Spring is here! As I am sitting doing this newsletter, it is chilly, dull & just stopped raining. Two good things about the rain are that the dirty snow will wash away & the rain will provide moisture to the roots of the plants.
From November until April, one of the Friends of the Old Seed House Garden walks through the garden everyday to make sure that all is ok. We check for vandalism, broken tree limbs, etc. This was a good year, but please use the provided garbage containers.
Music in the Garden will be happening again – every other Sunday afternoon from June 21st until September 20th from 3:00 – 5:00. The groups are providing their time to give you an enjoyable couple of hours of music. The event is free but donations are always welcome to help purchase flowers and maintain the Garden.
Spring gardening checklist from the Toronto Botanical Garden
March
- Clear leaf mulch from the crowns of perennials and wherever bulbs grow
- Cut back dead stems of perennials
- Plant bare-root plants once soil is workable
- Press back perennials heaved by frost
- Remove protective plant coverings, such as burlap and evergreen boughs
- Top-dress beds with compost once the ground thaws
April
- Cut back summer-blooming shrubs such as hydrangea
- Divide summer and fall-blooming perennials
- Plant perennials, trees and shrubs
- Prune vines such as wisteria, clematis and climbing roses
- Weed
May
- Continue weeding
- Deadhead spring-flowering perennials
- Divide spring-flowering perennials
- Prune lavender when leaf buds break
- Prune spring-flowering shrubs immediately after they bloom
- Remove unwanted perennial seedlings
- Watch for pests such as aphid
We hope to see you at the Garden. Remember, we always need more volunteers!
Diane and Wayne – Co-Chairs