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TERRA Monthly Gardening Tips

Our TERRA gardening calendar is meant to be used as a helpful guide - it's not designed to make you feel guilty if you don't accomplish everything on time! So use this timetable as a reminder and perhaps to gain some new knowledge - but most importantly relax and enjoy gardening and all its satisfactions.


Please click on a month below to view our gardening tips…

 
January
January scene

JANUARY…
Time to Dream Great Schemes!

Trees & Shrubs
  • brush snow from evergreens to prevent damage but leave ice to melt
  • water during thaws if there has been no snow
  • note the winter structure of your garden and plan to add trees and shrubs with interesting bark, shape and texture
Annuals
  • order seeds
  • start slow germinators such as begonias, geraniums
Perennials
  • order seeds and trade last season’s saved seeds with friends
Bulbs & Tubers
  • inspect those in storage for rot and discard if necessary
Roses
  • heap snow, especially around hybrid teas, for extra protection
Vegetables
  • order seeds and decide what to sow indoors
Herbs
  • be sure herbs growing indoors have the brightest light possible and shear back for renewed growth
Lawns
  • have lawnmower repaired/serviced
Patio/Container Plants
  • assess the need for new containers and find out what’s available from the latest gardening magazines
The Gardener
  • send for lots of catalogues and begin planning this season’s garden – dream big!

 

 

 

February
cardinal

FEBRUARY…
Believe that Winter Will Really End!

Trees & Shrubs
  • prune out any storm damage (leave "bleeders" such as maples and birch until they have leafed out)
Annuals
  • continue sowing slow starters and be sure to give seedlings the brightest light possible
Perennials
  • propagate stem cuttings from plants such as geraniums, coleus and fuchsia
Bulbs & Tubers
  • check stored bulbs for sprouts and if they do show growth pot up and keep in a bright location
Roses
  • check for damage and prune any broken canes
Vegetables
  • start slow germinators such as peppers and eggplants
Herbs
  • save empty seasoning jars to store herbs
  • take cuttings from indoor herbs to increase the summer harvest
Lawns
  • keep off your lawn when it's frozen or wet
  • decide which fertilizers will best suit your needs this year
Patio/Container Plants
  • clean and sterilize your containers ready for use
The Gardener
  • plan your visits to the garden shows and enjoy the longer days

 

 

 

March
March flowers

MARCH…
Late Snow & Early Bulbs!

Trees & Shrubs
  • use dormant oil before buds break where necessary
  • prune trees and shrubs that flower after June
  • bring in branches to force from spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia
Annuals
  • start remaining seeds
Perennials
  • check the garden for any perennials that may have heaved due to frost and gently press them back into the ground
  • cut back any old growth remaining from last season
Bulbs & Tubers
  • start tuberous begonias, caladiums indoors
Roses
  • use dormant oil before buds break
Vegetables
  • start tomato and lettuce seeds late in the month
Herbs
  • if the ground becomes workable (not too wet) turn the soil in the herb garden
Lawns
  • if the lawn is not still frozen or too wet, begin to clear off debris
Patio/Container Plants
  • plan container plantings for all season colour
  • plant a vegetable container with cool weather crops
The Gardener
  • breathe in the first scent of unfrozen earth
  • get your muscles back in shape for the work to come!
  • visit the garden shows to get new ideas

 

 

 

April
April flowers

APRIL…
Spring at Last!

Trees & Shrubs
  • fertilize as soon as new growth appears
  • begin planting new trees and shrubs
Annuals
  • sow frost resistant varieties such as larkspur, sweet pea, calendula, California poppy
Perennials
  • finish tidying, remove winter mulch
  • dig compost into beds once the soil is workable
  • find the most unusual, new varieties at garden centres now
Bulbs & Tubers
  • leave spring bulb foliage in place until it yellows or for at least six weeks
Roses
  • remove winter protection
  • use dormant oil before buds break
  • prune
Vegetables
  • seed cool weather crops such as spinach, lettuce and peas, directly in soil as soon as it can be worked
Herbs
  • trim back established herbs late in the month
  • remove debris from around new shoots
Lawns
  • rake, repair and re-seed if necessary
  • apply a slow release fertilizer with a crabgrass pre-emergent if necessary
Patio/Container Plants
  • plant a spring container for the front door with pansies and early bulbs
The Gardener
  • consider starting a compost pile this year - it's not that hard!
  • begin weeding as soon as possible - they are easier to spot and to pull now

 

 

 

May
May flowers

MAY…
Hard at Work!

Trees & Shrubs
  • prune early flowering shrubs as needed
Annuals
  • harden off seedlings and greenhouse annuals before planting after your local frost date
  • direct sow seeds such as sunflowers
Perennials
  • continue planting
  • divide and move overgrown plants (and share with friends)
Bulbs & Tubers
  • take notes/photos of spring flowering varieties (it's easy to forget where they are!)
  • plant summer bulbs such as calla lilies, dahlias, gladiolas
Roses
  • apply rose fertilizer
  • plant both bare root and containerized choices
Vegetables
  • plant seedlings
  • consider growing an extra row for your local food bank
Herbs
  • plant ornamental herbs such as dill and fennel among your perennials
Lawns
  • treat/dig weeds
  • aerate after active growth begins
  • mow to 5 or 6 cm and leave clippings on lawn
Patio/Container Plants
  • create containers with a variety of textures, colours and foliage
  • use as many plants as possible and be sure to include trailers for an extra lush effect
The Gardener
  • take an occasional break to enjoy the sun on your shoulders

 

 

 

June
June perennials

JUNE…
The Garden at Its Best!

Trees & Shrubs
  • continue to prune after flowering
  • trim evergreens and hedges while new growth is still tender
Annuals
  • begin deadheading to promote continuous bloom
  • water transplants regularly until they are well established
Perennials
  • stake and support where needed
  • apply mulch to beds
  • pinch back late flowering varieties to encourage bushiness
Bulbs & Tubers
  • remove foliage when yellow
  • continue to plant out summer bulbs for successive bloom
Roses
  • watch for pests such as aphids and remove with a strong stream of water from the hose
  • examine for blackspot and treat if necessary
Vegetables
  • thin rows
  • cage or support tomatoes
  • direct sow crops requiring warm soil such as beans, squash
Herbs
  • begin harvesting perennial herbs such as mint
Lawns
  • apply weed and feed fertilizer
Patio/Container Plants
  • take advantage of the sales to pot up extra containers as fill-ins for empty spots in the garden in the months to come
The Gardener
  • inhale the scent of roses, admire your successful colour combinations and keep making notes for next year

 

 

 

July
July flowers

JULY…
Soak Up Summer!

Trees & Shrubs
  • trim hedges regularly
  • thin out shrubs at the base
Annuals
  • fertilize every two weeks
  • water deeply once a week in dry conditions
  • pinch back any stragglers for renewed growth
Perennials
  • deadhead and/or shear back to promote repeat bloom
  • turn the compost and add it to beds
  • top up mulch where necessary
Bulbs & Tubers
  • lift tulip bulbs if desired and store
  • stake dahlias
Roses
  • continue monitoring for pests and diseases and treat where necessary
  • clean up any diseased foliage
  • fertilize
Vegetables
  • continue to thin rows
  • fertilize
  • harvest herbs before flowering to dry
Herbs
  • enjoy cooking with herbs such as summer savory
Lawns
  • keep lawn mower blade especially high in dry conditions
  • water deeply once a week
Patio/Container Plants
  • fertilize weekly
  • water daily in windy, dry conditions
  • move containers around for a "new" look on your deck/patio
The Gardener
  • relax and enjoy

 

 

 

August
August flowers

AUGUST…
Puttering Around!

Trees & Shrubs
  • no fertilizer after mid-month
  • inspect for pests
  • propagate cuttings
Annuals
  • shear back at beginning of month to encourage re-blooming
  • begin collecting seeds to save
  • dry flowers for arrangements
Perennials
  • no fertilizer after mid-month
  • stake tall, autumn flowering varieties
Bulbs & Tubers
  • order spring flowering bulbs for fall planting
Roses
  • no fertilizer after mid-month
  • continue to treat for pests and diseases
Vegetables
  • sow cool weather vegetable seeds such as spinach and lettuce for fall crop
Herbs
  • take cuttings of tender herbs, such as scented geraniums, as you harvest to enjoy inside
Lawns
  • assess for re-seeding next month and buy seed
Patio/Container Plants
  • continue to fertilize weekly
  • remove any spent annuals
The Gardener
  • make time to sit on that bench (or lie in that hammock) you installed this year

 

 

 

September
September sun flower

SEPTEMBER…
Harvesting the Rewards!

Trees & Shrubs
  • buy new selections at sales prices and plant now, watering well
Annuals
  • pull out any faded or frost-killed varieties
  • plant flowering cabbage and kale for continuing colour
  • continue collecting seeds
Perennials
  • divide and move perennials
  • take advantage of sales to make new plantings
Bulbs & Tubers
  • plant spring flowering bulbs
  • dig up begonias, callas, gladiolas, cannas etc. for storage
Roses
  • clean up fallen, diseased foliage
  • leave some spent blooms to form hips
Vegetables
  • harvest carrots, potatoes, beets, squash
  • pick remaining tomatoes to ripen indoors
Herbs
  • pot up tender herbs such as rosemary to overwinter
  • harvest herbs for drying
Lawns
  • re-seed bare spots
  • fertilize
Patio/Container Plants
  • move into sheltered location to protect from frost
The Gardener
  • savour the last warm sunshine

 

 

 

October
fall maple leaves

OCTOBER…
Rich with Colour!

Trees & Shrubs
  • continue to plant, watering well
Annuals
  • add to compost
Perennials
  • spread compost on beds
  • dig new beds
  • leave interesting seedheads and shapes for winter interest, cut back the remainder of foliage
Bulbs & Tubers
  • continue planting spring bulbs
  • complete storage of summer bulbs
Roses
  • if blackspot has been a persistent problem, continue treating
  • cut long canes back by 1/3 to prevent winter damage
Vegetables
  • finish harvesting and tidy up
  • add compost and dig in
Herbs
  • store dried herb leaves (and save the stems to scent your winter fires)
Lawns
  • rake leaves regularly
Patio/Container Plants
  • design fall container with grasses, gourds and leaves
  • bring in frost susceptible containers
The Gardener
  • appreciate the bright crisp days and don't think about winter!

 

 

 

November
November orchid

NOVEMBER…
Putting the Garden to Bed!

Trees & Shrubs
  • keep watered until the ground freezes
  • use an anti-desiccant spray to prevent moisture loss on broadleaf evergreens
Annuals
  • enjoy remaining last blooms
  • collect last seeds
Perennials
  • complete clean-up
  • add mulch but don't cover tender perennials until freeze-up
Bulbs & Tubers
  • great deals at final sales, plant until ground freezes
Roses
  • get extra earth, compost ready for hilling next month (just before freeze-up)
Vegetables
  • harvest any remaining vegetables
Herbs
  • mulch perennial herbs after freeze-up
Lawns
  • fertilize after dormancy
Patio/Container Plants
  • fill a windowbox with icicle pansies
The Gardener
  • get outside every time the sun shines
  • make final notes for improvements next year

 

 

 

December
December flowers

DECEMBER…
Staying Warm!

Trees & Shrubs
  • water once more if ground still unfrozen
  • wrap susceptible shrubs and evergreens with burlap after freeze-up
Annuals
  • order seed catalogues
Perennials
  • mulch tender perennials
Bulbs & Tubers
  • add mulch after planting bulbs to deter squirrels
Roses
  • hill roses
Vegetables
  • enjoy the last of the harvest!
Herbs
  • create and package your own herbal blends as gifts
Lawns
  • remove last of the leaves
Patio/Container Plants
  • create a holiday container for your front door with evergreens, berries and decorations
The Gardener
  • put garden gifts on your holiday wish list