BC Gardening Calendar of tips. Spring is here!
BC Gardening Calendar tips.
Spring is here!
Here is a list that will help you plan ahead to get your garden in top notch shape this year.
(C) indicates a task for coastal gardeners. (I) indicates a task for interior gardeners.
March
- (C/ I) Plant summer-flowering bulbs (March or April)
- (C/ I) Shop for flowering trees while they are in bloom
- (C/ I) Spring clean the garden
- (C/ I) Water and fertilize all plant material, including lawns and bulbs
- (C/ I) Weather permitting, plant hardy vegetables and bulbs
- (C/ I) Good time to do most planting of nursery stock
- (C/ I) Start uncovering tender perennials, roses, and the more delicate plant material
- (C) Finish pruning roses and planting bareroot roses
April
- (C/ I) Plant early hardy vegetables until mid-month
- (C/ I) Prune early-blooming shrubs after they flower
- (C/ I) Aerate the lawn with a core aerator; top dress and fertilize lawns; overseed bare patches
- (C/ I) Control for dandelions before they flower
- (C/ I) Divide late-blooming perennials
- (C/ I) Fertilize cedar hedges with 30-10-10
- (C/ I) Check lawns for leather-jacket control, if necessary
- (C/ I) Weather permitting, plant all summer-flowering bulbs
May
- (C/ I) Buy bedding plants, harden, and plant out after the mid-month; plant out dahlia tubers
- (C/ I) Weather permitting, set out all bedding plants (occasional night protection may be required)
- (C/ I) Plant patio containers
- (C/ I) Plant new lawns
- (C/ I) Prune back spring-flowering perennials
- (C/ I) Deadhead tulips and daffodils (flowers only) so bulb can produce energy for next year
- (C) Thin out annuals
- (C) Remove seed heads from rhododendrons and azaleas
- (C/ I) Fertilize lawn with organic or slow-release fertilizer
June
- (C/ I) Continue watering bulbs until yellowed leaves can be gently pulled off
- (C/ I) Keep newly planted hedges, trees and shrubs well watered
- (C/ I) Plant out tomatoes, zucchini and cucumber
- (C/ I) Start roses on a monthly fungicide/insecticide spray schedule, if necessary
- (C/ I) Deadhead roses, annuals and perennials to promote more blooms
- (C/ I) Mulch garden areas to help preserve moisture and keep weeds down
- (C/ I) Continue plantings such as annuals; water well
- (C/ I) Feed all annuals once or twice a month
- (C/ I) Continue feeding container plants
- (C/ I) Water lawns and gardens wisely, preferably in the morning
- (I) Spray for cherry fruit fly
July
- (C/ I) Deadhead roses, annuals and perennials to promote more blooms; water well
- (C/ I) Harvest raspberries and strawberries; remove unwanted strawberry runners; remove plants that have cropped for three summers
- (C/ I) Cut herbs for freezing and drying
- (C/ I) Continue to feed gardens and container plants
- (C/ I) Water hanging baskets and patio plants at least once a day
- (C/ I) Lift daffodils and tulips for curing; use bulb dust for disease control
- (C/ I) Deadhead roses, annuals and perennials to promote more blooms
- (C/ I) Thin grapes
August
- (C/ I) Continue feeding plants in containers and hanging baskets; water daily
- (C/ I) Prune back wisteria and other vigorous climbers
- (C/ I) Harvest vegetables frequently and keep plants well watered
- (C/ I) Hill potatoes with soil or mulch
- (C/ I) Cut back raspberry canes that fruited this year
- (C) Plant peonies
- (C/ I) Divide perennials that flowered from spring to early summer
- (C/ I) Fertilize late-flowering plants
- (C/ I) Remove fallen fruit to keep disease and pests away
- (C/ I) Plant fall rye
September
- (C/ I) Begin planting spring-flowering bulbs
- (C/ I) Irrigate when needed, but slowly reduce watering so plants get ready for winter
- (C/ I) Plant spring-flowering bulbs; use bulb dust for disease control
- (C/ I) Plant new lawns
- (C/ I) Fertilize all plants (except roses) and lawns with organic or slow-release fertilizer
- (C/ I) Allow lettuce to go to seed and feed the birds this winter
- (C/ I) Apply copper spray to selected fruit trees (C) Check soil and add lime if required
October
- (C/ I) Clear beds of annuals by the end of the month and compost
- (C/ I) Put sticky bands of tanglefoot around trees to deter winter moths
- (C/ I) Cultivate in interior regions; enrich in areas you plan to sow in spring
- (C/ I) Plant shrubs, perennials and spring-flowering bulbs
- (C/ I) Dig up tender bulbs for storage; apply bulb dust for disease control
- (C/ I) Dig up carrots, beets and turnips and harvest cabbage for storing
- (C/ I) Don’t forget to water plants close to the house or under rooflines
- (C/ I) Bring all tropical patio plants indoors; check them for pests before bringing inside
November
- (C/ I) Make sure plants like dianthus and saxifrage don’t get covered in leaves, as they will rot
- (C/ I) Lift, divide and replant spring- and summer-blooming perennials (weather permitting)
- (C/ I) Use any clean dead growth from garden beds and containers for the compost
- (C/ I) Protect trees and shrubs from mice, rabbits and deer; do not use plastic to wrap plants
- (C/ I) After the first few hard frosts, mound the bases of roses and less hardy plants with peat moss or other mulch such as compost
- (C/ I) Water all plants for winter; ensure adequate drainage so roots do not stand in water all winter
- (C) Give roses a final deadheading and a light pruning; apply dolomite lime around established roses
December
- (C/ I) Plan to rotate the crops in the vegetable garden next year
- (C/ I) Ventilate cold frames in mild weather
- (C/ I) Clean, sharpen and sterilize all tools
- (C/ I) Shovel clean snow around plants for extra moisture and insulation
- (C/ I) Keep bird feeders filled
- (C) Lightly prune hollies and evergreens; use the clippings for wreaths and seasonal decorations
- (C/ I) Buy your favourite friend a gardening gift
www.davidvalente.com