Advice From The Ritchie Team Experts

Water is one of the most important ingredients for a healthy garden, but knowing when, how, and how much to water can make all the difference. Proper watering encourages strong roots, healthier plants, and more productive harvests throughout the growing season.

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow, but without proper support, heavy stems and fruit can quickly end up on the ground. Supporting your tomato plants helps keep them healthy, improves airflow, reduces disease, and makes harvesting much easier.

Many gardeners think the planting season ends once summer arrives, but that's far from the truth. In fact, July is the perfect time to sow another round of vegetables through a technique called succession planting.

By planting new seeds throughout the growing season, you can enjoy fresh harvests well into late summer and fall while making the most of every inch of your garden.

When plants struggle, many gardeners immediately blame the weather, watering schedule, or lack of fertilizer. But often, the real issue lies beneath the surface.

Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful garden. It provides plants with water, nutrients, oxygen, and a home for billions of beneficial organisms that work around the clock to support growth.

Without healthy soil, even the best plants can struggle to thrive.

Every packet of seeds, every bag of soil, and every locally made garden product tells a story.

Behind those products are growers, farmers, seed savers, manufacturers, educators, and small business owners who understand the unique challenges of gardening in Canada. From our short growing seasons to our unpredictable weather, Canadian gardeners face conditions that are very different from those in many other parts of the world.

Choosing local means investing in people who are growing, creating, and innovating with those challenges in mind.

Most gardeners know worms are good for the garden, but not all worms are the same.

Different species play different roles, and some help you turn food into waste and some cause problems for local ecosystems.

Not all insects in the garden are pollinators, but many play an important role in a healthy ecosystem. Host plants provide food and shelter for caterpillars and beneficial insect larvae, helping support the next generation of butterflies, moths, and other helpful insects.

A healthy garden doesn't just rely on sunshine, it relies on water too. Rain barrels, rain gauges, and rain gardens are simple ways to conserve water, support pollinators, and help manage stormwater around your home.

Pollinator Week is the perfect opportunity to introduce children to gardening while teaching them about bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and the important role they play in our environment.

Have you ever planted something that should have thrived, only to watch it struggle?

Before blaming the weather, fertilizer, or your gardening skills, take a look at your soil.

The answer may be hidden underground.

Bird baths and bird houses do more than add charm to your backyard, they help support local wildlife throughout the year.

As temperatures rise during the summer, birds need access to clean water and safe shelter. By providing a bird bath or bird house, you can help create a welcoming habitat while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature right outside your door.

Have you ever driven past a golf course and wondered how they get those perfectly striped, carpet-like lawns?

The secret often comes down to the mower.

As temperatures rise, it's important to make sure your chickens stay comfortable, hydrated, and healthy throughout the summer months. Whether you're welcoming a new batch of chicks or preparing your established flock for warmer weather, having the right supplies on hand can make all the difference.

Creating a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn is easier than ever with Alliance Gator X-Turf. Whether you're upgrading your backyard, creating a pet-friendly space, or adding greenery to a commercial property, proper installation is the key to long-lasting results.

If you’ve ever bought a “cute outdoor planter” and watched it crack, fade, or warp after one harsh Canadian season… you’re not alone. That exact frustration is what made Veradek such a favourite for modern outdoor spaces.

Veradek planters are designed to elevate flowers, grasses, herbs, and small shrubs, with clean lines, strong materials, and true outdoor performance.

A simple DIY tunnel for cucumbers, beans, squash + climbing flowers

Dreaming of climbing cucumbers, beans, squash, or flowers growing overhead? A garden arch (or “garden tunnel”) is one of the easiest upgrades you can build, and it makes your garden look magical while improving plant health.

Planting native isn’t just a trend, it’s one of the easiest ways to build a garden that works with nature.

Planting with purpose
Every native seed planted is a small step toward stronger pollinator populations and healthier Canadian landscapes.

A good lawn isn’t just about looking perfect. It’s about creating a space that works for your family, your pets, your weekends, and the nature around you.

This is one of the best times to seed your lawn, but here’s the secret most people don’t hear often enough. 

Some plants are a little extra… and we still adore them for it. These are the garden favourites that ask for a bit more attention, like better soil, more consistent watering, proper pruning, or winter prep, but they pay you back with massive blooms, fragrance, harvests, and serious curb appeal.

Here are five “high-maintenance, high-reward” outdoor plants (Zones 4–6 friendly) and exactly why they’re worth it.

Some flowers do more than look pretty, they can actually help discourage unwanted pests and support a healthier garden ecosystem. The trick is knowing how they help.

Here are a few garden favourites that do all of the above, and how to use them effectively.

There are so many soils to choose from… but which one do you actually need?

Whether you’ve been gardening for years or you’re just getting started, the right soil makes a huge difference in how plants root, grow, and produce. The simplest way to choose is to start with three questions.