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Greetings!
Spring, we welcome you with open arms! The sunshine is getting stronger, the air is getting warmer and the rains are making our gardens come alive. Everywhere you go, there are signs of new beginnings; from the yellow forsythia and colourful spring flowering bulbs to the "to-do" list as you look at your garden.
Is there a new planting bed in your future, perhaps extending the vegetable garden or berry patch. Whatever it is ~ this is a new planting season ~ anything is possible! But, before we get too excited about all the new plants and colours that are available this year, let's take a quick look at what we have. Do you have clay or sandy soil? What can we do to give our plants a boost? Let's work together to give our plants a fighting chance this season! |
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Beautiful Plants from the Ground Up!
Healthy plants start at the ground from healthy soils. Good soil allows for easy movement of water to the roots; good air flow and sufficient nutrient values. Various soil types require different treatments to make them more plant friendly. The following information will provide tips to amend soils and create a healthy environment for your plants. Preparing a garden bed before you plant will greatly improve your gardens performance and promote healthy vigorous growth from any plant you choose. Usually preparing gardens is done in the springtime after the winter snows and frost has passed but before the summer growing season begins. Your soil is by far the most important component in any successful garden. The goal is to break up and loosen earth that has become compacted over time and to replenish vital minerals and nutrients. Tilling or turning the earth helps improve the structure of the soil. Adding generous amounts of organic material and an all purpose fertilizer adds more content for the plant material. However, soil prep can be performed at any time that the ground is not too wet or frozen to till.
In order to maintain a healthy garden, a consistent ratio of existing soil to organic matter should be maintained to keep the desired texture. Since organic matter slowly decays, additional organic matter (compost or manure) will have to be continually added each year. By testing the soil each year with easy-to-use testing kits, it will be easy to see how your soil amending is improving the content of the soil.
Selected List of Plants for Clay Soils
Do you know another gardener who might enjoy this article?
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Bond Cultivators
These tools are a great help to get compost into your soil around existing plant material. They have a soft handle grip with a hang ring for easy storage.
These cultivators are available with a telescopic handle for work up close or for those hard to reach areas. Product available at the Dufferin Garden Centre.
Regular price $ 11.99 (see coupon below)
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Soil Test Kit and Recommendations
from Turf Revolution 
Amending your soil with organic matter is a nurturing and continuous process. By testing your soil each year with an easy-to-use testing kit, it will be easy to see how soil amending is improving the content of the soil.
Turf Revolution offers soil test kits that are mailed to their independent lab, postage paid. In 7-10 business days, results will be sent to you. In addition to the balanced fertility program recommended, the professional lab analysis will identify any soil deficiencies.
Based on deficiencies and imbalances in the lawn, Turf Revolution will recommend exactly what products to use, to help your lawn become healthy, thick and lush. Soil Test Kits available at the Dufferin Garden Centre.
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 Compost Plus from Alltreat Farms
This Organic Soil Treatment adds structure to heavy clay soils by opening up pore spaces allowing for better water percolation, fertilization and most importantly root penetration. This additive improves the water holding capacity of sandy soils which have a tendency of drying out rapidly.
Compost Plus has high organic matter levels to hold moisture and nutrients where the root systems of your plants can utilize them.
This product and other soil treatments available at the Dufferin Garden Centre.
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Fern-leaf Bleeding Heart (Dicentra 'King of Hearts')
 Many shade gardens will be showing their spring colours very soon with the delicate foliage and flowers of the bleeding hearts (Dicentra). A newer introduction is a low growing mound of ferny gray-green leaves topped with clusters of delicate, dangling heart shaped flowers in a bright rose-pink shade. (Height: 8-10 inches, Spread: 12-16 inches) This lovely Bleeding Heart is excellent for edging in the shade garden where it can be enjoyed during it's long period of bloom (late spring to mid summer). Removing faded flowers will promote lots of new buds to form.
Dufferin Garden Centre has a selection of Bleeding Hearts from the Old Fashioned to the newer Fern-leaf varieties.
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Design Tip ~ Herbs...From the Garden to the Kitchen 
When starting an herb garden, consider it's location as most herbs like full sun (minimum 6 hours) and well drained soil.
The composition of the soil is a key factor that will determine the health of the plants and the amount of harvest. Soil amendments such as compost, peat moss and well composted manure will improve the soil's structure.
Consider how you will use these herbs. Many herbs have culinary and medicinal uses that may be incorporated into daily life. Other herbs can provide cut flowers throughout the growing season. Select hardy herbs that will thrive in your garden's conditions. Do not be afraid to mix herbs with other perennials or in vegetable gardens. Be creative and enjoy!
After your herbs are planted, keep an eye on them. During the hot summer months, they should receive at least 1 inch of moisture per week. Mulching the garden will help to eliminate weeds, retain soil moisture, cool the summer soils and protect the plant's roots in winter.
Wait to harvest your herbs until the plant has reached sufficient growth to withstand cutting. Harvesting just before the plant flowers ensures the highest level of flavour, since that is when essential oils are at their peak.
Dufferin Garden Centre is pleased to present Ellen Mitchensen for our Herb Thyme Presentation on Saturday May 10 at 11:00, cost is $ 10.00 at time of registration.
Related Links
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Garden Tip ~ Natural Insect Control
Are grubs being a pain in your lawn? If skunks or raccoons are digging up your lawn, it is a sure sign you have white grubs. Beneficial nematodes are small microscopic worms that infest pest larva in the soil. Lawn Guardian is a mix of two nematodes that attack grubs close to the surface as well as down deeper in the soil.
Nemetodes can be applied in the spring when the soil temperature is 13C or warmer. Nemetodes lay their eggs in the grubs. As the nematode larva grows, it eats the white grub and kills it. Lawn Guardian is easy to apply, simply mix with water and apply to infested areas (kits come with complete instructions). The lawn needs to be moist for at least 3 days as the nematodes move through the moisture in the soil.
This natural insect control is non-toxic, safe for people, pets, plants, earthworms and beneficial insects. Treat your lawn with nematodes to prevent grubs from becoming beetles that will fly and lay eggs for more grubs. Treatment should be repeated in August or September to eliminate a second infestation.
Lawn Guardian Kits are available now at the Dufferin Garden Centre
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Name That Bloom!
Can you name these spring bloomers? These are flowers you would see outside and inside this time of year. Please send your answers via email, we will accept either Common or Latin names! The first three entries with the correct answers will receive a $5.00 gift card from the Dufferin Garden Centre. The answers will be published in next month's newsletter.
Our March Blooms;
1. Primrose (Primula)
2. PJM Rhododendron
3. Peony Tulip |
