It's another nice day today! And this is about the time of year that everybody starts saying "it feels like spring". Of course, seasoned Calgary gardeners know better than to get their hopes up too high! I might get a little more pruning done this afternoon, and I have started some seeds and placed some online plant orders (more on that soon!) But now is about the time of year I try to start finishing up inside projects and spring cleaning because I know once late April comes I will want to spend all my time gardening!
So, what can you do for the garden if you can't stop thinking about it this early in the year? Here's a little online reading for you. If you've been following me on facebook you will have seen these links already. Here's what I've been fb-ing about over the last month or so:
Gardening tips for this time of year
Real Arborists are True Professionals - So true and so sad. I've seen many crimes against trees! Get a real arborist, people!
Bring Home your New Baby (tree, that is) - buy local, and if necessary, have it delivered!
Planting Time - Get your garden started with seeds
Garden Design
5 Essential Considerations for a Landscape Design Project - Can't decide which I like more - the awesome brick fireplace (pic#2) or the simple, rustic firepit (pic#5).
Great Design Plants - a Bevy of Beauties from the Meadow - I have this plant in my garden and recommend it for a sunny, not-too-dry place. I like the idea in this post about using the stems for bee houses!!
Garden Color - How to Landscape with Purple - The catmint, alliums and salvia described in this post are some of my favourite plants for sunny Calgary gardens. Lupins... not so much. They can be aphid magnets!
Monochromatic Garden Magic done 7 ways - What do you think about colour schemes in the garden? I'm torn. I recognize that a colour scheme can really pull things together. But I also like my garden to look not quite so... intentional.
Give curb appeal a self-serving twist - Here's an excellent garden design post. Personally, I am much more concerned with how my garden looks from the house than from the street!!
The Best Time to Design - Does your garden look pretty today? "Design your garden for deep winter. It will be pretty all year."
Where do we Go from Here? - excellent planting plan tips from a local garden designer, including the primary importance of considering function!
Where do we Go from Here Part 2 - more good stuff, particularly about choosing trees and underplantings, with lovely local photos
The Form of Things to Come - columnar forms in the garden, again using many local garden examples
The Form of Things to Come Part 2 - local trees which add pyramid and vase shapes to your landscape
Sustainable gardening
Get on a Composting Kick - Everybody should compost, not just gardeners!!
Extend your Growing Season with a Cold Frame in the Garden - Lots of online talk already re starting seeds and extending the growing season. Oooh, I can't wait!
Gardening for the birds (and bees and everything else) - Not an urban farmer? There are lots of other good reasons to garden.
Growing Edibles
Sprouting Seeds - My kids like sprouted seeds with cream cheese rolled up in tortillas - easy snack!
Hi Janice,
Thanks for including my last few posts in your list of ‘Online Reading and Inspiration’ – wish I felt a little more inspired myself. This latest blast of winter has me wanting to return to hibernation. Ah well - not like it’s anything new around here.
Thanks again,
Sue
Posted by: Sue Gaviller | March 03, 2013 at 08:53 PM
Hi Sue,
You are welcome! Personally I am not really minding that snow out there - it is so pretty! And you are right. Years of gardening in Calgary has taught me to not get excited about spring until AT LEAST late April, and then I am not disappointed! ;-)
Enjoy your last few weeks of hibernation...
Janice
Posted by: Calgary Garden Coach | March 04, 2013 at 10:00 AM
I agree with you, though we can see some signs of spring but we need not to get excited about spring until the right time comes i.e April month. Your blog is inspiring enough! But still i am getting excited! Haha!
Posted by: garden nurseries | March 05, 2013 at 01:17 AM
One more idea use french gardens. Mix flowers and vegetables in the same rows to complement each other.
Thanks Janice for all those tips.
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Posted by: jakejohnson | March 21, 2013 at 04:35 PM