The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

GARDEN GATE: Episode 303 – It’s Comfy Sock Weather Again! (October 11, 2024)

What’s not to love about a fun pair of socks?! What makes these socks even more exciting is that they’re made with sustainably sourced eco-friendly fabric from a great company in the United States. These socks come in so many themed colours and patterns, it’s hard not to start a collection. New designs will be … Read more

How your Shopping Dollars Work: The Case of the Broken Bird Feeder

~ In our October 2024 newsletter, we introduced a new series featuring Canadian-made items and local artists to highlight what we offer that big-box multi-national stores and online distributors do not. What follows is one example of how giving your money to local businesses goes a long way in keeping our community prosperous. ~   … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 302 – The Squirrel Buster Nut Feeder! (Sept 27, 2024)

The Squirrel Buster Nut Feeder is mainly meant for hulled peanuts, but you can use a variety of other nuts, mealworms, or even dried fruit. The newest addition to this feeder is a second smaller mesh that you can interchange. This now allows you to use sunflower seeds! The smaller mesh is also great to … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 301 – It’s time for birdhouses! (Sept 13, 2024)

It might seem like an odd time of year to be talking about birdhouses, but it’s actually a great time to put one up! The birds can get used to a new house now before nesting starts again in the spring. Birds might also use them to roost and for shelter throughout the colder months, … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 300! (Aug 30, 2024)

Celebrating episode 300! For the past 12 years The Garden Gate segments have been showcasing many different features of the Avant-Garden Shop. Many people have told us how much they love these very informative and interesting segments! Thank you! Over the years there have been many guests joining Brenda; local artists, writers, photographers and enthusiasts! … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 299 – Canadian Made Wall Art! (Aug 16, 2024)

You won’t find any empty wall space at Avant-Garden shop! These walls are packed with beautiful Canadian made wall art. These are all quality made pieces, most of which are powder coated and won’t rust if you want to hang them outdoors. New pieces arrived recently but they don’t last long so come have a … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 298 – Messy Moose Socks! (Aug 2, 2024)

  Messy Moose socks! These socks are super fun for kids of ages 6 months to 4 years! The bottoms have rubber anti-slip treads so your little runners don’t slide all over the floors. Lots of new designs just came in! We also have lots of great toys and tools to get your kids outside … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 297 – New handmade glass art! (July 19, 2024)

In this week’s episode Brenda is highlighting some new products that recently arrived at the shop! The first is by an artist named Kathy from Cookstown Ontario. Kathy fuses glass together by cutting, layering and melting it at high temperatures. These sweet little birds on wood bases make a great gift or addition to your … Read more

An appreciation for late bloomers

American goldfinches (spinus tristis) are cheerful birds and year-round givers. Even through southern Ontario winters, we’re fortunate to have sufficient food supply to host goldfinches year-round; you’ll often see and hear families and flocks, with their dull green coats and chippery chirps as they bounce in wavy flight from tree to tree to nyger feeder.  … Read more

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