The Avant-Garden Shop: Your Garden & Bird Store

GARDEN GATE: Episode 295 – The Original Solair Chairs! (June 21, 2024)

Check out these groovy Solair Chairs! You may know them as basket chairs or motel chairs, as these are the same chairs made in the 1970s! We love that these are Canadian made by the same original company from Quebec. These chairs are very comfortable, hold up to 300lbs, and are easy to lift. They … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 294 – Father’s Day Ideas (June 7, 2024)

Fathers Day is this Sunday, June 16th. We’ve got many unique items for Dad in the shop including locally made bat houses! Bats consume a tremendous number of mosquitoes nightly and are a great option for pest control. Ask us for more fun facts about bats in the store, or grab a book on bats … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 293 – Fun stuff for kids! (May 24, 2024)

Recently we brought in some neat toys and tools for the kids. Many of these items can help kids get interested in the outdoors! Help them build and paint their own birdhouse or feeder, or get them helping in the garden with their own set of gloves and tools! There are many nature themed items, … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 292 – Feeders For Baltimore Orioles (May 10, 2024)

With spring comes the migration of the Baltimore orioles! These brightly coloured birds visit our area during their breeding season. They don’t stay very long, usually raising one brood then taking off some time in August. However short and sweet, they’re a treat to see and hear in our backyards. We have many different feeders … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 291 – Gift ideas for Mother’s Day ! (April 26, 2024)

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 12th this year! This means there’s not much time left to go find that perfectly unique gift for the Moms in your life! Luckily the shop is loaded with beautiful options. We have locally made jewelry, hummingbird feeders, puzzles, pottery, metal art, and handblown glass hearts! If Mom’s a gardener … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 290 – Keeping out the squirrels! (April 12, 2024)

In the last episode Brenda talked about keeping grackles and starlings away from feeders. This week is about keeping the squirrels off. The Brome Squirrel Buster feeders are really the best option. These are triggered to close with the weight of a squirrel. Another great option is to put a baffle on your pole. These … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 289 – Indigenous Collection (March 22, 2024)

Indigenous Collection is a division of Canadian Art Prints. This Canadian company specializes in indigenous art by working directly with indigenous artists from across North America. All the beautiful designs are authentic and the artists are paid a royalty on each sale. We recently received some new designs of puzzles, mugs, cards, bookmarks, and stickers! … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 288 – The Return of the Grackles (March 15, 2024)

It’s that time again. The grackles have returned and many people are asking how to get rid of them and the starlings. As these birds are invasive it’s a good idea to try to deter them from visiting. Here’s a few tips that can help.  As soon as they start showing up, you want to … Read more

GARDEN GATE: Episode 287 – Books From Local Authors (March 1, 2024)

Today we’re highlighting some books in the shop written by local authors! First up is Nature in the Kawarthas by the Peterborough Field Naturalists. This book presents a wealth of information about the birds, mammals, insects, flowers, reptiles and amphibians that inhabit Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This book is also a fundraiser for the Field … Read more

The Avant-Garden Shop