The annual December "Art Walk" is on in Oak Bay Thursday, December 6th.  That evening, art galleries along Oak Bay Avenue will be open and there will be refreshments and music.  It's always a fun event.

Dig This Oak Bay will be having an Open House from 5 pm until 8 pm.  Of course, we'll have yummy refreshments too!  Everything in the store will be 10% off the regular price.  There will also be in-store specials and the chance to win one of three gift certificates:  $50, $75 and $100.

So if you missed our Open Houses at the Broadmead, Market Square and Nanaimo stores, this is your chance to get some great gifts at a great price!

Gloomy about all the rain this weekend, and the prospects for more as the winter goes on?  Why not switch your boring downspout for a handsome rain chain? 

The rain chain directs water from your roof into a barrel or other container, or your drainage system, but is so much more interesting to look at than a downspout.  They have been used for hundreds of years in Japan, and certainly add tranquility to the garden.  Some of our customers are even using them as a vertical water feature, by adding tubing and a pump to keep the water re-circulating.

There are so many different styles to choose from - whimsical copper chains with tea cups or umbrellas, cast iron chains in the shape of flowers or fish, and simple links.

As the days get shorter and the seaon gets busier, it's hard to spend much time in the garden.  But when the sun shines, there's nothing nicer than an hour or two puttering about outside.  This is the time of year to focus on maintenance jobs and tidying up plants. When it is too cold and wet for working in the garden, curl up by the fire with your seed catalogues and garden magazines, dreaming of the spring to come. 

• Tidy your shed and sort out your seed trays and pots.
  
• Protect pots outside from freezing by wrapping round with bubble wrap plastic or one of our new Frost Protek plant covers, or simply cluster them all together in a sheltered corner on the patio or close to your house. This really helps to protect the roots against the frost.
  
• Continue to rake up leaves from lawns to be composted or placed in a leaf mould container. Fallen leaves on soil can be left as mulch; the worms will take them down into the soil for you.
  
• Dislodge snow from trees and shrubs to prevent damage to branches.
  
• Brighten up the festive period, a few days before the Solstice or Christmas cut overgrown evergreen shrubs back to provide material to make beautiful natural decorations, like wall hangings and garlands.  Continue planting Paperwhite bulbs for continuous indoor flowers right through January.
  
• Try to stay off your lawn if it is wet or frosted . On dryer milder days, if you haven't already done so, rake and spike your lawn, this is a good activity as it is fairly vigorous work and will keep you nice and warm. This really helps get rid of old thatch and the spiking helps air get to the roots. This is particularly useful if you have any compacted areas or grass paths.
  
• Clean and service your mower, oil and grease moving parts that need it and sharpen or replace worn blades or cutters. You will need your mower in tip top condition come the spring when the grass starts growing again.
  
• If you haven't already done so, thoroughly clean the greenhouse, inside and out.
  
• There’s still time to plant spring and summer flowering bulbs, which are on sale everywhere, including Dig This, right now.
  
• Pests - Although they may not be clearly visible, many are hiding in the garden at this time of year. Check for slugs and snails hiding under pots, old bricks or stones. Winter digging will expose their eggs, which will be a welcome feast for the birds.
  
• Don’t forget to feed the birds. Our native Anna’s hummingbird will be looking for food in the cool weather. You can increase the amount of sugar you use to make the nectar in the cool months to 1 part sugar to 3 parts water.

For more tips, check out http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/index.php

We have just discovered a Cornell University study that recommends adding alcohol to your Paperwhite plantings!

When the growth from the bulbs is about 2” in height, drain the water and replenish with 4 parts water to 1 part alcohol (gin or vodka are recommended). The alcohol will stunt their growth and keep the stems and leaves upright.

If you wish, pour a little drink for yourself!

The 2008 Seeds are starting to arrive in our stores.  So far, we have organic seeds from Seeds of Change, and individual seed packages and seed collections from Vancouver Island's The Garden Path.

They make the perfect stocking stuffer!