Brian Minter

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Blueberries grow easily on the West Coast. Lots of types to try.

Blueberries a wonderful addition

And it's too easy to grow your own for the health of it

Blueberries grow easily on the West Coast. Lots of types to try.

Managing your moss

As spring draws near, Brian Minter talks about ways to manage moss.

Getting an early jump on your spring planting.

Get an early jump on spring

There is much satisfaction in growing your own plants from seed, but germination takes a good deal of care and attention, says Brian Minter

Getting an early jump on your spring planting.

A natural, healthful moderator of moods

University study says there is something to flower power

It's official: Flowers make people happy

It’s official: Flowers make people happy

Something as simple as a bouquet of flowers can help to cheer someone up – a nice thought just before Valentine’s Day.

It's official: Flowers make people happy
The time to prune is now.

Start getting your trees and plants back into shape

Pruning extends the health and life of all the trees in your garden.

The time to prune is now.

Sharpen your pruning skills

Pruning extends the health and life of all the trees in your garden, enhances their beauty and prevents them from crowding out other plants.

Apples, pears and plums should have their centres opened up to allow more sun and air to penetrate.

Pruning fruit trees can be a lot of fun

Brian Minter owns and operates Minter Gardens just outside of Chilliwack

Apples, pears and plums should have their centres opened up to allow more sun and air to penetrate.
As if the severe wind on our more tender broadleaved plants, like aucubas (above), is not bad enough, winter sunshine can burn their foliage.

Protecting plants from winter damage

A gardening column by Brian Minter who operates Minter Gardens just outside of Chilliwack

As if the severe wind on our more tender broadleaved plants, like aucubas (above), is not bad enough, winter sunshine can burn their foliage.

Winter garden worries far from over

A couple of years of mild winters can lull us into winter complacency, says Brian Minter

Ardisias are going to be a winter classic for years to come – so watch out poinsettias.

The 12 plants of Christmas

Brian Minter identifies his 12 favourite plants of Chirstmas

Ardisias are going to be a winter classic for years to come – so watch out poinsettias.
Christmas greens add a festive feel this time of year.

Beginning to look (and smell) like Christmas

Christmas greens are so nice inside our homes at this time of year. They’re inexpensive, natural and fragrant.

Christmas greens add a festive feel this time of year.
The colour range used to include only pink, white, orange and salmon, but extensive hybridization has led to the development of fluorescent pink, scarlet, bright lavender, even yellow.

Bang on blooming Christmas cactus

Unlike traditional cacti, Zygocactus love humidity

The colour range used to include only pink, white, orange and salmon, but extensive hybridization has led to the development of fluorescent pink, scarlet, bright lavender, even yellow.
The most popular cactus in our part of the world is a ‘Crab Cactus.’

Is it a Christmas cactus?

Have you ever wondered why your Christmas cactus always blooms too early or too late for the Christmas season?

The most popular cactus in our part of the world is a ‘Crab Cactus.’
Holly berries

Oh the holly

Of all the evergreens we use to decorate our gardens and homes during the Christmas season, holly is still the most popular.

Holly berries
The Christmas custom of decorating homes with holly probably dates back to Roman times, when it was an emblem of goodwill and was sent from one home to another during the Festival of Saturn, celebrated from Dec. 17 to 19.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas, this year

Holly is still the most popular of the evergreens we use to decorate our gardens and homes.

The Christmas custom of decorating homes with holly probably dates back to Roman times, when it was an emblem of goodwill and was sent from one home to another during the Festival of Saturn, celebrated from Dec. 17 to 19.
We are now entering a brand new season, and it is so nice to have our lawns and gardens in shape for the coolest time of the year, says Brian Minter.

Get your yard ready for winter

We are now entering a new season, and it is so nice to have our lawns and gardens in shape for the coolest and wettest time of the year.

We are now entering a brand new season, and it is so nice to have our lawns and gardens in shape for the coolest time of the year, says Brian Minter.
Anemone blanda comes in many colours, but the new varieties ‘Blue Shades’, ‘Pink Star’ and ‘White Splendor’ have lovely bright colors.

Minor bulbs are right under our noses

Brian Minter owns and operates Minter Gardens just outside of Chilliwack

Anemone blanda comes in many colours, but the new varieties ‘Blue Shades’, ‘Pink Star’ and ‘White Splendor’ have lovely bright colors.
Some of the most overlooked plants are the ornamental kales and cabbages that are used so much around the world, but not so much here.

Kale and cabbage add fresh new life

Some of the most overlooked plants are the ornamental kales and cabbages that are used so much around the world, but not so much here.

Some of the most overlooked plants are the ornamental kales and cabbages that are used so much around the world, but not so much here.
Ornamental kales and cabbages a winter delight

Ornamental kales and cabbages a winter delight

The secret to having them look their best is colour blocking them together in groups.

Ornamental kales and cabbages a winter delight