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  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Native Plants
    • Advanced Search
      • Container Friendly Estimate Column
    • Education
      • Biodiversity and Connectivity
      • Container and Small Space Gardening
      • Plant Types
      • Pollinators
      • Soil
      • Water and Conservation
      • Wildlife Coexistence
  • Garden Planner
    • Cues to Care
    • Design and Arrangement Guide
    • Garden Type Tool
    • Site Analysis Tool
    • Where to Buy Native Plants
    • Garden Types and Inspiration
      • Container Gardens
      • Drought-Tolerant Gardens
      • Native Edible and Medicinal Gardens
      • Naturalized Area
      • Pollinator Gardens
      • Rain Gardens
      • Vertical Gardens
      • Wildlife Habitat Gardens
  • Containers, soil and a knocked over tomato seedling.
    Native Plants,  Uncategorized

    How Do I Know When to Start My Seeds?

    February 3, 2026 / No Comments

    A simple guide for seed packets, dates, and not overthinking it.

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    A picture of a sunset over a lake

    Progressive Muscle Relaxation

    January 19, 2025

    Welcome to MikeLIkesPlants.com!

    March 23, 2025
    A field of Monarda fitulosa, or Wild Bergamot

    How to Tell Weeds From Beneficial Native Plants

    April 27, 2025
  • Gaillardia aristata blanket flower
    Native Plants

    Native Plants That Thrive in Summer Heat

    June 18, 2025 / No Comments

    If you're looking to cut back on watering and still enjoy a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden, this list is a great place to start.

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    A closeup picture of the white flowers of the Saskatoon berry

    Plant Profile: Amelanchier alnifolia

    March 23, 2025
    A picture showing the bright white seedhead of goldenrod in winter.

    Goldenrod’s Winter Majesty

    January 19, 2025
    A field of Monarda fitulosa, or Wild Bergamot

    How to Tell Weeds From Beneficial Native Plants

    April 27, 2025
  • A bee on a sunflower
    Native Plants

    How to attract pollinators – without a yard

    April 3, 2025 / No Comments

    Even balcony and small space gardeners can help bees, butterflies, and the whole ecosystem.

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    A picture showing the bright white seedhead of goldenrod in winter.

    Goldenrod’s Winter Majesty

    January 19, 2025
    Keeping your veggie patch watered while away can be stressful – but it doesn't need to be! Photo by jwvein / pixabay

    5 Tips to Keep Gardens Thriving While Away

    August 7, 2025
    A field of Monarda fitulosa, or Wild Bergamot

    How to Tell Weeds From Beneficial Native Plants

    April 27, 2025
  • A picture of Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly milkweed.
    Native Plants

    What makes a native plant – and why it matters

    March 28, 2025 / No Comments

    In this brief article we’ll outline what a native plant is, how they impact ecosystems, and why including them in our landscapes is more important than ever.

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    Containers, soil and a knocked over tomato seedling.

    How Do I Know When to Start My Seeds?

    February 3, 2026
    A picture of a sunset over a lake

    Progressive Muscle Relaxation

    January 19, 2025
    A picture showing Canada's plant hardiness zones

    The surprising fact many garden blogs don’t include

    February 7, 2025
  • A picture showing Canada's plant hardiness zones
    Native Plants

    The surprising fact many garden blogs don’t include

    February 7, 2025 / No Comments

    This missing info can make or break your success with gardening tips from pros and backyard gardeners alike

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    A picture of a rabbit

    5 native plants that benefit wildlife in winter

    January 22, 2025
    A picture showing the bright white seedhead of goldenrod in winter.

    Goldenrod’s Winter Majesty

    January 19, 2025
    Three panels showing a raccoon, a skunk, and an opossum.

    How raccoons, skunks, and opossums help gardeners

    January 22, 2025
  • A picture of a rabbit
    Native Plants,  Wildlife

    5 native plants that benefit wildlife in winter

    January 22, 2025 / No Comments

    If you’re looking to keep birds visiting and support wildlife without feeding, adding native plants to your landscape is one of the best ways to help. But if you’re also looking for plants that maintain winter interest, there’s a few species that will bring colour and texture while continuing to support wildlife! Always check to see if plants are appropriate for your hardiness zone and are native to your region before purchasing or planting. The Fur-Bearers uses scientific (binomial) names of plants to ensure accuracy, as common names can be misleading or conflated between species. Pinus strobus – Eastern White Pine. The tallest conifer in eastern Canada (up to 200…

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    Gaillardia aristata blanket flower

    Native Plants That Thrive in Summer Heat

    June 18, 2025
    Keeping your veggie patch watered while away can be stressful – but it doesn't need to be! Photo by jwvein / pixabay

    5 Tips to Keep Gardens Thriving While Away

    August 7, 2025

    Welcome to MikeLIkesPlants.com!

    March 23, 2025
  • A picture showing the bright white seedhead of goldenrod in winter.
    Native Plants

    Goldenrod’s Winter Majesty

    January 19, 2025 / No Comments

    I’m not sure if Goldenrod brings as much happiness in winter to others as it does for me. The tall, herbaceous perennial stands above other shrubs and even dwarf trees; its large winterized seedhead looks almost like fluffy snowflakes piled together in a panicle; it dances in the wind and adds motion to dull urban and suburban vistas. Goldenrod majestic in winter – and this important pollinator plant deserves some love in gardens.

    Read More
    Mike Howie

    Related Posts

    A picture of a rabbit

    5 native plants that benefit wildlife in winter

    January 22, 2025
    Containers, soil and a knocked over tomato seedling.

    How Do I Know When to Start My Seeds?

    February 3, 2026
    A picture of Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly milkweed.

    What makes a native plant – and why it matters

    March 28, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Containers, soil and a knocked over tomato seedling.
    How Do I Know When to Start My Seeds?
  • Keeping your veggie patch watered while away can be stressful – but it doesn't need to be! Photo by jwvein / pixabay
    5 Tips to Keep Gardens Thriving While Away
  • Gaillardia aristata blanket flower
    Native Plants That Thrive in Summer Heat
  • A field of Monarda fitulosa, or Wild Bergamot
    How to Tell Weeds From Beneficial Native Plants
  • A bee on a sunflower
    How to attract pollinators – without a yard

Recent Comments

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Spring, allegedly. I see growth through resilience. How about you? https://www.instagram.com/p/DURbjXgjC5r/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DTJzuPeDFie/ Made a new friend at #beechwoodcemetery in #Ottawa on the weekend. A towering and regal Acer saccharum in full colour transition. #aster #urbanhorticulture #nature My first productive season of Oregano from seed! Excited to let these dry and bottle. The lengthening growing season in #HamONT means at least another one or two harvests before frost I think. Red habanero hot sauce, made with habaneros and jalapeños grown from seeds. Made a new friend.

MIke Howie

mikelikesplants_

horticulture capstone project

Spring, allegedly. Spring, allegedly.
I see growth through resilience. How about you? # I see growth through resilience. How about you?

#urbannature #hamont
Instagram post 18162094447410451 Instagram post 18162094447410451
Instagram post 18111373132714088 Instagram post 18111373132714088
Made a new friend at #beechwoodcemetery in #Ottawa Made a new friend at #beechwoodcemetery in #Ottawa on the weekend. A towering and regal Acer saccharum in full colour transition. 

#favouritetrees #urbanhorticulture
#aster #urbanhorticulture #nature #aster #urbanhorticulture #nature
My first productive season of Oregano from seed! E My first productive season of Oregano from seed! Excited to let these dry and bottle. The lengthening growing season in #HamONT means at least another one or two harvests before frost I think. 

#herbgarden #oregano #urbanfarming #backyardgarden
Red habanero hot sauce, made with habaneros and ja Red habanero hot sauce, made with habaneros and jalapeños grown from seeds. 

It tastes better when you grow it yourself. 

#hotsauce #habanero #urbanfarming #backyardgarden
Made a new friend. #treestagram #treesofhamont # Made a new friend. 

#treestagram #treesofhamont #salix
Won't do what you told me. #punkrockplants Won't do what you told me. 

#punkrockplants
Instagram post 18038718980664860 Instagram post 18038718980664860
Love seeing a green patio roof in downtown Hamilto Love seeing a green patio roof in downtown Hamilton. 

#greenroof #urbanhorticulture #climateresilience
First tomato of the season from the pêche heirloo First tomato of the season from the pêche heirloom variety! This little fruit is smaller than average, which makes sense as it came from a plant that had some early difficulties, but is now thriving. 

This variety has a pinkish hue, soft skin, and make for a delightful sauce. 

#backyardgarden #urbanagriculture #raisedbeds #containers
Early jalapeños fruiting right on time: early! @a Early jalapeños fruiting right on time: early! @annapolis_seeds 

#backyardgarden #urbanfarming #container
New friend! Would love to have a camera that can c New friend! Would love to have a camera that can capture movement in somewhat slow motion in macro mode. Any recommendations?

#Acrididae #JumpAround #grasshopper #urbanecosystem
Asclepias tuberosa. #butterflyweed #PollinatorPa Asclepias tuberosa. 

#butterflyweed #PollinatorPatch #urbangarden
Acalymma vittatum! Larvae of the striped cucumber Acalymma vittatum!

Larvae of the striped cucumber beetle on some of my zucchini plants. Neem oil may help, anyone have other tips?

#gardens #ediblegarden #ipm
Tagetes don't care. #punkrockplants #GardeningCana Tagetes don't care. #punkrockplants #GardeningCanada #marigold
Some plants give up in the heat. Others dig in and Some plants give up in the heat. Others dig in and keep going. These native species don’t need pampering—they’re built for long summers, dry soil, and full sun.

Wildflowers, grasses, perennials, and more.
If you're trying to garden smarter, not harder, this list might help.

🌼🌾🌿🌻
Full post now up at MikeLikesPlants.com as are all image credits. 

What native plant holds up best in your yard when it gets hot?👇

#NativePlants #GrowNative #NativePlantGarden #EcologicalGardening #WildflowerGarden #PlantNative #DroughtTolerantGarden #HeatTolerantPlants #WaterwiseGarden #RewildYourYard #SummerGarden #DryClimateGarden #FullSunPlants #HotWeatherPlants #LowWaterGarden #PollinatorPatch #PollinatorFriendly #BeeGarden #HabitatGarden #CanadianGardener #GardeningCanada #PrairiePlants #SouthernOntarioGarden #GardenersOfInstagram #MikeLikesPlants #RootedInPlace #GardenFolk #PrairieFolkVibes #PlantsThatRock
The back meadow is coming together! 🦋 🐝 🌎 The back meadow is coming together! 🦋 🐝 🌎 

I removed a number of invasive pioneer plants from the area between my raised beds and the property fence. These plants aren't ideal for pollinators and quickly overtake the native species I wanted there (like the well developed groupings of goldenrod and rudbeckia i don't think survived the winter and the chokeholds of aforementioned weeds). A trip to @northlandnursery_ont  yielded several young, native perennials (at a great price) who are now in the ground. 

The new friends include:
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Coreopsis lancelota (Lance-leaved coreopsis)
Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower)

I also picked up two Viola canadensis (Canada violet) for ground cover under a tall syringa vulgaris (lilac) in a shady corner. 

Can't wait to see them develop and who it brings to the yard!

I'm considering a native clover as a ground cover around these perennials, primarily to help keep back the pioneer plants. Does anyone have experience, tips or alternative suggestions?

#nativegarden #nativeplants #ecologicaldesign #gardening
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