hit has sold some copies. LIKE A LOT OF COPIES. Christmas Vacation, It's A Wonderful L...
You knew it was coming! Evergreens and Christmas Trees draw the spotlight on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight THE focal point of the Christmas Season for those of us that lean into horticultural interests. What came first - evergreens or deciduous plants? You'll be surprised to know. Do real Christmas trees provide significant income to those selling them at this time of year? The pros and cons of real and ...
Santa Claus is coming to town! That's right, here we go. Christmas 2025 on The Growing Season. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland are pleased to add a new entry to their annual holiday fare. "Planted For Christmas" features 54 minutes of what you can plant in your horticultural space to harvest for Christmas decorations. Christmas light foibles kick the show off. Matt discusses how to plan ahead for your holiday decorating during the design phase of your landscape. Condui...
Brrrrr. That's cold! Its upon us. The rain has turned white and remains on the ground. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss how humans navigate winter on this episode of The Growing Season. Matt discusses his love of The Weather Network and snow days. Lynne delivers the bad news about this winter's forecast. Brine, road salt and the methods used to de-ice roads are highlighted. "Beet-brine" is the last tech on the scene. You read that ...
Humans aren't the only ones that have to adapt to a colder climate during the winter months. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland track the migration patterns of Canada geese. Why do they fly south for the winter. "Whiffing" is a landing maneuver used by geese. What is it used for? Matt talks about his love of the film "Predator: Badlands." Go and see it. Down jackets worn by birds in the winter is a real thing. Birds have remarkable winter adaptations.&nbs...
More snoozy for your flower beds! BedTime continues on The Growing Season and The McFarlands jump in with aplomb. Can you plant trees at this time of the year? Jack McFarland explains why this is a GREAT time to plant large deciduous organisms. Matt tells a red maple story that he is about to plant for a longtime client. Speaking of trees, Matt explains the measures he takes when planting large trees at this time of year. There are some slight differences ...
Is it sleepy-time yet? Almost. The McFarlands guide The Growing Season into the final stretch of the horticultural season on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Poppies kick off the show and Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss poppy bloom time and why they don't use many poppies on designs. Hint: think peonies. Why did poppies grow vigorously in Flanders Fields? You'll be surprised to know. An extended version of "Imagine If You Will" takes ...
Challenge accepted!!! With the horticultural season wrapping up, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the challenges they faced this year on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. Winter 2025 kicks off the show’s content. How did it feed into this summer’s water table? A rainy May and then blistering heat for the remainder of the summer. Do you remember how HOT it was? There were 18 days of temps above 30 celsius BEFORE the humid in summer 2025. What is the “litt...
Is that your Mum? Its that time of year, ladies and gents. The Growing Season highlights the wonders of fall on this week's episode. Fall Mums, bulbs and much more are the fare that The McFarlands dine out on this week. Halloween kicks off the show. Matt talks a little about his kids and their halloween adventures. On the horticultural side, is it time to remove your annuals? The trio discuss. Ragweed is still raging and pollinating. How is that poss...
But wait! There's more! Break out your Combine Harvesters and enjoy this week's episode of The Growing Season. Harvest continues to feature front and centre. The McFarland's update you, the listener, on Jack's health. Matt McFarland discusses how the combine harvester featured prominently into his son's formative years. The trio play "The Agricultural Trivia Show" to great results. What is to leave the field "fallow?" Why would someone want to partici...
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get Agricultural on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Turkey's, Thanksgiving, loosening the belts and much more start the show off in style. Pumpkin spice and pies are holiday favourites that Matt tees off on. Matt gets ranty with Jack about cranberries. Do cranberries grow in water? Why are they harvested this way? Jack thinks he may need cranberries. The three sisters!!! What the ...
These are the ones to watch! The McFarlands celebrate their 6 year anniversary discussing the all-stars of the autumnal season on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Canada geese kick off the show. Lynne discusses what she learned over the last year. Jack and Matt chime in. Potentillas, sprinklers and irrigation also feature. Silver linings and record breaking heat during the summer months are also correlated. Jack rants about fall colour change.&nb...
Good things come in small packages. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland chat all things small on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Take the full-sized version of a large plant and miniaturize it and that's what we're talking about. The differences between full-sized, semi-dwarf and dwarf kick off the show. Espaliers are the first out of the gate. Squirrels and apple trees are a highlight. Baseball and apples. What!? Blueberries have been tough for The Growin...
"I'd love it to stay contained and grow slow..." These are the sentiments uttered by many a client that have crossed the McFarland's path. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into plants that are just what a client ordered on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Algae kicks the show off and you'll find out why. Juniper tags in quick and The McFarland's give these lovely evergreens their due. Pfitzers, Icee Blue, Blue Rug, Blue Chip and many more junipers are discussed. What ...
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