Play in the Dirt
Time to Plant Spring Bulbs
Sometimes gardening is just so confusing! Want a winter garden? Plant in July. Want tulips and narcissus in spring? Plant in September and October. That’s just how it is: for some garden rewards, you have to plan ahead. So, it’s time to plant spring-flowering bulbs for a colourful display next year. Bulbs flower as early as late December and keep performing into June if you select a variety of early, mid and late spring bulbs. With a little bit of planning, you can keep the show going until early summer. To do this, select bulbs that bloom at different times of the spring. The packages are all marked “early” or “mid” or “late” spring blooming. By choosing a variety you get a longer display of flowers. One way to do this is to layer the bulbs in a container or a garden bed. Plant the last-to-flower bulbs deepest, and then […]
Create Beauty
Take It Outside!
Whether it’s a casual picnic, your personal version of Dîner en Blanc, or a sandwich and cool drink in your Adirondack chair, dining outside is one of the pleasures of summer.
Somehow food eaten outdoors just tastes better, but if you want to crank your experience up a notch try these ideas. . .
Shop the Stores
New, Cool & Environmentally Friendly
The oil cloth market bag is a great answer to what to take shopping in Victoria now that plastic bags are banned and retailers have to charge for paper or reusable bags. More fun ideas ….
Over the Fence
More Bulbs for Your Buck
If you’re looking for design inspiration for next spring’s garden, you might want to check out Jeff de Jong’s bulb class offered through UVic’s Continuing Studies. Jeff writes for numerous gardening magazines and leads garden tours throughout the world. He promises to help you create “a striking and extraordinary garden” with spring-flowering bulbs. For more information, click here.
The Good Stuff
Tips for the Lazy GardenerAt a flea market earlier this spring, I picked up a little book called Proven Tips for Lazy Gardeners by Linda Tilgner. Perfect, I thought, much as I love gardening, summer weather makes you think more of lounging under a shady tree than weeding. So here are some of the tips I’ve gleaned – […]
What We Dig Now
No Plastic Straws!
Ditch plastic straws in favour of bio-degradable paper ones. Or better yet, buy metal re-usable straws. Relax outside this summer and be kind to the environment.