If forecasts are correct, this weekend will bless us with a taste of warmer spring-like temperatures. The arrival of daylight time has given us extended usable outdoor time in the evening. Spring begins officially next week, and St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday will draw us further into green thoughts.
The urge to plant rises naturally with the sun’s elevation in the sky. Another powerful incentive this year is the rising cost of fresh vegetables.
Families will be thinking about how they might produce some of their own. Here are a few ideas on getting started.
• Find a location. Vegetables grow best in sun for a minimum of six hours a day. If there is no separate space for a vegetable plot, seek out spots in the ornamental garden for fitting in food plants. Another option is to remove a section of lawn for use as a vegetable plot. If these choices are not possible, try for a community garden plot or/and plan for a container garden. Many vegetables, herbs and flowers grow well in containers.
• Define preferences. Have a family conference to decide what vegetables (and flowers) will actually be consumed and relished. Everyone gets to place favourites on the list.
• Keep it simple. Taking on too much to begin with can lead to discouragement. Stick to a limited number of best-loved plantings that are easy to grow. Lettuce, spinach, beans and carrots are among the most low-care and least-fussy vegetables. For added colour in vegetable plots and containers, some easy-growing flowers are sweet alyssum, marigolds and nasturtium.
• Soil matters. Along with adequate sunlight and moisture, high-quality soil is crucial for producing robustly healthy, tasty food plants. For success in this project, the bulk of a gardener’s time is best spent on creating a friable and fertile, humus-rich soil that drains efficiently of excess moisture. Enrich plots with purchased or home-made compost. Most soils will benefit also from lime, except in areas where potatoes and strawberries will grow.
In containers, add some real, sterilized and bagged soil to a commercial mix along with a purchased compost. I add a little fish compost to my container soil mixes.
Garden Events
Seedy in Duncan. The 11th annual Seedy Sunday in Duncan will be on March 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Si’em Lelum Gym, 5574 River Rd. This event offers locally grown seeds, garden starts and perennials as well as workshops and activities for children. Admission is $2. Cowichan Green Community members and children under the age of 13 are admitted free.
Rose meeting. The Mid Island Rose Society will meet on Monday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the North Nanaimo Library, 6250 Hammond Bay Rd. Further information at 250-390-2805.
Comox meeting. The Comox Valley Horticultural Society will meet on Monday, March 18, in the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave. in Courtenay. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Donna Balzer will speak about Growing Under Cover, from Grow Bags to Greenhouse: Extend your harvest. Non-member drop-in fee $5.
Qualicum meeting. The Qualicum Beach Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Q.B. Civic Centre on Jones St. Roger Griffiths will speak about Alpine Flowers of B.C. and a Bit Beyond. Non-member drop-in fee $3.
HCP workshops. The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering the following workshops. To register, call 250-479-6162. hcp.ca.
• Grow your Own Cut Flower Garden, Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn how to start a cutting garden and maintain it over a growing season. Cost for HCP members $45, others $55.
• Willow Hoop Rib Basket, Sun., March 24, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Create a lovely storage and display basket Bring sturdy scissors, an old towel and a spray bottle. Members $120, others $140.
• Advanced pruning, Sundays, March 24 and 31, 1 to 4 p.m. Basic pruning techniques will be reviewed and applied to advanced pruning strategies to achieve a desirable structure and long-term plant health. The course will be outside. Dress accordingly and bring secateurs. Other equipment will be supplied. Members $90, others $110.
Healing city soils. The Victoria Compost Education Centre and Royal Roads University are offering free soil testing for heavy metals and followup workshops to CRD residents wanting to grow food. Apply online. Deadline is March 31.
Do you have a gardening question? Email Helen Chesnut at hchesnut@bcsupernet.com.
