Our first Spring clean-up of the season has been completed.

Spring is a good time to begin growing and digging, although planning can take place before the snow melts. Gardeners spend most of the summer watering, weeding, and watching young plants grow. Fall is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs, and some perennials.

Chatting with gardeners about composting unleashes a raft of reactions. From positives about black gold to complaints about odours and critters, people have opinions. To discover five “Don’ts” (plus tips on “dos”) on transforming organic waste into soil, we talked to two master gardeners: Rebecca Last and David Hinks.

In the mad rush to ensure your lawn is mowed, weeded, fertilized and irrigated, the need for aerating is often overlooked. But, as sod ages, the soil underneath can become so compacted, there is little or no pore space (small pockets of air held in the soil), making it difficult for grass roots to absorb water and nutrients. Before long, the lawn will deteriorate, becoming more susceptible to weeds and attack by insects and diseases.

Most gardeners find their water bills rise as fast as the temperatures. Save yourself a little money and do good for the environment by collecting water in a rain barrel.

Find Out About Garden Sprinklers and Other Watering Methods The yard looks dry and you know you're supposed to water. So you go to the store and look at garden sprinklers, and then it hits you: Too many choices. You see square sprinklers, round sprinklers, oscillating sprinklers, water-pistol type sprinklers, and other stuff. What's going to work best in your yard? Here's a quick review of different methods you can use.

You think you have stress? What about your lawn? The sun beats down on it. People walk all over it. It's thirsty, and weeds want to take over. Yes, it's rough out there in the yard. But you can take some easy steps to help your lawn cope with the stresses of summer.