G r e a t   G A R D E N S    S t a r t    W i t h    A   G r e a t    P L A N !
January 22, 2016
Vol 5, Issue 1

Dear (Contact First Name), 

Joanne Shaw

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a lovely holiday.  Ours was very low key and now seems like a very distant memory. I am sure you enjoyed the record temperatures during the holidays as much as I did. I have to say it was so much more enjoyable doing Christmas shopping with just a sweater and not having to navigate slush puddles.  The cold is now upon us hopefully giving the garden enough of a freeze up to put the plants into dormancy and to kill off the insects and diseases that threaten our gardens during the growing season.

I continue to make changes to this newsletter, it has been my "off season" project so far. I would love any feedback you have for me as well as any topics you would like me to write about. I want to continue to make this a useful monthly newsletter to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible.


All the best,
Joanne
 


Joanne Shaw
Landscape Designer
Down2Earth Garden Design
joanne@down2earth.ca 



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Feature Article
Evergreen Brick Works

I was lucky enough to visit the Evergreen Brick Works and learn about its fascinating history for a few hours this past summer. It was a stop during my Garden Blogger Fling. I thought I would share a bit about it since I think it would be a wonderful place to visit in the winter as well.

The Evergreen Brick Works is a former quarry and industrial site of the Don Valley Brick Works located in the Don River Valley in Toronto, Canada.
 
Brick Works quarry history



Many of the bricks from Toronto heritage homes and buildings were made at this factory from 1889 to 1984.  The deteriorating buildings were restored and the environmentally sensitive land was naturalized and revitalized and was opened in 2010 as a community environmental centre. It is a "year-round destination for experimental learning, collaboration, fun and celebration on the themes of Nature, Culture and Community."

Brick Works legend wall
A large legend hangs on a building highlighting the historical buildings where their bricks are located.


I found it to be a fascinating place to enjoy nature, learn something and have fun with all ages... and take in a little shopping too. There really is something for everyone at every age and I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took during my visit.

Brick Works artwork
An artists' metal artwork display depicting the waterways.

Brick Works seating
Great views of nature while taking in the history around you.

Brick Works river
Remarkable to see how nature has truly taken over what seemed so desolate from the historical pictures all around.

Brick Works playground
Lots for children to learn while they play.

Brick Works trail
Cyclists can enjoy the many trails and stop by for a tune up too!

Bike Works


According to the Evergreen Brickworks website there is plenty to do there in the winter so check out the calendar and get out and enjoy this gem of nature in the big city.

Joanne Shaw is the owner and operator of Down2Earth Garden Design. A graduate of Ryerson University in Landscape Design, Joanne has 15 years experience in designing gardens and a decade in landscape and related business, both for her own clientele and established local nurseries.

Joanne Shaw, Landscape Designer
Down2Earth Garden Design
Pickering, ON  L1V 6L2  Canada
905.839.1597  | 905.903.2597
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