Advice From The Ritchie's Experts

Lawn Care Preparing the soil for a new crop Turn over the soil to a depth of 10-15cm. Add soil amendments such as black earth and topsoil. Rake well and level the soil, creating a gradual slope away from the...

Gopher Resistant Plants Annuals: Cyclamen sp. Cyclamen Nerium oleander Oleander Rosemarinus officinalis Rosemary Salvia officinalis Sage Solanum jasminoides Star of Bethlehem/Potato Vine Bulbs: Allium sp. Ornamental Onion Amaryllis belladonna Belladonna Lily Anemone blanda Winter Windflower Colchicum autumnale Autumn Crocus Hyacinthus...

Toxic to Cats Botanical name Symptoms Common names Abrus precatorius Severe vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes bloody), tremors, high heart rate, fever, shock, and death. Seeds are highly toxic. Buddhist Rosary Bead, Indian Bead, Indian Licorice, Love Bean, Lucky Bean, Prayer...

Aphids Aphids are green, brown, red or black soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices causing stunting and deformation of leaves and blooms. They are found on the underside of leaves, usually on the newer, more succulent growth. They deposit sticky...

Spider mites Spider mites are tiny sap sucking insects found on the underside of leaves. Warm temperatures and low humidity will cause them to spread more rapidly. They usually go unnoticed until fine webbing is evident. Control: Increase humidity by...

Mealybugs Mealybugs are white, oval and usually covered in a white substance that looks like cotton fluff. They are found individually or in clusters on stems, leaves and where the leaf joins the stem. They suck plant juices and weaken...

Birds in Your Garden What attracts birds to your garden? There are several factors that will make a garden attractive to birds. These factors are the availability of shelter, food and water. If you want to attract birds to your...

Whiteflies are small flies with white wings that fly up in large numbers when the plant is disturbed, which can make them difficult to control. These insects multiply quickly and can spread to other plants rapidly. They are most commonly...

Nematodes Controlling Lawn Pests Naturally Nematodes are naturally occurring, microscopic worms that are applied to lawns for control of White Grubs. They infest and kill their prey within 24 - 48 hours and take 7 – 21 days to clear...

Plants for Wet Soil (tolerate some standing water) Trees : Abies balsamea Balsam Fir Abies sibiria Siberian Fir Acer rubrum Red Maple Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Betula nigra River Birch Catalpa speciosa Northern Catalpa Quercus palustris Pin Oak Salix sp....

Winter in your garden doesn't have to be dull. Many plants offer interesting texture, shape and even colour throughout the cold months. Here is a list of plants, shrubs and trees that can be planted for interest year round. Perennials...

Hardy Shrubs Zone 3 or less Evergreens: Abies balsamea Balsam Fir Juniperus communis 'Depressa' Prostrated Common Juniper Juniperus horizontalis Creeping Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbour' Bar Harbour Juniper Juniperus horizontalis ‘Icee Blue’ Icee Blue Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Plumosa Compacta' Dwarf...

Why are we starting seeds indoors? There are many reasons why are starting seeds indoors. Some people are looking for varieties that they cannot find otherwise. Some people like to get a head start on the season and be involved...

Salt Tolerant Plants Trees: Catalpa speciosa Northern Catalpa Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo Gleditsia tricanthos Honeylocust Picea abies Norway Spruce Picea glauca White Spruce Picea pungens Colorado Spruce Pinus nigra Austrian Pine Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust Ulmus spp....

Trees for Under Power Lines Acer ginnala Amur Maple Acer platanoides 'Globosum' Globe Maple Amelanchier x grandiflora Serviceberry Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula' Weeping Nootka Falsecypress Cornus alternifolia Pagoda Dogwood Crataegus x mordenensis Hawthorne Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive Euonymus alatus std Burning...

Plants for Butterflies Annuals: Ageratum spp. Flossflower Comos spp. Cosmos Pelargonium spp. Geranium Gomphrena globosa Globe Amaranth Impatiens spp. Impatiens/Balsam Lantana spp. Lantana Tagetes spp. Marigold Petunia spp. Petunia Phlox drummondii Annual Phlox Verbena spp. Verbena Zinnia spp. Zinnia Perennials:...

Vines are a beautiful addition to any garden; they can be used to provide a screen or add interest to a bare wall or fence. Dutchman’s Pipe (Sristolochia durior) A fast growing, vigorous, twining vine it has large leaves; good...

Common Name Plantain Lily History Until recently, hostas were considered to be a common shade plant that was used in gardens because nothing else seemed to work. Now, so many distinctive varieties are available that an avid gardener can be seen spending up...

 RITCHIE FEED & SEED INC. 1390 Windmill Lane, Ottawa, ON, K1B 4V5 613-741-4430 q2r.pompeyhollowphoto.com   Antique These roses are an excellent choice for anyone who wants something special for their rose collection. These roses have an interesting petal formation and...

Woody Ornamental Plants Rarely Damaged by Deer and Elk American holly Common boxwood Colorado blue spruce Drooping leucothoe Japanese pieris Juniper Paper birch Herbaceous Plants Rarely Damaged by Deer and Elk Annuals and biennials: Ageratum Blanket flower Blue salvia Cleome...

Picking a tree What do I need to know before picking a tree? It is really important to have an understanding of the area in which you are going to plant the tree. More important than anything is knowing how...