June: Bulb Foliage

Spring blooming bulb foliage should never be cut off.  Allow the foliage to wither and die back naturally.  The foliage is necessary to build up the store of food in the bulb for next year’s blooms.  And please – do…

June: Welcome a Toad to Your Garden

Toads are great garden helpers, eating thousands of insects. To attract them, provide the right environment. Toads are amphibious, needing access to a shallow pond when breeding and enjoying a moist environment all the time. Near the pond, place logs,…

June: Taking Indoor Plants Outside

Indoor plants can be put outside for the summer but remember that the outdoor conditions differ greatly from indoors.  The light is much stronger; there is more wind; outdoor temperatures are more varied.  Acclimatize them gradually for a few days…

June: Mulch Your Beds

When the soil has warmed, add a 5-8 cm layer of organic mulch to combat weeds, retain soil moisture and improve the soil. To prevent fungal disease, keep mulch away from crowns of perennials, stems of shrubs and trunks of…

June: Pinching the Candles on Mugo Pines

The various forms of mugo pines will develop new growth tips called candles.  These candles appear in late May and must be pruned back by one half to two thirds each spring to keep the shrub compact and dense.  This…

May: Carrots and Parsnips

Carrot and parsnip seeds need a moist seed bed for good germination.  Cover the seed bed with burlap to help retain the moisture.  Always water the seedbed with a very gentle spray so that the seeds are not disturbed.  Remove…

May: Grass Clippings

Leave grass clippings on your lawn as they are a natural source of nitrogen for the grass.  If your clippings are unusually heavy, spread them out rather than leaving them in a pile or windrow.…

May: Interplanting Vegetables

Plant two crops in the same space. Consider each plant’s growth period, growth pattern, preferred season, and light, nutrient and water requirements. Long-season and short-season vegetables can be planted together, such as radishes with carrots. Small plants can planted close…

May: The Chelsea Chop

To create sturdier plants that need less staking and to delay or extend the flowering period, cut some of your perennials back at the end of May (when the Chelsea Flower Show happens). Simply cut the plants back by half.…