Even though it’s still February, temperatures in the teens have many Calgarians calling garden centres to find out what work they can do around the yard.
But gardening and plant experts say despite the temperature, it’s still too early to do any outdoor work.
“You shouldn’t be too enthusiastic, because you can do quite a bit of damage if you’re not careful. Be patient,” Plantation Garden Centre’s Merle Lefevre said.
For instance, raking grass will disturb tender green shoots or new growth and beneficial insects like ladybugs laying dormant during the winter.
Lefevre says it’s too early to cut down perennial beds. The tall branches will catch snow (some of which is still expected to fall) and retain moisture for the soil.
Don’t clean under your shrubs and don’t remove any mulch yet, she said. If any bulbs are popping up in the garden, leave them alone.
You can also add compost and zeolite (minerals used as absorbents in soil) to garden beds to protect them from cold.
Despite the warm weather, be careful about watering trees and plants while the ground is still frozen. The water will only run off and can cause damage.
Plants near southern exposures next to a foundation may be safe for watering but Lefevre says check the soil first.
Comments