The show must go on come snow, wind and rain, and the daffodils and pansies have certainly done their part. Henry Road and Oak Street roundabouts have been a pleasure.
May 25 the summer planting will be full on, this year featuring ‘sunpatience’. Join in the fun at 9 a.m. at Henry Road rain or shine.
Victoria Day is May 20. Get diggin’!
Make Mom happy on May 12, with a flowering shrub, maybe a rose?, to celebrate.
The flower of the year is the Sensation Cosmos and free seed packs are available around town. Our thanks to Sandpiper Gardens for its annual donation of seeds.
And, did you know that May 2 is World Naked Gardening Day?
Do It Now Tips
• Divide primroses
• All general plantings take place this month, flowers, veggies and new perennials
• Clean up and fertilize rhodos and azaleas after flowering
• Plant up your hanging baskets, patio tubs and planters
• Colour your hydrangeas – saltpeter for pink, alum for blue
• Use straw as a mulch along strawberry rows
• Lawns are growing fast – feed a little but often – a thick turf needs less water
• Spread wood ash around daphne, lilac, clematis, roses
• Lightly cut back early blooming perennials after flowering
• Keep the slugs at bay
• Be prepared to cover tender plants at night if there is a cold spell
Did you know…
…the flower of the month is the ‘Lily of the Valley’? meaning sweetness and humility?
…your birth flower for May is the Lily of the Valley and your tree is the Hawthorne?
…a little baking soda applied regularly can help you grow sweeter tomatoes?
…the earth has more than 80,000 species of edible plants?
…Butchart Gardens in Victoria is one of the top 10 most beautiful gardens in the world?
…there are at least 10,000 varieties of tomatoes?
…there is a garden in England called The Poison Garden, home to 100 murderous plants, and visitors are prohibited from smelling, touching or tasting?
Pick of the Month – Laburnum, also known as the golden chain tree.
A beautiful sight, due to bright yellow pendulous flowers, blooms from May to June.
A deciduous tree belonging to the pea family, growing 20’. Needs well drained soil and sun. All parts of the laburnum contain a toxic substance called cistene. Do not ingest.
AND – Can February March? No, but April May!
Our next meeting is Tuesday, May 21, 7 p.m., Steeples Activity Room, newcomers most welcome. For further info call Erica at 250-246-3395.
Visit our blog at www.wedigchemainus.ca.