Mothers have been romanticized in poetry, songs and movies. That romanticism can get in the way of reality. Well, it did for me. Nothing prepared me for motherhood other than the example my mother was to me. How lucky was I to have a woman who dedicated herself to her family in every way? She tended to us the way she tended to everything; she was l...

The fresh air inspires us in so many ways. We are easing into the spring with a childish giggle and energetic vigor at WIN. I suppose that's what makes the post-winter season unique. It gives us a bounce that propels us to dream, to create, to work. It is time to get out and get your hands dirty. Roll up your sleeves, get the tools out, get winter ...

At the start of a new year, part of the celebration involves embracing the notion of a clean slate, a new beginning. We hit the re-start button. We get to start fresh, to enthusiastically begin again. We will now get fit, stop smoking, be better. Basically, do all the right things we have in the past intended to do, but did not get around to actual...

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Flowerbeds prepped – check. Flowers planted – check. Mulch down – check. Flower pots cleaned and filled – check. Your garden is in shape. It's looking good, if you do say so yourself. The view from your back deck while having coffee in the morning puts a smile on your face. And the thought crosses your mind: What if I added a little statue to that ...

In conversation with Teresa Amorosa, co-owner of West Island Nursery, during a recent downpour – just one of the latest/constant/never-ending rainfalls we have been experiencing – she said: "You can't fight the weather." That rational and philosophically optimistic statement was delivered with an 'oh-the-sun-will-eventually-come-out' inferred tone....

Have you thought about mulch much? Mulch is like that person who quietly does his job, like the guy who washes the windows at the strip mall. You never think about who keeps the grime off those huge plate-glass panes until you spot him doing it. You look while you walk by, and then it drops from your mind. The thought of what the windows would look...

Stop! Just stop. Take a few seconds. One, two, three, four. Take a breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. OK, now you can go again. Do you feel a little calmer? It's the power of the pause – that momentary stall when you just stop. We don't do it often enough. Yet, popular wisdom tells us to all the time: "Stop and smell the roses." "Take the time to enj...

Remember when spring was characterized by "April showers?" This year, it feels like that is all we've had: April showers, May showers, floods, more showers. Enough! But don't despair. The sun is going to shine again. It really is. Warm temperatures will soon push the thermometer to seasonable heights. The puddles will dry – even those in the middle...

Here's a suggestion: This Mother's Day don't buy your mother anything. Instead, honour her, and her legacy, by planting something that returns every spring, that buds every May, that reminds you every year about the woman who …….. and fill in that blank. Ask anyone – and this includes people who live far away from their mothers, or around the corne...

What can you get for $5 these days? A quick lunch at a fast-food joint no longer falls into that bracket. Although, you can still get a coffee and a toasted bagel at Timmy's for less than that price. So deals do exist. But they are not as common as they used to be. In fact, there is actually a website: fivedollarfinds.com. It lists all sorts of thi...

Do you ever wonder whether you are on the right path? Everyone does, at some time or the other. Paths hold great symbolic significance. What path are you on? Do you want to change paths? Who accompanies you on your path? What do you see along the way? Where are you really heading? As you prepare to open your garden for another season, consider addi...

While the snow blankets the fruits of our labor, we can start dreaming of the next season. If you took pictures of your outdoors, it is good to look at them, start planning your next project, big or small. Even simply planning to document the yard with photos would be a start for spring 2017. Once you have an idea of what you would like, plan out t...

We are proud to bring you a NATURAL CHRISTMAS! Yes, 100% home grown goodness . Our grower is a small business in the Eastern Township who believes in restoring what he cuts. Fresh cut trees, from 3' to 15' White Pine, Red Pine, Balsam Fir, Cedar, Red Dogwood, White Birch - all available for you to decorate your pots, railings, window boxes. We also...

Jean and Lise Martin have been our customers for over 30 years.Our dad, Giovanni, was a dear friend to them, and this friendship continues with Tony, Teresa and Addolorata. We would like to congratulate The Martins on the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. May you continue to grow together, continue nurturing this bond forever.

Father's Day has become a day of reflection for me, having lost our dad 24 years ago. It is still a celebration, as we had such a fruitful relationship while he lived. I did not think I had more to say about my dad, after posting my Father's Day homage last year and highlighting his wonderfulness with a picture of his five grandkids with the 'Amoro...

A woman walked into our store last week looking for a spray for bees. My ears perked up as I'm always interested in anything bees. Discussing what her bee issue was, I discovered she had a general bug issue, but she was terrified of bees so she picked on them. She wanted to obliterate them, in case they invaded her garden. I bre...

Mulching can be both beneficial and attractive Apply and water properly Firstly, make sure the thickness is at 4" mulch in order for it to be effective in keeping down weeds.  Mulch also helps retain moisture in the soil.  Remember, when watering, to water deeply, in order to avoid just moistening the mulch. I like to keep a 2 t...

Victoria Day weekend: gardening tips for Montrealers Good soil, plenty of water and maintenance go a long way for any garden Spring has finally arrived in Montreal just in time for the long Victoria Day weekend and for gardeners across the city.  Teresa Amorosa, the manager of the West Island Nursery, has tips for all Montrealers planning on a...

It is coming. Weather reports are enticing us with a favorable forecast, after battering us with the cold spring. My morning ritual is walking through my garden and looking at the changes. While the palette is still rather bland, framed with the vibrant green (thank you rainy spring), I love seeing plants come up and present themselv...