CHEX TV airdate: Friday Oct. 31st, 2014 Watch this episode here. ![DSC_0586[1]](https://www.avantgardenshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC_05861.jpg)
It might seem like a strange time of year to talk about window boxes. Afterall, it’s time to put our gardens to bed! Probably by now most of your annuals have been hit by the frost. ?So then why am I talking about window boxes? ?Because I want you to use them 12 months of the year! ?Of course you can fill them with beautiful flowers, but I like to use them in other seasons too. Ours at the shop have looked gorgeous for the last few years. ?I start early in the spring with some beautiful pansies as they are very cold tolerant. Then at the end of May I fill them with a variety of annuals. ?By the end of October they are usually done so I’ll fill them with lovely pine, cedar, juniper and whatever other greens I can get my hands on. 
Our window boxes are very deep which means they hold a lot of soil. ?This is probably one of the most important characteristics of a quality window box. A deep container that holds lots of soil will help keep your plant roots cooler, hold more moisture and allow for deeper root growth. ?Small containers heat up, dry out and?plants will be less likely to do well or even survive. Note: Coco liners have been difficult to find over the last couple of years so instead we use a double layer of burlap. Our window boxes are made in Ontario by a metal worker with high quality steel, durable welds and fantastic designs. ?Walsh Mountain Ironworks at one time was located in Port Hope. ?The retail shop is now closed and the jigs and patterns sold. ?The new owner is doing a wonderful job and we are very pleased with the quality and designs. A variety of styles can be seen on our website. ?
Month: October 2014
Garden Gate: Episode 48 – Flags and Mats
CHEX TV airdate: Oct. 17th, 2014 Click link to watch this episode. On this episode of the Garden Gate I am talking about the beautiful flags and mats that we carry at the shop. An extremely popular product line from Magnet Works, the garden flags are of the highest quality with beautiful designs printed onto 600 denier polyester. These permanently dyed garden flags are mildew and fade resistant and machine washable. ?Flags come in two sizes. The small (12.5 X 18″) fits on a stand that pierces the soil and the large (28 X 40″) fits on a pole that mounts on your house. 
MatMate? Doormats are Interchangeable and Eco-Friendly! These beautiful printed doormats have an environmentally friendly backing made of recycled rubber tires. MatMates doormats measure 18″ x 30″ and look great when used stand-alone, but they really come to life when they’re used as inserts in one of our stunning MatMates decorative trays. MatMates are permanently dyed using state-of-the-art dye sublimation 
printing. MatMates are fade and mildew resistant. Made in the USA Excellent quality! BreezeArt garden flags and MatMates? ?make great holiday gift ideas for those hard-to-buy-for people in your life! Moms love these flags and mats and can receive new ones?for their birthday, Mother’s day, Christmas or just to cheer her up! Get one for each season! ?Matching flags and mats available. See some of our selection on our website. ?
Garden Gate: Episode 47 – Hand made Beer glasses!
CHEX TV air date: Friday October 3rd 5pm Click link to watch this episode. OK, you’re probably wondering how do beer glasses fit in a garden shop!? ?Well, they’re Canadian made and you need refreshment after you’ve been working hard in the garden! Right? Or maybe hubby needs a drink after he’s been digging that new garden for you. ?And how better than to serve it in a fun beer glass actually made out of a real beer bottle! ?And yes, they hold a full beer! On this episode of The Garden Gate I chat with Jenn from Artech glass.