Warmer, longer days means getting a head-start on season

are better protection against frost, but ensure the covers don’t touch tender leaves.

WEEDS, SEEDS & GARDEN DEEDS

By Michelle Corcoran

Advantage for GardensRow Covers

Protect your early plants, keep pests away and give you a head start on the season. Covers can be light or heavy-weight plastic/ polypropylene or polyester material.

Make supports out of wood or PVC pipe (I use ½-inch PVC, 8-foot lengths. They bend easily). Lightweight covers let in 80 per cent or more of sun and rain but keep out flying insects.

Heavier weight covers

You can also get SHADE row covers, a heavy polyester mesh that allows rain in (see the picture from my garden) but only allows in about 50-60 per cent of sun.

Set up when the ground is ready to be worked, but it may still be cool (10 0C) nights. Be sure to check on plants weekly to make certain pests/bugs haven’t invaded and gobbled up your crop!

Floating lightweight row cover loosely laid just over plants (with rocks or brick to keep them in place) can help keep pests away. Use after the risk of frost is gone, as it is too thin to protect from frost damage. Yes – you still need to clean up your garden in April/ May…

– Disinfect pots, tools, bird feeders, and bird-

Nackawicmillville Community News

By Julie Stone

Heritage Fair

Anglophone West School District Heritage Fair will be held on May 3 at NBCC Woodstock. Over 20 schools in ASDW will be represented, with 60-plus students showcasing their Heritage Projects.

The projects celebrate and promote the diversity of New Brunswick and Canadian Culture through research. The public is welcome to visit from 9 a.m. to noon, when numerous organizations will have displays showcasing their historical significance. See what the students and the cultural representatives have to show and tell. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you can learn.

Mall Boxes

The Nackawic Area Wellness Committee would like to congratulate the winners of the springthemed boxes—first prize: Gym Girls, second prize: baths (rinse well). Sharpen and disinfect cutting tools. Cleaning solution: 2 Tbsp bleach to 1-gallon water. Throw out any old garden gloves that can’t be washed.

– Clean out garden debris, dead growth, your flower beds and gardens! Don’t be tempted to compost remnants, especially if plants are diseased (fungus, blight or mildew) or infected with pests.

— Protect our pollinators! Hibernating butterflies, bees, and insects rent out space in plant stems or under debris. Wait until temperatures consistently exceed 10°C at night before cleaning out debris.

It’s time to plant indoors for your outdoor crop… a heat mat and full spectrum grow lights can give an extra advantage. Plant anything that says to start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.

– Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower

– Annual flowers (cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, herbs, etc.)

– Even rooting your own slips from plants like geraniums, ivy, succulents, and coleus can save cost

– Stay connected and informed about local garden events.

– Check out Florenceville Garden Club on Facebook

– Upcoming Garden Club events (more details posted on the Facebook page):

– Share and Learn Event: May 1 –– Interesting bits shared about local resources, special plants, and care.

– Annual Plant Auction June 5 (rain/ heat date June 12) 6 — 8 p.m. Spring dividing and clean-out can create extras to share. Bring annuals, perennials (welllabelled), and garden art for auction. Funds raised go towards community garden projects.

– Summer 2023 – Garden Tour of local area gardens (stay tuned for more info)