Playing with Plants is an exploration of gardening and plants in the Innisfil area. This includes topics like growing some of your own food to counter the rising costs at the grocery store, learning about our native species, and designing a garden to suit your interests and needs. All of this, I fully admit, is a work in progress for myself. I love gardening, and plants, and the goal of this site is to share that passion with you, and hope that it spreads.
The Innisfil/Barrie area is home to a wealth of native flora that many of us are not aware of. What grew once in the place where your house now stands? We’ll take a look at some historical information to learn about the plants that are best adapted to this area and think about how we can incorporate those species into our gardens. We’ll also look a little farther afield at what can be found growing in other areas nearby and in North America, as they are also often viable options to include in our gardens. We’ll look at specific plants in detail, what plants grow well together and look good together, and which plants don’t. Like I said, this is a work in progress! Mistakes have been made.
There are many good and beautiful things happening in the Innisfil area when it comes to gardening! The Innisfil Seed library and local horticultural societies, just to start. Check out the Events page where I’ll try to keep up with garden-related events in the area. Support our gardening communities in the best way possible: participate!
Most of all, Playing with Plants is an effort to engage with gardeners and encourage gardening in our community. Gardening offers so many benefits and contributions to our well-being, like physical exercise, calming anxiety and managing depression. You’ll often find people stop to chat with you while you’re out working in the garden. It helps make our neighbourhoods more friendly, more open, creating a place where we can all live and thrive. It helps pollinators and other insects and creatures, re-establishing a balanced ecosystem. I hope that what you find here encourages you to garden.