1. Snip back annuals to rejuvenate them.
2. Fertilize perennials August 30.
3. Remove old raspberry canes.
4. Bring potted rosemary plants inside before August 30.
5. Dry herbs and flowers.
6. Deadhead flowers and collect seeds.
7. Divide and re-plant iris.
8. Plant new trees and shrubs; stake and water well.
9. Continue weeding, watering, feeding of flower and vegetable gardens.
10. Chart/photograph flower beds and gardens; take notes to assist in planning for next year.

1. Weed/feed lawn; leave grass a little longer for more vigorous growth.
2. Spray to prevent mildew and black spot.
3. Weed out old strawberries and fertilize (10-10-10).
4. Plant successive crops to fill in gaps from early harvest.
5. Cut back bulb foliage at ground level.
6. Water container plants daily and fertilize at half-strength weekly (alternate 15-30-15 and 8-24-12).
7. Deadhead annuals and perennials; pinch off growing tips of annuals to thicken plants.
   continue reading "Gardener’s To Do List - July"

Hey, we’re on top of things this month! Well, my mom is always on top of things, I’m rather a poky little puppy. (funny thing - that was my favorite book as a child) I’m far from poky today - here’s a list of June jobs for the garden. And what do you know, it’s still June!

1. Prune evergreens (1/2 off new tips).
2. Prune flowering shrubs after flowering.
3. Prune trees when leaves are full.
4. Feed roses June 15.
5. Fertilize perennials June 30.
6. Weed/feed lawn.
7. Plant containers.
8. Set water plants into pond - to cover 50% -75% of surface.
9. Add bonemeal to soil around shrubs and early flowering bulbs.
10. Water/fertilize berries.
11. Plant vegetables eg. beans, carrots, beets, squash, cucumbers.
12. Set out annuals, tender perennials, tomatoes and peppers (provide support and protection if needed).
13. Plant summer flowering bulbs and mums.
14. Pick peonies to dry.
15. Root soft-wood cuttings in 1:2 mix of peat and perlite with plastic bag over pot.
16. Fill shallow pan with stones, water and few drops vinegar for the bees and butterflies.

Why is this Gardener’s To Do List so late?

Reason Number One

That beautiful snippit of summer-like weather we received earlier this spring was just a tease - it has been cold and rainy! Not very spring-like at all. Therefore, as much as spring has been delayed, so too has this Monthly To Do List.

Reason Number Two

One of the items originally included on this month’s To Do List was to spray birch trees with Cygon. As one of the goals of this site is is to promote ‘green’ practices, Cathy baulked at including such a controversial method of pest control. After much research and with no absolutely proven alternative method found, it was decided that we would remove that item from this month’s list. We’d love to hear from anyone who has a good suggestion for a more environmentally-friendly approach to the traditional systemic insecticide .

Without further adieu, here is May’s (better late than never) Gardener’s To Do List:

continue reading "Gardener’s To Do List - (Late) May"

1. Continue to plant some seeds indoors. eg. thyme, allysum
2. Clean out flower beds, cut back dried perennials.
3. Lift overgrown perennials when you see new growth. Divide, re-plant or trade. Top dress with compost.
4. Sprinkle bloodmeal around bulbs before they flower, remove leaves after they die down.
5. Trim clematis, add lime and cover the root area to keep it cool.
6. Apply second spray for fruit trees as the green buds break and before flowering.
7. Unhill roses, prune weak branches to base, leave 3-5 strong canes (topbud pointing out), feed roses April 15th (12-4-8).
8. Fertilize perennials April 30th (12-4-8); iris (4-8-12); lilies (4-8-12).
9. Fertilize the lawn when the daffodils bloom, mow when it shows strong growth.
10. Plant new shrubs.
11. Draw a plan for flower and vegetable gardens.

1. Prune fruit trees, shrubs, roses before spring growth starts - do not prune spring flowering shrubs.
2. Cut Butterfly Bush close to the ground and also Dogwood if you wish.
3. March 15th - force forsythia or cherry branches to flower indoors.
4. Trim herbs to just above the ground.
5. Turn compost.
6. Spray Dormant Oil and Lime Sulphur before buds grow on fruit trees and roses.
7. Prepare vegetable garden soil as soon as it is dry enough.
8. Cut back and re-pot houseplants.
9. Plant seeds that are to be started indoors (research - some seeds need darkness to germinate, so cover the flats with newspaper; others should be covered with plastic to retain moisture).

1. When seeds arrive from your seed catalog orders: organize packages (ie. those to start indoors, plant early, second planting etc.)
2. Use insecticidal soap to get rid of critters on houseplants.
3. Clean pots or flats for starting seeds indoors; prepare soil.
4. If you saved geraniums in the fall, cut them back, water and move into the sun. If they were unearthed and stored in paper bags, re-pot, trim, water and place in a sunny spot.
5. Snip some branches of pussy willow, put in water inside.
6. Don’t forget to mark Canada Blooms on your calendar for March.

How to remember all those little jobs that need to be tackled in your yard, monthly or seasonally…..

Use that new gardener’s journal and start a checklist for each month. Make a chart listing the tasks to be done and highlight the time through the year that applies.

For me, the best way is in my handy little index card box where I keep all my information about planning and planting.

continue reading "Gardener’s To Do List - January"