Welcome to our website – the place to find information and advice on gardening in British Columbia! We have a wealth of practical advice and garden tips based on our experience in our own gardens that we look forward to sharing with you on the “web” or in person on your next visit to one of our neighbourhood garden centres. Our seven locations are conveniently located in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. We can recommend the best methods of protecting plants from the winter weather; advise on how to keep tropical plants flourishing; provide direction on planting a vegetable garden next spring; or help you create a planter full of early spring colour and interesting foliage.
Throughout February, while many of you are preparing for the Olympic Winter games we’re busy preparing for your spring gardening activities. Each week new products arrive – from packaged flower and vegetable seeds and seed starting supplies; to perennial roots for starting your long-time favourite garden perennials; the first shipments of shade and fruit trees along with spring-flowering shrubs; soils, amendments and fertilizers to improve the quality of your garden soil; tools, gloves and other garden accessories; and finally, ceramic planters, willow trellis and arbours along with garden statuary and decorative items. We truly have everything to make your garden work!
Go Gardening Eh!
With the longer days and warmer temperatures of the past few weeks, many plants are poking their heads out of the ground and buds are beginning to sprout on trees and shrubs. We’re often asked how to protect these early buds and blooms, but there is not much you can or need to do. Mother nature has her way of nurturing plants slowly in spring and this earlier start for plants will not be harmed too badly by colder weather or frost. It is more of a concern later in spring when more tender plants start to bloom.
There are many garden activities you can undertake at this time of year
- Pruning fruit trees and examination for insects or disease – we can recommend a safe remedy
- Turning garden beds to reduce weed growth and adding compost
- Applying dolomite lime or “dolopril” on lawns to reduce the growth of moss
- Cleaning up garden debris and starting a compost bin
- Planning for this summer’s harvest from your vegetable garden
- Planting a splash of colour from primroses or small pots of spring-blooming bulbs
Indoor gardening is very popular at this time of year – the addition of green foliage plants not only adds some interest and brightness to your home, but many of them have been proven to be “clean air filters” and remove impurities from the stagnant indoor environment. We can assist you in selecting the best plants. Don’t forget about our OH Festival this month – a celebration of Orchids and Hellebores – two of the most interesting and exotic plant varieties we offer. It is a three week event with seminars, special offers, and a photo contest with great prizes. Look elsewhere on our website for further information.
If you have questions on winter gardening, protecting plants over winter, or if you are looking for advice on choosing a new tropical plant to “green up” your living space, we are available to help you in person in one of our neighbourhood garden centres or at online. It is a quiet time of year, and we’d love to spend some time with you!
