Harrowsmith5 min read
Celestial Spring
The evenings begin moonless, so take advantage of this by looking for some of the fainter constellations. Begin with the most obvious ones. Above the eastern horizon is Leo the Lion. Its head and mane are delineated by stars that form a backward “?”
Harrowsmith4 min read
Mussels 3 Ways
Makes Enough for a 3-5 Pound Batch (depending on how saucy you like it) 3-5 lbs Mussels1 tbsp butter1 cup chopped onion2 tbsp Mild Indian Curry Paste3 cloves garlic, grated or crushed into a paste1 cup Lager2 cups heavy cream½ cup Maple SyrupFresh Ci
Harrowsmith2 min read
Five Showstopping Spring Bulb Combinations
Spring flowering bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, are a popular addition to gardens and landscapes due to their vibrant colours and early blooming time. These bulbs can look even more spectacular when they are planted alongside other p
Harrowsmith3 min read
Garlic Galore
In my food-centric world, spring officially arrives when the first bunches of green garlic appear at my farmer’s market. You might think the young, immature garlic shoots are scallions and overlook them. But don’t be fooled: With every passing week,
Harrowsmith3 min read
Springtime in BRIGHTON, ON
With new inventory arriving daily, there is always something to discover at Marian’s Antiques. Here you’ll find everything a country-chic heart desires from furniture and china to estate art and jewellery (and many out-of-towners say the prices are a
Harrowsmith2 min read
Publisher’s Letter
As I sit down to write this column, my heart is filled with gratitude and admiration for the remarkable people that I have had the pleasure of encountering during my quarter century at Harrowsmith, over 12 years of which I have spent as publisher. As
Harrowsmith1 min read
Earth Month Ambassador
We can’t think of a better creature to help us celebrate Earth Month than Canada’s national animal—an official designation given to beavers by Parliament on March 24, 1975. (see next page) ■
Harrowsmith2 min read
Editor’s Note
Yay! It’s spring–my favourite season. Full disclosure: I am not a huge fan of winter. I practically hibernate once the New Year’s bell has rung and stay in my cave–ideally with lots of tea, books, a wood burning fireplace and my French Bulldog, Starl
Harrowsmith4 min read
Growing Garlic
Originating in Central Asia over 5,000 years ago, we’d be hard-pressed to think of a crop that has made its way around the world the way garlic has. Originating in Central Asia more than 5,000 years ago, garlic has been used for both medicinal and cu
Harrowsmith1 min read
Defrosting
Sink your feet into the dirt, Let the grass dampen your toes And listen closely – Careful not to miss the secrets of the birds. Let the wind bite your face Walking firmly into its pathway Tuning in to the hourglass of your substance, That is now and
Harrowsmith1 min read
Merry Meringue
Chef Ilona’s pavlova roulade may make home chefs first think of Easter, due to the egg whites and chantilly cream, but thanks to its versatility (oh how we are counting the days until the first berries of summer are here!) it’s perfect for any occasi
Harrowsmith2 min read
“You’re Hired,” James Lawrence Said. “Get Down Here Right Away.”
It was the late ‘70s, a time in Montreal when fierce competition raged between the city’s then-abundance of daily and weekly papers, each vying to print the biggest scoop or expose and grab the stage. Politicians and Quebec’s rich supply of professio
Harrowsmith1 min read
And The Winner Is...
To much fanfare, the peony has been named 2024’s Flower of the Year by massive American floral retailer, 1-800-Flowers.com. Right on trend, the Canadian Peony Society took things one step further by announcing that Prosperity Maud – a peachy hybrid c
Harrowsmith3 min read
When Spring Comes Too Soon
The timing of seasons has become increasingly unpredictable as Canada's climate continues to experience shifts and variations. The occurrence of early springs, characterized by premature warming and accelerated melting of snow, has raised concerns ab
Harrowsmith4 min readDiet & Nutrition
Egg Nod
LORI NIKKEL IS THE CEO OF SECOND HARVEST, CANADA’S LARGEST FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATION AND A GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADER ON PERISHABLE FOOD REDISTRIBUTION. SHE ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO SHOP THE SALES, THE “JUST PAST PERFECT” FOODS, AND SHARE IDEAS ON REDUCING F
Harrowsmith1 min read
Springtime at Struisvogel Ranch
“Spring marks the beginning of the chick-rearing period. Ostrich chicks require special care and attention, and spring provides the favourable conditions needed for their growth and development. Our first chicks of the season will usually hatch at th
Harrowsmith1 min read
Travel as Nature Intended
At Harrowsmith, we define eco travel as the perfect marriage between ecotourism (discovering and exploring natural areas that conserve the environment and support the culture of the local people) and slow travel (the process by which travellers are e
Harrowsmith2 min read
Breakfast for One
Ingredients 1 loaf challah, cut into 1 inch cubes8 eggs1 cup milk1 cup cream¼ cup maple syrupzest of one lemon⅛ tsp allspice4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature4 oz. mascarpone cheese1 tbsp confectioners sugar1 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp lemon juice1
Harrowsmith6 min read
Question: What are the Must-Have Cordless Power Tools for Serious DIYers?
Tools are an essential foundation of the hands-on life, and choosing well is a big part of success. Buy quality and keep your tools in good condition with consumables like blades, bits and accessories handy and you’ll enjoy the kind of satisfaction t
Harrowsmith6 min read
People, Places, Things
Do you have a foodie friend who seems to know exactly what spice you need to amp up your grandmother’s famous recipe? Or one who shares the name of the jarred marinara sauce that other, non-BFFs would swear is homemade? If not, you do now: Her name i
Harrowsmith6 min read
Are Lawns “Green”?
In some circles, the idea of a lawn is demonized. Maintaining a lawn may be offensive to some, from an environmental point of view, while to others it is an essential part of a beautiful home landscape. It can be environmentally beneficial, too. The
Harrowsmith5 min read
Oh, The Places You’ll Go
“The land is medicine,” explained K’odi Nelson, a cultural leader from the Dzawada ’enuxw First Nation, one of the four tribes of the Musgamakw Dzawad-a’enuxw in British Columbia. Of course, I agreed, and had built a new nature-based travel company,
Harrowsmith6 min read
The Tiny House Spirit
Not a week goes by without someone prominent somewhere talking about the shortage of affordable housing in Canada. And judging by the housing prices I see, there’s every reason to believe there’s no conventional solution in sight. Perhaps I’m wrong,
Harrowsmith4 min read
Smart Home Style
In today’s fast-paced world, home automation has emerged as a game-changer, offering a more convenient, efficient, and secure way to manage our living spaces. With the integration of technology into our homes, we are observing a transformation in the
Harrowsmith6 min read
Imagining the Possibilities
I have a few things in common with Dan Needles: We grew up a few streets apart in Toronto; we graduated the same year from the same high school; and later we gravitated to country life. His influences were much different from mine but nonetheless…an
Harrowsmith1 min read
Harrowsmith
Established in 1976 Issue No. 38 Publisher Yolanda Thorntonyolanda@moongate.ca Interim Editor-in-Chief Karine Ewartkarine@moongate.ca Art Direction and Design Michael Roussetos Food Editor Ilona Daniel Home and Farm Editor Steve Maxwell Ga
Harrowsmith8 min read
Winter Vacations For Nature Lovers
Canada beckons as a winter wonderland for nature enthusiasts, promising an enchanting vacation filled with breathtaking landscapes and thrilling adventures. Blanketed in pristine snow, our vast country boasts iconic national parks like Banff and Jasp
Harrowsmith2 min read
The Future is Bright
It’s wintertime again, and much of our landscape is blanketed in pristine layers of snow. The chill in the air invigorates the senses, awakening our urge for adventures you can only have when it’s cold — like skating on a frozen lake, ice canyoning o
Harrowsmith2 min read
How to Make a Succulent Wreath
• Wire wreath frame• Sphagnum moss• Floral wire•Variety of succulent plugs, approximately 50• Pencil or screwdriver• Greening pins This is one of my favourite mid-winter projects. The succulents used here are tropical and, therefore, need to be over
Harrowsmith5 min read
Breathe Better
The air quality in your home is a bigger health issue than many people realize, especially in Canada, where windows are closed for many months of the year. As houses are built to reduce air leakage and renovations aimed at reducing energy use become
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