Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers (and Treats!)
Everything you need to know, whether you are feeding a pet or growing your own garden.
01 / Food Basics
What We Carry
We carry raw, freeze-dried, dehydrated, baked, and kibble diets for both dogs and cats, from trusted brands like Bold by Nature, Carnivora, K9 Choice, Vital Essentials, and Pawtanical. If you are not sure where to start, our team can walk you through what fits your pet best.
Raw food is uncooked and kept frozen or refrigerated to preserve natural nutrients. Freeze-dried and dehydrated foods start as raw but have moisture removed for shelf stability, and are rehydrated with water before serving. Baked food is cooked at low temperatures, giving it a texture between kibble and fresh food. Kibble is cooked at high heat and extruded, making it the most shelf stable and budget friendly option.
Yes, when handled the same way you would handle raw food for your own family. Keep it frozen until ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator, wash bowls and hands after handling, and serve promptly. Our team can walk you through safe handling and storage when you pick up your first order.
Yes, we carry raw, freeze-dried, and kibble options formulated specifically for cats, including grain-free and novel protein choices.
02 / Feeding & Transitioning
Getting It Right
Many pets do well on a mixed diet. If your pet is new to mixing food types, introduce changes gradually and watch for any digestive upset. Our staff can help you build a rotation that works for your pet and your budget.
Go slowly, over 7 to 10 days. Start with mostly old food and a small amount of new food, then gradually increase the new food's share each day until the switch is complete. This gives your pet's digestive system time to adjust.
Portion size depends on your pet's weight, age, activity level, and the specific food you choose, so check the feeding guide on the packaging as a starting point. Bring in your pet's details next time you visit and we can help fine-tune the amount.
Look for steady energy, a shiny coat, healthy skin, consistent stool quality, and a stable weight. If you notice changes in any of these after switching foods, it is worth stopping by so we can help troubleshoot.
03 / Special Diets
Finding The Right Fit
Yes, we stock limited ingredient diets and novel protein options for pets with food sensitivities. If your pet has a diagnosed allergy, bring in any details from your vet so we can point you toward the right formulas.
Toppers add extra nutrition, moisture, or flavour to your pet's regular meal, which is useful for picky eaters or pets who need a little more hydration in their diet. Supplements target specific needs like joint support, skin and coat health, or digestion.
The right food depends on your pet's age, breed, size, activity level, and any health considerations. Stop by or reach out to us directly and our team will help you compare options based on your pet's specific needs.
Yes, we carry weight management formulas designed to support healthy weight loss while keeping your pet full and satisfied. We recommend checking with your vet as well to confirm the target weight and any health factors involved.
Common options include joint supplements for older or active pets, omega fatty acids for skin and coat, and probiotics for digestive support. The right supplement depends on your pet's age and needs, so ask our team for a recommendation.
04 / Storage & Ordering
Keeping It Fresh
Raw food should be kept frozen until you are ready to use it, then thawed in the refrigerator. Freeze-dried food can be stored in a cool, dry place, and should be kept sealed to maintain freshness once opened.
We do not recommend refreezing raw food once it has thawed, as it can affect both quality and food safety. Thaw only the amount you plan to use within a few days.
Yes, we can arrange bulk orders and special orders for products we do not regularly stock. Reach out to our team in-store or by email and we will let you know what is possible.
01 / Getting Started
The Basics
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water to deliver everything plants need directly to their roots.
Both have benefits. Hydroponics often allows faster growth and more control, while soil can be simpler and more forgiving for beginners.
Leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and many houseplants thrive in hydroponic systems.
No, hydroponics is a specific term that describes one specialty style of growing. We work with many growing styles, including hydroponics, organic soil growing, deep water culture, and soilless media systems.
Popular options include coco coir, rockwool, clay pebbles, peat mixes, and perlite. The best choice depends on your setup.
02 / Nutrients & Water
Feeding Your Plants
Plants need essential macro and micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals, and different growth stages call for different ratios.
- Nitrogen (N): promotes leaf, stem growth, and green foliage
- Phosphorus (P): promotes root growth, flower growth, and fruit development
- Potassium (K): supports overall plant health, stress resistance, and flower and fruit quality
- Calcium (Ca): builds strong cell walls and supports root growth
- Magnesium (Mg): a central component of chlorophyll, essential for photosynthesis
pH stands for potential of hydrogen, and it measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is based on the concentration of hydrogen ions present. pH affects nutrient uptake. If it is too high or too low, plants cannot properly absorb nutrients even when they are present.
Most hydroponic systems perform best between 5.5 and 6.5, though it varies by crop. Most soil based systems perform best between 6.0 and 7.0, and coco based systems perform best between 5.8 and 6.3.
Yes. EC, or electrical conductivity, and PPM, or parts per million, help measure nutrient strength so you avoid underfeeding or nutrient burn. Different nutrient brands will have different EC recommendations throughout the grow.
Yes, we stock a variety of organic nutrients, soil amendments, beneficial microbes, and natural pest management products, including popular brands like Frankia Organics, Gaia Green Organics, and Reindeer's Natural.
03 / Lighting
Powering Growth
If you are growing indoors or do not have enough natural sunlight, yes. Quality grow lights provide the energy plants need for healthy growth.
Most plants need 16 to 18 hours during vegetative growth and around 12 hours during flowering, depending on the plant type. A timer helps keep this consistent.
04 / Environment Control
Setting The Conditions
Yes, air circulation strengthens plants, prevents mold, and helps regulate temperature and humidity. Wall fans, floor fans, and stand up fans are all good options depending on your space.
Younger plants like cuttings or seedlings prefer higher humidity around 60 to 70%, while mature plants often do better in a lower humidity range of about 40 to 55%.
Very important. Most plants thrive between 20 and 28°C, or 68 to 82°F, depending on the growth stage. Cold temperatures slow growth or push plants into dormancy, while excess heat can cause wilting or leaf curl.
05 / Plant Health
Troubleshooting
A few issues can cause yellowing leaves, including overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, pH issues, root problems, or environmental stress.
Keep your grow area clean, inspect plants regularly, maintain airflow, and use preventative treatments when needed, such as predatory insects or insecticidal and fungicide sprays.
Common causes include poor lighting, incorrect nutrient levels, pH imbalance, temperature stress, or root zone issues.
06 / Store-Specific
How We Can Help
Yes! Bring in photos or samples and we will do our best to help diagnose any issues.
No problem. We can help build a setup based on your budget and what you are looking to grow, matching products to your setup, experience level, and goals.