Trish Hoff

March 20^th – Spring’s Return

With spring at hand, it’s time to put plans into action.

Gardeners are anxious to get out in the warmer weather and the lengthening days but remember to warm up your muscles before you begin any heavy work. It may have been a while since some of us have had a strenuous workout. You don’t want to ruin your springtime enjoyment with the miseries of a sore back.

Indoor Plants

Plants are coming out of dormancy and starting to put on new growth.  Increase water and start fertilizing at half strength by the end of the month. Check plant roots and re-pot severely root-bound houseplants. Increase pot size by only a few cm at a time. Many houseplants will fail in too large a pot.

Replace the top 2 to 3 cm of soil in plant pots with fresh compost or potting soil. Leave 2 to 3 cm of freeboard above the soil in the pot to allow for easier watering.

Bring plants such as pelargonium (geraniums ), fuchsias, and summer bulbs out of storage.

Start cuttings from overwintering tender plants.

Bulbs

Early spring bulbs are emerging.Deadhead and fertilize them as they finish flowering but do not remove the foliage until it turns yellow.

Mark the position of the bulbs and make notes of where you wish to make improvements in the fall. Taking pictures will help you remember where to add new bulbs and where not to dig next fall.

Pot up tender summer-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, begonias, lilies, alocasias and callas to get them started into growth.

Water and fertilize leafy amaryllis for next year’s bloom.

Containers

Freshen up containers of spring bulbs; remove any tired winter materials and add spring flowers. Keep pansies deadheaded and compact.

Replace the soil in the top 5cm of the container with fresh compost. Leave enough space to water the container.

Perennials

Divide and relocate perennials and plant new nursery stock.
Train vines and climbers as they begin growing. Prune clematis as required.

Annuals
Sow tender annuals indoors and hardy annuals indoors or directly into the ground. Check the seed packages or catalogues for correct planting times and instructions.

Trees and Shrubs

Cut branches from early flowering trees and shrubs such as forsythia, quince (chaenomeles) cherry (prunus) and pussy-willow (salix) to force into bloom indoors.

Spray dormant oil on flowering and fruiting trees, before flower or leaf buds open, to kill overwintering insect pests such as aphids and scale.

Remove any burlap wraps from shrubs but leave roses mulch-protected until forsythia is ready to bloom.

Wait until after the shrubs flower to prune early flowering trees and shrubs.

If you need to drastically reduce overgrown shrubs, now is the time. Hard pruning in spring will stimulate bud growth in old wood.

Prune roses when the forsythia bloom; and complete pruning of fruit trees.

Prune red and yellow-twig dogwood shrubs (cornus sericea, alba etc.) to the ground for best stem colour in fall.

Remove winter damage on evergreens, mulch with compost or well-aged manure.

Planting a new tree? How high will it grow and will it interfere with overhead hydro and telephone wires when it reaches its mature height? It may be cute and small now but what is it going to be in ten years?

Lawns

Rake turf areas when dried to remove moss or thatch, then aerate, fertilize and top dress.

Repair damaged areas, edge and lime established lawns.

Overseed thin patches if necessary.

Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs
Tidy up established herb plantings and sow annual herbs.

Feed and mulch rhubarb and berry plants or start new plantings. Prune raspberry canes.

Dig in cover crops if you haven’t already. Leave for two weeks before planting for weed seeds to germinate. Add lime now and wait at least two weeks before adding any fertilizers.

Weed beds then improve the soil with compost, sea soil/well-aged manure or organic fertilizer beginning new crops.

Plant cold season crops such as lettuce, radishes, broad beans, spinach, Chinese vegetables, turnips and onions and peas with row-covers or cold-frame protection if necessary.

Harvest winter crops as they mature and before they bolt as temperatures rise.

Pest Control
Keep up the patrol to eradicate slugs, snails and weeds.

Snowdrops (Galanthus)

Snowdrops (Galanthus) are a welcomed sign of the arrival of spring. Around twenty species exist. All are immensely promiscuous and hybridize freely to produce thousands of varieties. These tough little plants can pop up through the snow anytime from December to late January or February depending upon the weather.

Snow drops grow from a small corm planted in the fall or a division of an existing plant. The corms dry out quickly and are often in poor condition by the time gardens buy and plant them in the fall.

If you missed the opportunity to plant snowdrops for this year, your chance for next year is right now. The most reliable way to establish snowdrops in your garden is to buy or beg plants growing “in the green” (that is just after they have finished flowering). Knock them out of the pot or pull apart a clump given to you, separate them and plant the bulbs into clumps of 3 – 5 bulbs. Large clumps should be divided every five years and can be done either “in the green” in spring or as late as July or August while they are dormant. The bulbs will multiply quickly and grow into large drifts.

Some snowdrops like the common snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis and its double form, G. n. ’Flore Pleno’, have a light honey-like scent. G. ‘S. Arnott’is also valued for its fragrance. G. elwesii is the supersized species with broad leaves and large flowers.

Snow drops grow in shady, moisture retentive but not waterlogged soil. Chose places as under deciduous trees, in the lawn, if you can leave the lawn unmown until late spring or lining pathways that can be seen from inside or as you leave the house. They also do well in containers. Plants are deer and rabbit resistant and go dormant over the hot summer months of drought. If you are going to use mulch, use a light organic medium like leaf mould rather than a heavier manure.

Other Jobs for February:

• If you did not plant bulbs in the fall, you can buy pots of growing bulbs and insert them into containers or borders near the end of February (weather depending).
• Cut back clematis – large flowering group B (or 2) – Trim back to several fat buds on the lower stem
                                                  –  late flowering group C (or 3) – hard prune to 15 – 30cm off the ground
                                                  –  do not prune spring blooming group A (or 1) until after they bloom
• Assess the structure and design of your garden while the “bones” are visible. Review areas that you have noted need upgrading. Look at photos you may have taken. Start planning for this year’s garden. Order the seeds you will need.
• Clean up your greenhouse, potting shed or indoor growing area to be ready for seed starting. Check and replenish your supplies of seedling mix, potting soil, containers and trays. Reuse as many plastics as possible.
• Clean up and wash any dirty pots. Recycle those you do not need keeping only enough to pot on seedlings if you plan to grow plants from seeds in the upcoming months.
• Make sure your tools are clean, sharp and in good condition.
• Tidy up garden plants that have become mushy or unsightly.
• Prepare vegetable beds by adding a layer of compost and dolomite lime two weeks later. Start cool weather vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, green onions, oriental greens and leeks in cold frames, poly tunnels or under lights in a garage, basement or shed. Check stored summer bulbs, corms and tubers (dalhias, gladiolas, begonias …) for signs of rot or dehydration.
• Remove winter weeds before they self-seed.
• Start sowing perennials that need a longer growing period.
• Pot up geranium cuttings or stored roots in late February. Begin feeding with half strength fertilizer. Place under lights or on window sills.

Our group entry received a blue ribbon this year. Many visitors to our display signed up to receive more information about the Club. We look forward to meeting many of these people at our next regular meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025 in the Cedar Room at Echo Centre. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m.

Many thanks to the members who put the display together and also to those members who contributed fruits, vegetables, and flowers to our display. Also many thanks to our head organizer, Gerrie Pavan, for adding whimsical items to the display as suggested by the the Fair’s theme of Growing Fun for Everyone!

Check out the visuals from Connie’s excellent presentation “Planting All Year Round”. Thank you Connie for sharing these with our members.

Check out this article in the Alberni Valley News. Thanks for the tip Suki.

Plant sale success!

Note the new extended hours of operation

Owner: Shayla Lucier

Shayla specializes in creating custom hanging baskets and planters.  She carries a great assortment of shrubs, perennials, veggie starts, annuals and houseplants (requests are always welcome). 

    Her approach is to always keep things interesting.  You will find inspiring displays on site that change throughout every season! 

Shayla is now offering a ten percent discount to all Mount Klitsa Garden Club members(card must be presented) 

New hours of operation are Wednesday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Directions:  left after the orange bridge, follow the river to Rowe road,  keeping left. Rowe turns into Benjamin. Last driveway on the left. 4951 Benjamin road. Ample parking. 

You can also follow Shayla @leaveherwildcontainerdesign on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with all the goings on! Happy gardening! 

Satinflower Nursery

741 Haliburton Road

Victoria, B.C.

1 7788 679 3459

satinflower.ca

Streamside Native Plants

7455 Island Highway W.

Bowser, B.C

streamsidenativeplants.com

Check for hours of operation and days open

For the convenience of all our Mt. Klitsa Garden members and new gardeners that have moved into our city or are  in the process I have put together a list of garden growers, sellers, garden equipment, soil and mulch  suppliers…most in Port Alberni area but a few in the surrounding areas.    Many will be well known to our membership…but we do have a few newer outlets.    Some of the retailers will give a discount  on some of the supplies or have a loyalty card that is marked to collect points for discount.   Take advantage as the points do add up.   Wear or take your garden club ID pins for discounts where applicable.   10% discount  on applicable items

Canadian Tire
3550 Johnston RD., Port Alberni,  phone 250-720-0085-Garden shop.
Seasonal plants, shrubs, fruit trees, peat moss, soil and fertilizers, flower baskets and hanging baskets, bulbs, tubers, garden tools and more. Garden furniture etc.
Use their plant card to accumulate points for a free plant.

West Coast Home Hardware
3550 Johnston Rd, Port Alberni., phone 250-724-3700
Fertilizers, peat moss, manure, garden tools, soil, seasonal bulbs and tubers.
No discount at this time.    Garden furniture and barbecues.

Walmart
3355 Johnston Rd., Port Alberni, phone 250-720-0912,
Garden tools, seasonal plants and bulbs, tubers and hanging baskets, Mulch, Soil, Fertilizers, Peat Moss.   Barbecues and garden furniture.
No discount.

Shar-Kare Feed and Pet Supplies
4310- 10^th Ave. Street. Port Alberni. phone-250-723-4991.
Seasonal plants, tools, organic fertilizers, soil, and all kinds of pet supplies…sawdust, etc.
Which can be used in the garden…worth a look see.
No discount.

Quality Foods
2943-10th Ave.,Port Alberni., phone 250-723-3397
Seasonal flowers, hanging baskets, bulbs and tubers, floral arrangements, indoor plants, manures, soil and specials…check flyers.   Use you’re QF card for discounts on plants.

Colyn’s Nursery
4360 Beaver Creek Road, Port Alberni., phone 250-724-2551
Soil, manures, bulk mulch and soil, u-pick up and delivery, bulbs, tubers, corms,
Hanging baskets, seasonal plants, indoor and outdoor specialties, Herbs, vegetable plants, berry shrubs and fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs, fresh cut flowers
and more.   10% discount to members.

Naesgaard’s Farm and Market
5681 River Road, Port Alberni, phone 250-723-3622
Seasonal plants, winter plants, seasonal  Christmas decorations, peat moss, soil, seasonal vegetable and herb plants, large selection of decorative pots in all colours and sizes, wall hangings…outdoor…seasonal berries, corn and other veggies produced right at the farm. Boutique for fashion items.
10 % discount to members.

New
The Shrubbers,
999 Price Road., Parksville., phone 1-250-927-6422
No discount at this time….still building
Large selection of deer resistant hedges, all varieties of shrubs, trees, wooden hanging baskets.
Directions : coming from Port Alberni on the Alberni  Hwy. turn right as you pass Demxx
Retail and just before you pass Iretex Pumps….keep driving and turn right at chain link fenced nursery.    Small entrance: be aware.  Official greeter is the big loveable Labrador
“Bean”…treats appreciated.   Open Tuesdays to Sunday 9:00 to 5:00 dally.  
Still expanding….more to come.

                                Mount Klitsa Garden Club.

The Mount Klitsa Garden Club was formed on March 24,1955 at the home of Ann Thomson of McCoy Lake. There were 15 members present. Meetings were held at Kleecoot schoolhouse (water bomber base) and members homes. The club’s emblem is the trillium. Our emblem was chosen due to the conservation and protection of this flower by the efforts of the Mount Klitsa Garden Club. The Conservation Law was passed by the government in 1958.

In 2001 the club gave a large donation to West Coast General Hospital for the purchase of tropical plants in the atrium (health square).