Advice From The Ritchie Team Experts

As temperatures rise, it's important to make sure your chickens stay comfortable, hydrated, and healthy throughout the summer months. Whether you're welcoming a new batch of chicks or preparing your established flock for warmer weather, having the right supplies on hand can make all the difference.

Creating a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn is easier than ever with Alliance Gator X-Turf. Whether you're upgrading your backyard, creating a pet-friendly space, or adding greenery to a commercial property, proper installation is the key to long-lasting results.

If you’ve ever bought a “cute outdoor planter” and watched it crack, fade, or warp after one harsh Canadian season… you’re not alone. That exact frustration is what made Veradek such a favourite for modern outdoor spaces.

Veradek planters are designed to elevate flowers, grasses, herbs, and small shrubs, with clean lines, strong materials, and true outdoor performance.

A simple DIY tunnel for cucumbers, beans, squash + climbing flowers

Dreaming of climbing cucumbers, beans, squash, or flowers growing overhead? A garden arch (or “garden tunnel”) is one of the easiest upgrades you can build, and it makes your garden look magical while improving plant health.

Planting native isn’t just a trend, it’s one of the easiest ways to build a garden that works with nature.

Planting with purpose
Every native seed planted is a small step toward stronger pollinator populations and healthier Canadian landscapes.

A good lawn isn’t just about looking perfect. It’s about creating a space that works for your family, your pets, your weekends, and the nature around you.

This is one of the best times to seed your lawn, but here’s the secret most people don’t hear often enough. 

Some plants are a little extra… and we still adore them for it. These are the garden favourites that ask for a bit more attention, like better soil, more consistent watering, proper pruning, or winter prep, but they pay you back with massive blooms, fragrance, harvests, and serious curb appeal.

Here are five “high-maintenance, high-reward” outdoor plants (Zones 4–6 friendly) and exactly why they’re worth it.

Some flowers do more than look pretty, they can actually help discourage unwanted pests and support a healthier garden ecosystem. The trick is knowing how they help.

Here are a few garden favourites that do all of the above, and how to use them effectively.

There are so many soils to choose from… but which one do you actually need?

Whether you’ve been gardening for years or you’re just getting started, the right soil makes a huge difference in how plants root, grow, and produce. The simplest way to choose is to start with three questions.

Ottawa’s tulips aren’t just pretty, they’re a living thank-you note.

Canada’s Tulip Festival exists because of a rare piece of history that ties Ottawa and the Netherlands together through World War II, friendship, and a tradition that still blooms every spring.

That spring soundtrack is back, and it’s more than just a cute vibe. When birds return to Ontario, they bring something your yard actually benefits from: natural pest control.

A bird-friendly yard is often a healthier, more balanced garden, because birds help keep insect populations in check while also supporting the ecosystem around your home.

Southern and Central Ontario (Zones 4–6) are home to some of the rarest plant habitats in the province, like tallgrass prairies, oak savannahs, alvars, fens, dunes, and Carolinian forests. The plants that live there aren’t “just uncommon”… many are officially at risk.

Learning which species are endangered (and why) helps gardeners make better choices at home, protecting native habitat, avoiding invasive plants, and supporting biodiversity in a real, local way. 

Peonies are the definition of “plant once, enjoy forever.” In Zones 4–6, they’re hardy, reliable, and can bloom for decades, but when they don’t bloom well, it’s usually because of a few fixable details.

This guide walks you through everything in one smooth plan: where to plant, how to boost blooms, when to prune, and the different types of peonies, so yours look fuller every year.

If you’re new to gardening, it’s easy to assume compost, manure, and fertilizer are basically the same thing. They’re not, and choosing the right one can be the difference between “my plants are thriving” and “why is nothing happening?”

Yes, you still have to sow seeds! May is one of the busiest planting months in Ontario, especially for warm-season veggies and easy direct-sow flowers.

Below you’ll find May planting separated into what to start indoors vs what to sow directly outside, organized week-by-week by zone.

A great garden bed isn’t just “a pile of soil.” It’s a layered setup that controls weeds, supports roots, and matches the sun + mature plant size, so your garden looks good and stays easy to maintain.

Here’s the full step-by-step, from cutting the grass to finishing with mulch or stone.

That flash of green and red you’ve been waiting for? It’s here. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are returning to Ontario, and bringing energy, colour, and serious pollination power to our gardens.

And if you’ve ever wondered, “Where did they go?”.... the answer is wild.

If you’ve ever spotted a bug on a leaf and immediately thought “uh-oh”… you’re not alone. But here’s the twist:

Most insects in your garden aren’t the enemy.
Some are pollinators, some are predators that eat pests for you, and some are just passing through. The key is learning who’s who, so you can protect the good ones while stopping the damage.

If you’ve ever looked at a golf course and thought, “How is their grass always THAT nice?”, here’s the fun part: that level of lawn isn’t reserved for fairways.

The same quality seed blends that create that clean, professional look can be used at home too. Whether you want low-maintenance and tough, or lush and showy, the secret is choosing the right mix for your conditions.

If you loved the “seedling to snack” idea, this is the same concept, just for the classic spring planting crew: roots, bulbs, and tubers.

These crops are some of the most rewarding things you can grow. A little prep now = years of harvest (rhubarb/asparagus) or big summer payoff (onions/garlic/potatoes).

This is the simple, practical guide: where to plant, when to plant, how to plant, and what they like nearby.

It’s officially that time… the benches are filling up and the growing season is starting to feel very real. From bold summer blooms to homegrown berries, we’ve got everything you need to get planting.

This week’s spotlight: berry + fruit seedlings (because nothing beats harvesting from your own yard).