The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

Garden Gate: Episode 91 – Orioles and Hummingbirds (June 10, 2016)

CHEX TV airdate: June 10th, 2016 Click link to watch this episode online. Want to learn how to attract hummingbirds and orioles to your garden? Check out this episode of The Garden Gate! I share tips on types of feeders they like, plants and also food! Did you know orioles like grape jelly? Yes-it’s one … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 86 – Pine Siskins with guest Drew Monkman

Chex TV airdate: April 1st, 2016 Click link to watch this episode online. Local Naturalist and author Drew Monkman is my guest on this episode. Drew helps us understand why we’ve had so many Pine Siskins at our feeders this year. He also points out the differences between Pine Siskins and Gold finches. These two … Read more

Here comes Peter Cottontail

By Beatrix Potter Here comes Peter CottontailHoppin’ down the bunny trailHippity hoppin’, Easter’s on its way Bringin’ every girl and boyBaskets full of Easter joyThings to make your Easter bright and gay He’s got jelly beans for TommyColored eggs for sister SueThere’s an orchid for your mommyAnd an Easter bonnet too Oh! here comes Peter … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 85 – Scrappy Dude (Mar. 18, 2016)

CHEX TV airdate: Friday March 18th, 2016 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. I first met Caroline Lepannen at the Cobourg Indie show in the fall of 2015.  I was immediately attracted to her colourful and quirky “Dudes” made from recycled “scrap.”  Her booth was filled with strange and wonderful happy characters in … Read more

Garden Gate: Episode 79 – Once around the shop for Christmas gift ideas

 

The best weeding tool ever!
The best weeding tool ever!

We’ve been helping customers pick the perfect gifts for 13 years so have a pretty good idea of what people like and are looking for. We love what we do and really are “here to help!” On this episode I give you a few ideas for dad, mom, kids and friends. Pop in the shop and we can give you some ideas for that special someone on your list. Lots of Canadian made too! ? Click link to watch this episode online.

Garden Gate: Episode 78 – Squirrel Busters

sb+CHEX TV airdate: December 11th, 2015 5-6pm Squrrel Buster Bird feeders Yes, they really are squirrel proof! Guaranteed! We have been carrying the Squirrel Buster line of bird feeders for MANY years. ?People are initially skeptical about the feeders, but once they see how well they work, they love them! There are 7 different styles available including 5 for mixed seed, 1 for finch seed and 1 for peanuts. You can keep all of your birds happy and even exclude a few that you enjoy less. Squirrels will try to get into the seed but are unable to get anything so give up! You know how smart they are! If they can’t get food they’re going to go someplace else to have their dinner! Watch this episode to learn more about these awesome feeders.

Garden Gate: Episode 77 – Socks, Mittens, scarves, baby & kids socks

octobermorningA few years ago I introduced you to our wonderful Solmate socks! ?Customers love these socks because they make them happy. ?So we’ve nicknamed our “Happy socks!” I first showed them on CHEX TV in Garden Gate: Episode 27. ?This episode is a followup to that one. The company was established about 15 years ago by Marianne Wakerlin. In 2014 she retired and her son and daughter-in-law took over. The socks are milled in Vermont. ?Recently the owner of the mill also wanted to retire and sold to the Wakerlin family. ?Employees are very happy with the transition. The socks are a hit! ?Fun, colourful and very comfortable. Watch this episode to see the awesome products offered by The Socklady.

Garden Gate: Episode 76-Artist Cathy Mark, Windswept trees

heronLocal artist, Cathy Mark makes stunning windswept trees from her studio in Little Britain. These have been very popular items since we got our first order this spring. Cathy uses beautiful granite rocks hand picked from her farm or hand hewn burls found in the wood. Hand cut stainless steel trees are bent and shaped and finished and then attached to the rocks or burls to create one of a kind pieces of art for the home. She also does a variety of other items including herons and wall pieces which come and go at the shop. Stunning, unique pieces.

Garden Gate: Episode 75-Taken from Nature

Thomson_Jack_Pine_Grande_MugCHEX TV air date: Friday Oct. 30th 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area of the Country. Close to nature and the ruggedness portrayed in art like the paintings of The Group of Seven. We have a wide variety of items in the shop that reflect this style of art.?From sets of tea cups with designs by Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris and other members of The Group of Seven to wall art and table art. We have wall art with those beautiful rugged pines of the north. ?And more recently we’ve added work by Cathy Mark from Little Britain. ?Her beautiful hand cut and formed trees will be featured in the next episode of The Garden Gate. Tune in to this episode to get a glimpse of the artistic?pieces available at The Avant-Garden Shop.

The Avant-Garden Shop