Yorkton and District Horticultural Society

Spring Countdown

“Gardens are not made

by singing “Oh, how beautiful!”

and sitting in the shade.

                Rudyard Kipling

The countdown to this year’s garden work is on!  It is not too soon to think about what delights this year’s garden will hold.  Gardeners know a good garden takes work:  what is that saying about gardening being 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration?  Hard work is a must…but so is planning, especially at this time of year!

If you have a garden journal, read it over and see what were the successes and failures in last year’s garden.  Yes, every garden has both.  Some plants do amazingly well, while others, usually the ones we plant with such high hopes, do not live up to our expectations.  You may want to give these another try, but if not, don’t be disappointed!  For many of us, garden space is too limited to sacrifice part of it to plants that are more struggle than glory.  Choose another plant and move on!

Plant your favorites, but make a promise to yourself to try at least one new plant.  There are new and exciting beauties out there every year.  Try a new annual in a container; or try a new perennial in that part of your perennial bed that has been the same for a few years.  It is amazing how one new plant can refresh a space.

Give yourself a challenge to grow something unusual in a container.  Never tried herbs?  Give basil a try and give your pasta a whole new dimension.  Looking for a new type of vine for a large container?  How about a squash!  Want some new texture in a container?  How about planting onions?  Don’t be afraid!  If it works out, hurrah for your efforts!  If it doesn’t, you have still learned something about gardening.

     Read and learn.  There are wonderful gardening magazines on the racks every month.  There are amazing seed catalogues, loaded with information.  The library has a wonderful collection of horticultural books, and can order books in for you if you ask.  And just type in a gardening topic on-line and you can be reading for hours!  Never miss a chance to learn something new!

Talk to the people at the greenhouses.  Here is a wealth of valuable information of what plant works best where.  And if you went in with a certain plant in mind, the greenhouse experts may be able to suggest something even better!  Keep an open mind to new suggestions.

     Talk to other gardeners.  Gardeners always seem to find each other, and most just love to talk about their own gardening experiences!  An obvious place to learn more is at a place where gardeners gather.  The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at SIGN on North Street.  There are interesting presentations (check our schedule) and new members are welcome.  You don’t have to be a member to come hear the speakers: if the topic interests you, just come on in!

Good luck with your spring garden plans!

Debbie Hayward

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