Laporte's Nursery & Greenhouses

09/08/2026

Did you take your houseplants outside to enjoy the summer? It is time to start acclimating them to come back inside.

Before temperatures drop too low, follow these steps to make their transition smooth and pest-free:
• Check for Hitchhikers: Give your plants a thorough inspection. Check the undersides of leaves and the soil for any bugs that enjoyed the summer just as much as your plants did. A gentle spray with a hose or a treatment with insecticidal soap can help clear away unwanted pests.
• The Slow Transition: Plants can go into shock if moved from bright outdoor sun directly into a dimmer indoor room. Bring them inside for a few hours a day, gradually increasing their indoor time over a week or two to help them adjust to lower light levels.
• Hold the Fertilizer: As daylight hours shorten, your plants' growth will naturally slow down. Hold off on feeding them until spring.
• Adjust Your Watering: Indoor environments have less air circulation and lower light, meaning your plants won't dry out as quickly. Check the soil moisture before watering to prevent root rot.

Stop by the garden center this week to pick up pest prevention supplies, fresh potting soil, or a new indoor planter to get your green friends ready for winter. What plants did you move outside this summer? Let us know in the comments.

09/08/2026

🌿 Kelsey’s Gardening Tip of the Day 🌿

Good morning, North Bay! 🌲🍂

Today’s tip is about staking a newly planted tree the right way.
Not every new tree needs to be staked, but if your planting location is windy or the root ball isn’t stable, temporary support can help while the roots establish.
A few things to remember:
• Use two stakes when possible for better support
• Place the stakes outside the root ball
• Use a soft, flexible tree tie — never wire directly against the bark
• Leave a little movement in the trunk rather than tying it completely rigid
• Check the ties regularly so they don’t become too tight
• Remove the staking once the tree can support itself — don’t leave it on indefinitely
A young tree actually benefits from a little natural movement because it helps the trunk develop strength. 🌱
The goal of staking isn’t to hold the tree perfectly still — it’s simply to give it enough support while those new roots get established.
Plant it right from the beginning and you’ll give that tree a much better start for our Northern Ontario seasons! 🌲
Happy gardening! 🌸

🌿 Kelsey McMullen 🌿
Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses Inc.

A sister company of Northern Blooms Garden Centre in Timmins, Ontario

09/07/2026

🌿 Kelsey’s Gardening Tip of the Day 🌿

Good morning, North Bay! 🌷🍂

Today’s tip is about getting the most impact from your spring-flowering bulbs.
Instead of planting tulips, daffodils or crocuses one at a time in a straight line, try planting them in clusters or drifts.
Planting several bulbs together creates a much fuller, more natural-looking display when everything blooms in spring. Make them look like a spring bouquet 💐

A few tips:
• Plant bulbs in groups rather than perfectly spaced rows
• Mix different bloom times to stretch the spring colour longer
• Choose varieties hardy enough for Northern Ontario
• Follow the recommended planting depth for each bulb
• Plant the pointed end up and give them well-drained soil
For a really noticeable display, think in groups of 5, 7, 10 or more bulbs instead of planting just one here and one there. 🌷
A little planning this fall can make a huge difference when that first spring colour finally arrives after our long Northern winter!
Happy gardening! 🌸

🌿 Kelsey McMullen 🌿
Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses Inc.

A sister company of Northern Blooms Garden Centre in Timmins, Ontario

09/07/2026

Ok!! School starts tomorrow! Freshen up your room with a new Houseplant! They provide oxygen, clean the air and are great for your mental health.

Come check us out and grow with us! 💜

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Come check us out and grow with us! 💜

09/06/2026

🌿 Kelsey’s Gardening Tip of the Day 🌿

Good morning, North Bay! 🧄🍂

Today’s tip is about getting ready to plant garlic for next summer’s harvest!

Garlic is planted in the fall so the cloves can begin developing roots before winter and then get an early start again in spring.

A few tips for success:

• Choose healthy garlic that is meant for planting
• Pick a sunny location with well-drained soil
• Separate the bulb into individual cloves just before planting
• Plant each clove with the pointed end facing up
• Space cloves roughly 4–6 inches apart
• Cover the bed with a layer of mulch once colder weather settles in

Here in Northern Ontario, don’t rush to plant too early. The goal is to give the cloves enough time to establish roots before freeze-up without encouraging lots of green growth above ground. Planting by the end of October is usually fine.

Plant a little effort this fall and you could be harvesting beautiful garlic next summer! 🧄🌱

Happy gardening! 🌿

🌿 Kelsey McMullen 🌿
Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses Inc.

A sister company of Northern Blooms Garden Centre in Timmins, Ontario

09/06/2026

Which Hydrangeas are best for the North Bay Area and why we do not prune in the fall. When we prune a plant we are encouraging it to grow. We don’t want it to grow in the fall, we want it to prepare for winter. Spring is always best for pruning Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood.

💕 Panicle (Paniculata) Hydrangea:
~One of the easiest and hardiest hydrangeas to grow
~Cone shaped flower clusters.
~Blooms on new wood
~Flowers start white or lime-green and turn pinkish then sometimes dark pink, maroon, red or rusty colour late summer to early fall
~Very cold hardy
~Sun tolerant
Popular varieties of Panicle Hydrangeas are Fire Light, Limelight, Quick Fire, Bobo, Pinky Winky and Little Lime

⚪️ Smooth (Arborescens) Hydrangea
~Very easy to grow
~Huge round white blooms
~Blooms on new wood
~Very reliable even after a harsh winter
~Prefers some afternoon shade in hot climates
Popular varieties of Smooth Hydrangeas are Annabelle, Incrediball, Flowerfull and Invincibelle Spirit

All the above varieties bloom on new wood which is best for our northern climate.

The following are other varieties of Hydrangeas!
~Bigleaf (macrophylla) (Mophead & Lacecap)
~Blooms on old wood
~most macrophylla varieties are zone 5 & 6
~flower colour often changes with your soils pH
Popular varieties of macrophylla hydrangeas are, Endless Summer, Nikko Blue, Let’s Dance, Hortense and All Summer Beauty

Other varieties of Hydrangeas are: Oakleaf, Serrata and Cascading (these varieties are definitely not hardy).

If you require more information, please visit us at 1054 Lakeshore Drive

Come check us out and grow with us! 💜

09/05/2026

Local Artist Photography North Bay and surrounding area

09/05/2026

🌿 Kelsey’s Gardening Tip of the Day 🌿

Good morning, North Bay! 🍂🐦

Today’s tip is about choosing shrubs that can keep working in your garden even after the flowers are gone!

Berry-producing shrubs can add beautiful fall and winter colour while also providing food for birds when other natural food sources become harder to find.

When choosing one, look for:

• A variety hardy enough for Northern Ontario
• Berries that persist into fall or winter
• A mature size that fits your space
• The right sun and soil conditions for your yard
• Good fall colour or interesting winter branches for extra seasonal interest

Hardy varieties of serviceberry, dogwood and certain viburnums can be great options for Northern landscapes. 🌿

A well-chosen shrub can give you spring flowers, summer greenery, fall colour, winter interest — and help support local wildlife too!

If you’re unsure which shrub will work best in your yard, we’re always happy to help you choose the right one.

Happy gardening! 🌸

🌿 Kelsey McMullen 🌿
Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses Inc.

A sister company of Northern Blooms Garden Centre in Timmins, Ontario