Spring Gardening Tips & Checklist

Spring is a wonderful time to tend to your garden in Victoria, BC, as the weather starts to warm up and plants begin to bloom. Here are some spring garden tips tailored to the West Coast climate of Victoria:

1. Clean Up Winter Debris:
   • Begin by clearing away any debris, fallen leaves, and dead plant material that accumulated over the winter months. This will help prevent pests and diseases from taking hold in your garden.
2. Prepare Garden Beds:
   • Loosen the soil in your garden beds with a fork or tiller to improve drainage and aeration. Add compost or well-aged manure to enrich the soil and provide nutrients for new growth.
3. Prune Trees and Shrubs:
   • Spring is an ideal time to prune trees and shrubs before they start actively growing. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as any crossing or overcrowded branches, to encourage healthy growth and improve air circulation.
4. Divide Perennials:
   • Divide overcrowded perennial plants, such as hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses, to rejuvenate them and promote better growth. Replant divided sections in other areas of your garden or share them with friends and neighbors.
5. Plant Cool-Season Vegetables:
   • In Victoria's mild climate, you can start planting cool-season vegetables and herbs outdoors in early spring. Consider planting crops like lettuce, kale, spinach, peas, radishes, and chives, which thrive in cooler temperatures.
6. Sow Seeds and Transplant Seedlings:
   • Start sowing seeds indoors or directly in the garden for warm-season vegetables and flowers, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, marigolds, and cosmos. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date, typically in late April or early May.
7. Mulch and Weed:
   • Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves, straw, or compost, around garden beds to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Be sure to pull out any emerging weeds before they become established.
8. Water Wisely:
   • Water newly planted seeds, seedlings, and transplants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the root zone and minimize evaporation.
9. Attract Pollinators:
   • Incorporate pollinator-friendly plants, such as lavender, salvia, bee balm, and butterfly bush, into your garden to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Provide water sources, like shallow dishes or birdbaths, for pollinators to drink from.
10. Monitor for Pests and Diseases:
    • Keep an eye out for signs of pests, such as aphids, slugs, and snails, as well as common diseases like powdery mildew and damping-off. Use organic pest control methods, such as hand-picking, insecticidal soap, or neem oil, to manage pest problems.

By following these spring garden tips, you can get your garden off to a healthy start and enjoy a bountiful harvest of flowers, fruits, and vegetables throughout the growing season in Victoria, BC's temperate coastal climate.