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John Degroot

John Degroot

Sarnia Observer

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GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Drowning out Creeping Charlie

09.05.2025 3

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

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

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

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 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Why people love hydrangeas

11.04.2025 3

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 1

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 2

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 4

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

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Raised bed gardening can maximize production

The internet must know that I am a gardener and must also know that I am over 60.   Pop-up ads, Facebook notifications and email interruptions...

11.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Benefits of winter outweigh its troubles

If it were not for the weather, and perhaps politics, our chatter would be cut in half or more. My friend Julius from Gulu Town, Uganda was in...

06.12.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Benefits of winter outweigh its troubles

My friend Julius from Gulu Town, Uganda was in Toronto last week, visiting his daughter and son.   The six-hour drive against Toronto traffic was...

06.12.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Pilot program a step to add more trees to Sarnia properties

While not as entertaining as a Netflix movie, I have got into the habit of watching Sarnia council meetings While not as entertaining as a Netflix...

29.11.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Pilot program a step to add more trees to Sarnia properties

While not as entertaining as a Netflix movie, I have grown into the habit of watching Sarnia city council meetings, a task made easier now that...

28.11.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Is Canada’s two-billion-tree goal achievable?

Four years ago, in an effort to fight climate change, the federal government committed to planting two billion trees by 2030. Two billion trees in...

22.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Ontario-grown garlic is a better deal

Ontario grown garlic will cost around $1.50 a bulb. But dollar for dollar, local garlic is a better deal, with a superior taste. We’ve probably all...

15.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Ontario-grown garlic is a better deal

We’ve probably all done it. Bought the cute sleeve of three garlic bulbs from the grocery store. The price was right, sometimes as low as 99 cents...

15.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: Norway maple's drawbacks outweigh its positives

Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer platanoides) were horticulture’s answer to everything. Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer...

08.11.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: In defense of Norway maple

Forty and 50 years ago, Norway maples (Acer platanoides) were horticulture’s answer to everything.   They were the miracle tree, the standard that...

07.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: In praise of Mandaumin Woods

Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve. Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin...

01.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: In praise of Mandaumin Woods

Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk the loop at Mandaumin Woods Nature Reserve.     It is with hesitation that I recommend visiting Mandaumin...

01.11.2024 3

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

GARDEN CLIPPINGS: A conifer’s needle drop

When is an evergreen not an evergreen? When is an evergreen not an evergreen? Truth be told, evergreens are not forever green, which is why they...

25.10.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot

RHODES: Smith’s Tire was the place to buy a Graham-Paige car

Many people have a favourite style and year of automobile.   Mine is pinpointed and concise – any coupe from the 1930s!   The art deco styling,...

25.10.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Degroot