OUr seasons
Spring
Fall/Winter
Spring
As tempting as it is to jump into spring clean-up, we leave the tidying as long as we can to allow insects and pollinators to emerge from hibernation tucked in the hollow stems of perennials and under fallen leaves. Speaking of leaves, they make an amazing natural mulch in garden beds, or we recommend non-dyed natural mulch to help retain moisture and slow down weed growth. Natural mulch resists sun-bleaching much better than the dyed stuff, plus it doesn't leach chemicals into your garden beds. Win-win!
Summer
Fall/Winter
Spring
All summer we maintain our garden beds by hand-pulling weeds and staying on top of them regularly to keep them at bay. Some weeds are very vigorous, but we prefer to work hard instead of using chemicals - and the plants, insects and wildlife are thankful! Throughout the summer we observe the cycles of our changing garden and weed, prune and edge as needed. Raking soil or turning over mulch throughout the season provides rejuvenation and makes a garden look refreshed!
Fall/Winter
Fall/Winter
Fall/Winter
In the fall we do a good final weeding and tidying, but mostly leave everything to help the garden sleep tight over winter. Fallen leaves provide a great natural protectant for plants and offers a winter home for beneficial insects who will also burrow into the hollow stems of perennials. As it gets cold, we watch the birds peck at the seed heads in the flower beds and enjoy the added winter interest when snow falls onto what's left standing. What seems to be dead is full of life! And the cycle continues...
About invasive species
Image: Periwinkle takes over an entire forest floor near the Saugeen River in Durham, Ontario.
What is an invasive species?
An invasive species is an introduced species to an environment that becomes overpopulated and harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and biodiversity, causing ecological, environmental and economical damage.
Look it up
To confirm if anything growing in your gardens is considered invasive, the Invasive Species Quick Reference Guide from the Ontario Invasive Plant Council is a great place to start. It has photos of each invasive species to help with identification and offers native species alternatives. Another great resource is Grow Me Instead.
What you can do
It can seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn't have to be. First, don't feel down on yourself if you have an invasive species in your garden. Chances are it was there before you, it migrated from somewhere else (which they easily do!) or you planted it unknowingly.
Image: Dame's Rocket as far as the eye can see near the Saugeen River in Durham, Ontario.
But I keep mine contained
Even if the invasive species seems controlled in your garden beds or planters, birds eat the seeds and poop them elsewhere, then the species takes over swaths of land in nature where it can't be contained. Also, spreading happens when people dump their yard waste containing invasive species in forests or down ravines. They may not have malicious intent and assume the waste will biodegrade, but the nature of these species is that they spread easily and aggressively - even after they've been pulled or cut.
But I bought it at [insert big box store or nursery here]
Sigh. Unfortunately, since many invasive species, like periwinkle and English ivy, spread like mad but also happen to look nice, that means they're also easy to propagate and sell as fast-growing ground covers. Also, when you say "I want a low-maintenance garden" to your landscaping service, some of these species might be what they plant. There are movements trying to get the government to ban the sale of these species because if it's not illegal, it will continue to happen. For now, education at the consumer level can help - just don't buy them! And tell your friends!
What we can do
If we find an invasive species in your garden, we'll just kindly let you know and you can decide what to do. Again, there's no need to feel shame! Oftentimes, like with garlic mustard, it's a matter of pulling the plants before they go to seed and staying on top of removing new growth. But sometimes, like with goutweed, it's a lot tougher to remove. We can discuss options and make recommendations.
