Advice From The Ritchie's Experts

Have you ever walked past someone’s yard and stopped dead in your tracks, completely hypnotized by the magical scent coming from their garden? The term stop and smell the roses means to slow down and enjoy the beauty life has...

Your backyard is beautiful, it’s a work of art. Your flowers are in bloom and your grass is green and healthy, but you are missing something. A backyard pond can be the icing on the cake, the perfect item for...

Hydrangeas are some of the most beautiful perennials you can find in a garden. It is important to know how to prune your hydrangeas to keep them healthy and thriving. Hydrangeas have multiple strains which require different pruning techniques, so...

All of the hard work you have put into making your garden a paradise can be such a rewarding feeling all on its own. But wouldn’t it be even more special if there were butterflies floating around your garden enjoying...

The summer months are here, and that means it should be the time to show your beautiful lawn. A lot of pride can be found in displaying a perfectly manicured lawn with plush green grass, so soft that no shoes...

Are you struggling with weed growth on your lawn, in your garden, or in your vegetable plot? Let’s explore some of the most common weeds found in Eastern Ontario and the most effective treatment options:

Transplanting trees and shrubs seems like an easy task on the surface, but if you aren’t attentive with removal or installation you could harm or kill the plants. Let’s explore how to safely move existing shrubs to a new location...

Do you want to get a head start on the growing season? Grow varieties that are tricky to grow outdoors in the Eastern Ontario climate/soil? Save money when you have a large crop to grow? Have better control over the...

The beauty of your garden does more than attract the attention of passersby...a lush, vibrant garden is also a welcome landing site for birds flying overhead. Birds have an eye for life and beauty and can spot it from high...

Nature lover or not, everyone should contemplate adding a tree to their home’s outdoor space. We could go on and on about the environmental benefits of trees, but beyond their natural effect, trees can be a central part of your...

Gardening is one of the world’s most rewarding hobbies, and all it takes to get started is soil, water, seeds, and sunlight. Gardening is a wonderful hobby for people of all ages. Children can learn about nature and science and...

Animals love green spaces, such as home gardens, because they know that they’ll find things to eat there (at least, most of the time!). Landscapers and homeowners know, if you want to keep these animals away from your garden, you'll benefit from...

The big trend in food these days is “farm to table,” with many more people interested in figuring out exactly where their food comes from and making sure that it is of the highest possible quality. And though the overwhelming...

One of the most exciting, interesting, and informative hobbies you could ever get into is the amazing world of birding. With more than 10,000 different species of birds all around the world, each and every one of them unique, you’ll...

Gardeners are a special breed and they share some traits. Being a gardener is more than planting a few seeds and calling it a day! In all seriousness, even if you don’t exhibit the five signs, you should give gardening...

If you’re interested in preparing your perennials for winter, you’ll appreciate this practical guide. We’ve compiled some of the best tips, all of which are easy to understand and simple to follow. Now, let’s take a look at the smartest,...

There’s nothing better than a home-cooked meal on a cold winter night. Whether you’re preparing a warm winter stew, hearty spaghetti and meatballs garnished with fresh oregano, or easy yet elegant homemade pesto, these are all favourites. Take these dishes...

Every homeowner knows one thing - having a beautiful lawn makes a big difference. You spend all summer tending your garden, ensuring it’s a lush paradise that is the envy of the neighbourhood. Then the harsh Ottawa winter kicks in...

Here are the slides from our garden problem solver seminar. Thank you to everyone who attended please feel free to contact us with any further questions. Weed Identification Insect Identification Disease Identification

Why do I need a design? If you think about your garden as a trip, your design itself is the map on how to get there. Without a map you are liable to end getting lost, or somewhere you didn’t...

Water gardening has become one of the newest and fastest growing trends in garden design in the past 5 years. However, water gardening has been around for a very long time. There are many factors to building a pond. Understanding...