PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO – If you’ve got a green thumb, it’s time to start digging and get your garden ready for the summer.
Teresa Amorosa, with the West Island Nursery, explains the new moon in May that generally falls around Victoria Day weekend is the perfect time to start planting.
“Traditionally, by Native American lore – and it’s true that it works – the nights start to get warmer,” she said.
“Tender plants like tomatoes and annuals are less likely to fry or get burned by the cold.”
Starting earlier isn’t a good idea, Amorosa said.
Many prefer to get their gardens started as soon as it gets warm out, but they end up with dead plants due to the cold nights.
The best plan, she said, is to add compost, turn the soil, plan the garden in advance and only get into the planting phase once that new moon is out.
However, not all plants have the same requirements.
“You have to be aware with what you’re doing with each plant,” Amorosa said.
She gives hydrangeas as an example.
These plants rely on the blooms of the previous year to build their new stems around.
Many will cut them in the fall, leading less to sprout the following year.
“Not everything likes to be watered once a day. Not everything likes to be fertilized every two weeks,” she said.
“Everything is different, so it’s just getting in touch with that I think is the most important.”
The West Island Nursery encourages gardeners of all experience levels to come by and ask about specifics pertaining to their garden.