What a strange month March was!  Wind, snow, hail, sun, rain - you name it, Mother Nature provided it in terms of weather.

It seemed that any day we had free for gardening was a day the weather wouldn't cooperate.  Oh well, that's what greenhouses are for:  a place to garden out of the elements.

Now that it's April, the fine weather has to be on its way and we can get down to some serious work in the garden.  If you need a new tool or a replacement one, pots, seeds, fertilizers, a lovely bench to sit on, or just inspiration, come see us.  We love to talk about gardening and we love to share what we know!

The Dig This Team

When I think of gardens, the first thing that come to my mind is plants. What’s growing there?  Is it a perennial garden? A colourful annual garden? What’s the style – wild and uncontrolled, like my current garden, or a calm serene Japanese-inspired garden?

But a garden is more than plants. Garden designers remind us to pay attention to the “hardscaping” – paths, patios, fences, gates and such – and to garden “décor”. Often it is these things that really make the garden.

Garden ornaments can create a focus that draws attention to striking plants – or draws your eye away from less desired features, like the house next door, or the side of a garage. A strategically placed pot or statue makes us want to approach closer to view it or explore.

Garden ornaments can also create a sense of fun in the garden. I place my garden “art” where I will see it and where it will make me smile: a laughing Buddha next to the path to the carport, two whimsical bird houses perched on the stairs, solar accent lights near the deck where I sit in the evening when the weather is nice.

So while you’re busy buying new plants and starting your seeds this month, don’t forget to pay attention to those decorative items that turn your garden into a real outdoor living space. As you know, Dig This has an amazing selection of beautiful and unique items for your garden, so stop by one of our stores to see what strikes your fancy.

For more inspiration on garden ornaments, go to http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/design/articles/ornaments-in-the-garden.aspx?nterms=74888

Elizabeth Cull
Franchise President
 

Strarting plants from seeds is easy ... and so rewarding!  If you start your own plants from seeds as opposed to buying plants from nurseries, you have a greater variety of plants to choose from and you save money!

You don’t have to wait for the warm weather to get vegetables and flowers started – you can begin most seeds right away.  At Dig This, we carry a seeds from several sources, including local companies like West Coast Seeds and Seeds of Victoria which have been grown and tested in our climate. Look for unusual or heritage varieties – some of these tried and true vegetables and flowers are the best.

To get started, gather your containers, wash them in warm soapy water to protect against any plant disease. You can use pretty well anything that is clean and will hold about 2 – 3 inches deep of starting mix. Some people like to grow their seeds in large, shallow pans, called “flats” and then prick out each seeding to pot on as they get bigger. Others grow their seeds in little plastic containers with cells for each plant or individual peat pellets. Some people recycle and use plastic containers used previously for food and cut-down milk cartons. Then there is the Pot Maker, which helps you make little containers from old newspapers. Gardeners are such thrifty people! Just make sure whatever you use is clean and has good drainage.

Fill your containers with a starter mix or other medium made specifically for seed-starting. Do not use garden soil! Fill your containers and moisten the mix. Drop your seeds onto it as evenly as possible. Cover the seeds carefully to a depth of three times the size of the seed. Tamp it down softly.

There are some seeds that do not like to be covered as they need light to germinate so read your package carefully. The seeds of impatiens, petunias, alyssum, and ageratums do not like to be covered, just pressed firmly into the starter mix.

Seeds generally germinate better when their soil is warm. A heating mat is a good investment, but placing your containers on top of a water heater or over a gas stove’s pilot light also works. Do not place them on a windowsill as the night temperatures are too cool for germination. Consistent warmth day and night is what starts the seeds!

Moisture is also an important factor in healthy germination. Keep your mix moist, but not wet. Water from above using a spray bottle with tepid water. Our bottle top waterers are perfect for this job. Cover the seeds with a plastic dome or plastic wrap. Check daily and when you see your seeds sprouting remove the cover.

Place under lights as they will need 12 – 16 hours of light a day. Fluorescent shop-lights work well, two 4 ft. tubes placed two inches above the plants. Raise the lights gradually as the plants grow. If you don’t have lights, place your containers is the brightest spot you have. Seedlings that have to stretch for light become spindly and weak.

When your seedlings have got their second set of leaves you can start feeding them a light mix of liquid fish/seaweed fertilizer every week. Be careful not to over water as “damping off” can occur. This is a fungal disease that can fell your seedlings at ground level, so test your soil before watering. It is okay to let the top of the soil dry out between waterings. Poke your finger into the soil to test for moistness, and if the top half inch is
dry, its time to water.

By ruffling or petting your seedlings once a day you are help them grow
stocky and strong. This is a great way to create air circulation around your plants.

Repot the seedlings into their own container after they have a few sets of
leaves. They will need a soil mix that contains compost. Handle them by
their leaves and roots so you do not damage their fragile stems.

Don’t forget to label them!

Hardening off is the term we use for introducing the plants to the outdoors.
About a week before you plant them in your garden, start introducing them
to the garden by placing them in a shaded and protected area for a few
hours. Gradually move them into the sun and soft winds adding more time
each day. In a few days you can leave them overnight and then transplant into your garden.

For more information, check out:  http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how-to/articles/ten-seed-starting-tips.aspx 

Virginia Parkhurt
Dig This Broadmead
 

I recently decided to test the soil in my vegetable beds.  I had disappointing results last year, and I suspected my soil might need some improving.

I used a soil tester kit that tests for the Ph level of your soil - whether it is acidic or alkaline - and also for the three main plant nutrients:  N, P, K.

The N stands for Nitrogen which promotes strong leafy growth.  Manure, fish fertilizer and seaweed are great sources of nitrogen.

P stands for Phosphorus which promotes healthy flower, fruit and root production.  Bonemeal, ground rock phosphate, fish emulsion, compost and manure are good sources.

K refers to Potassium which helps plants withstand stress.  Found in wood ash, compost, manure, and kelp.

The tests were easy to take:  simply mix a small amount of soil with water.  Then mix the water only with the testing capsule in the little containers provided, shake and wait for the colour to develop.  Then you compare the colour to a chart. 

My Ph was pretty good, not too acidic or alkaline, which is what most plants prefer.  However, my N, P and K was quite depleted.  No wonder my veggies were disappointing last year!

So, the Easter weekend saw me digging away adding compost and aged manure to raise the nutrient level before this year's planting.

Elizabeth Cull, Franchise President

The Anna's hummingbirds have been busy at my feeders this month, and it won't be long until they are joined by the migratory Rufous hummingbirds.

If you want to see these amazing creatures close up, put out a hummingbird feeder.  It may take a week or so for a hummingbird to start using a new feeder, especially if they have been feeding from other feeders in the same area. If they continue to feed from only one type, try changing the location of your feeders or taking one down for a while. Hummingbirds are creatures of habit!

Mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar to make the nectar.  Never use honey or artificial sweeteners Do not use red dyes.

Hummingbirds need flowers and insects in addition to nectar supplied by a hummingbird feeder. To increase your chances of seeing hummingbirds, plant perennial and annual flowers birds are attracted to such as honeysuckles, salvia, larkspur, trumpet vine, petunias, nasturtiums, penstemons, fuchsias, and lilacs.

Other favorites include bee balm, columbine, Indian paintbrush, and monkey flower. It is well known that hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers, but they also visit all other colors. Geraniums are wonderful hosts for spider webs, the building material of hummingbird nests!!

A hummingbird’s tongue is very long: an average of twice the length of the beak. Therefore they can reach nectar up inside of atube feeder or all the way down to the bottom of top-feeding vessels.

Keep your feeder very clean with cleaning brushes. A dirty feeder causes bacteria to rapidly grow, which will cause the nectar to go bad. Hummingbirds will reject a feeder with fermented nectar.

Clean your feeder regularly and diligently: every 5 days in cool weather, every 2-3 days in hot weather. We recommend frequently cleaning the glass and feeding tubes using a 1:5 white vinegar rinse. Clean at least every 2 weeks with a 1:10 bleach solution. Always rinse your feeding tubes very well before refilling.

For more information on hummingbirds, go to http://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/

One of the most common problems our customers have with tube-type hummingbird feeders is dripping.  Here are some tips to help you resolve that.

Hummingbird feeders, especially gravity feed ones, are not always leak proof and may take a bit of adjusting or relocating before finding the perfect spot. The saucer type feeders are not as likely to leak because the holes are at the top and gravity does not become an issue. Try the following if leaking is a problem with your feeder:

• Filling the feeder only half full will not create the suction needed to protect against leaking. Always fill your feeder as full as you can when refilling.
• Too much sun. When the space above the nectar heats from the sun, the air expands and pushes the nectar out of the port. Solution - move the feeder to shade.
• Wind can cause the feeder to swing and leak. Solution - shelter the feeder from the wind.
• Improper cleaning. Sugar around the seams and seals will create openings allowing air in and the vacuum will be broken. Solution - clean the feeder with warm, soapy water, rinse and dry.
• • Bottle not fully screwed into the base. Solution - check for dirty threads, clean and screw bottle back to feeder.
• Crack in base. Solution - replace or repair damaged part.
• Bouncing of the feeder. If a feeder is mounted on a deck it may bounce when someone is walking on the deck. Solution - hang the feeder on stable a hanger.
• Old feeder. Parts change in size and shape with age and plastic will deteriorate with age. Solution - check the entire feeder for damaged or worn parts.
• Feeder hung incorrectly. Solution - hang the feeder straight.
• Large birds or other animals may try to drink from your feeder. Solution - remove perches or pole mount your feeder to protect against other birds and animals.

Christiane Kamerman, Dig This Nanaimo

Stay on top of watering. When it’s cool, it’s easy to forget that the soil may be drying out around your newly seeded beds.

Put supports in place for tall plants like peonies and delphiniums.

Deadhead daffodils and tulips, but leave the foliage to die down.

Check for aphids on the new growth of roses. Remove with a strong spray from the hose.

Plant gladioli and tuberous begonias.

Direct seed radishes, and cool weather greens like mesclun, lettuce, arugula, spinach, and chard. Plant potatoes. Sow beets after the middle of the month.

If you haven't already done so, start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors.

Mulch garlic patch with aged manure for the biggest bulbs
 

Dig This Oak Bay and Dig This Broadmead have just brought in a small supply of Ikebana containers in response to demand from customers taking Ikebana classes.  These containers are Japanese-made and simply gorgeous.  We also have a good selection of high-quality kenzans.

There are so many different Ikebana containers, so if you don't see what you want, please ask to see our catalogue at any of our 4 stores. Special orders arrive within 10 days! 

Hanging Basket Workshop:
Dig This Nanaimo, May 3rd 2008

Build your own beautiful Hanging Basket with stunning variety and color. Audrey Olinyk, a Dig This Nanaimo staff member with many years experience in the horticulture industry, spends much of her time assisting a local greenhouse operation that grows beautiful hanging baskets. We have convinced her to share her knowledge and experience with you and have her help you build a basket that you can take home and enjoy for the rest of the year.

The fee of $30 + GST for this workshop includes a 12" hanging basket with professional growing medium and 14 assorted plants. Audrey will give step-by-step advice on how to plant the basket and keep it looking good throughout the summer. These baskets easily retail for $50 or $60 when established.

Please call Dig This Nanaimo for more information: 250-756-0049.
 

Dig This Broadmead is now open in it's new location at Broadmead Village Shopping Centre.  It's located right as you enter the shopping centre from the main entrance, next to Canadian Tire, where the old fish and chip shop used to be.

It's bright and beautiful and full of great ideas for your garden.

Cocktails on the Terrace at Abkhazi Garden
1964 Fairfield Road

Friday, May 2nd
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
$100 per person

If you only have time to visit Abkhazi Garden once this year, plan to attend the 3rd Annual Cocktails on the Terrace - the garden party of the season. Dig This is once again supporting this event. Enjoy live music, drinks, a cocktail buffet and the garden by evening light – it will be at its most fragrant and floriferous best.

The evening will also feature a live auction and a silent auction with unusual plants, wine and other surprises. Winchester Cellars wine will be auctioned – each bottle will have an original label created especially for this event by Victoria artists. These artists include Robert Amos, Pat Martin Bates, Flemming Jorgenson, Phyllis Serota, and Andy Wooldridge. Funds go to support the Abkhazi Garden, a project of the Land Conservancy of BC.

For more information and tickets, call 598-8096