The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

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

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 84 – Rustic Sculptures (Mar. 4, 2016)

CHEX TV airdate: Friday March 4th 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online Ron Stephens, reduction stoneware potter, painter and sheet metal sculpture, was born in Kitchener, Ontario. At high school, he took a potters course. The craft came naturally to him. After graduation, Ron hitch-hiked west in the late 70’s and found work … 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.

The Avant-Garden Shop