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.
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.
A 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.
Local 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.
CHEX 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.
CHEX TV airdate: October 16th, 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. 
My guest on this episode of The Garden Gate is local sommelier, Christoper Wilton. ?Christopher works for a number of local restaurants both as a waiter but also helping owners and chefs to choose the right wine to go with their food offerings. ?He has an excellent knowledge of wines and it was very interesting to speak with him. We chatted about these awesome wine glasses that we carry at the shop. ?They are made from unglazed clay. The cups are made by Barbara Taylor in Burlington Ontario. She’s been making them for years and has had lots of success with them. It has been said that the clay helps to neutralize the acidity of the wine and make for a smoother drink. ?I have been testing it myself at home and found it does make the wine taste better. It also seems to helps to reduce or eliminate headaches that some people get from drinking wine. Christopher also discussed how the clay doesn’t heat up in your hand and actually cools the wine. ?Normally we are taught to hold a glass of wine by the stem of the glass so as to not heat it up with our body heat. That’s not necessary in the case of the wine cups. ?The clay naturally cools the wine down. Tune in to see this interesting episode.
CHEX TV airdate: October 2nd, 2015 Click here to watch this episode online 
?We’ve been carrying a variety of products from All Fired Up for many years. ?They are best known for their beautiful ceramic switch plate covers. ?Located in Milton Ontario, they’ve been creating ceramic art?since 1984. We have a variety of switch plates and can order covers to match your decor! ?The artist makes them in a variety of designs and styles. Single covers, double, triple, receptacle covers even combinations covers. In addition covers are available for the wider decorative switches now seen in many homes. Drop by to have a look at the catalog and we can place an order for you. All Fired Up also make beautiful clocks, little bowls and in the past necklaces. ?For the 2015 Christmas season we’ll also be bringing in some lovely vintage style ornaments.
In addition to the switch plate covers, we also carry small indoor clocks, flower frogs, bird bowls and candle holders.
The clocks are just a perfect size for a guest room, bathroom or on a small table or shelf. ? 
The flower frogs are wonderful little gifts for the gardener in the family. Buy or pick a few flowers and include a flower frog. ?It makes arranging them in a Mason jar easy! ?Smaller flower frogs fit on a baby food jar or Parmesan shaker!
CHEX TV airdate: Sep. 18th, 5-6pm Click here to watch this episode online 
Remember “Doodle art?” Sharpen your pencil crayons! Colouring books for adults have become extremely popular! ?Stores are selling out faster than they can stock the books! ?One book in particular is back ordered for months! We’re hoping to have it in time for Christmas. On this episode of The Garden Gate, I had two guests helping me out. We had a little colouring party at the shop! ?Fun. ?There was a bit of fighting over pencil crayons….you’ll have to tune in to see how that ends up. Plus we had a contribution from a family member in The Netherlands! People have really taken to this new pastime. Some of my customers are trying to quit 
smoking and find colouring is a great way to keep their hands busy! ?Or if you love to do puzzles but don’t have the space to leave out 1000 pcs for months on end…this is another similar hobby that can be easily packed up and put away. Doctors are telling us it’s a great stress reliever as well. ?Your mind goes off into places it doesn’t go when you’re on the phone, watching TV or surfing the web. Take time to de-stress and feel like a kid again! ?Colouring books are between $10 and $20 on average. ?Great gifts! ?Think ahead to Christmas!!
CHEX TV airdate: Sept. 4th, 5-6pm Click here to watch this episode online. 
Sue Chan is an expert on bees. Her life is buzzing all the time! Sue works for a variety of organizations including Farms at Work. (http://www.farmsatwork.ca/about-us) ?It was with that organization that she wrote a booklet about bees called A Landowner’s Guide to Conserving Native Pollinators.(Available at The Avant-Garden Shop for just $10.00) ? On this episode of The Garden Gate , we talked about why bees are so important, how they are affected by neonicotinoids, and also what types of plants they like. We carry bee houses at the shop as well which we also talked about. ?These bee houses are made locally and are meant for mason bees to lay eggs in. ?Putting up a variety of “houses” for the bees will help them to increase in numbers and pollinate your plants!
CHEX TV airdate: August 21st, 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode 
Horling’s Garden Centre is located just outside of Lakefield on Lakefield Highway (formerly Hwy #28). They have been in business in the same location for 40+ years! I remember going there as a kid when it was a butcher shop! At the time they also sold a few plants, but the business is totally transformed now. They offer quality plants as well as full landscaping services.They have a large selection of trees and shrubs including many native plants. The Hydrangeas were blooming when we were there in late July! I visited with Ian Nichols, the greenhouse manager. We talked about Garden Route and their involvement in this cooperative group of garden related businesses in Peterborough area. (www.gardenroute.ca) In addition Ian highlighted a new stonework service they are offering. It was a hot day! I hope you’ll tune in to watch us sweat!