With the tail end of summer here, it’s time to squeeze in every last drop of the sunny outdoors that we can! In this week’s blog were here to keep you busy and growing in the garden with all that there is to do for the month of August!
Lawn & Pond
Keep lawns deep-watered during hot weather. Fertilize, a healthy thick lawn will keep weeds down.
Raise the blade on your lawn mower. Growing taller blades of grass will allow your lawn to retain moisture during hotter months.
Use grass clipping to mulch your lawn, keeping it nice and cool.
Look for thin areas to re-seed. August is a great time to allow new seed to grow before cooler temperatures.
Give your grass a growing start by fertilizing in the late summer.
Watch for grubs and treat them accordingly! The best way to prevent grubs is to have a lush and healthy lawn.
Clean water features like waterfalls, remove built-up algae which can effect functionality.
Remove old water lily leaves and fertilize.
Check on your fish! August is a common time for fish to develop ulcers. Use medication as needed, clean the water and filters.
Check water for nitrate levels.
Plants
Remove perennial blooms as they fade.
In perennial gardens, a light cultivation, followed by mulching with compost, will restore their ornamental stature.
For ongoing health of vegetable gardens, remove plants that have finished producing. Chop them for compost, apply a warm season green manure crop or replenish the soil and plant fall and winter vegetables.
Avoid watering the foliage of tomatoes.
Deadhead all spent annual flowers and water flower beds early in the morning.
Don’t forget to water trees and plants which grow under eaves of your house.
Feed rhododendrons and azaleas and keep them well watered.
Replace annuals with new season plants! Try tucking in new varieties of plants that are ready to take on the fall, like Chrysanthemums!
Check houseplants! With hot temperatures and extra watering, it might be time to upgrade to bigger pots. Gently pull your plant out of the pot and see if there are new roots that are ready to be replanted.
Potatoes and onions should be ready for harvest! Check for foliage that has browned as an indication that they’re ready.
Miscellaneous & More!
Check on temperatures for heat waves! Make sure to work in a shady spot or start working in the garden in the early morning or evening.
Stay on top of your harvesting! Failure to do so will result in slower production.
Inspect your plants for insects and pests! Treat as needed.
Don’t forget to clean your tools! Cleaning your tools is a key component in preventing the spread of disease.
Plant colchicums or fall crocus for colour now.
Reapply 14-14-14 slow-release fertilizer – your annuals have a good few months left!
Plan for fall planting by planning out your gardening space & sunlight. Purchase seeds accordingly and start sowing!
Looking for more to do this August? Check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow ‘How To Get Rid of Algae in Ponds’ below with our President, Gord Nickel.
Have a suggestion or question?
Let us know at info@wildwoodoutdoorliving.com.
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It’s officially summer, so it’s time to sit back and enjoy your hard work! Or is it? If you’re like us and enjoy every minute you can get gardening, then we’re here to help keep you busy (and your garden at its best). Check out our handy list of to-do’s for the month of July below, to take advantage of the beautiful Canadian summer we’re having this year!
Lawn & Pond
Fertilize waterlilies.
Watch for pests on water plants, like water lily aphids, beetles and snails.
Prune overgrown plants.
Apply a second application of long-lasting, slow release Get Up & Grow 28-7-14 fertilizer to your lawn.
If you have hot weather, be sure to water your lawn thoroughly and raise the blade on your lawn mower for a higher cut.
Save grass clippings for mulch to help keep your lawn cool, while feeding it nutrients.
Stop fertilizing mid-summer.
Clean the filters in your pond features and add aeration to ponds during hot temperature to keep your fish alive!
Plants
Apply all-purpose fertilizer to long-blooming perennials.
After summer-bearing raspberries finish, cut down the canes that bore fruit.
Lift garlic and shallots as soon as most of the tops have died down.
After harvesting crops of vegetables, second and third plantings can be made, use late varieties of leafy greens, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.
Stake larger growing perennials to prevent rain and wind damage.
There’s still time to plant annuals for lots of colour.
Cut back delphiniums and other tall perennials as they finish blooming.
Prune flowering shrubs as the flowers finish blooming.
Prune annual herbs to promote a second harvest
Remove garlic scapes, and use them for cooking! This will also encourage bulb growth.
Harvest berries before the birds and the squirrels get to them!
Miscellaneous & More!
Add more mulch to areas most effected by the sun or hot temperatures.
Remember to change bird feeders often and especially before getaways.
Pull weeds before they bloom!
Watch for Japanese Beetles, Aphids and other pests! Purchase ladybugs as needed.
Pre-order fall bulbs, to ensure your garden plans are executed when it comes to planting.
For more help with your July gardening, check out ‘How to Turn Your Common Shrubs Into Unique Trees’ on Get Up and Grow with our President Gord Nickel on Chek News below!
Have a suggestion or question?
Let us know at info@wildwoodoutdoorliving.com.
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Spring is here, and we are in full bloom! Though, the weather could warm up a little if you ask us. We’re still grateful to be outside planting, with each day getting warmer and warmer! To get the most out of your June garden, we’ve come up with a handy list of June to-do’s to keep you busy and growing!
Lawn & Pond
Summer is the time to enjoy your pond. Check water quality regularly.
Plant water plants! Water plants are now available to be planted in ponds and fountains.
Late spring is the perfect time to add fish to your ponds! Wait for temperatures to be 20-23 degrees Celsius.
Only feed your fish as much as they can eat in three minutes to avoid choking while they come out of hibernation.
New water features have been added to wildwood.express! Add some contemporary pond decor to your landscapes.
Plants
Plant starter vegetables like Tomatoes, Beans, Peppers and Squash.
Plant Cosmos, Marigolds, Zinnias, Nasturtiums, Morning Glory and Sunflowers.
When using slug bait, broadcast around your vegetable plants, never in a pile.
Make sure your frequently needed supplies are on hand before you get started. Gloves, Labels, Twine, Plant Food, Pruners, etc.
Consider using a rain barrel for sustainability and cost!
Raise your lawn mower’s blades when the weather starts to get hot and leave the clippings for “green” fertilizer.
Set up trellises for climbers like clematis, tomatoes, cucumbers and pole beans.
Use covers or netting to protect berries from birds.
Pre-order fall bulbs for spring blooms!
Check to see if compost is ready for use. Turn over or start new as needed.
Watch for pests and diseases like aphids, beetles, cabbage worms, hornworms, cutworms and more! Treat as needed.
For more help with your June gardening, check out ‘How to Prune and Plant a Clematis’ on Get Up and Grow with our President Gord Nickel on Chek News below!
Have a suggestion or question?
Let us know at info@wildwoodoutdoorliving.com.
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Spring has arrived, and we couldn’t be more thankful for all the warmer and brighter days ahead! Depending on where you live, you could be knee-deep in the dirt by now or patiently awaiting the snow to melt away. Either way, it’s Spring, and it’s time to shine! Get those gloves on. It’s time to check off all our April gardening to-dos!
Patio & Planters
Replace the top 5 cm of soil with fresh soil for full planters.
Transplant seeds into planters and keeps them indoors until the last frost.
To green up your lawn with Nurseryland lawn food 6kg.
Spring is the best time to introduce water plants and fish to your pond. Try Clean For Ponds to reduce build-up and start running your pump.
Miscellaneous & More!
As you can tell, there is plenty for us to do in the garden in April. If you need more to do, we suggest getting the power washer out to clean up those patio stones and paved areas. Afterwards, you can take care of those pesky reoccurring weeds by applying your favourite weed-killing spray. Plus, now might be a good time to start thinking of the most crucial time of the year, Mother’s Day!
Have a suggestion or question?
Let us know at info@wildwoodoutdoorliving.com.
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Well, gardeners, it’s just about our time to shine! The month is March and the sun is starting to shine more and more, every day! If you’re overwhelmed or excited to get growing, we’re here to help. Let’s get ourselves organized with a few gardening tips for March so that we can enjoy each sunny day coming our way!
March Checklist
Whether you still have snow on the ground or you’re blessed with green grass, Spring is on its way and it’s time to get busy! For us gardeners, March is a great month for fertilizing, pruning, re-potting, sowing and more! To help get ready for a new planting season, check out our handy March to-do list below.
Watch for arrival of fresh and new nursery stock. We’re starting to get more and more each day!
Build up your soil with bone meal, manure, or with your own garden compost.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, sowing seeds indoors is one of the best things you can do as a gardener! Not only is it nice to get a head start on your garden when you’re cooped up indoors but it also gives you more time to enjoy everything your plants have to offer. What you’re able to sow now will depend on where you’re located, so we’ve made a handy cheat sheet for you to check what you can sow indoors for March in your region.
For more fun in the garden, check out what Gord has to teach Jasmine about creating and transplanting seasonal potted displays on this week’s episode of Get Up and Grow,Potting Up Heathers and Other Plants Before Moving Them Into The Garden.
Time flies when you’re having fun in the garden, doesn’t it? One minute you’re one with nature digging in the dirt, singing with the birds passing by and the next you’re cooped indoors brainstorming all that you look forward to planting in the next season. This December don’t throw in the towel until Spring. There is still plenty for us Gardeners to do! For a little inspiration, we’ve created a checklist for you to stay on top of your gardening game this December.
November Checklist
As always let’s make sure we’re caught up on our November’s to-do list before marking it off and moving along to December. Below we created a few good items to take care of in November that may or may not apply to you, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Divide overgrown perennials and replant. No room? They make a good Christmas present in a pot for a gardening friend (make sure to tag them).
If you run your pond pump during the winter, raise it onto a ledge in the pond to recirculate only the top layer of water.
Start paperwhites and other indoor forcing bulbs for Christmas colour. They need approximately seven weeks to bloom.
Plant evergreens, perennials, containerized fruit & shade trees.
All your bulbs should be dusted with sulphur or bulb dust before storing them away.
Prune back Rose of Sharon and P.G. hydrangeas. Tidy up perennials.
Construct a compost bin and create your organic-rich soil with garden refuse and leaves. Use Rot-it to quicken the process.
There’s still time to apply dolomite lime to your lawn.
Tie up cypress and globe cedar trees so heavy snows will not destroy their shape.
December Checklist
Whether you have snow or not, our December checklist should keep you busy tying up a few loose ends this season, especially for those interested in holiday décor! Here are a few items to consider taking care of in-between your spring planting daydreams.
Mulch ornamental beds and cane fruits with composted manure.
Do not cut holly while the weather is freezing. This will make the berries black. Fresh evergreen boughs can be cut anytime to maintain a fresh supply indoors. Spruce, balsam and cedar boughs will last the longest.
Remember the birds. A food that most birds will eat is black oil sunflower seed.
Watch for the first Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) blossoms outdoor and Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis Mollis) branches can be brought indoors for fragrant blooms.
Poinsettia care: Remember the 3 M’s. Moderate bright light, moderate watering and moderate temperature. Avoid access to hot or cold areas.
With proper care, a real Christmas tree should last 5 weeks or longer making the first week of December the perfect time to put up a real Christmas tree.
Remember to water the root ball and spray the branches with “wilt proof” to prevent excess drying. If the weather is severely cold after Christmas, acclimatize the tree by hardening off in stages.
There you have it, more for you to do in December if you’re looking to keep your green thumb growing or to keep you busy and out of the Holiday chaos! Happy Holidays from everyone at Wildwood Outdoor Living Centre. Stay tuned for more December gardening and Holiday ideas to come.
Watch for arrival of fresh and new nursery stock. We’re starting to get more and more each day!