We know it's been a long winter.  You're anxious to get digging, buying and planting.  But wait a minute.  Before you make a mad dash to your local garden center here are a few things to consider first.

• Prune any existing dormant trees.  Open the canopy up - it will aid air circulation for the tree and add sunlight below it so you can plant even more.

• Amend all plant beds with a minimum 2" layer of compost or triple mix.  Your plants will reward you for it.

• Fertilize your trees and shrubs.  Scratch in a fertilizer around the base of plants.  When it rains or you water your garden it will thank you with big beautiful blooms and green growth.

• Aerate your lawn, dethatch, fertilize and topdress to fill in depressed areas of your lawn.  Then overseed to keep weeds from taking hold.  A thick lush lawn is the goal.

• Prune spring flowering shrubs AFTER blooming.

• Prune summer flowering shrubs now before they set flower buds.  Remove all dead and diseased branches.

• Uncover your roses and fertilize when new growth reaches 2" long.

• Clean up perennials and trim ornamental grasses.

• Divide perennials, transplant into new areas and plant new where needed.

• Fertilize spring bulbs.

• Plant new herbs and vegetables after the fear of frost is gone.

• Sanitize your containers and tools.

• Add supportive peony rings to all your top heavy peonies and hydrangeas.

• Open up your irrigation systems and check all is working well.

• Tool tune up time - clean, sharpen and oil tools.

Finally try something new!  The colour of the year is Purple for 2018.  Purple is a colour many design clients ask for.  It's happy to mingle with every plant choice you pair it with.

So there you have it - a lot to do before the fun part - shopping!!! 

Cleaning, preparing and arranging done ahead of time will ensure your garden thrives this season.

Happy planting my friends!

Cheers Kim