The Growing Season

DON'T EAT THOSE CHOCOLATE RAISINS. 

Its that time of year that chocolate raisins, aka Bunny Poop, comes into focus horticulturally. The largest bunny of them all appears this weekend - The EASTER BUNNY.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland detail what Easter means to their family.  Jack and Lynne have an especially important event tied to the Easter weekend. 

The tree that gives chocolate is the first in line at the horticultural party. The TGS trio highlight its history. 

The "midge fly" has a major role in chocolate and Matt asserts that East...

No!   It's not Halloween yet. 

But, "THEY'RE HERE!"  That famous line uttered in Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic "Poltergeist" becomes the jumping off point for this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into all the horticultural items that are current emerging at this time of the year. 

"This is not the time to be out on job sites..."   We know, its a downer BUT that doesn't mean we can't talk about what's to come...

Movie trivia kicks the show off.  With the amount of snow and cold that gr...

Jack McFarland is built to survive! 

Jack calls in for the final time from Sunnybrook's St. John's rehab facility for final time on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt highlight the plants that can tolerate the wild swings in weather and temperature that are common at this time of the year.  

There are so many that respond with "is that all you got?" whilst raging at Mother Nature. 

The time of year makes the clients go squirrely and Matt has to talk them into a peaceful mind...

Lets get EPIC for this year's Spring Break.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland board a plane and take off for New Zealand on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Matt confuses New Zealand and Australia.   Jack and Lynne correct his mistake.

"The father south you go in New Zealand the cooler it is..." RIGHT.  Time to recalibrate the operating system.

Humans, sheep, kiwis and The Maori all feature heavily in New Zealand.

Automated sheep shearing and grape picking correlate. What are there SOOOO many sheep in New Zealand? 

We get by with a little help from our friends.

Toronto's own Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre comes in with the ultimate save this week.

Jack McFarland, fresh off of a shoulder replacement surgery, joins Lynne and Matt, by phone, for this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Calling in from a patient lounge, Jack details the ins and outs of how to make a construction project more sustainable. 

Jack and Matt discuss keeping the job site clean.  LIKE EXCESSIVELY CLEAN!  How do you keep a job site from getting muddy. 

How...

RETREAT!   The winter has been so harsh maybe we should just accept our fate.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland retreat to the joys of interior horticulture on this week's episode of The Growing Season.

Houseplants take centre stage as the snow continues to dominate our landscapes.  How to water and WHAT to water with kicks off the proceedings. 

"Snow Water" vs. tap water is discussed. What basic elements does rainwater contain? 

Which plant is the one that is the most susceptible to leaf drop due to winter draft?

You'd be s...

Sodium, sodium, they showed from their podium!

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland add another grain to their pile of salt with this week's Salt And Horticulture Pt. 2 on The Growing Season. 

With the level of ice on walking and driving surfaces all across the GTA the trio felt it prudent to discuss salt tolerant plant materials. 

Jack discusses an upcoming surgery.  He's a little nervous.

Rising temperatures due to climate change causes our lake water to evaporate quicker, increasing the salt content in the soil.

Sea Asparagus and Suaeda Mar...

That's an awfully nice fire ant hill you have there!

Wait.  What!?

Its the time of year that Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland overlay horticulture and Valentine's Day on The Growing Season. 

Annually, the trio discuss the collision of the two and this year doesn't disappoint. 

Roses kick the show off, naturally.  Where are roses grown commercially? You'd be surprised to learn. 

Matt tells a story about this daughter going to a dance with a boy.  Its rattled him.

Coyote urine makes a GREAT Valentines Day gift.  Nothing...

Put on your hydrangea and lets get out and shovel the driveway!

WHAT!?

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight the intersection of textiles and horticulture on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Matt opens the show with a discussion on a milestone that his family has reached. Silk moths and their fondness for mulberry begins the plant content.  How is silk made? 

Synthetic silk and pineapples.  Not kidding!

Milkweek, dandelions, bullrush and smokebush floof can all be used for a "down-like" material to replace goose down. Life jackets in W...

The GTA set records for snowfall!

In light of the recent butt-whooping the Greater Toronto Area took in the recent, record setting, snowfall, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland decided to use their Snowmageddon bullet on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

In an annual fashion, the trio highlight the events of the storm and take the opportunity to dive into all things white and fluffy. 

1999's version of a snowstorm kicks the show off.  Matt correlates where he was then with where he is now.  HINT: it's the same place. 

The a...

So we're in thick of it.  Right in the fluffy middle.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get real STRANGE on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Winter, in all its glory, becomes the latest focus of Strange But True. 

Penguins kick off the show.  Their breeding habits and marital preferences.   Their ability to withstand absolutely frigid temperatures and a freakish talent to hold their breath. 

A group of penguins is called a "Waddle."  Cool, eh?  Penguin clouds...from you know where...  LOTS OF CLOUDS!

Why has "Global Warming" been re-labelled "Climate C...

Its the time of the year when a simple walk to the bus stop can be TREACHEROUS!

Many of us are salting our exterior surfaces to reduce the chance of slipping. 

This week on The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss salt and horticulture on part 1 of a two part series. 

What are the effects on salt on the human body? Salt and the ambient amount of salt in food is discussed.  Canned soup comes into focus. 

Why is salt used in food? What about beverages?  A gas powered blend...

You think it's wintry in the GTA?   Lets look and see what's happening in The Northwest Territories. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland continue the new year with a deep dive into Horticulture in the Northwest Territories on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Matt highlights a wonderful development in his career.  Its been years in the making. 

A travelogue starts the proceedings. 

Why is Yellowknife called Yellowknife?   HINT:  It has to do with Yellow Knives! 

Frost free days and growing produce - what is the correlation?  What happens when you s...

What if!?

That's how we start off in 2026.  Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get hypothetical. 

The Growing Season kicks off the new year with your lawn in mind.   Your lawn, as in the thing buried under the snow.  Its gone!

What if our grasslands just disappeared?  How would that effect our ecology?

Why this topic? Why now? What is the opposite of grasslands?  You'd be surprised to learn. 

The differences between the water consumption of grasslands and forests are compared and contrasted. 

Sound dampening of Grasslands and Trees...

Take your fern to a film on New Years! 

The Growing Season celebrates New Years in style by celebrating the intersection of film and horticulture.  

Jack, Lynne and Matt discuss some of the ways blockbuster movies and TV shows have highlighted wonderful biomes. 

New Years resolutions kick the show off.  Stranger Things' final episodes feature prominently. 

Media and music personalities that have left us this year are discussed. 

What does a location scout do for a living?  How does one become a location scout? Is location scouting a job that is...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

In the penultimate episode of The Growing Season for 2025, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the some of your horticultural holiday favourites.

Could you start a holiday themed decking company?  Famous Christmas music and moves kick the show off. Bing Crosby becomes a topic of discussion. 

"All I want for Christmas," Mariah Carey's ubiquitous holiday hit has sold some copies.  LIKE A LOT OF COPIES. 

Christmas Vacation, It's A Wonderful Life, Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street are all talking points. 

Frakincense and m...

You knew it was coming! 

Evergreens and Christmas Trees draw the spotlight on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland highlight THE focal point of the Christmas Season for those of us that lean into horticultural interests. 

What came first - evergreens or deciduous plants?  You'll be surprised to know. 

Do real Christmas trees provide significant income to those selling them at this time of year? 

The pros and cons of real and artificial Christmas Trees are discussed.  Cancer, oxygen and the health benefits of eith...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

That's right, here we go.  Christmas 2025 on The Growing Season.  

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland are pleased to add a new entry to their annual holiday fare.  "Planted For Christmas" features 54 minutes of what you can plant in your horticultural space to harvest for Christmas decorations. 

Christmas light foibles kick the show off. Matt discusses how to plan ahead for your holiday decorating during the design phase of your landscape. Conduits and spruce are some highlights. 

Dogwoods and their family members feature prominently on Growing Seaso...

Brrrrr.  That's cold! 

Its upon us.  The rain has turned white and remains on the ground. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss how humans navigate winter on this episode of The Growing Season.  

Matt discusses his love of The Weather Network and snow days.   Lynne delivers the bad news about this winter's forecast. 

Brine, road salt and the methods used to de-ice roads are highlighted.  "Beet-brine" is the last tech on the scene.  You read that correctly. 

The McFarland Query System returns to insult The McFarlands.  How to properly apply de-ic...

Humans aren't the only ones that have to adapt to a colder climate during the winter months. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland track the migration patterns of Canada geese.  Why do they fly south for the winter.  "Whiffing" is a landing maneuver used by geese.  What is it used for? 

Matt talks about his love of the film "Predator: Badlands." Go and see it. 

Down jackets worn by birds in the winter is a real thing.  Birds have remarkable winter adaptations. 

Pets and winter boots is a hilarious sight to behold.  It was a...

More snoozy for your flower beds! 

BedTime continues on The Growing Season and The McFarlands jump in with aplomb. 

Can you plant trees at this time of the year?  Jack McFarland explains why this is a GREAT time to plant large deciduous organisms.  

Matt tells a red maple story that he is about to plant for a longtime client.  Speaking of trees, Matt explains the measures he takes when planting large trees at this time of year.  There are some slight differences between planting now and other times of the year.

Defens...

Is it sleepy-time yet? 

Almost.  The McFarlands guide The Growing Season into the final stretch of the horticultural season on this week's episode of The Growing Season.

Poppies kick off the show and Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss poppy bloom time and why they don't use many poppies on designs.  Hint:  think peonies. 

Why did poppies grow vigorously in Flanders Fields?  You'll be surprised to know. 

An extended version of "Imagine If You Will" takes the listeners back 100 years to find out how homeowners were prepping their flower beds for the win...

Challenge accepted!!!

With the horticultural season wrapping up, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the challenges they faced this year on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. 

Winter 2025 kicks off the show’s content.  How did it feed into this summer’s water table?

A rainy May and then blistering heat for the remainder of the summer.  Do you remember how HOT it was?

There were 18 days of temps above 30 celsius BEFORE the humid in summer 2025. 

What is the “litter layer” of your topsoil? What are “hydrophobic soils?” The trio...

Is that your Mum?

Its that time of year, ladies and gents.  The Growing Season highlights the wonders of fall on this week's episode. 

Fall Mums, bulbs and much more are the fare that The McFarlands dine out on this week.  

Halloween kicks off the show. Matt talks a little about his kids and their halloween adventures.  On the horticultural side, is it time to remove your annuals?  The trio discuss. 

Ragweed is still raging and pollinating.  How is that possible? 

The Toronto Blue Jays are World Series bound so the M...

But wait!  There's more!

Break out your Combine Harvesters and enjoy this week's episode of The Growing Season.  Harvest continues to feature front and centre. 

The McFarland's update you, the listener, on Jack's health. 

Matt McFarland discusses how the combine harvester featured prominently into his son's formative years. 

The trio play "The Agricultural Trivia Show" to great results. 

What is to leave the field "fallow?"  Why would someone want to participate in this practice? 

Jack talks about 30" carrots.  HUGE!

Zero till has major benefits.  Lynne discusses...

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland get Agricultural on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Turkey's, Thanksgiving, loosening the belts and much more start the show off in style. 

Pumpkin spice and pies are holiday favourites that Matt tees off on.  Matt gets ranty with Jack about cranberries. 

Do cranberries grow in water?   Why are they harvested this way? Jack thinks he may need cranberries. 

The three sisters!!! What the heck are we talking about? Lynne discusses an indigenous city and how aboriginal people...

These are the ones to watch!

The McFarlands celebrate their 6 year anniversary discussing the all-stars of the autumnal season on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Canada geese kick off the show.  Lynne discusses what she learned over the last year.  Jack and Matt chime in. 

Potentillas, sprinklers and irrigation also feature.  

Silver linings and record breaking heat during the summer months are also correlated. 

Jack rants about fall colour change.  Is it stress or is it actual fall colour. 

The science of fall colour change is highl...

Good things come in small packages. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland chat all things small on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  

Take the full-sized version of a large plant and miniaturize it and that's what we're talking about. 

The differences between full-sized, semi-dwarf and dwarf kick off the show. Espaliers are the first out of the gate. Squirrels and apple trees are a highlight. 

Baseball and apples.  What!?

Blueberries have been tough for The Growing Season to grow.  Matt discusses. 

Shade/light conditions play a huge ro...

"I'd love it to stay contained and grow slow..."

These are the sentiments uttered by many a client that have crossed the McFarland's path. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into plants that are just what a client ordered on this week's episode of The Growing Season.

Algae kicks the show off and you'll find out why. Juniper tags in quick and The McFarland's give these lovely evergreens their due. 

Pfitzers, Icee Blue, Blue Rug, Blue Chip and many more junipers are discussed.

What is a "Pancake Juniper?" The Ko...

What's with all the insect activity!?

Have you seen an upswing in insects in the garden of late?   Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into an increased presence of pollinators on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Grasshoppers and bees kick the show off.  Do grasshoppers pollinate anything? You'll be surprised to know. 

Ants and Trilliums - there is a relationship there. Wasps and timber steps = stings for Matt. 

Jack tells the same 13 stories over and over.  This comes right in the middle of a conversation about almond pollination. 

What...

More WOOD!  

You WOULDN’T want to miss this. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland continue their Woodland Garden series on this week’s episode of The Growing Season.

Picking up where last week’s episode left off, the trio dive into the plant material specifics that would look appropriate in a Woodland Design. 

Matt describes some curious behaviour on plants that he's currently observing on-sites. Jack outlines the two plants that tell you if there is enough water being applied to your flower beds. 

The lifecycle of the fern is outline...

Sometimes you just gotta go for a walk in the woods.

The McFarland's put their face in the mulch on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  

Jack, Lynne and Matt dive into part 1 of a two part series highlighting how to design and build a "woodland garden."

What makes a woodland garden a woodland garden?   Jack spins a yarn about a large woodland area that he created, for a client, in the 80's.  

Jack and Matt guide the listenership through an estimation exercise. 

Is there a natural way to d...

Geometric plants and small trees!

This week's episode of The Growing Season changes what you've got into something even greater. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into lollipops, standards and pom-poms. 

WHAT!?   The trio explain.  What is the difference between a standard and a lollipop?  Can they be both?  What is a pom-pom that is not on a poodle or a cheerleader?

Matt details his cat's adventures in the recent heat wave.  How is kitty keeping cool amongst trees shedding early and farmers harvesting prematurely?

How do you properly water d...

WHEN WILL IT RAIN!?

The Greater Toronto Area hasn't seen significant rainfall in over a month and the plants are starting to show the effects of drought.

Your grass is the colour of Shredded Wheat and the heat is making it a struggle to keep your plants happy.  What to do? 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland focus on water wise plants on this week's episode of The Growing Season. 

Lynne has changed how she's watering her flower beds.  She describes how and the results thus far.  Maybe it's time for many of us...

Look up!

Its not just in the theatres these days, its on your arbours, trellises and fence lines.

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland look up on this week's episode of The Growing Season.  All things that grow up and down are discussed on the most recent episode of TGS. 

Lynne is "3 foot 12 inches..."  She's taller than that but it sets the tone for the show. 

Many clients don't know where to begin when it comes to choosing climbers.  The McFarlands make a list of the most popular ones. 

Climbing roses...

It’s all about Daisies and we and we ain’t talking bout pushing them up! 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland park this week’s episode of The Growing Season in a patch of Shasta’s. 

Matt talks about Daisy Dukes. Jack responds with “Ox Eyes.”

Road Daisies and trains converge. 

10% of the plants on earth are Daisies. 

Echinacea and Black Eyed Susie are members of the Daisy family. Who knew? 

The “Fibonacci Sequence” and phototropism are discussed.

Poisonous Daisy family members? Yup, you read that right.  As well...

Its been dry and hot so how does that effect your lawn?

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland cut this week's episode of The Growing Season into your front lawn with a little grass talk. 

How do you protect your lawn against drought and heat? 

Matt discusses the ins and outs of irrigation systems.  How much does it cost to install the system and what does it cost, on a monthly basis, to run one of these systems? 

A discussion on proper watering occurs.  

THE FIRE HOSE NOZZLE IS THE GREAT...

All stars in July aren’t only reserved for baseball!

This week on The Growing Season, Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland dive into the horticultural all stars of July. 

Nothing blooms in July says the client. LIES. 

Matt tells a swimming story. 

HERstory returns to The Growing Seasom airwaves. Lynne discusses how the month of July got its name. What are the “Dog Days” of summer? 

TONS OF THINGS ARE BLOOMING RIGHT NOW. 

Portulaca, phlox, echinacea, delphinium and many more are discussed. 

Is July too lat...

Currently blooming in a garden near you! 

The Growing Season highlights Lilies on this week’s episode. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland discuss the little blooming bombs that are currently visible in your garden. 

What makes a lily a lily? Are they native to Canada? 

What does Clint Eastwood have to do with Day Lilies? There is a correlation. 

They’re called Daylilies because they only bloom for a single day. Seriously. The trio discuss. 

Spider mite is discussed.  The name “Stella” is used continuously throughout the...

THINGS ARE GROWING LIKE CRAZY!  

Pruning in July takes centre stage on this week’s episode of The Growing Season. 

Jack, Lynne and Matt McFarland open the show highlighting the amount of rain, heat and humidity the GTA has experienced over the last few weeks. 

How does this affect plant growth? 

How can you safely prune away from a plant?  

Is pruning in July different than pruning in early spring? Jack discusses “hardening off” in evergreens. 

What about pruning fruit trees. Is that possible at this time of year?