Al's Gardening
Guide
Gardening tips and
advice. An excellent guide for the novice gardener.
Find Garden and Landscaping section on Lawn, Shrubbery and Garden design.
Ideas and planning leads to enjoying your garden.
(Northern USA and Southern Canada
Regions)
| January |
February |
March |
| Apply Lime Sulphur and Dormant oil to
your deciduous trees and shrubs to protect from insects and disease |
Prune most evergreens, deciduous
ornabmental and fruit trees. |
Compost and manures should be worked into flower
and vegetable gardens, now. |
| Plant winter flowering shrubs like
heather, jasmine and Witch Hazel |
Specialty begonia tubers can now be
started |
Spanish onions, potatoes, broad beans can now be
set out in protected areas. |
| Start early seeds like Spanish onion,
geraniums, pansies and begonias. |
Lime lawn and garden areas. Try the
new "prilled" limes for better, easier application results. |
Plant your early perennials as well as biennials
and pansies for early colour. |
| Feed the wild birds. |
Plant bare root fruit trees and small
fruits. |
Asparagus, strawberries and rhubarb can be
planted, now. |
| April |
May |
June |
| Cold-hardy annuals like snapdragons, dianthus, maguerites,
mimulas and violas can be set out now. |
Visit gardens and garden stores to see more flowering shrubs
and trees to get ideas for your garden. |
June is Rose month. Check out the local nursery for colours and to smell
the perfume. |
| Cool-loving vegetables ie.lettuce, peas, chard, radishes,
spinach and early potatoes can be started. |
Prune back all flowering shrubs and perennials, as they finish
blooming and fertilize them well. |
Begin your rose pest and disease program to keep roses clean. |
| Aerate your lawn & add a slow release fertilizer to tone it
up. |
3rd weekend of May get out all the warm loving veggie plants,
flowers and herbs. |
Seasonal hanging baskets of flowers should be set out. |
| July |
August |
September |
| Plant summer flowering shrubs: Rose
of Sharon and hydrangeas. |
Harvest those fresh vegetables and
dry herbs as they mature. |
Plant pansies, violas, garden mums,
ornamental kale |
| Stake tall growing flowers and
vegetables for extra support. |
Dead-head, cleanup and fertilize
perennials and annuals. |
Protect tomatoes and potatoes
from blight with copper spray. |
| Feed lawn, flower baskets &
planters with nitrogen fertilizer. |
Water, water, deeply any plants
suffering from heat stress. |
Apply fall application of slow
release nitrogen - especially lawns. |
| Seed fall pansies and ornamental kale
for autumn colour. |
Seed winter vegetables, now. |
Set out perennials for early spring
colour. |
| Look around - enjoy what you
see. |
Plan autumn blooming crocus,
now. |
Plant your early spring flowering
bulbs. |
| October |
November |
December |
Gently lift tender bulbs ie. the gladioli
and begonias. |
Plant some fall foliaged trees & shrubs. |
Start your winter bird feeding program. |
Lift your tender perennials for winter
storage - fuchsias, geraniums, marguerites |
Plant wintering flowering trees and
perennials. |
Select a living Christmas tree early. |
| Plant your spring bulbs, now. |
Pot up your forcing bulbs to enjoy in late
winter. |
Cut your Christmas greens and holly early. |
| Lime and aerate your lawn. |
Plant elegant amaryllis indoors. |
Pick out your cut Christmas tree. |
|
Al's Landscaping Hints
- Draw a plan of your property. Include all buildings, patios, walkways,
walls and large shrubs and trees.
- Remember when planning new play areas and lawns, any walkways should be at
least 3 feet wide.
- Decide which plants you are going to keep. If you are going to move plants,
make sure it is the right time of year to transplant.
- Consider all your watering systems, overall maintenand and who will be
doing the work once you're ready to start.
- Plan your garden for each season to keep it interesting and colourful.
- Herbs are a good example of beautiful decorative gardens that are
functional and low maintenance.
- If you are planning for privacy or to hide unsightly walls, fences, views -
use trellises and climbing plants that grow fast are beautiful and adequate to
the job. Check out the local nursery.
- When choosing trees, have an equal selection of evergreens and deciduous in
the garden.
- Container of potted annuals or perennials can enhance your garden.
- Consider locating a deciduous tree close to your home if it has a southern
exposure. It will offer shade and privacy in the summer and allow the sun to
hit the house in the winter.
- Consider hard wearing grass for the backyard if it is going to be a play
area.
- Pick a grass that tolerates a lot of moisture or dryness.
- Prepare your soil for the grass - make sure the surface is level, free of
disease, pests, weeds and large stones.
- Thorough soakings will help your grass develop deep root systems and help
keep the grass green.
Al's Garden Design Tips
- Sealed pots and containers can make great water gardens if you have limited
space. (Do not put fish in pots or containers)
- Consider laying a stone or brick path on those areas where there is
frequent walking.
- Garden design for young families normally includes a safe, enclosed space
for children to play. The garden would most likely be more formal in nature
with vegetable and flower gardens, a lawn and large trees for summer shade.
Pools and ponds, unless enclosed, are not recommended if children are part of
the household.
- Form gardens can be very low maintenance. Plan your formal garden using
patios, terraced steps, pools and plants in containers.
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Outdoor Pest Control
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