A dove flies into our water feature and starts flapping its wings – it's 7 p.m. and it's bath time.

We'd love to live on a lake, but we don't. Luckily, the sound of water attracts wildlife to the 60-centimetre-wide, recirculating bird bath on our tiny back patio. Under a tree, next to our sitting area and in plain view of our indoor dining table, our water feature has become the virtual reality show of our garden.

Want to sell your house fast? Then add a little sizzle to your curb appeal, so potential buyers can see from the road how pretty your house is before they book a showing.

Sizzle is as simple as adding one or more fantastic flowerpots. Even an empty pot screams, "Hello, I have potential!"

What do you do if you only have one sunny bed to grow tomatoes and you use that same bed every year?

It may seem too early to chat about tomatoes, but like other gardeners, you might already be thinking about buying seed and questions are bound to follow.

If you are looking to dress up your house, here are three tips to help boost your home's curb appeal.

Lighter snow than normal in December has gardeners in Calgary wondering about watering their trees and perennial beds this month.

I remember wearing shorts on the deck in December in the '90s, so this is not the first time we've had warm weather at this time of year. But dry winters are rare, so let's review the rulebook for gardeners about winter watering. The short answer is, don't do it.

When plants blacken and turn to mush with overnight frost, it seems like the whole gardening game is over for another year. Well, not so fast.

If you work in your garden, you benefit from positive vibes and lower blood pressure, and scientists say we relax at just the smell of evergreen trees in our parks and yards. So let's stretch the season a bit and do some fall gardening before it's really all over.

In Calgary, August is the big getaway month for many families with kids. In fact, the city looks like a ghost town some days. However, in the backyard there is a riot of ripening activity on the vines and in the ground this month.

How to take pieces of your garden with you when you move

If you want to move your entire garden when you sell your home, think again. First, it's illegal, and second, plants ripped out randomly in summer wilt and die unless pampered.

But what if you have a sentimental piece of grandma's peony, a special perennial plant or a friend's perfect poppy? Taking bits and pieces of your garden with you without changing the look of the yard is possible with these tips:

Heat waves are on the way

Do plants really wilt faster during Stampede heat? Or is it just that we are away from home for longer periods, indulging in pancake breakfasts and evening rodeos? If your petunias are panting, follow these tips to keep them alive while you are out enjoying the festivities.

Middle-aged gardens are easy to enjoy

New homes offer garden "potential," but "middle-aged" homes have the garden goods. They are packed with free stuff: plants, patios, fences and fixtures. But how do you look after mature gardens this month?