We are currently in our rainy season, although we are seeing more snow than rain. That’s perfectly fine, we need the moisture in the garden, so welcome the snow with open arms. If you are wondering what you should be doing this time of year, we have some ideas for you, below, in today’s blog article.

Do:

Compost

Turn your compost if it is not frozen solid and keep adding to it. Get some cow or chicken or horse manure and allow it to break down in a corner of your yard until it is well rotted before using it.

Tools

Clean and sterilize all your cutting tools. Get them ready for their hard work ahead.

Water

If you leave out water for wildlife, make sure you break up the ice every day so they can access the water. On the other hand, hoses should be disconnected from hose bibs on the house to avoid freeze damage.

Water Collection

If you collect rainwater, now is the time to do it or to plan to do it this year. Collecting rainwater is a great way to have lots of water on hand when you need it. There are many different ways to do this and companies that specialize in getting you set up.

Snow

Snow is a good insulator, so don’t be afraid to let it pill up around the bases of your shrubs or trees. Eventually it will melt, and you will have extra irrigation.

Don’t:

Don’t try to prune anything while our temperatures are below zero. You risk snapping off branches that you do not intend to. You should wait to do any more pruning until the temperatures are well above freezing.

Also, do not bother trying to do any digging while the ground is frozen. Any pesky weeds or wild blackberries can be dealt with when the temperature rises.

If you have any questions about your garden, come and talk to us in Surrey at our flagship store.

Art Knapp has 15 locations across British Columbia and is well known as the go-to garden centre for everything garden-related. Art Knapp, himself, began the business in the 1940's, and now, 80 years later, you can find more than he ever dreamed of in our stores. Come and see us on King George Boulevard in Surrey. 

If you have any questions about this article or want to talk to us about gardening, just give us a call at (604) 596-9201.