If you’ve ever watched home and gardening shows on TV, you’ll understand what it takes to undergo a complete make-over, and that’s exactly what’s underway at Dig This, and why your monthly newsletter has been missing from your ‘in box’.

Over the next few months you will see new colours, a new logo, and other great changes, starting with this ‘new look’ newsletter. Another glimpse of the changes can be seen at the Oak Bay store, which re-opened on Sunday February 11th after a complete renovation.

What won’t change is the great product selection and our commitment to quality and excellent customer service.  Everyone at Dig This is excited about helping you create inspired outdoor spaces to enjoy with friends and family.

In early spring, many gardeners decide now is the time to buy a greenhouse, but with so many options on the market, how do you decide what type and model to buy? Do you want to grow a few tomatoes in a sunny corner, or do you want a place to safely over-winter tender perennials? Do you want a cozy place to sit with your morning coffee, or a large protected space to start your many annuals? Do you want plastic or glass, aluminium or wood? How big a greenhouse do you want or do you have space for, and what’s the perfect place to put it? With all these decisions to make, it’s hard to remember that having a greenhouse is very therapeutic!

Nanaimo Dig This co-owner, Peter Kamerman, said he chose an aluminium frame greenhouse because he was looking for a strong, durable frame that would stand up to the West Coast weather. Although the aluminium frame is fine on its own, Peter had it powder-coated dark green to blend into his garden.

When it came to glazing, Peter was faced with a multitude of choices. Single pane glass offers the best visibility and allows the greenhouse to heat up quickly when the sun shines. But glass breaks and may not be the best choice, particularly if you have to site your greenhouse under large trees which may shed branches on windy days. Twin wall polycarbonate is a good choice for durability, as it is 20 times stronger than glass, plus it offers a slightly higher “R” value of insulation. While it's more expensive than glass, it is also exempt from provincial sales tax. You could also choose tempered glass at a much higher cost, or stretch poly over the frame, like cling-wrap on last night’s leftovers. Peter chose glass, for cost and durability, but also because “actually I really just prefer the look.”

Next decision: what shape? Besides the standard rectangular greenhouses in 6 and 8 foot widths with a gutter separating the roof and walls, there are lean-to conservatory styles that attach onto the side of your house, and several hexagonal styles that look like gazebos. The lean-to styles are a very cost-effective way to add a sun room to your house, and look great, especially if you have them powder-coated to match your house trim. Peter opted for the standard freestanding greenhouse with a curved 8 by 6 foot frame. The curved sides give a continuous glazing from the peak to the base with Plexiglass used on the curve. The curved frame models also give you a bit more height at the side walls, and are very attractive.

The last decision is the size and location. Everyone who has a greenhouse tells you: Buy the largest greenhouse your budget and property will allow – you will always wish you had another foot or two! You’ll need a level spot for the greenhouse where you can get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.

Now you’re ready to go – but wait, you’ll need some benches and other accessories. Here’s where the fun really begins. There are one and two tier benches, fans, auto-vent openers to keep things cools, shade cloth, roof vents, louver windows. And don’t forget a spot for that little chair so you can sit, sip your coffee and admire all the work you’ve done.

If you’re a serious gardener, or just love puttering about in your garden, a greenhouse will give you many years of therapeutic enjoyment. Do your homework and get started early. Next thing you know, you’ll be entering your prize-winning tomatoes into the next fall fair.

From February 9th to February 25th, you will receive $150 of greenhouse accessories FREE with the purchase of any 6 foot greenhouse, and $250 of greenhouse accessories FREE with the purchase of any 8 foot greenhouse.  Get your greenhouse off to a great start with benches, vent openers and other must have accessories.

· Check your tools. Make sure they are clean and sharp.

· Sow Sweet Peas. Prepare the seeds for planting by wetting them for 4-8 hours on moist paper towels. One of our staff mixes her sweet peas with her regular peas, getting both a spectacular splash of colour in her vegetable patch and a ready treat to nibble on in the flower bed.

· Begin dividing perennials if the ground isn’t too wet.

· Harvest winter crops before they bolt, and prepare your vegetable beds for the coming season. When you are planning your site so you can rotate your crops, consider running the rows in a north south orientation. This allows the plants to receive light on all sides which helps them to grow faster and stronger.

· Plant fruit trees and bareroot roses

· Prune roses once the forsythia begins to bloom – more on that in the next issue of our newsletter.

· If you haven’t already done so, use dormant spray on roses and fruit trees and shrubs. This task must be done before the buds open, so that the microscopic insects, that are happy to devour the new leaves, are caught before the feast unfurls before them.

· Cut some branches for forcing indoors – it’s always nice to get a jump-start on spring!

Join Virginia at Broadmead for a Seed Starting Workshop

Give your seeds the best start so they germinate and thrive. Join Virginia and her staff on Sunday February 18th at the Broadmead Village store to learn how to take that packet of seeds and create a bounty of flowers, vegetables or herbs to thrill you all summer long. Come for coffee, muffins and an education in the world of seed propagation.  10 a.m. until noon. Call 727-9922 to reserve your place.

Learn How to Prune Roses Properly

Elizabeth has over 26 rose bushes in her garden and would have more if she could find a way to squeeze another one in.  Learn how to prune roses without fear on Sunday, February 25 from 10 - 11 a.m. at the Oak Bay store.  The cost is $10, and each participant will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend on pruning equipment or other garden products.  Call 598-0802 to reserve your place.

Q:  Is it time to start pruning my flowering shrubs?  How do I know which ones to prune and when?  Beth, Victoria

A:  If your shrub blooms in the summer (after the end of May), you can prune after all threat of frost is past.  Don't prune spring-flowering shubs, like forsythia, now or you'll lose lots of blooms.  If you must prune, stick to thinning and removing dead or damaged branches.  Don't shear the poor things down to the ground or give them a bad haircut - let them keep the shape nature intended for them.

We welcome your questions about any aspect of gardening.

Seedy Saturday is just around the corner. This extraordinary seed exchange event started just a few years ago and has grown to become a ‘not-to-be-missed’ event for any serious gardener. If you have some special seeds you’d like to share with other gardeners or want to find that elusive treasure, this is the place to be. Join with other enthusiastic gardeners on February 17th, 10 am to 4 pm, at the Victoria Conference Centre, admission $5; under 12 years, free.  

In Nanaimo, Seedy Sunday is March 4th, 10 am to 3 pm at Bowen Park.

The Victoria Orchid Society is hosting a plant show and sale on Saturday, March 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday ,March 4th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  at the University of Victoria Student Union Building. Admission $6 (Seniors $5).  More information: 652 3078 or www.victoriaorchidsociety.ca Drop into one of our stores before the show and pick up a coupon to take $1 off the admission charge.

The Central Vancouver Island Orchid Society Anual Orchid Show  will be held April 13th to 15th at the Country Club Mall in Nanaimo.

The Spring Festival Garden Show will be held in Nanaimo Beban Park, March 9th to 11th.

Mark your calendars! The not-to-be-missed 25th Annual Victoria Conservatory of Music Garden Tour will be this Mother’s Day weekend, May 12-13 from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets will be available at all of our stores later this spring. 

We hope you enjoyed our newsletter this month.  Contact us if you have questions or topics you'd like to see covered in coming issues.  We'd love to hear what you think of our new format.

In our next issue, look for an article on buying garden furniture and tips for pruning roses.

The Dig This Team