by Wildwood Outdoor Living | Jan 28, 2022 | Top 5 in The Garden
January is coming to an end and you know what that means? Spring is just around the corner! Well, almost. We still have a little ways to go, but until then let’s do what we can to pass the time. In this article, you’ll find a few ways to keep you busy and your garden at its very best, no matter what zone you live in.
JANUARY
Depending on where you live, you might have a whole lot or a whole lot less to do in the winter months. That’s perfectly okay! Even if you are over your head in snowdrifts, nothing is stopping you from planning out your perfect garden from the comfort of your own home. Plus, with the power of online ordering, there’s no time like down time to scoop up all of your favourite seeds and bulbs to make the garden of your dreams a reality this year.
 Live Christmas trees should be planted as soon as possible.
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For winter colour, plant viburnum “Pink Dawn”, Chinese Witch Hazel, Christmas Rose, Winter Heather, Jasmine, and Sarcacoca.
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If the ground isn’t frozen there is still time to plant narcissus, tulips and hyacinth for spring colour.
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Mulch your sensitive plants with bark or peat moss and use burlap to prevent softer trees from windburn. Water plants under the eaves to prevent drying out.
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Come in and get your seeds and start to plan for spring.
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FEBRUARY
As February approaches we’re growing closer and closer to spring. Snowdrops peek their way up through the ground with crocuses to follow and soon after, daffodils! It’s almost our time to shine in the garden and we can’t wait to get started!!! Before we jump into spring, February is the last chance we get to tie up all our loose ends so that we don’t waste any time in the spring. Here are a few items to check off your to-do list this February.
Look for Aubrieta, Arabis, Hardy Primulas to start arriving.
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Look for potted spring bulbs to brighten your home.
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Time to start pruning – make sure all equipment is clean, sharp and disinfected.
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Plant small fruits and fruit trees now, use bone meal fertilizer.
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Start broad beans, chives, onions for early crops. Purchase your flower and vegetable seeds early for the best selection and keep them in the fridge until ready to plant.
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Cut back deciduous ornamental grasses before new spring growth starts.
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Spray roses with Sulphur before bud break to help combat black spots and mildew.
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Take care of your bird friends by hanging a bird feeder with high energy suet.
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Order your favourite seeds or try planting something new!
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Check stored bulbs for mold and moisture levels. Re-wrap and relocate as needed.
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Prune dormant fruit trees.
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If your winter weather has a cold hold on what you can accomplish, try starting some of your seeds with a heat mat. A heat mat is a great way to activate germination by encouraging root grow by providing your seeds with the warmth they need to growth healthy and strong!
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by Wildwood Outdoor Living | Sep 30, 2021 | Monthly Gardening Tips
Sometimes with a new season comes a good seasonal clean up. The kind that will have you pulling your couch out and collecting your dust bunnies. Or maybe throwing your summer clothes in a pile and hiding them at the back of the closet. In the garden, fall is a great time for replacing the old with the new. In this article we’re going to go over a checklist to help you transition your garden from summer to fall.
September Checklist
Before we look at what needs to be done in October, let’s make sure we’re caught up with our September to-do’s. Here is a quick checklist for you to make sure that your garden is ready to take on October.
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If you have a pond, be sure to net your ponds now to prevent the accumulation of falling leaves. |
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Lift all your onions, dry and store. |
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Stop watering your late-storing potatoes. |
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Sow new lawns when the day temperatures aren’t so hot. Feed soil with turf starter beforehand. |
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Plan for next spring, by mapping out your fall bulb placement. |
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Consider implementing cool weather crops into your garden, like winter greens. |
October Checklist
No two gardens are alike. Which means you’re welcome to pick and choose what applies to you when it comes to transitioning your garden from summer to fall. One thing is for sure, October is one of the best planting seasons. If you aren’t planning on planting anything new in October, you’re missing out! October is the best time for a veggie garden and fall bulbs! Keeping you fed and your spring garden ahead of its game! Let’s see what else we can do for our gardens this October.
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Remove pond netting and clean the bottom of the pond after the leaves have fallen. |
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Prune out all dead, diseased, and dying branches and leaves off shrubs and trees. |
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The best selection of fall bulbs is available now. Wildwood Outdoor Living has the largest selection around, online and in-store! Be sure to plan out your garden ahead of your visit to make sure you have the right growing conditions for your bulb choices. |
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Lower the blade on your lawn mower to keep grass cut shorter for fall. Keeping your lawn shorter in fall will prevent fungus like snow mold from forming in the spring. |
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Start taking fuchsias and geranium cuttings. This will allow your plants to become dormant during the winter, saving their energy for Spring. |
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Apply dolomite lime to prevent the soil from becoming too acid over the winter months. If the PH level is too high, your grass won’t be able to absorb nutrients properly. |
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Begin storing onions, carrots, and beets in dry peat moss or “Beats Peat” to absorb excess moisture and keep them well insulated. This will also prevent small rodents like mice from getting to them. |
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Plant fall bulbs and fall perennials now, for beautiful spring blooms! |
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Use gypsum lime and organic compost in heavy clay areas to change into workable soil. |
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Apply Fall & Winter lawn fertilizer 6-10-20. For the best results, be sure to apply your fertilizer earlier in the month, between October 1st-15th. |
Depending on what you get done, you might have the rest of October to relax and watch the colors change. Or take your gardening inside with an herb garden or houseplants. Who could forget the beautiful fall décor that October brings! With what you’ve grown this year, you might be able to create something special like a fall wreath, pressed flowers, or decorated pumpkins. Whatever you’re into, fall is a great time to be a gardener with lots to do! Need help? Check out our new segment Get Up and Grow on Chek News, where our president Gord Nickel teaches Jasmine Bala something new each week.
Have a question? Let us know at info@wildwoodoutdoorliving.com.
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