Gardens Galore: Should We Haul Out the Hoses? by Karen Brewka

Is this winter too dry for our plants?

I was having lunch with a friend from High River and we talked about how there was no snow on the ground east of Highway 2. I mentioned that the closer you got to the foothills, the more snow could be found. This is one of those winters where we don't have snow cover all winter and we are enjoying lots of Chinooks. I've heard on TV that Calgarians are being urged to haul out the hoses and water their gardens. Do we need to do the same?
It seems to me that every time I start to get antsy about the dryness and the warmth, it snows. So far, so good. The hibernating hose is staying in the shed. Calgary is warmer because it is a city. I'm sure there are places there that need to be watered.
The trick is to know your yard and know your plants. Young trees, shrubs and perennials that you just planted last year might need some additional water if they are in a warm spot where the snow is gone and the ground is warm.
South beds get dry and warm fairly quickly. They might need some extra water, too.
If you watered well in the fall, there should be no problem for older trees and shrubs. If you mulched in all your beds in the fall, again there should be no problem.
If you have some snow in the yard, you can shovel it onto south beds. That will slow down any growth that might be starting in those areas. A watering can might do the trick if you don't want to haul the hose out of its winter hiding place. Cover these beds up with some mulch after watering. Mulch could be branches, leaves, wood chips, straw or even peat moss.
Most of my south beds are filled with native perennials and they are well established. I don't worry about them at all. They are genetically programmed to withstand dry and bare winters. Watering in well in the fall and some light mulching is all they need. My south bulb beds, however, need to be helped through these dry winters. I don't want growth to start when I know there will be cold times coming.
I am so enjoying this mild winter! With a bit of vigilance, our gardens should make it through relatively unscathed.
Have a gardening question or a problem? Send it along to the Gazette gazette@telus.net and Karen will answer it in her column.

The Valley Neighbours Garden Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at Valley Neighbours on Sunset Boulevard in Turner Valley. The club welcomes new members. For information call Bea at 403–933–7131.
The Horticultural Club meets every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm. For information call Sheila at 403–931-3989