I’m Dreaming of a Green Springtime

by Lorna Lowe

Thursday, January 10, 2013

If you're a gardener like I am, no doubt you are experiencing winter withdrawals too. It is tough to be a gardener in this province with the very short growing season and sudden and sometimes severe weather changes that can happen in a span of minutes. But we are a hardy lot, and the long winters give us time to peruse the seed catalogues for that perfect new colour of snapdragon just out this year, or if you are a planner like me, make endless drawings of how you are going to plant your beds this year, or possibly, (oh bliss and excitement!) start a new one!

However, in the meantime whilst we are daydreaming of the time when we can finally sink our hands into that beautiful loamy earth and not have clean nails again until the fall, there are a few things we can do to keep the dream alive until the May long weekend comes around.

For me, the beginning of the year means it is time to get my bulbs in a row, as it were. Midway through the cold weather is a good time to sort through your spring bulbs, making sure that any of them that have gone soft or mouldy are removed and thrown out to ensure they don't spoil the rest in the bag or tray. It's not a good feeling when, come that long awaited planting day, to open that paper bag and discover all your plans for a luxurious stand of gorgeous gladiolus have turned into a big bag of goo.

While it is still too early to start any indoor seeds, it is not too early to go through your seed packets and get rid of any that are over three years old. Most purchased seeds will not be viable at that age, and even many home grown seeds will have lost their vitality by then, so even if you do try starting them you will get a very poor sprouting rate.

If you are a seed catalogue aficionado it is also a good time to peruse through them, or go online to your favourite company and make your spring order. They should arrive just before it's time to pop them into the ground.

It can also be a fun project to do a drawing of your gardens just like the professional landscapers do. Sketch in your beds on a sheet of paper, marking down where your perennials are planted and the approximate coverage they take up in your garden at their largest. Also mark down the height that each perennial reaches so you can plant complimentary varieties of differing heights around them. This plan also gives you the ability to see the bare spots that can be filled in with new varieties and colours.

Or if you have a big project planned this year, such as maybe a pond or a pergola, it's a very good idea to begin gathering information about installation and pricing now, as costs can vary widely between both companies that will do everything for you and suppliers of products. That way there aren't any nasty surprises when the time comes to begin the project, and by getting everything in place prior to the spring and summer rush some companies may be willing to give a reduction in price. You'll also be aware of the regular pricing of everything you'll need so you will know if real savings can be had if you come upon a sale.

Hopefully these suggestions will help tide you over until the sun starts to warm the earth once more and we gardeners can get back outside where we belong. Until then, use this time to think about and plan your summer gardens and keep dreaming in colour!

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