Advice From The Ritchie Team Experts

Standing in front of the feed wall is exciting… until you’re staring at crumbs vs pellets, starter vs grower, and wondering what your birds actually need.

Here’s a clear breakdown of Ritchie’s poultry feeds, when to use them, and how to choose the right one.

If you’ve ever seen a brick that expands into fluffy growing medium when you add water, chances are, that was coco coir.

Coco coir (pronounced koy-er) is a natural, plant-based growing material made from the fibers and “dust” inside coconut husks. It’s popular because it’s clean, easy to use, and incredibly versatile, both for indoors and outdoors.

It’s so tempting to walk into a garden centre, fall in love with a few plants, and bring them home… but most “my garden isn’t working” problems come from skipping the planning step.

If you’re gardening in Ottawa (Zone 5B), a little clarity upfront saves you money, time, and frustration, because your sun exposure, timeline, and goals are very real factors here.

Before you buy plants, decide these five things.

March can feel like the ultimate “in-between” month, still wintery, not quite spring, and everyone’s a little tired of grey skies. Oxalis is the perfect plant for this exact moment: bright, cheerful, and full of life when you need it most.

With its shamrock-like leaves and delicate blooms, Oxalis brings that “spring is coming” feeling into your home, without waiting for outdoor planting season.

If you left your garden a little “messy” over winter to support habitat...amazing choice! Leaf litter, seed heads, and stems give shelter to overwintering insects, birds, and beneficial critters when they need it most.

When spring finally shows up, cleanup isn’t about ripping everything out. It’s about a slow, gentle reset, and having the right tools on hand makes it way easier (and kinder to your garden)

If you grow fruit trees, roses, or ornamentals, one of the smartest things you can do each year is treat problems before they wake up.

That’s exactly why dormant spray is often called spring insurance.

Whether you’ve got one maple tree in the yard or a forest full, collecting sap is a Canadian tradition everyone should try at least once.

Without cold nights + mild days, we wouldn’t have real maple syrup, and honestly, after the frigid cold, blistering wind, and mid-winter boredom… maple season is the sweet little bridge to spring. Agree?

Choosing a growing medium shouldn’t feel like decoding a secret menu, but Pro-Mix names can definitely look that way at first.

This guide breaks down the Pro-Mix options by what you’re growing and what you need your soil to do: drainage, long-term container performance, germination success, or all-purpose planting.

Soil is the foundation of everything you grow. And even if your garden looked great last year, your soil can change a lot from season to season, especially in Ontario where we deal with heavy spring moisture, hot summer stretches, and big freeze/thaw cycles.

A yearly soil test is one of the simplest ways to garden smarter: you waste less money, you get better results, and you stop guessing.

Early March is when seed-starting really kicks into gear in Zones 4–6.

Days are getting longer, the sun is stronger, and this is the perfect window to start anything that needs a head start indoors, especially long-season crops and slower-growing flowers.

Sunflowers are one of those plants that make gardening feel magical. They’re bold, cheerful, fast-growing, and they turn even a simple yard into a “wow” moment. Better still? They’re not just pretty, sunflowers support pollinators, feed birds, add biomass to the soil, and can even help improve a tired garden space over time.

Here’s everything you need to know to grow sunflowers successfully in Ontario Zones 4–6—plus the fun part: all the different types you can try.

Container gardening is even better when you pair plants that help each other thrive. Think herbs + veggies + flowers in one pot: more pollinators, fewer pests, better flavour, and that full, lush look you usually only see in magazine planters.

Here are 10 easy companion combos you can grow in containers, plus the pot size, sun, watering, and quick notes to make them succeed.

Invasive plants are one of the biggest (and fastest-growing) threats to healthy ecosystems in Ontario and across Canada. That’s why Ritchie’s has an Invasive Plant Species Program, starting with the most important first step: awareness.

Not every gardener wants the same thing, and that’s the whole point. Some of us love the full seed-starting setup, some want the easiest kit that works, and some just want fresh produce without spending every weekend outside.

The best setup is the one that matches your space, your schedule, and your personality. Here’s how to choose the right gear based on what kind of gardener you are.

Starting seeds and propagating plants is one of the most satisfying ways to garden, especially in Zones 4–6, where a head start indoors makes a huge difference. But the tool aisle can feel like a maze: trays, domes, lights, heat mats, kits… what’s essential, and what’s just “nice to have”?

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: