As we trudge through the seemingly endless shortest month of the year, the promise of spring looms for gardeners itching to get outside and back to work.
Although this month has been warmer than many of the Februarys past, resist the urge to get out into our yard and gardens. The soft, wet soil is easily compressed and walking on it damages the roots of our lawns and perennial plant material, preventing air and moisture from reaching them.
Instead, there are numerous ways to keep busy inside:
Set up grow lights for starting seeds.
I suggest setting them up in a spot where you can easily keep an eye on them. Things change fast if you forget to go into the basement for a few days.
Check out seed catalogues for interesting veggies or perennials to grow.
Look for seeds from local suppliers. If it grows well for them, it will probably grow well for you!
Order seeds from catalogues or online plant sources.
Again, this is another way to shop locally. You can try Florabunda Seeds, Wildflower Farm or West Coast Seeds.
Grow sprouts for salad.
Easy kits are available, and they are a wonderful project to do with kids, too! Introduce them to sprouts from sunflower seeds.
Take an online gardening class.
There are a lot of choices online now: look for botanical gardens or Landscape Ontario.
Attend a local Seedy Saturday.
Look into joining your local garden club. Many garden clubs also organize a Seedy Saturday. Learn something, pick up seeds and connect with other gardeners in your area. Win-win!
Force spring bulbs.
If you have any bulbs you didn’t get in the ground you can pot them up now for early blooms indoors.
Force spring branches like pussy willow or forsythia.
These are available at garden centres or florist shops and provide a nice way to feel spring on a grey day!
Listen to the Down the Garden Path Podcast
A new season of Down The Garden Path Podcast is coming soon, but if you’re eager to get working on your garden, you can check out past episodes here, or on YouTube.
You can also gear up for spring with Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, an easy-to-follow guide designed to help homeowners create and maintain low-maintenance thriving gardens.