A Bit of My Garden Wisdom

January:

• Rest up and wait for spring.

February, March:

• Begin planning for spring!
• If you have gardens already, evaluate last years’ success and think of what you might change. Do you want to increase the size of the garden? Will some plants need to be divided or moved for better health? Do you want to change the style of your gardens?
• If you don’t have gardens already start to think about what you want and what you need. Will you use your landscape for entertaining, child’s play, sanctuary? Are you willing to maintain your landscape on your own or will you need help? How much time are you planning on spending on maintenance?

 April:

• Be careful, wait for the ground to recover from the melting snow before tramping around or digging in.
• Take stock of what has survived winter’s chill and what needs replacing.
• Clean up winter debris. Tidy up any plant material you missed in the fall. Prune shrubs and trees if necessary (depending on species).
• Check the health of your lawn. Fertilize only if necessary.
• Clean tools, sharpen any blades.
• Begin planning for new beds or plantings.
• Keep an eye out for pests and disease.

 May:

• Your ground should be ready to work.
• Take pictures.
• If your spring bulbs are finished, tidy them up. Trim spring flowering perennials if the flowers are finished.
• Amend soil and add new mulch.
• Keep an eye out for pests and disease.
• Begin planting according to the plans you have made.
• ENJOY THE COLOUR OF SPRING! 

June:

• Weed, trim late spring perennials after flowering is finished.
• Take pictures.
• Check for pests and disease.
• ENJOY!!

July:

• Weed.
• Watch water levels.
• Check for pests and disease.
• Deadhead when necessary.
• Take pictures.
• Relax and ENJOY!!

 August:

• Watch for weeds, pests and disease
• Your lawn should be going dormant now so it won’t need so much water or trimming.
• When watering gardens, do so at the base of the plant where it can use water best.
• Keep the planting beds tidy.
• Take pictures
• Relax and ENJOY!

 September:

• Move, add or divide perennials now (depending on species).
• Weed and watch water levels.
• Deadhead summer flowering plants when finished.
• Take pictures.
• Relax and ENJOY!!

 October / November:

• Weed, water if necessary. Now is the best time to fertilize your lawn.
• Clean up beds, plant bulbs and prepare for winter.

 December:

• Recuperate.
• Take pictures (the garden can still put on a display).
• Wait for spring!

Random Garden Wisdom

1. Yes, I know all about the colour wheel and colour/form combinations but honestly, nature is the best teacher.  Have you ever seen flowers on the roadside not look good?  Rules are good but have some fun too - if it doesn't work - move it.
2. Plants can surprise you.  Sometimes they can thrive where you least expect them to (the label says full sun but your daisy likes shade - go figure!).
3. If you like it - try it! Most plants are not grand investments so if it doesn't work and you have to pull it out, or move it to a friend's house, you won't be too heart broken. This rule does not apply to your trees and major foundation plants. 
4. HAVE FUN! Gardening shouldn't be such serious business that you can't laugh at it, or at yourself in it.