Advice From The Ritchie Team Experts

Ontario has plenty of birds that don’t migrate, they stick it out through snow, wind, and deep cold. In mid-to-late winter, natural food can get scarce, so the right seed choice can make your feeder feel like the hottest reservation in the neighbourhood.

Here are 10 common year-round Ontario birds and what to feed to attract them.

If you’ve ever stood in front of the horse feed wall thinking, “Okay… but what’s the actual difference between these?”, you’re not alone.

Buckeye makes feeds that are designed to solve specific problems: weight gain, growth, performance energy, easy keepers, seniors, or “my horse needs vitamins but not more calories.” Once you know what each line is meant to do, choosing becomes a lot simpler.

Below is a clear breakdown of the Buckeye feeds you listed (plus who they’re best for, why people choose them, and how they fit into a real feeding program).

Choosing a pot isn’t just about looks, it’s one of the easiest ways to set your plant up for success.

The right size helps roots grow properly, drainage prevents the most common watering mistakes, and the material can make care simpler (especially indoors). If you’ve ever had a plant “randomly” decline after repotting, the pot choice is often the hidden reason.

Use this quick guide to pick the best pot for what you’re planting, where it’ll live, and how you like to care for it.

Longer-lasting, easier to care for, and still full of meaning, these tropical plants make the sweetest “living bouquet.”

If you want something romantic, thoughtful, and practical (aka: a gift that actually lasts), here are five beautiful options.

Winter in Ontario is beautiful… but it’s not easy for wildlife.

By February, natural food sources can get scarce. Seeds are buried, berries are picked clean, and insects are tucked away. That’s when a backyard feeder can make a real difference, helping birds conserve energy and stay fueled through the coldest stretch of the year.

Your zone determines how soon you can start seeds indoors. The cooler your zone, the more important it is to give slow growers a head start, especially peppers, onions, leeks, and perennials.

Here’s what to sow now:

Pocket trays come in all kinds of sizes, from 10 cells, 32, 48, 72, even 128, but what does that actually mean?

Groundhog Day lands every year on February 2, right in that strange stretch of winter where everyone starts asking the same question: Is spring anywhere close?

Hydroponics is one of the easiest ways to grow fresh food indoors, especially in Canada, where winter can feel long and outdoor gardens are on pause. It’s clean, efficient, and once you understand the basics, it becomes a simple routine...

Your zone affects how early you can start certain seeds indoors. The colder the zone, the more valuable it is to start slow growers early, especially peppers and perennials. You don’t need a huge setup to start. A tray, seed-starting...

Not all composts and fertilizers are the same, and buying the “wrong” bag isn’t a disaster, but it can be disappointing.

Some products build soil structure, some feed plants, and some do a bit of both. The best choice depends on what you’re working on (garden beds, lawn, containers, raised beds) and what you want to fix (poor soil, low nutrients, weak growth).

Here’s a quick, practical guide to help you choose.

Did you know at Ritchie’s we still read books to keep up with expert advice on gardening, hobby farming, wild birds, and backyard living? Trends come and go, but a solid book is the kind of resource you’ll reach for year after year, especially when you’re trying to figure out what works in real life here in Ontario.

Raising a few backyard chickens can be one of the most rewarding “small farm” projects you’ll ever try. Fresh eggs, less food waste, natural pest control, and a little daily joy? It’s a vibe.

Let’s break down the basics, so you can start confidently.

We just added Revita-Moss to our moss collection, and if you love the look of lush, fresh moss but don’t love the upkeep, this one is for you.

Revita-Moss has one seriously satisfying perk: you can revive it with water. A quick mist or soak helps it plump back up and look vibrant again, giving you that “fresh forest” feel in your home décor, planters, and displays, without the fuss.

Peppers are slow growers, which is why starting them indoors is the key to bigger plants and earlier harvests, especially in Zones 4–6. If you want peppers that actually have time to flower, fruit, and ripen before fall, this is the way.

If you love the idea of growing your own food, but you’re short on space, short on sunlight, or just tired of messy soil, hydroponics might be your new favourite gardening technique.

If you garden in Zones 4–6, pepper season starts now, yes, even while there’s still snow outside.

Peppers are slow growers. The earlier you start them indoors, the stronger your plants will be when summer finally shows up. If you’ve ever had peppers that stayed tiny, flowered late, or didn’t ripen before fall… timing (and warmth) is usually the reason.

When the garden is sleeping, you can still grow something fresh, right on your counter.

Microgreens are young seedlings harvested just after their first leaves open. They’re quick, beginner-friendly, and a simple way to add real greens to winter meals.

Ritchie’s is turning 100 years old in 2027, and we want to celebrate this milestone with the people who helped build it: you.

To mark a century of growth, community, and gardening memories, we’re creating a Ritchie’s 100-Year Memory Wall, and we’re inviting customers to contribute a piece of Ritchie’s history.

How do you prefer to grow your seeds?

Whether you love the convenience of peat pots, the efficiency of pocket inserts, or the classic reliability of nursery pots, the right growing container can make seed starting easier, and your seedlings stronger.

At Ritchie’s, we carry all your favourite seed-starting tools in a variety of sizes to support every stage of your seedlings’ growth journey.

Have you ever picked up a bag of fertilizer and thought… okay, but what do these numbers actually mean? 👀

You’re not alone. Once you understand the NPK ratio, you’ll know exactly what you’re feeding your plants, and why.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to “speak fertilizer,” so you can shop with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and grow healthier plants all season long.