Down The Garden Path Podcast

• Rain Gardens

  This week, Joanne Shaw discusses rain garden design with Michael Albanese, owner of AVESI Stormwater and Landscape Solutions and author of The Modern Rain Garden: Scrape, Shape and Plant. About the Book: The Modern Rain Garden: Scrape, Shape, and Plant  The updated and expanded second edition for 2025 builds off the amazing success of the original release of Modern Rain Garden. As a professional rain garden builder, Michael gives an in-depth account of his experience designing, building, and managing rain gardens over the past 15 years. Readers will feel empowered to take ownership of their rain gardens so decisions can be made with confidence. The second edition also covers more topics and goes deeper into why and how the Scrape, Shape, and Plant method is one that lets nature do the work. This method has evolved by regularly assessing what's essential, effective, and improvable -- prioritizing simplicity over complexity. Rain Garden Design and Benefits Michael explained his approach to rain garden design, emphasizing the importance of shaping the landscape to create a water-absorbing vessel rather than focusing solely on plant selection. Rain gardens can solve specific problems like water pooling; they also offer environmental benefits by managing stormwater and promoting biodiversity. The potential for rain gardens to help homeowners better manage water on their properties, especially in areas with extreme weather changes. Rain gardens can serve both problem-solving and environmentally sustainable purposes, catering to different client needs and preferences. Rain Garden Construction Strategies Strategies for managing water on residential properties, focusing on the concept of active rainfall versus inactive rainfall. Michael explained his approach to rain garden construction, emphasizing the "scrape and shape" method which involves minimal soil disturbance and uses existing site materials. He described how this method avoids the resource waste and over-engineering often seen in traditional rain garden installations. The challenges of planting in different soil types and the importance of allowing plants to naturally improve soil conditions over time. Rain Garden Design and Management Joanne and Michael discussed rain garden design and water management in residential landscapes. Rain gardens rely on infiltration rather than pond liners; its important to use materials properly. The challenges with new subdivisions where shared drainage systems can cause issues if not properly managed. The misconceptions about rain gardens and native plants. Rain gardens are typically dry and do not require water-loving plants, contrary to popular belief. The importance of proper maintenance and the challenges of using native plants, including issues with invasiveness and the need for regular care. The Modern Rain Garden Michael discussed his journey of writing a book on rain gardens, sharing insights from his experience and the evolution of the second edition, which is more comprehensive with additional photos and content. Landscaping Challenges and Solutions The challenges with new residential developments in areas like Brooklyn, where clay soil and tight spaces make landscaping difficult, and Joanne shared that she recently installed irrigation at her own property to manage water flow more effectively. Landscape Contractor Oversight Challenges Joanne shared her frustration with contractors bullying clients into starting landscape projects without proper planning, leading to disappointed homeowners and suboptimal results. She emphasized the importance of design and proper execution, highlighting cases where clients regretted not having a detailed plan. Michael agreed, noting that post-planting management is crucial for a design's success, and shared a challenging case where neglect led to the failure of a rain garden installation. Both discussed the need for better contractor oversight and client education to ensure satisfaction with landscape projects. You can find AVESI Stormwater and Landscape Solutions on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Resources Mentioned in the Show: The Modern Rain Garden: Scrape, Shape and Plant Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Are you a landscape or gardening expert? We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more. Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.  Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• Fall Mums and Asters

  In this encore episode of Down the Garden Path, Joanne shares tips for choosing fall mums and asters. Topics covered in this week's episode: Chrysanthemums, many horticultural varieties and cultivars exist including tender florist mums (a favourite of mine because of how long they stay blooming in a vase). Or Garden mums, more commonly known as fall mums. All Chrysanthemums are native to East Asia and Northeastern Europe. They became popular in North American gardening during the early to mid-20th century. Overall, fall or autumn gardening in the U.S. became particularly prominent in the 1950s and 1960s. Their popularity grew thanks to their vibrant colours of mums—ranging from deep reds and oranges to yellows and purples—this made them a popular choice for fall displays. Their ability to bloom late into the season and withstand cooler temperatures also contributed to their popularity in autumn gardening. Fall mums grown for our gardens are fertilized and pruned heavily to maintain their dense growth while in containers. It is possible to overwinter them in the garden but without regular maintenance, they can get quite large (tall and wide over a season or two). You often hear of gardeners or articles mentioning mid-summer to cut back or pinch back the foliage on garden mums that are being grown in the garden to slow down their growth and size. If growing in the garden, they benefit from mulching to protect them from the freeze and thaw most of us experience in our Ontario gardens or gardens in zones 4-6. They can be prone to spider mites and aphids as well as powdery mildew. Mildew especially if they are allowed to get large in the garden and then crowd with other plants and especially when there is high humidity and/or overhead watering. The downside of mums: As a designer, my goal is to create gardens that are all season with something happening at all times and for there really not be a need for high-maintenance annuals. I do realize that there are times and places in the yard where one might want a pop of colour -- even me! Potted mums perform much better in cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, garden centres seem to start selling them earlier and earlier each season. They are thirsty plants when in pots, especially in the heat. If the pots aren’t watered regularly they die very quickly and I think homeowners think they can revive them. Once they have dried out, they are a throwaway plant. Don’t get me started on the plastic waste they generate! A better plant option for fall: asters! There are 32 different species of aster in Ontario and over 100 species in North America. There is a place for one in every garden or even a pot if you choose! While some pollinators might visit garden mums for pollen that is where the benefit ends. Asters not only supply pollen for honeybees and native bees, they also feed adult butterflies and we all want more of those in our gardens. They are host plants or over 100 species of caterpillars, nature's bird feeders. Where there are caterpillars, there will be birds! You may be lucky to find New England asters in pots at your big box store. They are transplantable and will overwinter in the garden. In addition to the New England asters, there are several other native varieties that are sold in the perennial section of your garden centres. There is a variety of aster for every garden. New England Asters Symphyotrichum novaeangliae: (purple, light purple) Full to part sun, blooms August to October, moist average soil. Swamp Aster Symphyotrichum puniceum: (purple, light purple) Full to part sun, August to October, wet garden area White Wood Eurybia divaricate: Part shade to full shade, September to October and will grow in a garden from moist to dry. Heart Leaf Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium: (lavender to light blue) Part shade to full shade, September to October, medium to dry soil Note: It is also recommended to pinch back or cut back asters in June to prevent them from getting too big and floppy. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Are you a landscape or gardening expert? We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more. Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.  Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• September in the Garden

  Although September marks the end of summer and the gradual change to fall, it doesn’t have to signify the end of the gardening season. In this episode, Joanne offers some practical tips and advice for making the most of your September garden. Topics covered in this week's episode: September Reset Reality check: Hot, dry summer stressed many plants. Use September’s cooler nights/rain to reassess. Goal: Keep what thrived, replace what struggled with drought-tolerant options. Evaluate & Document Walk-through: List plants that thrived, survived, and failed Take photos now: Capture beds to guide spring moves and timing of blooms. New gardens: Observe 1–2 seasons before big changes. Disease: Powdery Mildew Look for: White, talc-like film on peony, lilac, ninebark, and perennials. Fix: Improve airflow, remove affected leaves, or cut peonies down. Don’t: Cut everything back—September still has interest. Divide & Relocate  Peonies: Divide/move now; eyes at original depth (shallow). Hostas: Move sun-stressed clumps to cooler/shadier spots; fall divisions avoid leggy spring growth. Rescue Stressed or New Plants Priority: Root establishment, not top growth. Steps: Trim crispy foliage, keep plant tags, and water consistently through September–October. Clearance Rack Buying Inspect roots, not leaves: Healthy = firm, white/tan roots with soil; avoid slimy/sour/rotting roots. Perennials: “Sleep, creep, leap," cosmetic top damage is fine if roots are good. Soil Care  Add: Compost, composted mulch, or manure (not more “garden soil”). Why: Better nutrients + moisture retention for next year. Lawn Strategy (Early Fall) Dormant does not mean dead: Expect rebound with dew + cooler nights. Mow high: Especially before/through heat. Weeds: Pull crabgrass before seed set; clear curb/edge weeds to limit spread. Overseed/top-dress: Mostly an October task; focus on moisture now. Japanese Beetles Apply nematodes (late Sept): Only if you can water deeply and consistently; they’re swimmers. Deterrence: Avoid their favourite plants; instead, place annual geraniums in your garden as they act as a mild repellent. Tropicals & Houseplants Temperature trigger: Start bringing in when nights drop below 16 °C. Prep: Inspect, rinse, insecticidal soap, flush soil; stage in garage if needed. Figs in pots: Can overwinter in unheated garage; prune in fall to encourage fruiting. Late-Season Colour (Pollinator-Friendly) Shade structure: Sun King aralia (chartreuse), bugbane (burgundy foliage + white spikes). Perennials: Japanese anemone, toad lily, native asters (choose over mums; better for insects). Compact shrubs: Panicle hydrangeas—‘Bobo’, ‘Fire Light Tidbit’, ‘Little Lime Punch’ Evergreens: Critical Watering Need: Deep, infrequent soakings going into winter (cedars, conifers). Why: Prevents winter burn; burlap/windscreens are last resort—moisture is key. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Are you a landscape or gardening expert? We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more. Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• 5 Tips for Starting a Landscape Project

  Thinking about a starting a new landscape project? This week on Down the Garden Path, Joanne draws on her experience as a landscape designer to share insights on planning, selecting high-quality materials, and collaborating with professionals. Topics covered in this week's episode: 1) Go for a walk in your neighbourhood or drive to another neighbourhood and walk there to look at landscapes so that you can see what you like and don't like. Pay attention to homes that are the same style and or colour Look at the colour of the paving material used. This can help for choices in the front or backyard. For front yards, focus on features like front entrances etc. Do you see an aesthetic you like? Gardens: do you want more garden and less lawn, or the other way around? Again, do you like clean lines and minimal plantings, or do you want a colourful all-season garden? 2) Ask for referrals from neighbours, family, or friends who have completed successful landscape projects. Research landscape companies on social media and websites before contacting them. Look at the type of jobs they are building, the material they are using. 3) Call Landscape Companies: Ask about design services Don’t fall for “We can do anything you want!” You don’t know what you don’t know Many contractors have design services, and if they don’t, many independent landscape designers can help you with a plan. 4) Ask potential landscapers questions and read through proposals thoroughly. Ask about how deep they dig their base, what base materials they use, what type of edging techniques do they use. Will they repair or replace the sod? What is their preferred landscaping material? 5) Once you have chosen your landscaper, you will need to choose your material before your project starts. You can narrow down the options by reviewing different catalogues, but it is more helpful to visit material yards in person. Visit with your landscaper or designer to select appropriate materials. Choices can be overwhelming, so do not go alone. It is important to make sure that all the different materials coordinate Consider future needs like irrigation and lighting if your budget is limited. The landscaper can add during the initial project to make it easier to add lighting and irrigation later. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Are you a landscape or gardening expert? We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more. Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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• August in the Garden

  August is a busy but rewarding month in the garden. Although heat stress and plant fatigue can be a challenge, with attentive care, tidying up, and strategic watering and fertilizing, your lawn and garden can thrive into the fall. Tune in to hear Joanne's tips and advice for keeping your lawn and garden thriving in August. Topics covered in this week's episode: Bulb Preparation Start thinking about fall bulbs (both flowering and garlic) now, especially if you want specific varieties. Vegetables and Herbs Trim tired herbs (dill, basil, chives, oregano, thyme) for rejuvenation—stagger cuts for small crops to extend harvests. Monitor vegetables—harvest tomatoes and sow a second crop of lettuces and other cool-weather crops for fall. Keep gardens tidy: remove dead leaves and debris to prevent mildew and fungal diseases, especially after frequent watering. Watering Tips Due to a lack of rain and prevalent heat in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), consistent watering is vital. Overhead watering (oscillating sprinklers) is inefficient—Joanne recommends a circular, ground-level sprinkler for deeper, targeted watering. Test soil moisture with a wooden stick/spoon for accurate watering, especially for new plants. Fertilization and Soil Care With heavy summer watering, nutrients may be depleted—top up with compost or hen manure, especially in raised beds and containers. Annuals and hanging baskets may also need fertilizer boosts (water-soluble or pellet) and a haircut to encourage new growth. Container Gardening Refresh tired annuals in containers or hanging baskets—replace or trim as needed for continued success through fall. Consider adding or dividing perennials like hostas in containers. Pest and Disease Watch Look out for mildew, spider mites, and aphids; ladybugs can help control aphids (ensure they are native). Lawn Care Lawns may look brown but are likely dormant, not dead—no need to fertilize or mow dormant grass. Focus on watering deeply rather than frequently. Use a rain gauge or simple container to check water penetration. Pay attention to weeds, especially crabgrass—remove before seed heads spread. Trees and Hedges Water trees deeply—target the feeder root zone, not just trunk; mature trees benefit when you water your lawn. Avoid spraying tree leaves or trunks. Prefer ground-level, slow watering instead of overhead for all garden areas. Pruning Prune flowering shrubs (weigela, lilac, spirea) by cutting older/dead branches from inside the shrub for rejuvenation. For evergreens (cedar, yew), light trimming and shaping are appropriate now; major pruning is best left to professionals if needed. Shape hedges so the base is wider than the top to ensure sunlight reaches the bottom branches. Hydrangea Tips Highlight on hydrangea varieties that thrive in heat and drought (Paniculata types like Bobo, Firelight Tidbit, Little Lime Punch, and Arborescens/Annabelle types). Water hydrangeas thoroughly—wilting signals the need for water. Enjoyment and Planning Observe visiting butterflies, bees, and birds; consider water features (birdbaths, fountains) that attract pollinators and wildlife. Take photos of garden gaps for future planning, especially for plants that bloom in late summer or fall. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden Are you a landscape or gardening expert? We'd love to have you on the show! Click here to learn more. Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast. Down the Garden Path Podcast On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.  In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon. Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.

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