Fall migration has already begun for some bird species. As birds leave their northern breeding grounds to head south for the winter, the numbers of birds and species of birds that will pass through or arrive in this part of Ontario will increase quite a bit over the next month or two. If you haven’t […]
Year: 2018
Garden Tips: Fall Bird Feeding
Fall Feeder Fun! Fall migration has already begun for some bird species. As birds leave their northern breeding grounds to head south for the winter, the numbers of birds and species of birds that will pass through or arrive in this part of Ontario will increase quite a bit over the next month or two. […]
Garden Gate: Episode 146-Artists J.P. Schoss and Brenda Tucker from Dog Bite Steel
On this episode I highlight the fun and quirky work of J.P. Schoss and Brenda Tucker, owners of and creators at Dog Bite Steel. JP and Brenda met blowing glass at The Ontario College of art 30 yrs ago. Brenda was a professional porcelain artist and already had a successful business. JP integrated into that […]
Garden Gate: Episode 145 – Choosing quality products
At The Avant-Garden Shop we carry as much Canadian made product as possible. We know it’s important to support local! We also look for quality products that are going to last! On this episode I talk about quality concrete, plastic and UV protection. If you’re going to invest in a product, it’s worth investing a […]
Garden Tips: Bird Baths and Other Water Features
“Water is the driving force of all nature.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci All life needs water. This summer has been extremely dry, which can make it challenging for birds and butterflies to find water for drinking and bathing. Adding a couple of water features to your yard is an easy way to help them […]
Garden Gate: Episode 144-Birdbaths
Providing birds with water is an important part of any garden. Both for drinking and for bathing. Birds are especially attracted to moving water, so if you can add a dripper, spraying hose or water wiggler, you`ll attract birds more quickly to the bath. In addition moving water prevents mosquitoes from laying their larvae in […]
Garden Gate: Episode 143 – Wear your hat! It’s hot out there! (July 6, 2018)
We carry a wide variety of hats. All made in Canada! UVA/UVB protection, fun, colourful and hey-you’ll look good! Mad Cap Hats, Tilley hats, Puffin gear, Lorainne Wake (BC), Sanibel (QC) and Flapjack hats for kids! Keep your head, ears and neck covered to protect from sunburn! Hat designs change regularly so we don’t normally […]
Garden Gate: Episode 142 – Artist William Boyd Fraser
William boyd fraser (bill) is a sculptor from Bethany, Ontario. Bill has received Ontario arts council grants for his making and teaching. and has completed university education to the point of a master of arts in contemporary art history. We’ve had a few different items in the shop from Bill with these beautiful birds being […]
Garden Tips: Squirrels at Your Bird Feeder
Keeping squirrels away from feeders can be a constant effort. They eat a lot of seed, which makes maintaining your feeder more costly. They also dominate the feeder, scaring the birds we want to attract away. There’s another good reason to reduce squirrel and chipmunk access to your bird seed: they eat bird eggs and […]
A Pane in the Neck: Reflections on Birds and Windows
We’ve all heard it: the unmistakable thump of a bird smashing into a closed window. We rush outside to assess the situation. With luck, there’s either no bird there or it’s resting on the ground, panting and dazed, and flies away in a few minutes. Sometimes, the little one’s not so lucky. Window strikes are […]
