what can you do in a Calgary zone 3 garden in mid-March?

If you're like me, this recent bout of warm weather makes you itch to be outside.  Judging from traffic on my blog, a lot of people are wondering what they can do in the garden this week-end. 

Sorry, not much.  This is Calgary, after all!  I've gardened here long enough to know not to get excited until at least mid April!

But wait, all is not lost.  My recommendations: enjoy the warmer temperatures, get some fresh air, and just take a hard look at the garden.  What are the areas that could use some sprucing up?  Where are the sight lines (views from either the house or sitting areas) where you might want to put a focal point?  What do you really want to achieve in the garden this year?  Check my past posts in the "Design" category for some ideas, or if you want some planting suggestions check "Captivating Combinations" (and consider hiring a garden coach this spring!)

And if you really need to get out and putter, a little pruning now would still be a good idea.  Just don't prune spring flowering shrubs (eg. lilacs) because you will cut the future flower buds off.  And stay off any soggy areas - stepping on a wet garden is a big no-no because it compacts the soil.

Enjoy garden dreaming!

Comments

[Kendra]

And picking up all the garbage that has blown in!

I was wondering...many of my beds (some in the shade but some in the sun too!) are covered in ice...the foliage looks kind of green but it's frozen in and as it thaws it's looking mushy...i hope my plants will be okay :( the ice is very thick.

[Janice]

Right, thanks Kendra! And I guess I could have also added "pick up dog poop" before it snows again...
What kind of plants are you worried about? If they are perennials, then they will die back to the ground over the winter anyway, so it doesn't matter if their leaves get frozen. You can clean up the dead foliage as soon as the soil is dry enough to walk on. If they are evergreen (either perennials or shrubs) then they can definately take our winter temperatures and won't have been bothered a bit by being encased in ice.
Janice