Climate Resilient Gardens

Joanne Mohan • May 29, 2024

Greening our gardens, however, should be more than just planting plants. We need to have the intention to enhance the ecological value as well as the aesthetic and economic value of our properties. 

Planting more trees, shrubs, and perennials is a positive approach to enhancing our properties. Trees provide shade and screening, shrubs provide colour, interest, and privacy and perennials provide color and seasonal interest. These basic attributes add value and help add biodiversity to our landscapes.

Greening our gardens, however, should be more than just planting plants. We need to have the intention to enhance the ecological value as well as the aesthetic and economic value of our properties. As homeowners, we are an integral part of the solution to biodiversity, stormwater management, and environmental protection.

Every decision we make now regarding our property and home ownership has consequences for the environment, and our gardens are no different. The material choices, drainage, and how we use our gardens all feed into climate resiliency for current and future generations.

Parklane Living is providing a workshop series on designing your own climate-resilient garden. It is a 5-week program where participants will learn how to design their garden using climate-resilient principles, ideas, and practical applications. By enrolling in this course, you'll gain the essential knowledge needed to support yourself, your loved ones, and the environment through your garden.
This course will equip you with the necessary tools to make a positive impact on your life and the world around you.

The first 4 weeks will provide you with the knowledge to measure and design your own garden space, using low-impact development applications like rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and composting. You will learn how to choose the correct plants for your garden and how to design spaces for patios, decks, and vegetable gardens.
The mini course will cover stormwater management, biodiversity, lawn alternatives and the therapeutic benefits of gardening. The course is designed for those who want to design and create their own garden space, which is sustainable for themselves and the environment. Week 5 is a 1:1 hour-long session with Joanne to discuss your ideas and design intentions.

As homeowners, we can make decisions to improve our properties and enhance the environment through the connection and network of our gardens. Even with small changes, we can be part of the solution.

Sign up now for the 5-week mini-course: https://www.parklanelandscapes.ca/parklaneliving/climate-resilient

Unplug, Disconnect, Bloom!

By Joanne Mohan • August 18, 2025
Unplug, Disconnect, Bloom!

Winter Gardening

By Joanne Mohan • August 18, 2025
During the winter months, it's completely natural and acceptable to adopt a more laid-back attitude toward your garden. As temperatures drop and snow begins to cover the ground, most plants enter a state of dormancy, making winter a time when many gardeners can take a well-deserved break. This is an opportunity to appreciate the unique beauty that winter brings to your outdoor space. The skeletal branches of trees can create striking silhouettes against the crisp, clear sky, while winter-blooming plants, like hellebores and winter jasmine, add unexpected pops of color. Consider how the landscape transforms, with the quiet stillness allowing for reflection and rest. Instead of worrying about weeding or pruning, embrace this season of inactivity. You can enjoy cozy moments indoors, perhaps with a warm beverage, while dreaming of the vibrant blooms and lush greenery that will return with spring. Allow yourself to recharge and relish the tranquil beauty of your garden during this quieter time, knowing that it will soon awaken to life again. Winter gardening offers a unique opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that can enhance both your garden and your gardening skills. One enjoyable task is to create a winter garden plan, where you can research and select plants that thrive in colder months, such as evergreens and winter-blooming flowers. You can also take this time to prepare for spring by organizing your gardening tools, cleaning pots, and starting seeds indoors for future planting. It’s a great time for winter pruning of certain trees and shrubs, which promotes healthier growth in the spring. The winter months provide a valuable opportunity to prepare and organize for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in your garden. This is the ideal time to assess your needs, set clear goals, and create a comprehensive plan. Consider reaching out to professionals for ideas and designs. Many companies are still working and scheduling work for early Spring. If you hope to have landscaping completed for Summer, start planning now and call Parklane Landscapes at 705-327-0064 or visit our website parklanelandscapes.ca