Chemainus Communities in Bloom is still fairly dormant. Our snowbirds are still in warmer climes. But seven hardy souls turned out to tidy and trim the Croft Street Spirit of the Earth and Henry Road beds in the second week of February. Kudos.
And the Elves were busy at the Oak Street circle playing cupid and bringing love with their red hearts!
Daylight saving time arrives Sunday, March 11 at 2 a.m. Be prepared to hop forward! Spring (Vernal) equinox is Tuesday, March 20, 9:15 a.m., the days are getting longer!
Thursday, March 1, is St. David’s Day. How about leek soup for lunch and a vase full of daffodils to celebrate with the Welsh? Plant shamrock on March 17 to mark St. Paddy’s Day.
And, we are not through with dates to remember. Like January, there are two full moons in March. The Worm Moon appears March 1. Why Worm moon? Legend has it that February has the heaviest snowfalls and hunting is difficult, hence ‘Hunger’ moon for the month of February and then the snow melts and the ground softens and earthworm casts appear inviting the return of birds! Then the Blue Moon (second full moon in one month) will appear on Good Friday, March 31.
The flower of the Year is the Osteospermum Daisy (African Daisy). Watch for our seed packets in local businesses in April.
Just one more date. Tuesday, March 20. Chemainus Communities in Bloom will wake up and hold its first meeting of the year - 7 p.m. at Steeples Activity Room. Newcomers always welcome.
We Dig – Do It Now Tips
• Didn’t get that winter ‘prune’ done? Do it now.
• Fertilize rhodos, azaleas and camelias
• Cut down ornamental grasses and sword ferns
• Prune your roses when the forsythia blooms
• Start turning the soil in your vegetable garden
• Apply mulch and well rotted manure to fruit trees, bush and cane fruits
• Bait the garden and flower bed for slugs
• Cut off dead growth and divide crowded perennials. Replant only the outer pieces of a clump in soil replenished with compost and a little bone meal
• If gladiolas and dahlias are sprouted, expose to daylight and divide dahlias by cutting the bulbs between the eyes
• Turn the compost pile and start new ones
• Rake moss from the grass, top dress with peat moss, seed bare spots
• This is a great time to buy spring flowering trees and shrubs
• Fertilize lawns
• Replace old overgrown lavenders and prune young plants
• Time to hang up your hummingbird feeders, one cup sugar to four cups water, boil well to ensure the sugar is dissolved
Did you know…
…the flower of the month is the Daffodil meaning affection and sympathy?
…in England, when someone talks about ‘lent lilies’ they are referring to daffodils?
…giving a bouquet of daffodils ensures happiness to the recipient?
…giving a single daffodil means bad luck?
…daffodil sap is poisonous to other plants? Soak for 24 hours if you want to mix with other flowers
…squirrels and deer don’t eat daffodil bulbs?
Pick of the Month –Daffodil (genus narcissus)
Spring perennial plants in the Amaryllidaceae family, including daffodil, narcissus, paperwhites. Native to Spain. A hardy bulb, easy to grow. Plant in the fall.
AND…
What do you get when you cross a four leaf clover with poison ivy? A rash of good luck!
And one more for St. Paddy….What do you call a fake Irish stone? A shamrock!!
Chemainus Communities in Bloom meets on the third Tuesday of the month. March 20 at 7 p.m., Steeples Activity room. Check out our blog at www.wedigchemainus.ca