Advice From The Ritchie Team Experts

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.

Ottawa’s tulips aren’t just pretty, they’re a living thank-you note.

Canada’s Tulip Festival exists because of a rare piece of history that ties Ottawa and the Netherlands together through World War II, friendship, and a tradition that still blooms every spring.

That spring soundtrack is back, and it’s more than just a cute vibe. When birds return to Ontario, they bring something your yard actually benefits from: natural pest control.

A bird-friendly yard is often a healthier, more balanced garden, because birds help keep insect populations in check while also supporting the ecosystem around your home.

Southern and Central Ontario (Zones 4–6) are home to some of the rarest plant habitats in the province, like tallgrass prairies, oak savannahs, alvars, fens, dunes, and Carolinian forests. The plants that live there aren’t “just uncommon”… many are officially at risk.

Learning which species are endangered (and why) helps gardeners make better choices at home, protecting native habitat, avoiding invasive plants, and supporting biodiversity in a real, local way. 

Peonies are the definition of “plant once, enjoy forever.” In Zones 4–6, they’re hardy, reliable, and can bloom for decades, but when they don’t bloom well, it’s usually because of a few fixable details.

This guide walks you through everything in one smooth plan: where to plant, how to boost blooms, when to prune, and the different types of peonies, so yours look fuller every year.

If you’re new to gardening, it’s easy to assume compost, manure, and fertilizer are basically the same thing. They’re not, and choosing the right one can be the difference between “my plants are thriving” and “why is nothing happening?”

Yes, you still have to sow seeds! May is one of the busiest planting months in Ontario, especially for warm-season veggies and easy direct-sow flowers.

Below you’ll find May planting separated into what to start indoors vs what to sow directly outside, organized week-by-week by zone.