In the winter, a garden can become rather desolate-the flowers have faded, their leaves have turned brown, and you almost wish for snow just to cover the soil and the bare branches of perennials. Between the long winter sleep that begins in October and lingers until the first tulip pokes its head up into the spring air, evergreens are a great solution. They are permanent elements that can provide structure for your garden-each and every season. Evergreens come in a range of sizes, shapes and colours and choosing the right plant for your situation is simple if you know a few basics.

When grass clippings, apple peels and other organic materials get tossed in with the rest of the household garbage, the potential for harvesting the goodness of these natural materials is lost forever. Instead of being used to create free fertilizer, these items become part of a toxic brew of chemicals and heavy metals at landfills. Home composting is a simple way to reduce the burden on landfills while greatly benefiting garden plants.

Lush, vigorous plants can brighten a room and even improve indoor air quality. * In the dead of winter, the colossal blossoms of an Amaryllis can enliven a room, the graceful boughs of a Boston fern can provide abundant greenery and the delicate flower of a prickly cactus is a rare treat. In essence, plants bring a bit of nature into our homes. According to the practitioners of Feng Shui, a traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, plants also bring good energy into our homes. As living objects with a life force of their own, plants are said to encourage new growth and opportunities. Unfortunately, plants did not evolve to live in pots indoors so keeping them healthy can be a challenge. They are susceptible to disease and insect infestations. The following tips can help you keep your plants alive and well.

Outside the trees are bare. A cold wind blows relentlessly from grey skies. Right about now something green and alive sounds awfully appealing. An indoor plant might be just what you need. But wait. Are you lacking that proverbial green thumb? Fear not. There are numerous plants that can survive the most extreme lack of attention. You just need to find the right plant. The following ranks the top performers from low-maintenance to moderate care.

Spring heralds a time of new growth. Our gardens come to life with the first hyacinths and the serene unfolding of delicate shoots and buds. If you're like most Canadian gardeners, spring also ushers in new garden projects. Have you resolved to make your garden the envy of the neighbourhood this year? The first steps to a beautiful garden are creating a good foundation or framework. All the effort you put into to your garden could be in vain if the final result appears haphazard. Attractive landscaping begins with a piece of paper, a pencil and a plan.

Backyards can be a secluded haven from the bustle of modern life; they are wonderful spaces for entertaining and cooking in the summer, a place for quiet meditation or simply a source of natural beauty. Good landscaping can also increase the resale value of a home.

Their phenomenal growth rates and ability to survive in hostile environments have won some plants the unflattering designation of 'weed'. These maligned plants have a common trait: in their ideal environment, they almost always outgrow the fruits, vegetables, flowers and grasses we wish to cultivate. The question is how can you control weeds without destroying treasured plants or harming the environment? The place to start is with understanding why some weeds are more successful than others in the plant kingdom.

All the wonderful excesses of the holidays lingers on in the last few decorations we can't bear to take down, the rich scent of pine permeating the house, that expanded waistline… The New Year is the time to start afresh, to resolve to spend more time with your kids, eat right and maybe just maybe get more exercise but have you thought of making some New Year's resolutions for your house?