CHEX TV airdate: May 27th, 2016) To watch this episode online click link. Grackles and starlings can be so annoying when they find your bird feeders. They eat so much, come in large flocks and scare away the prettier birds like cardinals. During this episode of The Garden Gate I focus on types of seed … Read more
Chex TV airdate: April 1st, 2016 Click link to watch this episode online. Local Naturalist and author Drew Monkman is my guest on this episode. Drew helps us understand why we’ve had so many Pine Siskins at our feeders this year. He also points out the differences between Pine Siskins and Gold finches. These two … Read more
By Beatrix Potter Here comes Peter CottontailHoppin’ down the bunny trailHippity hoppin’, Easter’s on its way Bringin’ every girl and boyBaskets full of Easter joyThings to make your Easter bright and gay He’s got jelly beans for TommyColored eggs for sister SueThere’s an orchid for your mommyAnd an Easter bonnet too Oh! here comes Peter … Read more
CHEX TV airdate: Friday March 18th, 2016 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. I first met Caroline Lepannen at the Cobourg Indie show in the fall of 2015. I was immediately attracted to her colourful and quirky “Dudes” made from recycled “scrap.” Her booth was filled with strange and wonderful happy characters in … Read more
We’ve been helping customers pick the perfect gifts for 13 years so have a pretty good idea of what people like and are looking for. We love what we do and really are “here to help!” On this episode I give you a few ideas for dad, mom, kids and friends. Pop in the shop and we can give you some ideas for that special someone on your list. Lots of Canadian made too! ? Click link to watch this episode online.
CHEX TV airdate: December 11th, 2015 5-6pm Squrrel Buster Bird feeders Yes, they really are squirrel proof! Guaranteed! We have been carrying the Squirrel Buster line of bird feeders for MANY years. ?People are initially skeptical about the feeders, but once they see how well they work, they love them! There are 7 different styles available including 5 for mixed seed, 1 for finch seed and 1 for peanuts. You can keep all of your birds happy and even exclude a few that you enjoy less. Squirrels will try to get into the seed but are unable to get anything so give up! You know how smart they are! If they can’t get food they’re going to go someplace else to have their dinner! Watch this episode to learn more about these awesome feeders.
A few years ago I introduced you to our wonderful Solmate socks! ?Customers love these socks because they make them happy. ?So we’ve nicknamed our “Happy socks!” I first showed them on CHEX TV in Garden Gate: Episode 27. ?This episode is a followup to that one. The company was established about 15 years ago by Marianne Wakerlin. In 2014 she retired and her son and daughter-in-law took over. The socks are milled in Vermont. ?Recently the owner of the mill also wanted to retire and sold to the Wakerlin family. ?Employees are very happy with the transition. The socks are a hit! ?Fun, colourful and very comfortable. Watch this episode to see the awesome products offered by The Socklady.
Local artist, Cathy Mark makes stunning windswept trees from her studio in Little Britain. These have been very popular items since we got our first order this spring. Cathy uses beautiful granite rocks hand picked from her farm or hand hewn burls found in the wood. Hand cut stainless steel trees are bent and shaped and finished and then attached to the rocks or burls to create one of a kind pieces of art for the home. She also does a variety of other items including herons and wall pieces which come and go at the shop. Stunning, unique pieces.
CHEX TV air date: Friday Oct. 30th 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area of the Country. Close to nature and the ruggedness portrayed in art like the paintings of The Group of Seven. We have a wide variety of items in the shop that reflect this style of art.?From sets of tea cups with designs by Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris and other members of The Group of Seven to wall art and table art. We have wall art with those beautiful rugged pines of the north. ?And more recently we’ve added work by Cathy Mark from Little Britain. ?Her beautiful hand cut and formed trees will be featured in the next episode of The Garden Gate. Tune in to this episode to get a glimpse of the artistic?pieces available at The Avant-Garden Shop.
CHEX TV airdate: October 16th, 5-6pm Click link to watch this episode online. 
My guest on this episode of The Garden Gate is local sommelier, Christoper Wilton. ?Christopher works for a number of local restaurants both as a waiter but also helping owners and chefs to choose the right wine to go with their food offerings. ?He has an excellent knowledge of wines and it was very interesting to speak with him. We chatted about these awesome wine glasses that we carry at the shop. ?They are made from unglazed clay. The cups are made by Barbara Taylor in Burlington Ontario. She’s been making them for years and has had lots of success with them. It has been said that the clay helps to neutralize the acidity of the wine and make for a smoother drink. ?I have been testing it myself at home and found it does make the wine taste better. It also seems to helps to reduce or eliminate headaches that some people get from drinking wine. Christopher also discussed how the clay doesn’t heat up in your hand and actually cools the wine. ?Normally we are taught to hold a glass of wine by the stem of the glass so as to not heat it up with our body heat. That’s not necessary in the case of the wine cups. ?The clay naturally cools the wine down. Tune in to see this interesting episode.