The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

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Garden Gate: Episode 67 – Neonicotinoids – What are they and why are they bad? Guest Mark Bennett

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bees_chart_neonicotinoidsCHEX TV airdate: Friday July 10th, 5-6pm

Click link to watch this episode online.

We’ve been hearing a lot in the news about Neonicotinoids (Neonics).

This relatively new class of insecticide affects the central nervous system of insects, resulting in paralysis and death. ?Plants that have been grown using Neonics are harmful to bees, butterfly’s and birds because they ingest the nectar or pollen and the insecticide along with it.

honey-bee_shutterstock_56017861_300My guest, Mark Bennett from Wild Bird Trading and Millcreek seed, discusses Neonics with me on this episode of The Garden Gate.

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Picture courtesy Fred Jennings from Longlac

All of our Millcreek bird food is Neonic FREE! ?So you can be rest assured that when you feed our Millcreek brand of bird food to your birds you are not harming any birds, bees or butterfly’s!

Garden Gate: Episode 66 – Recycled plastic furniture and carpets

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CHEX TV airdate: June 26th, 2015 5-6pm
Click here to watch this episode online.

taylors chairsIn 1983 I visited my uncle in Holland. ?At the time he was working for a company that recycled waste into new products. ?He showed me something he was working on in his spare time. ?He handed me this brown piece of plastic and told me that it was made from recycled margarine tubs, plastic bags, ropes etc. ?He didn’t know exactly what it could be used for but suggested poles to place around the harbours to tie the boats to. ?They were very durable and being plastic, waterproof! ?He gave me a little sample to take home which I still have!

Brook Taylor from Taylor’s recycled plastic in Bailieboro was my guest for this episode of The Garden Gate. ?He using sheets of plastic lumber to create wonderful, colourful and very durable furniture! ?I love the idea that you don’t have to paint or stain this furniture EVER! ?If it gets dirty, you can just hose it off! They are also UV protected so won’t fade. ?There are 13 colours to choose from…..I can’t decide which colour….but when I do I will be getting some chairs from him!
4We carry another product that is also made from recycled plastic. The outdoor carpet that you’ll see in this episode. ?These carpets are wonderful. ?Durable, UV protected and easy to clean. ?They add interest and colour to your deck or patio. ?We also have customers who use them when camping, going to the beach or for their trailers. ?Keeps the sand out of the tent!

Our Garden Gate segments are just 3 minutes long and are uploaded to our YouTube channel after airing on CHEX TV.

Garden Gate: Episode 65 – Father’s Day gift ideas

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CHEX TV airdate: June 12th 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. ? Men can be difficult to buy gifts for! ?But they work hard and deserve a little something on Father’s Day. ?On this episode of The Garden Gate, I do a quick run through of items that we have found to be popular in the shop. 1395080127_tmh55maleTilley hats, thermometers, Rain Gauges, fun steamwhistleBeer glasses or Beer soap! If he has a vegetable garden, our Telescoping weeder is perfect. ?Throw in a pair of gloves and you’re set! Wall panels and rustic sculptureOr if he’d rather have something fun to place in the garden, we have some metal Moose, Beavers and Bears! ?These pre-rusted pieces are made in BC and add fun and humour to the garden. Our Garden Gate segments are just 3 minutes long and are uploaded to our YouTube channel after airing on CHEX TV.

Garden Gate: Episode 64 – Keeping mind and body active!

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redpollsCHEX TV airdate: May 29th, 2015 On this episode of The Garden Gate I speak with Diana Primavesi from the Alzheimer’s Society. Over the years I have sold many bird feeders! ?People love to sit and watch the birds and see what new little guys will show up each year. ?I’ll get phone calls about new and exciting birds that are dropping in to resident backyards. ?My husband and I often sit on our back deck and can easily be amused for an hour by this bird in the tree, another on the feeder or something flitting about further back in the garden. It’s amazing how time flies when you watch these little movements. As people agcedar24 (1 of 1)e and they are less active, I often get customers?coming in to help amuse either themselves or a spouse/partner who is having health issues or even suffering from the early stages of dementia. ?It’s great to see a caring person?come in to set up a bird feeder to help occupy others who must?spend time either in bed or sitting at a window. ?The birds can keep your eyes and mind active. Which is a good thing! Diana will share some ideas and tips on staying active both in the garden or by the window watching the birds. ? Photos by Fred Jennings, Longlacred breasted nuthatch3

Garden Gate: Episode 63 – Providing water for the birds and butterfly’s

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CHEX TV airdate: May 15th, 2015

Click link to watch this 3 minute video online.

Bipuddlerds and Butterfly’s both need water either for drinking or for bathing. ?On this episode of The Garden Gate I show you a few options available, from bird baths, bird waterers and also butterfly feeders and baths.

 

 

We especially love the hand made pottery bird baths made by Quebec artist Marie-Joel Turgeon. ?Thbath in gardenese stunning works of art will look great either in your garden, on the lawn or in a large container garden.

The birds love them because they aren’t too deep as many other baths can be. Also very easy to clean.

 

Bird watererThe bird waterer is also a popular item. It can be hung on a shepherds hook, set on a stump or table or affixed to a 4X4 post.

Birds can either drink from the cups or jump right in and have a bath. ?It automatically refills from the blue coloured container to keep the cups full. The blue colour also helps to reduce algae growth. Customers (and birds) love this item!

 

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Then we also have a few special items for the butterfly’s. ?We rarely have puddles in our yards for the butterfly’s anymore, so we need to find ways to provide water for them as well. We have butterfly drinkers, feeders and also houses!

 

Garden Gate: Episode 61 – Copper and other metals in the garden

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Tree with birdCHEX TV airdate, April 17th, 2015 Click link to watch this video online. When you’re choosing art to put in your garden, it’s important to be aware of the quality and the material that is used to create the piece. ?Cheaper metals, cast iron etc. often rust or don’t last. It’s always worth investing a little more to start, so you are not disappointed later. In addition, you can see the difference in a quality item. The artist will take more time to form nicer images. Eyes won’t be cockeyed or strange colours, and edges will be smooth and have a finished look to them. We feel it is better to have fewer items in your garden that are higher quality. ?Too many pieces can often become “junky” looking and distract from the beauty of a garden. In this episode of The Garden Gate I show you a few options. I love copper, so I focus a bit more on why copper is great outdoors. In the spring and summer we tend to have our best selection of outdoor art, so be sure to drop by soon.

Garden Gate: Episode 60 -The Peterborough Garden Show!

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Ptbo Garden Show Logo smallCHEX TV airdate, March 27th, 2015 5-6pm. Click link to watch this episode. Easter Weekend there will be one of the best Garden Shows in the region on at the Evinrude Centre. Thursday April 2nd, 5-9pm Friday April 3rd, 10-5pm Saturday April 4th, 10-4pm Closed Sunday (because of Good Friday opening) On this episode I will be joined by Rachel Burrows to talk about all the new and exciting things happening at the Garden Show. For more information on the Garden Show visit their website.

Garden Gate: Episode 59 -Goat’s Milk Soap

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CHEX TV airdate: March 20th, 2015 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode. goatGoat’s milk soap is a customer favourite! For this episode of The Garden Gate I was joined by Jessica from Cross Wind farms in Keene to talk about their soaps and creams. ? They recently started offering their products across the Country! ?I was very happy to be able to add their soap to our offerings here at The Avant-Garden Shop. ?How much more local can you get than Keene!? Available in a wide variety of scents there is sure to be a “flavour” for you. So far it seems that the Apple Blossom is the favourite. They also have goat’s milk cheese which is often used at The Electric City Bread Company next to our shop on Sherbrooke st. Yum!

Garden Gate: Episode 58 – Migrating birds

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Chex airdate: March, 6th, 2015 Click link to watch this episode online. Oftenbrenda (1 of 1)?people ask where particular birds have gone. ?Years ago they would have seen them more often, but it’s only on rare occasions that they enjoy a sighting. Local biologist and instructor at Trent University, Walter Wehtje helps to explain where the birds have gone and what birds we are apt to see this year. Special thanks to Fred Jennings from Longlac, Ontario for sharing his beautiful bird photos.

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