The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

GARDEN GATE: Episode 320 – The best tools make the job easier! – (June 6, 2025)

In this episode, Brenda shows us some of the best gardening essentials we have at the shop. Having the right tools can make garden jobs so much easier! One tool that has been in the shop since opening day, 23 years ago, is the Garden Bandit. This Canadian made weeding tool is super handy for … Read more

What We Need to Know About Feed (aka Not All Seeds Are Created Equal)

Many important factors determine the quality of bird seed. At the Avant-Garden shop, our customers tell us again and again that after switching from cheap big box store seeds to the quality feed they find at our shop, they see immediate improvement in bird activity and variety at their feeders.    The majority of the … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 319 – Keeping Grackles and Starlings Out! (May 23, 2025)

Lately we are seeing lots of grackles and starlings around. If you don’t want them taking over your feeders, we have options! Some feeders like the Squirrel Buster Plus can be adjusted so the weight of the grackles close the feeder. This can definitely help slow down their seed consumption! We also have caged feeders … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 318 – Orioles & Hummingbirds are back ! (May 9, 2025)

Hummingbirds and orioles are back! As per usual schedule they arrived at the beginning of May and we’ve been hearing all about your sightings. A lot of other migratory birds are now arriving and it’s so exciting! In this episode I show you a couple of the feeders we have available. Many feeders account for … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 317 – Mad Cap Hats are back! (April 25, 2025)

After a few years hiatus, Mad Cap hats are back in the shop! These hats are the original handmade creations of Tori Capes, a certified milliner! For 38 years these beautiful hats have been designed and created in a scenic lakeside studio near Westport Ontario. These adjustable Sunblocker hats are their most popular sun hat, … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 316 – New DIY Craft Kits! (April 11, 2025)

The new DIY craft kits from Genius Premium Craft Company have finally arrived! We received a variety of sewing kits, felting kits, fibre art kits and even ones that come with a greeting card. You’ll find a quirky racoon, a seagull with a pouch of fries, a dog in a coat, and the cats inspired … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 315 – Canadian Cards and Seeds! (March 28, 2025)

Nature’s Garden Seed Company is located in Mill Bay, British Columbia, Canada. They’ve been making high quality products for nature lovers for over 30 years. Their greeting cards each contain a strip of post-consumer waste fibre paper, embedded with flower or herb seeds. These make great gifts for anyone wanting to experience the rewards of … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 314 – Susan Robertson’s Pottery! (March 14, 2025)

We just received an order of pottery from Susan Robertson! Susan is an internationally recognized ceramic artist from Saskatchewan Canada, that we’ve been featuring in the shop for many years. She’s always coming up with new designs that reflect her sense of humour and love of nature. Each unique piece is made of stoneware clay … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 313 – Customize Your Bird Feeding Station (February 28, 2025)

We’ve got everything you need to set up and customize a great quality bird feeding station that also keeps the squirrels off of your feeders! If you want to use a pole we start at the ground, and find the right spike for your soil type. Next you add the pole, making it whatever height … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 312 – New and Coming Soon! (February 14, 2025)

  Just recently we were at the gift show in Toronto, and were able to find some new artists to feature in the shop! Here are some of the new and wonderful finds we’ve ordered. They’re not in the shop yet, so consider this a tease!  Amanda Brown of Scarlett Dahlia Artistry in Saskatoon, hand dyes, … Read more

The Avant-Garden Shop