Harrowsmith

Harrowsmith is still the reliable go-to for gardeners, weekend carpenters, homesteaders, hobby farmers and urban dwellers with romantic fantasies of country life. Harrowsmith publishes four issues a year in conjunction with the seasons--three print issues and a summer digital exclusive.

Publisher’s Letter

Harrowsmith

Winter’s embrace

Harrowsmith Winter • Practical tips to help you embrace the season

Wholesome Haven • Ashley James, founder of The Bare Home, told us about her new line of all-natural, personal-care products.

Eco-Savvy Holiday Entertaining • Our winter party season starts early (think Thanksgiving) and lasts well into the New Year. Here are five ways to show the planet some love while you celebrate.

A Small Escape • Sara Frances Designs is a boutique woodworking company focused on producing high-quality, handmade birdhouses and bespoke pet decor. Harrowsmith sat down with founder Scott Holland to learn more about why he became an architect to the animals.

GRAND CENTRAL • Providing a feeding station for winter birds keeps us connected to the garden when plants are asleep.

January is “Buy Nothing New” Month

THE ULTIMATE Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Guide • Purely Canadian sustainable gift ideas for every one (and budget), from the team at Harrowsmith, with love!

Christmas Tree Meringues • Whimsical and easy, these meringues will be a beautiful addition to any holiday dessert tray.

Conserving, restoring, and growing Canada’s forested landscapes from coast to coast to coast

Indoor Gardening Guide • From improving air quality and reducing stress to boosting mood and enhancing productivity, the benefits of plants just keep growing! Read on.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside! • Winter can be a difficult time of year for us passionate gardeners, for whom soil humus and fresh foliage supports a regular part of our wellness routine. While digging in the dirt remains a few months away, the benefits of gardening can be successfully brought indoors for the winter months.

Biophilia and the Art of Plants • Tara Soloway’s knowledge of different plant species, combined with her creative design aesthetic, makes her a true artist: A blank wall is her canvas and a plant is her medium. Read on to learn how she is changing the way we see (and feel) home decor.

COLD PRESSED • You’ve heard of “Christmas in July,” but do you know about “Flowers in December?” Gardening editors Mark and Ben Cullen share their tips and tricks for growing beautiful flowering bulbs in the winter.

C’mon Get Happy

DISCOVER GRAVENHURST • We can’t wait to welcome you to Gravenhurst—the Gateway to Muskoka!

Forces of Nature • Sometimes we all need a little nudge from Mother Earth to remind us of the benefits of moving our feet. (All while being conscious of our carbon footprints, of course.)

Those Darn Happy, Healthy Finns • What makes Finland such a happy country? Writer Madeleine Hague just had to find out.

Proximity to Nature and the Sauna • I was able to witness these two happiness factors for myself. Firstly, gazing out the large window on my bus trip travelling between Orivesi (a town of 9,000) and Tampere, and secondly, when I visited Finland’s oldest public sauna.

Giving and Gathering

Edible Gifts • Do you aspire to be the kind of person who shows up at a holiday party with a pretty package of homemade cookies for the host? Or someone who can hand out custom-made jars of tasty snacks to neighbours without a second thought? Gifting a delicious homemade treat is easier than you might think. The secret is to use your freezer! Take an afternoon to stock the freezer with one—or all—of these delicious recipes. The good news? Each one tastes just as delicious coming out of the freezer as...