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John Degroot

John Degroot

Sarnia Observer

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GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tips I’ve learned from my neighbour

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tips I’ve learned from my neighbour

I’ve learned a thing or two from my neighbour (we’ll call her Lucy), all basic, sensible tips I already should have known.

27.06.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tips I’ve learned from my neighbour

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Tips I’ve learned from my neighbour

My neighbour has been gardening all her life.

25.06.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Gingko tree as unique as it is old

20.06.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Gingko tree as unique as it is old

20.06.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Best rabbit defence is a physical barrier

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Best rabbit defence is a physical barrier
14.06.2025 8

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Best rabbit defence is a physical barrier

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Best rabbit defence is a physical barrier

Cute as a bunny. Furry little creatures that hop away when you get near enough. They are not hostile, do not eat other animals and are not a...

13.06.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Finding a boxwood alternative

06.06.2025 7

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Finding a boxwood alternative

The boxwood battle has begun.

05.06.2025 20

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Gazania’s vibrant blooms attract butterflies

Someday, someday, we will put away our sweaters and jackets and put on our shorts and flip-flops.

30.05.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Gazania’s vibrant blooms attract butterflies

27.05.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Many fern varieties to appreciate

23.05.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Many fern varieties to appreciate

23.05.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Perennials to plant in the shade

Hostas always will be king of the shade garden.

17.05.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Perennials to plant in the shade

16.05.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Drowning out Creeping Charlie

09.05.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Drowning out Creeping Charlie

A year ago, when it was still acceptable behavior to travel to the U.S., I attended a conference at Grand Rapids, Mich.

06.05.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Cedars offer backyard privacy, bird landing spots

02.05.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Cedars offer backyard privacy, bird landing spots

About 40 or 50 years ago a previous homeowner planted a row of cedars along the east side of our yard.

02.05.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Juneberry a go-to tree to attract birds

25.04.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Serviceberry a go-to tree to attract birds

My go-to plant for backyard gardeners wishing to attract birds is juneberry.

25.04.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Pansies an instant pick-me-up

It’s probably because the winter was colder and whiter than usual.

17.04.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Pansies an instant pick-me-up

15.04.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Why people love hydrangeas

11.04.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Why people continue to love hydrangeas

When will our love affair with hydrangeas ever diminish? Not anytime soon.

11.04.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Box tree moth could impact gardens shrubs

04.04.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Box tree moth could impact garden hedges

03.04.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Early spring shrubs starting to bloom

In this part of the world, we know forsythias are the harbinger of spring.

29.03.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Early spring shrubs starting to bloom

In this part of the world, we know forsythias to be the harbinger of spring.

28.03.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Getting summer cuttings to take root easy if done right

21.03.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Getting summer cuttings to take root

21.03.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Even the prettiest plant can become a nuisance

Those innocent plant stick-tags that are found on every potted annual or perennial contain a lot of helpful information.

14.03.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Some odd vegetables to grow in your garden

Tomatoes are the No. 1 planted fruit in the backyard vegetable garden, followed by peppers.

07.03.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Some odd vegetables to grow in your garden

Tomatoes are the No. 1 planted fruit in the backyard vegetable garden, followed by peppers.

06.03.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Get ready to plant tomato seeds this spring

01.03.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Get ready to plant tomato seeds this spring

Too early to plant tomato seeds, but not too early to buy them.

28.02.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What you need to grow lettuce indoors

22.02.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Almost everybody likes lavender

14.02.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Everybody likes lavender

14.02.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What’s hot and what’s not

07.02.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What’s hot and what’s not

Aglaonemas are in. Fiddle leaf figs are out. Sansevierias are in. Birds of paradise are out. Palms are in. Succulents are out.

07.02.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dispatches from the tropical plant expo in Florida

The three-day affair brings together growers, buyers, greenhouse builders, fertilizer companies, pot sellers and all things and people related to the...

31.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Dispatches from the tropical plant expo in Florida

30.01.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mealybugs the bane of tropical plants

Indoor gardeners eventually will discover mealybugs, the bane of tropical plants.

24.01.2025 8

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Mealybugs the bane of tropical plants

Indoor gardeners will eventually discover mealybugs, the bane of tropical plants.

23.01.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Neighbourhood trees bring birds to your home

Little do our neighbours know that we really appreciate them for their trees.

18.01.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Coming soon to a 400 series highway interchange near you

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has completed a major brush clean up at Sarnia’s Modeland Road and Indian Road Highway 402 interchanges.

09.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Choosing a school for a career in the ‘green industry’

Thinking of going back to school and wondering if the green industry is right for you? Thinking of going back to school and wondering if the green...

03.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: What to do with your used Christmas tree

It was Boxing Day a year ago when I tossed the Christmas tree into the backyard. It was Boxing Day a year ago when I tossed the Christmas tree into...

27.12.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Some spruces and pines good for wind control

Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, 2010, Lambton County was slammed with one of the largest snowstorms on record.   Over 250 motorists couldn’t make their way...

19.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Raised bed gardening can maximize production

Internet search engines know I am a gardener and I am older than 60. Internet search engines know I am a gardener and I am older than 60. Pop-up...

12.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot