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 ...
What's with all the insect activity!? Have you seen an upswing in insects in the garden of late? Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into an increased presence of pollinators on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Grasshoppers and bees kick the show off. Do grasshoppers pollinate anything? You'll be surprised to know. Ants and Trilliums - there is a relationship there. Wasps and timber steps = stings for Matt. Jack tells the same 13 stories over and over....
More WOOD! You WOULDN’T want to miss this. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland continue their Woodland Garden series on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. Picking up where last week’s episode left off, the trio dive into the plant material specifics that would look appropriate in a Woodland Design. Matt describes some curious behaviour on plants that he's currently observing on-sites. Jack outlines the two plants that tell you if there is enough water being applied to yo...
Sometimes you just gotta go for a walk in the woods. The McFarland's put their face in the mulch on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Jack, Lynne and Matt dive into part 1 of a two part series highlighting how to design and build a "woodland garden." What makes a woodland garden a woodland garden? Jack spins a yarn about a large woodland area that he created, for a client, in the 80's. Jack and Matt guide the listenership through an estimation exercise. Is ...
Geometric plants and small trees! This week's episode of The Growing Season changes what you've got into something even greater. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into lollipops, standards and pom-poms. WHAT!? The trio explain. What is the difference between a standard and a lollipop? Can they be both? What is a pom-pom that is not on a poodle or a cheerleader? Matt details his cat's adventures in the recent heat wave. How is kitty keeping cool amo...
WHEN WILL IT RAIN!? The Greater Toronto Area hasn't seen significant rainfall in over a month and the plants are starting to show the effects of drought. Your grass is the colour of Shredded Wheat and the heat is making it a struggle to keep your plants happy. What to do? Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland focus on water wise plants on this week's episode of The Growing Season. Lynne has changed how she's watering her flower beds. She describes how and the results thus far...
Look up! Its not just in the theatres these days, its on your arbours, trellises and fence lines. Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland look up on this week's episode of The Growing Season. All things that grow up and down are discussed on the most recent episode of TGS. Lynne is "3 foot 12 inches..." She's taller than that but it sets the tone for the show. Many clients don't know where to begin when it comes to choosing climbers. The McFarlands make a list of the most...
It’s all about Daisies and we and we ain’t talking bout pushing them up! Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland park this week’s episode of The Growing Season in a patch of Shasta’s. Matt talks about Daisy Dukes. Jack responds with “Ox Eyes.” Road Daisies and trains converge. 10% of the plants on earth are Daisies. Echinacea and Black Eyed Susie are members of the Daisy family. Who knew? The “Fibonacci Sequence” and phototropism are discussed. Poisonous Daisy family memb...
Its been dry and hot so how does that effect your lawn? Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland cut this week's episode of The Growing Season into your front lawn with a little grass talk. How do you protect your lawn against drought and heat? Matt discusses the ins and outs of irrigation systems. How much does it cost to install the system and what does it cost, on a monthly basis, to run one of these systems? A discussion on proper watering occurs. THE FIRE HOSE NOZZLE...
All stars in July aren’t only reserved for baseball! This week on The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the horticultural all stars of July. Nothing blooms in July says the client. LIES. Matt tells a swimming story. HERstory returns to The Growing Seasom airwaves. Lynne discusses how the month of July got its name. What are the “Dog Days” of summer? TONS OF THINGS ARE BLOOMING RIGHT NOW. Portulaca, phlox, echinacea, delphinium and many more...