Don’t plant invasive species

Let’s give nature a helping hand by growing these native plants in the cottage garden There was a time when gardeners didn’t worry about planting invasive species. In Muskoka and elsewhere, we would happily fill our gardens and borders with anything that grew quickly, spread well, and didn’t have any pests. Purple loosestrife? Sure. Periwinkle? […]

It’s trout fishing season

Even if you’re a complete novice, spring presents a unique chance to catch trout in Muskoka Trout fishing has a reputation for being complicated, or something that needs specialized gear. In midsummer, you will sometimes see anglers heading out to catch lake trout or rainbow trout equipped with an array of deep-water tackle, talking about […]

Quiche Lorraine for Easter Brunch

This recipe celebrates all the eggy, cheesy, bacony goodness of classic Quiche Lorraine Looking for a light, satisfying and elegant Easter brunch to enjoy at the cottage in Muskoka? A warm slice of Quiche Lorraine and a fresh salad is a perfect dish to welcome spring into our lives. If you’ve shied away from making […]

Planning garden from your travels

Whether your traveling has been real or virtual, you can still find inspiration for your Muskoka cottage garden In a typical year, many of us will visit gardens when we travel. This year, a lot of us have been getting our fix by watching gardening programs instead, planting and planning vicariously with gardeners like Monty […]

Leaves in the garden

A great Muskoka cottage landscape involves more than just flowers. Gardening with leaves in mind will help you enjoy colour and structure all year round. We gardeners tend to obsess over flowers, and with good reason. But a gorgeous garden isn’t just about the blooms. Leaves in the garden also serve a vital purpose, adding […]

Why do red squirrels move so quickly?

A tiny force of nature, these fascinating wild animals move even faster in spring Nobody has ever described a red squirrel as laid back and casual. They seem to live with the accelerator nailed to the floor, zipping around trees and through branches with blinding speed as they race around our Muskoka cottages and homes. […]

The old-fashioned cut flower garden

There’s a special place for a cut flower garden in your Muskoka cottage or home. Let our gardening experts help you get started. In years gone by, grand estates often had special gardens where flowers were grown just for cutting and bringing indoors. That concept is catching on again, — if it ever really went […]

Diy ski hills

Downhill skiers have lost a big chunk of the season with ski hills closed during the lockdown. For some enthusiasts, this has been an excuse to get out in the woods and make their own ski runs. There’s nothing new about back country skiing, of course. Long before there were groomed ski runs and high-speed […]

Beef leek soup

Leeks are one of those vegetables that just don’t get the respect they deserve. People have been feasting on them for thousands of years — they’re mentioned several times in the Old Testament and they were apparently a favourite of Roman Emperor Nero. From Turkey to Britain, leeks have a role in several national cuisines. […]

The silence of snow

Nothing transforms the landscape quite like a heavy snowfall. The world doesn’t just look different, it sounds different. We’ve all experienced it. But have you ever wondered why? Depending on where you are, part of the difference has to do with the way snowy roads can muffle vehicle tires — rather than riding directly on […]