Springtime is the perfect time to plant fruits in your garden or backyard. Whether you’re looking for a delicious snack or a beautiful addition to your landscape, there are plenty of options available. From strawberries and cherries to blueberries and kiwis, here are the top five best fruits to plant this spring.
1.) Strawberry Plants
Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They come in various shapes, sizes and colours and are known for their sweet flavour and bright red colour. Many different strawberries are available today, each with unique characteristics and flavours. From the classic June-bearing strawberry to the exotic Alpine strawberry, there is something for everyone!
The nutrient-rich content of strawberries makes them an ideal addition to any healthy diet. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, and dietary fibre. They also contain potent antioxidants, which help protect against various diseases. Additionally, the high levels of polyphenolic compounds found in strawberries may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
2.) Blueberry Plants
Blueberries are one of nature’s most potent superfoods. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fibre, blueberries have been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved heart health, better brain function, and a reduced risk of certain cancers. The sweet-tart flavour of blueberries makes them a great addition to any diet! Planting blueberry plants in the spring when temperatures warm up will ensure that your plants have enough time to establish themselves before winter arrives. You can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious blueberries with proper care throughout the summer months.
3.) Haskap Plants
Haskap plants are a type of berry that has been gaining popularity recently. They have a sweet-tart flavour and are packed with essential nutrients and vitamins. Haskap plants are high in antioxidants, which can help fight off free radicals and protect against chronic illnesses. They also contain Vitamins C and A, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. In addition to their nutritional benefits, Haskaps are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
4.) Raspberry Plants
Growing raspberries in your garden is a great way to enjoy the sweet taste of this delicious fruit. They are a healthy snack and can also be used to make jams, pies, and other treats. Raspberries come in wide varieties, each with its unique flavour and texture. Knowing the difference between these types of raspberries can help you choose the right one for your garden. In addition to their delicious taste, growing raspberries offers several benefits, such as providing habitat for beneficial insects, reducing erosion, and improving soil quality!
5.) Kiwi Plants
Kiwi plants are a unique species of woody vines native to New Zealand. They have become popular in recent years for their sweet, tangy fruits, as well as for their ornamental value. Kiwi plants are easy to care for and can be grown in various climates, making them an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add some exotic appeal to their landscape. They require little maintenance and can provide an abundance of delicious fruits if cared for properly.
All varieties of these plants are members of the Actinidia genus and produce edible fruit with an intensely tangy flavour. They serve as tasty additions to salads and can be used in many different culinary applications. Additionally, the flowers of these plants provide an attractive ornamental value for those looking to add colour to their landscape. Each variety has specific care requirements, but there are some similarities.
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Winter can be a challenging time for birds, especially since they are exposed to extreme temperatures and lack of food. It is important to understand the basics of bird care in the winter in order to ensure that your feathered friends stay safe and healthy. In this article, we will discuss the basics of bird care in the winter, including bird feeding, cold weather tips, and safety precautions. With these tips in mind, you can make sure that your birds stay happy and healthy throughout the winter months!
Feeding and Sheltering Birds During the Coldest Time of Year
As the coldest time of year approaches, it is important to consider how we can best care for our feathered friends. Winter bird food and proper shelter are essential for birds during the winter months. By providing them with adequate food and shelter, we can ensure that they stay healthy and safe during the coldest time of year.
There are a variety of winter bird foods available on the market, so it is important to choose one that contains high-quality ingredients that birds need to survive the cold weather such as our most popular suet, C&S High Energy Suet. Additionally, providing birds with a sheltered area will help them stay warm and safe from predators. With some simple steps, we can help our feathered friends get through even the coldest winter days. For best practices, try placing your birdfeeder close to your bird’s home.
Maintaining Your Bird Feeder and Water Source Throughout the Winter
Maintaining your bird feeder and water source throughout the winter is essential for keeping your feathered friends happy and healthy. With these tips, you’ll be able to provide a safe and comfortable environment for your feathered friends all year round!
Tip 1 – Clean your bird feeder at least once a week and change it out with a fresh bag of seed or suet each time. You can either clean your feeder outside or indoors in the kitchen sink, filling the sink with soapy water and using a clean sponge or rag to scrub away any buildup. Try not to use harsh chemicals as they can damage the birds’ respiratory systems! A natural solution of warm water and baking soda can also be used to clean a feeder.
Tip 2 – Clean the Base of Your Bird Feeder Regularly. The base is where your birds are getting their feet wet when they walk into your bird feeder, so keeping it as clean as possible will help prevent debris from building up and causing unpleasant odors.
Tip 3 – Change Out Your Bird Food. Like you, birds have preferences for different types of seeds ( sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, etc). When you aren’t able to use your bird feeder regularly, change out the type of seed you are using and make sure it’s fresh.
Providing a Suitable Environment For Wild Birds During Winters
With the onset of winter, wild birds need extra care and attention to survive the cold. It is important to provide them with a suitable environment in order to ensure their safety and well-being. This can be done by creating a safe habitat for them and helping them find shelter during the cold season.
By providing a suitable environment for wild birds during winters, we can help ensure that they have enough food and water sources, as well as protection from predators. We can also make sure that they have access to places where they can find shelter from the harsh weather conditions. By doing so, we will be helping these creatures survive in their natural habitats even during the harshest of times.
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February is a great time to get your garden ready for spring. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, there are plenty of activities you can do in February to make sure your garden is ready for the warmer months ahead. From seed sowing and garden planning to caring for houseplants, February gardening offers something for everyone. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a beautiful and productive garden all year round!
Seeds
With temperatures slowly increasing and the days getting longer, February is a good month to start planting your first seeds of the year. Depending on which zone you live in, there are a variety of crops that can be planted in February. In Zone 3, for example, you can sow lettuce, spinach, kale and carrots. In Zone 4, you can sow onions and peas. And in Zone 5 you can sow tomatoes and peppers. No matter what zone you live in, sowing seeds in February will give your garden a head start on the growing season! Check out a few popular varieties of seeds you can sow now in your area – below!
February is the perfect time to plan your garden for the upcoming growing season. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can have a beautiful garden that will bring you joy all spring and summer long.
Mapping out your garden is the first step in planning for February. You’ll want to decide which plants will go where, and how much space each one needs. You’ll also want to consider bloom times, so that you can maximize color in your garden throughout the season.
Take stock of what you currently have in your garden. What are the plants that need to be moved, weeds that need to be pulled, and areas that could use additional garden space?
Plan for which plants will grow well in the month of February and factor in any bloom times. Are there flowers or vegetables you would like to plant earlier than usual?
Finally, don’t forget about containers! If you’re short on space or just looking for more room for plants, using containers can be a great way to add more garden space without taking up too much room in your yard. With a little bit of creativity and planning, you can make sure your February garden planning sets up your outdoor oasis for success all season long!
& More!
Looking for more to do in the garden this February? Check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow, ‘Brighten up your winter garden’ with our President, Gord Nickel – below!
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Winter Flowering jasmine, or Jasminum Nudiflorum, is a beautiful variety of Jasmine that blooms during winter months in zones 6-10 from mid-winter until early spring. With bright yellow blooms, Winter Jasmine can provide a bit of extra cheer to get us through dark and cold Canadian winters. In this week’s blog, we’re here to share everything there is to know about Winter Flowering Jasmine! Plus, watch and learn as our own Gord Nickel shares a few tips and tricks for pruning your Winter Jasmine at home.
About Winter Jasmine
Belonging to the Oleacea family, Winter Jasmine is a deciduous shrub with a surprising relation to olive trees. Initially found in China and called ‘Yingchun’ meaning ‘the flower that welcomes Spring,’ Winter Jasmine is now grown worldwide in zones 6-10. When gifted with this beautiful bloom, it is said to symbolize feminity, inspiration, hospitality, love and community.
Growing Winter Jasmine
With long drooping branches, Winter Jasmine can grow up to four feet tall and seven feet wide unsupported, but with the help of good staking, they can reach as high as fifteen feet tall! So be sure to provide adequate spacing when mapping out the garden. If planted in the Spring, you can expect one-inch yellow blooms in the late winter. To do so, follow the care guide below and provide adequate pruning!
Sun
Full to Partial Shade
Soil
Well-drained soil (chalk, loamy, clay, sand)
Zone
Zones 6 – 10
Water
Water when the top inch of soil dries out
Fertilizer
For extra blooms opt for a slow release fertilizer such as Power Bloom
Note
Great for trellises and groundcover!
TIP: Watch out for pesky mealybugs and aphids! Though this plant is often disease-free, some problems may occur with these insects. In this case, use a gentle insecticide spray such as Schultz Insect Spray.
Pruning Jasmine
Whether you decide to grow Winter Jasmine as groundcover, over fences, up trellises or along arbors, Winter Jasmine is a beautiful shrub that can provide pops of colour where, and especially when, you need it most. For tips and tricks on pruning your winter-blooming-beauty, check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow to watch as our President Gord Nickel shows Hannah how to prune her Winter Flowering Jasmine plant in the latest Chek News episode ‘Winter Flowering Jasmine’ below.
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Have you ever noticed that your indoor plants don’t look as happy during the winter months? Or even worse, that they don’t survive. In this week’s blog, we’re here to share the Top 5 Winter Watering Tips to help your indoor plants while they patiently wait for warmer, brighter day – just like us!
Get Up and Grow: Caring for Your Houseplants In The Winter
Tip #1 – Don’t Feed
Like animals (and some humans!), most houseplants go into a hibernation state called ‘dormancy’ during winter. With less sun, our plants can conserve energy until the sun returns for extended periods to help them store nutrients – plants start photosynthesis at a much slower rate. Feeding them nutrients during the winter can cause more harm than good, resulting in lifted roots, stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and even killing the plant.
Tip #2 – Avoid Drafts
Although it may seem like a good idea to place your houseplant in a sunny location, like the windowsill, it’s usually not a good idea. More often than not, the Canadian windowsill can be drafty in the winter – sending chills down your plant’s stems! Even without a draft, window temperatures cause frostbite to your plant leaves, killing them. This can be especially dangerous when watering your plant near a cold window, as the water that leads into your plant’s root system can freeze, killing your plant.
Tip #3 – Prune Dead Leaves
As Gord mentioned, pruning your houseplants in the winter is an excellent way to maintain their health. The collection of dead leaves is the perfect place for insects and pests to find the warmth they need to multiply! So, it’s best to steer clear of any build-up. Don’t forget, if you happen to clip your plant by accident, use a water bottle to seal any “bleeding” such as sap (which attracts more insects).
Tip #4 – Don’t over-water!
You might have guessed it, but over-watering your houseplants in the winter is never a good idea -since there is less sunlight to help your plant absorb water. Over-watering your plant could result in root rot, disease and mold. If you’re unsure, try filling a sauce, as Gord mentioned, to help add a more-regulated amount of moisture to your houseplant if it’s looking a little on the dry side.
Tip #5 – Add Light
If you can’t place your plant in a sunny window or put it outside, there’s still hope! All you need to do is purchase a 13-watt lightbulb to provide the extra light you need. Just place your plant near the lamp to give it the daily light exposure it needs to survive the winter. Be sure to check your plant’s dormant light requirements, as too much light is not good either.
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