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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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