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Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit. Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe. When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

Permaculture for beginners

Shredded leaves as organic garden mulch | home for the harvest

Permaculture is a design philosophy in which ecosystems are designed to mimic nature. In relation to gardening, permaculture encompasses many of the eco-friendly aspects of organic gardening while also pushing the envelope on increased efficiency and including other sustainable activities…

Growing microgreens

Basil microgreens growing in tray

Microgreens are one of the easiest and healthiest edible plants to grow at home. They can be harvested a week after planting rather than waiting the months it takes to harvest most vegetables. Once you learn how to grow microgreens,…

Buckwheat sprouts

Buckwheat microgreens

Buckwheat sprouts are very affordable and easy to grow. The seeds are easy to sprout inside a mason jar. You just soak the seeds (buckwheat groats) for 4-8 hours and then rinse and drain them twice daily for a couple…

List of gardening experts

Chive flowers for experts article

Sometimes you need some inspiration for your garden! This list of gardening experts includes horticultural professionals, landscape architects, Master Gardeners, bloggers, YouTubers, organic gardeners, gardening authors, and niche experts in specific areas of gardening skills. Here is the list of gardening experts…

Alpine strawberries

Alpine strawberries in hand

Nurturing a garden often leads us down paths of delightful discovery, and for me, the journey with alpine strawberries has been nothing short of enchanting. For many, the challenge lies in understanding the unique needs and quirks of these petite…

Potager garden design

Potager garden design

Striking the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality can be a challenging endeavor. This became especially evident to me as I dove into the world of potager garden design. With my permaculture certification in hand and a passion for crafting…

How to grow wheatgrass

Tray of wheatgrass

Growing wheatgrass might seem like a simple endeavor, but anyone who’s tried it knows there can be bumps along the way. My journey with wheatgrass began over a decade ago, and let me be upfront – it’s been transformative. I’ve…

Growing strawberries indoors

Click and grow garden with strawberry plants growing

I’ve been growing strawberries indoors for the past decade, and trust me, it’s been quite the journey! Through my hands-on experience, I’ve learned the intricacies of nurturing these beloved berries inside our homes. Many of us struggle with the unpredictability…