What's Up? Georgian Bay - June 2023

Top 10 Greener Gardening Tips for Spring in Georgian Bay

Spring is an exciting time for gardening enthusiasts in Georgian Bay. The warmer weather and longer days create ideal conditions for planting and cultivating a beautiful garden. Here are the top ten greener gardening tips for spring in Georgian Bay:

1. FIRST PLAN YOUR GARDEN: Consider the amount of sunlight your garden gets, the type of soil you have, and the plants that will thrive in your area.

2. START WITH SOIL PREPARATION: Use compost or organic matter to enrich your soil and improve its texture.

3. DO NOT RAKE YOUR YARD TOO EARLY as some insects may still be hibernating, and try to refrain from mowing your lawn for the month of May, as it is still too early and jeopardizes the pollinators’ habitat. Even better, replace a part of your lawn, especially where grass does not grow well, with natural shrub, native plants and great pollinators such as Goldenrods, Sunflowers, Asters, Coneflowers to support our bees, and don’t get rid of dandelions because they are the first food for bees.

4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANTS suitable for your climate and soil type. Georgian Bay has a variety of plants that can grow well, including perennials such as Hostas, Coneflowers, and Daylilies, or annuals such as Petunias, Marigolds, and Impatiens. Consider companion planting which involves planting plants that complement each other in the same bed, such as tomatoes and basil, or marigolds and beans.

5. WATCH THE WEATHER: Southern Ontario can have unpredictable weather, as we have recently experienced with a very early spring, so keep an eye on the forecast in order to be prepared for sudden changes and protect your plants accordingly.

6. WATER YOUR PLANTS DEEPLY AND REGULARLY, but be mindful not to over-water them. A good rule of thumb is to water your garden deeply once a week. Use rain barrels to conserve water and save money on your water bill. Water from rain barrels is also better for your plants as it is free of chlorine and other chemicals.

7. FEED YOUR PLANTS WITH NATURAL FERTILIZER. Natural fertilizers are organic products that have been extracted from living organisms such as plants or animals. These include bone meal, blood meal, mushroom manure, kelp meal, cottonseed meal, horse or poultry manure, and of course your own compost.

8. CONTROL PESTS AND DISEASES: Keep an eye out for pests and diseases that can damage your plants. Use natural methods to control pests, such as planting herbs that repel insects, or using neem oil or soap spray to deter pests.

9. MULCH YOUR GARDEN: Use mulch to help retain moisture in your garden and keep weeds at bay. Organic mulches such as shredded leaves, bark, or straw are best.

10. FINALLY, ENJOY YOUR GARDEN, spend time outside, and share your garden with friends and family.

In summary, these gardening tips will help you make the most of spring in Georgian Bay, and create a beautiful thriving garden that will bring you joy and beauty throughout the spring and summer months.

Besides attracting fauna, gardens help improve the quality of our air and contribute to cooling down built up environments by enabling reverberation and evapotranspiration, therefore enhancing environmental sustainability.

Growing a garden helps to reduce carbon inputs and store more carbon in the soil, while providing a habitat for wildlife, all of which contributes to climate change mitigation.

Enjoy spring gardening and engage with Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team! wasagabeachclimateaction.com

What’s Up? Georgian Bay