The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

GARDEN GATE: Episode 250-Bird friendly coffee (Sept 23, 2022)

On this episode I speak to David from Birds and Beans coffee about the importance of buying shade grown, organic and bird-friendly certified coffee. Bird friendly certified coffees come from farms that provide good, forest-like habitat for birds. Unlike many coffee farms, which clear forest to grow in the full sun, bird friendly coffee grows … Read more

Snowbirds – we get it!

Fall migration is underway. Like many Canadians, a lot of bird species prefer to spend their winters in warmer climes, often for the simple reason that food is more abundant there than it is here. Migration is risky business, though, and the move to the food is replete with challenges. First of all, it takes … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 248-New wall art from Metallic Evolution (Aug 26, 2022)

We recently received some new wall art from Jon and Heather Zondervan of Guelph. Sometimes shiny metal is not the right fit for your space, or maybe you want something to accent an outdoor area. This collection of rustic art is perfect for both. Finished in a natural rust patina, these pieces have a varied … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 246 – Benefits of feeding the birds in the summer (July 29, 2022)

  Many people stop feeding the birds in the summer because they feel birds don’t need their help or that they’re worried the birds will become dependent on them. But this isn’t the case. Birds only take about 25% of their food from your backyard feeders. The rest of the time they’re out foraging and … Read more

Those epaulets! On Red-winged Blackbirds…

Even many non-birders are familiar with Red-winged Blackbirds. They breed in wet areas including cattail marshes and roadside ditches, and, as their name indicates, they’re black with red (and yellow) epaulets on their shoulders. Their song is a loud “o-kra-lee!” We’re hearing from you that there seems to be more red-wings around this year than … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 245 – Keeping the kids happy this summer (July 15, 2022)

https://youtu.be/gxvlsZO1k9I With summer vacation in full swing, you may need something to occupy the kids. We have a wide variety of items including Canadian made puppets, Soap stone carving kits, bird books and puzzles. We also have a number of books including some from local authors. You can find most of these items on our … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 244 – Furniture & Decor for your garden patio (July 5, 2022)

It’s finally summer and the perfect time to enjoy our outdoor spaces with friends and family. We have lots of awesome decor to help make your space enjoyable. Our Solair chairs are perfect for the garden, deck or even at the trailer! Lots of fun colours, easy to clean, super comfortable, UV stable and sturdy. … Read more

Garden Tips: Birds need water, too

Birds need water for drinking and bathing, and the heat of summer is a good time to get your bird baths out. Drinking Birds don’t need to drink as much water as mammals do, because they don’t have sweat glands. They lose water through breathing and their poop. Most songbirds feed on insects and get … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 243 -Tools, hats, gloves to help you garden! (Jun. 17, 2022)

We carry a wide variety of tools to help make your time in the garden a little easier. From gloves, small hand tools, weeding tools, hats to heat guards for you and your pup!   Our Garden Bandit is our best selling tool and helps you get those weeds out! Hats protect you from the … Read more

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