The Gardener on Lifestyles 55 Radio

Dorothy and Shea Doherty of Our Farm Greenhouses in Portage la Prairie discuss how to keep your favourite houseplants alive and healthy.

Jan Pedersen’s personal garden is kaleidoscope of colour, shape, texture and form all created by his skill in landscaping with trees and shrubs. Jan, who was once the co-owner of Shelmerdine Garden Centre, the largest garden centre in Manitoba, also spent 10 years working for one of the foremost growers of hardy shrubs and trees in Canada, Bylands Nurseries out of Kelowna. Jan is a knowledgeable guy. Also you can listen to the The Gardener with Dorothy Dobbie every Sunday morning at 9AM (Central) online at www.lifestyles55radio.ca

You know spring is most here when Preferred Perch store owner, Sherrie Versluis comes on the air to talk about our backyard feathered friends. Also enjoy listening the The Gardener with Dorothy Dobbie every Sunday morning at 9AM (Central) on www.lifestyles55radio.ca

We visit the International Peace Garden with CEO, Tim Chapman. The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, just about 20 minutes south of Boissevain, Manitoba. It was the dream of Dr. Henry Moore of Islington, Ontario who belonged to an international horticulture association. Dr. Moor realised the idea and a meeting in New York in 1928 and the following year, at a meeting in Toronto, the deal was done.

Kevin Twomey, the former owner of T & T Seeds, returns to talk with Dorothy Dobbie about preparing for the upcoming gardening season.

We spend time with Senior Director of Horticulture, Gerald Dieleman, as he tells us about The Leaf an exciting and new addition to Assiniboine Park.

Enjoy these rockin' Christmas songs from John Einarson

We spend an hour with former Shelmerdine owner, Jan Pedersen, who is a wonderful garden designer with shrubs. He tells us how to refresh out favourite shrubs after they have completed their first flush in the spring, whether this means flowering or spring foliage colour. Click here to read more.

Our old friend Kevin Twomey comes to chat with us about what has been going on in the growing world this summer. On one hand it has been hot and humid most of the summer after a heavy rainfall this spring, and that was good for some plants – many trees for instance. But some plants did quite the opposite. Click here to read more.

Some people are born into their calling and tree man – Tree Dog -- Dave Lutes is one of those. From the first moment he took a job planting trees, he understood this was the life for him. He was captivated and has never looked back despite some serious falls and many broken bones and other parts. “I learned from every experience,” he says proudly, adding that he learns from others but enjoys imparting what he knows. To read more, click here.

The Schriemer name has been synonymous with gardening for 50 years and now a third generation of Schriemer’s has dedicated his life to plants. Harry Schriemer’s son, Matt, the 6-foot, 7-inch former wonder on the volleyball court, bought Patterson’s Greenhouse on Roblin Blvd. in Winnipeg about four years ago and he has carried on Marge Patterson’s tradition of excellence. To read more click here.

How deep should a raised garden be? Should your garden have a floor or not? How do you keep a raised garden hydrated and how often should you water? How can you tell if the garden needs water? What can you grow in a raised garden and more importantly, what should you NOT grow in a raised garden? What kind of soil should you use and where should you locate the garden? How much can you grow, how far apart should you plant things, can you grow potatoes, when is the best time to plant

You know spring is most here when Preferred Perch store owner, Sherrie Versluis comes on the air to talk about our feathered friends. We have been hearing and seeing flocks of geese honking overhead and Sherrie says the puffy little dark-eyed juncos are back. Click here to read more.

Even though it is the middle of March and the earth in middle Canada is covered with four feet of snow, spring is in the air. It is hard to believe, says Kevin, that last year, at this time, it was plus 12 C and there was no snow! For more info, click here.

Are you a gardener with a passion for plants but wish you knew more about his whole fascinating world? Maybe you should consider becoming a Master Gardener. Marilyn Dudek, one of Manitoba’s first master gardeners tells us she reached her dream and helped other Manitobans with a like passion, discover how they could do the same. For more info, click here.

Tim Chapman is the CEO of the International Peace Garden, a beautiful place on the border of Manitoba and North Dakota where you can move seamlessly from one country to another without interference. To read more, click here.

John Barrett, vice president of Veseys Seeds met Dorothy way back in Winnipeg before he moved to Prince Edward Island and became a garden man. For more info, click here.

Dorothy Talks to Mr. Tomato, Brian, about his leadership in the garden product world. He tells how his gardening interests started back when he was only 11 years old, and his mother would have him mow the grass with an old rotary lawn mower. He was captivated by the smell of fresh grass, and he remembers distinctly the feeling it gave him. Click here to read more.

Kevin and Dorothy spend a soothing hour or so talking about the wonderful things in the world that make life worthwhile. Listen while you go for a walk in the forest or spend a quiet afternoon dreaming of spring. Click here to click more.