Valhalla Gardens is located on Mayne Island in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada. The maritime growing conditions have a hardiness rating of Zone 8. (See www.mayneisland.com for more information about Mayne Island.)

The days are starting to grow longer and warmer. Spring has arrived at last. Spring bulbs are bursting out everywhere. There are masses of narcissus, early tulips, hyacinths and crocuses. The early blooming shrubs are beginning to show their colours - Forsythia, pussy willows and early rhododendrons are brightening up the garden.

There is much to be done in this early, cool season as the garden is beginning to wake up and prepare for its summer show.

The following is a list of suggested gardening activities and chores for the current and up coming months:

February

Indoor Plants
· To increase humidity around tropical plants and help them through the dry winter season, cluster plants on trays of gravel and water. Repot, prune and fertilize plants as light levels increase in late February.

Bulbs
· Check stored bulbs: keep soil barely moist and if tips have sprouted more than 5 cm, then bring out into a bright, cool room (12°-15°C). Gradually increase warmth and indirect sunlight.

Vegetables, Annuals and Perenniels
· Plan the garden for the year and order the seeds that you will need.
· Start lettuce and early greens in cold frames.
· Sweet peas can be sown outside if the ground is not frozen.
· Prepare soil in the vegetable garden by adding compost and lime.
· Seed early blooming perennials such as Aubretia and Pelargoniums (Geraniums).

· Lift, divide and replant late-blooming perennials.

Pruning

· Repeat dormant oil spray on ornamental and fruit trees. Three sprayings, two weeks apart is recommended. Do not spray after the buds start to break.
· Weather permitting prune grapes, fruit trees, small fruits (raspberries) and late-flowering deciduous shrubs. Most pruning can be done except for spring-flowering shrubs that are pruned after they have finished flowering.
Prune modern roses when the Forsythia is in bloom.
· Prune summer flowering (type C) clematis.

Lawns
· Apply dolomite lime to lawn at month's end. do not apply chemical fertilizers until two weeks after the lime has been applied.
· Rake to remove thatch and moss.

Pest Control
· Keep weeds pulled in beds and remove any that appear in the lawn.

March

Garden Bulbs

• Begin planting summer bulbs and corms such as lilies, crocossmia, acidanthera and gladiolas as the ground warms up.
  
• Pot up over-wintered or new tuberous begonias.
  
• Plant lilies.

  Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs
  

• Sow tomatoes indoors. Sow annual herbs and tidy up established herbs.
  
• Feed rhubarb and berry plants. Plant new berry plants.
  
• Train vines and climbers as they begin growing. Tie branches or canes to wires or supports.
  
• As weather permits, begin planting cool weather vegetables such as lettuce, peas, broad beans, spinach, Chinese vegetables, radishes, turnips and onion sets.

  Annuals
  

• Sow tender annuals indoors and hardy annuals directly into the ground.

  Perennials
  

• Uncover tender perennials, roses, and delicate plant material. Compost the mulch.
  
• Good time to plant most nursery stock.
  
• Start cuttings from over wintered pelargonium and fuchsias.

  Trees and Shrubs
  

• Prune early flowering deciduous shrubs when they have finished flowering. Prune roses, any winter damaged evergreens and complete winter pruning of fruit trees.
  
• Mulch evergreens with compost or well rotted manure.
  
• Shop for flowering trees while they are in bloom

  Lawns
  

• Begin lawn care or seed or sod new ones. Repair damaged areas, aerate, edge and lime establish lawns. Water and fertilize

  Pest Control
  

• Check for slugs and snails and destroy them. Remove weeds. Spring clean the garden.
  
• Start a new batch of compost.

  Containers
  

• Freshen up containers containing spring bulbs; remove any tired winter materials that might be in the container. Add spring flowers. Keep pansies deadheaded and compact.

  Remember to warm up your muscles before you begin any heavy work. You don't want to ruin your springtime enjoyment with the miseries of a sore back.

April

Garden Soil

• Pay attention to your soil. Have you been feeding it regularly? If not, enrich it with compost, seaweed or rotted manure. Add soil-building additives such as kelp, bone, fish or canola meal for nitrogen and rock phosphate for minerals. Check reference books for a good organic fertilizer recipe. If your plants have been performing poorly or you are uncertain of what the soil needs, have it tested. Garden centres can recommend tests or local testing labs.

  Pest Patrol
  

• To ensure healthy productive plants, keep the garden clean and free of insect pests and diseases. Use environmentally friendly preventative measures.
  
• Remove weeds. Dig out dandelions before they flower
  
• Search out and destroy tiny, newly hatched slugs around the crowns of susceptible plants. Check for aphids on the new growth of roses. Rub them off or spray with an insecticidal soap.

  Trees and Shrubs
  

• Many of our flowering trees and shrubs are beginning their peak season. Purchase new additions for your garden now while you can see them in bloom. Before you buy, take a look at the size of the mature plants (in parks or public gardens). Is there room for what you want in your garden? Are dwarf varieties of your favourites available?
  
• Prune early flowering shrubs immediately after they finish blooming. Next year's flower buds develop on wood that grows this season. Consult a pruning manual or basic gardening reference guide for instructions on how to prune your plants.
  
• Add mulches to the soil under trees and shrubs but do not put the mulch right up against the trunk.
  
• Clip coniferous hedges to maintain their size and shape. Shear winter flowering heathers. Fertilize cedar hedges with 30-10-10

  Bulbs
  

• Prime time for your annual spring bulbs is underway. Make detailed notes of groupings that work well and of areas that need improvement. Write it down - trust me you will forget by next fall. Mark areas where new plantings of bulbs can be made without fear of digging into established bulb plantings. Deadhead spring bulbs as they finish flowering. Leave the foliage until it turns yellow. Bulb beds can be fertilized once flowers have faded.
  
• Deadhead narcissus and tulips as they finish blooming. Leave the foliage until it turns yellow and dies back.
  
• Plant summer bulbs and corms such as lilies, crocossmia, acidanthera and gladiolas. Begonias should be underway indoors or in the greenhouse.