Spring into autumn

Before the ground freezes, you should plant your spring bulbs. Spring bulbs need to be planted early so that they are able to grow properly. For best results, ensure that your spring bulbs are planted at the end of summer or at least by mid-October. After that you risk dealing with frozen ground and soil that is less than kind.

Play doctor with your plants

Any plant that is dead by fall has the chance to infect your entire garden. Get rid of diseased or expired foliage before autumn hits, otherwise you can have an outbreak in your garden that carries over into next season. You don’t have to get rid of the entire infected plant, but you will need to trim away dead or sick stems and leaves. The same goes for weeds. Get rid of them now, otherwise you’ll be dealing with them in the fall.

Stake your trees

If you’ve planted trees in the summer, you’ll need to stake them before fall is upon us. Newly planted trees may not be strong enough to deal with the wind and rain that fall brings, but staking them will help them stay put. Depending on where you live, you may even see snow in the fall. Staking your new trees before autumn is a great way to ensure they remain intact as they grow.

Give your perennials a haircut

Perennials, once they’ve gone dormant, will need to be trimmed. Before fall hits, give your perennials a good pruning. If the stems and leaves of your perennials have not turned brown or yellow yet, you can wait to give them a cut. However, at the onset of any discolouration, it’s time to get out the pruning shears. Now is also a good time to divide up dormant perennials.

Mulch it up

Garden beds need to retain moisture, especially as temperatures drop. Mulch your garden beds at the end of summer so that they’re ready for fall. Also spread compost over your vegetable garden to make sure that it’ll be prepared for the temperature fluctuations that come with autumn. Plus, mulching and compost spreading ensures that your garden will be ready to be dug into come spring.

Don’t stop planting

Just because fall’s around the corner, doesn’t mean you have to stop planting. Many people take a hiatus from their garden as summer dies down, because they feel nothing will grow when the weather changes. This is simply not true. Your garden can be ongoing year-round. Although you don’t have to deal with it during the snowy season, you can still plant in the fall for spring.

Give your tools a bath

Garden tools can rust or stop working as effectively when they’re dirty. Take the time to give your tools a good cleaning before fall. Ideally, you should be cleaning your tools before the onset of each season but many of us forget. So, since you’re already preparing your garden for fall, you might as well give your tools a bath too. Make sure that everything is nice and dry before you leave it for the season.

Set a reminder

Many people neglect to water their garden during fall because they assume the rain will take care of it. If it rains daily where you live, this won’t be a problem. However, if you’re lucky enough to enjoy a warmer than usual fall, then you’ll need to remember to water your garden. Set reminders for yourself so you don’t forget to water your plants. You should also set another reminder to remind yourself to take in any clay pots you have in your garden. You do not want those left outside in the fall or winter. They will become damaged and you’ll have to get new ones. Save yourself the headache and the money by taking your clay pots in before fall.

For the birds

Fall brings beautiful birds with incredible plumage. If you don’t have a bird feeder, you can make your own DIY version or purchase one at your local dollar store. Set up a bird feeder in your backyard and as soon as autumn hits, you’ll notice gorgeous feathered creatures will be flocking to say hello. Just remember to add bird seed regularly, otherwise the birds will stop coming back.

Get your garden ready for fall now, so you don’t have to worry about it when the ground starts to freeze.

The post Tips To Get Your Garden Ready For Fall appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Plant With Perennials

Although perennials may cost you a little more in the beginning, they return year after year, making them the essential budget-friendly flower choice. You can fill your garden with these beauties and not have to worry about spending money on new plants each spring. Beautiful perennials that are hearty enough to survive the Calgary climate include: Peony, Bearded Iris, Sea Lavender, Blue Flax, Daylily, the Iceland Poppy, and a variety of succulent rosettes and ornamental grasses.

To start, decide on one of two different design approaches for perennial flowers: a single-color floral garden or a combination-colour garden. Whatever you choose, the financial and visual benefits of planting perennials pay well – annually.

Dig Out a DIY Fire Pit

A fire pit is something the entire family can get behind. S’mores after dinner. Sing-alongs at dusk. You might be asking yourself, ‘why didn’t we build a fire pit sooner?’ They are easy to make and will provide endless amusement all summer long. For the project, you will only need four supplies: Stone pavers, bricks or cinder blocks; sand or gravel; a shovel; and, a rake.

Find a suitable place in your backyard for your new fire pit, one that is both convenient and safe. Make sure that it’s in an open area away from the house, low tree limbs or anything else flammable. Clear away debris and shovel out an area of grass for your fire pit. Arrange the pavers, bricks or cinder blocks in your desired shape. Once assembled, add sand or gravel to the pit. Rake the area to create a smooth surface. Add dry wood. Then, rush to the store and buy marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate.

Create a Pathway

Pavers are an inexpensive design idea that create amazing visual impact. If you have bare earth you would like to cover or unused ground space in your yard, use broken pavers to build a mosaic pattern or whole pavers to create a grid. Place moss between the pavers for added visual impact. This will lend an ethereal vibe to an otherwise unused space. Using both pavers and plant moss means you need less of each, which is also light on your budget.

Build A Graveled Courtyard

Gravel is an inexpensive way to update your garden. Use it to designate a modest courtyard amongst your bushes and flowers to sip refreshments with friends. A gravel floor is almost maintenance-free and completely adaptable, as well as perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. If you like, change the shape or size of the floor with each season. The design is not etched in stone, making the possibilities for your garden inexpensive and numerous.

An Accent Colour

Choose a colour and use it to amplify your garden’s beauty. Paint the colour extensively throughout the space – on doors, fences, pots and garden furniture. Any quality exterior-grade paint that is oil-based or latex-based, in a bucket or spray can, is fine to use in your garden. When painting metal, choose a variety that is rust-resistant.

If you have limited space, painting a few items in the same color creates intensity and serenity. A few colors that look fabulous in gardens include: lavender, magenta, teal, deep purple, lime green, sunny yellow, and reds.

Become a Salvage

Not a Savage. Bring your purging rituals outdoors and upcycle unused household items to use in your garden. Find new use for that old armoire or china cabinet, especially ones with peeling paint. Plus, their drawers make for excellent storage. Adding antique pieces to your garden will not only update its look, but also shed your home of unnecessary clutter.

If you do not have anything you would like to remove from your home, visit a thrift store or flea market. You will find interesting used pieces for far less than you would new – perfect to brave the weather in your garden.

Old and toughened wood also looks striking in a garden. Leftover lumber is easy to convert into a bench or potting table and will feel right at home in your garden.

Updating your garden does not have to be an expensive task. All you need is a little creativity and time. Have fun with the process – that’s what gardens are there for. If you’re still not sure what updates you would like to make, and feel that you need some assistance, Infinity Gardens can help make any garden designs you’d like to accomplish.

The post Budget Friendly Garden Design Ideas appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Vegetable Gardens

Vegetable gardens do not have to be bland; they can be both practical and stylish. You can plant certain vegetables together according to their looks. For example, cabbage and cauliflower go very well together due to their colours. You can plant them in blocks and clusters as opposed to traditional rows. You can also plant them inside containers and boxes.

If you are worried about shade, there are lots of vegetables that grow well without direct exposure to the sun: cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, lettuce, spinach, beans and radishes are all options for you.

You can plant your vegetables in all sorts of spaces. Pole beans, for example, can be planted along arbors and fences.

Fruit Trees

The idea of growing fruit trees might seem a bit impractical if you don’t have a lot of space to work with. But there are now miniature fruit trees commercially available, so it is possible to enjoy fruit even if you don’t have a huge backyard. They can be grown in barrels or pots. Strawberries can be used for edging by just planting them around the flower beds. Strawberries are especially beautiful in spring as they grow white flowers that become russet in fall.

Herbs

Herbs are well known for their medicinal and nutritional benefits, but don’t discount their decorative ability. Herbs now come in a variety of colours other than traditional green and can make good foliage for your garden. Rosemary is a popular herb that can add some flavour to your garden. If you are looking for something that can withstand hot and dry weather then thyme would be a good bet. Not only is it a good plant for groundcover, it also exudes a fragrant smell.

Herbs can be mixed well with flowers and interior decorations. Some examples are basil, tarragon, plants and chives.

With time and practice, you can find out the combination that works best for your garden. For advice or ideas, consult our staff or visit us online for more information. You can find out about new techniques or tools available. There are lots of resources you can utilize to make the most of your gardening project.

The post How To Master The Art Of Edible Landscaping appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Take Stock of Your Tools and Supplies

Make sure that you have adequate supplies for gardening: shovel, hoe, gloves, wheelbarrow and anything else that you know you use or might use to cultivate your garden. Inspect the tools that you do have for any signs of decay or damage. Check metal tools for rust and for wooden tools check for splits and cracks.

Inspect the Garden Bed

The harsh winter weather could easily damage your garden bed, so it is a good idea to repair or replace any damage to the frame. Also check for weeds that might have grown. Weeds can be your garden’s biggest enemy so make sure they are fully uprooted before you begin sowing.

Break up the Ground

The ground would have been frozen solid by the cold winter so you need to loosen it up. This can be hard work but it is important to make sure that your garden has the best environment to grow in. A rototiller would be a good tool for this. Alternatively you can use a hoe, shovel or pick.

Fertilize the Soil

Make sure that your soil is adequately fertilized. You can use commercial fertilizer or compost you might have accumulated. Just spread the compost over the top of the soil.

Shift around Perennials

Spring is a good opportunity to put some variety into your garden by trading plants. Just make sure that whatever plants you trade in are healthy, you don’t want to take the risk of cultivating unhealthy plants as they can ruin your entire garden.

Plant Vegetables Early

Some seeds actually germinate better in cooler weather so make sure you take advantage of the favourable spring conditions. After you sow, prune away any foliage to ensure that the seeds grow successfully.

Protect Your Plants

Spring can still bring on late spates of frost and snow. Prepare your plants for this by covering them in plastic and cloth. Check the weather forecast for any freezing weather and take action early.

Sometimes you might find yourself short of supplies or in need of some advice. If you have a local garden supplier, you can ask them about any new tools or information that can be useful. Our team at Infinity Gardens is available to offer their assistance, guidance and insight.

The post Getting Your Garden Ready For Spring appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Rhododendron Barbatum
The barbatum blooms much like other rhododendrons, which is in small clusters formed by even smaller flowers all pointing outwards as if they were arranged carefully by a florist.

A common colour for the barbatum bloom is red, making it just right for the Valentine season amid the white snow. This plant is a bit harder to find, although it’s not so exotic to be banned by law, so take the time to look out for it in stores, or consider asking your local nursery to have it shipped to your location.

Be careful where you plant it though, because it can only take as much as -15℃ of the cold, so if you’re far up North, this plant is better kept indoors.

Cornus Mas or Cornelian Cherry
The cornus mas is a perennial plant that can withstand temperatures of -25℃, making it a hardy choice for many Canadian gardens. It flowers even when the leaves have fallen off most deciduous trees, causing its bright yellow, trumpet-shaped blooms to stand out in the garden. By the time summer rolls around, the plant will produce clusters of cherries, which actually resemble grapes more, although the taste is still sour like a cherry.

Galanthus Nivalis or Snowdrop
The common snowdrop cultivar probably wouldn’t be considered a perennial because it’s a plant that grows from bulbs. As such, the average height of the plant doesn’t usually grow to be very tall, but instead it’s a delicate flower that can be hard to spot individually. In nature, many bulbs are found in close proximity of each other, carpeting the ground in this lovely flower with an orchid-like bloom: three petals form an outer ring and the centre forms another shape with the inner petals.

Other plants which bloom throughout the cold winter months include:

• Erica carnea
• Edgeworthia chrysantha
• Prunus mume

These are just some of the plants that we’ve seen in bloom outside of summer and in Canada, although there are more to be found. Keep nature and its beauty near you year-round in your garden and in your home with fresh cut flowers and potted plants!

The post Brighten up your Garden With These Winter Flowers appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Install a Garden

Just because you don’t have a large yard, doesn’t mean you have to go without a garden. There are many ways to incorporate plants into your small patio which will bring an entirely new value to your space.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your dollar, hiring a professional is a must. They’ll be able to create a garden oasis no matter what size area you’re working with. However, if you’re working on a budget, there are still a few small improvements you can create yourself:

• Mount canning jars on your wall to build an herb garden
• Use repurposed wooden pallets to house herbs and cascading plants
• Incorporate vines and cascading plants into the structure of your patio
• Hang planters to create a vertical garden
• Use repurposed items like cement blocks, wooden crates, birdcages, pails, and whatever else the flea market has to offer to create unique planters with a vintage vibe
• Use a small shelving unit to house your potted plants

When building your patio garden, always think vertically to maximize the space. It’s amazing what can be accomplished with a little creativity!

Invest in the Proper Patio Furniture

The amount of patio furniture you can have depends on the size of your patio, and what you’d like to use it for. Benches are a great space saver because they can be built against the wall and create a more open area in the middle.

Here are a few other ideas for compact patio furniture:

• Multi-tasking furniture:

Having a bench or ottoman double as storage for gardening supplies and other small items is a great way economize your space.

• Collapsible furniture:

If your patio is usually used by just one or two people, all you may want is a bench or nook to sit in. However if you have company, you’ll likely need more. Collapsible furniture is useful for those occasions because once you’re done, you can just put it away and still enjoy your space.

Stores that sell patio furniture usually have lots of options for smaller spaces. Do research online and in-store to find what suits your aesthetic, and comfort.

Don’t Forget the Décor

Don’t sacrifice décor just because you have a small space! Like gardens, thinking vertically and using wall space is the key to maximizing your patio’s potential.

• Repurposed items:

Using antiques or other ‘junk’ items is a great way to recycle and give your space a unique look.

• Hanging items:

If you have any sort of ceiling—perhaps lattice or canopy—items like birdcages or wind chimes will hardly take up any space.

• Mirrors:

Incorporating a mirror into your patio will make the space appear larger.

The key to getting the most out of your small patio is creativity and experimentation. Just because your patio is small, doesn’t mean it can’t be the patio of your dreams! For the best results, consult a professional. Companies like Infinity Gardens are able to make a mountain out of the smallest backyard molehills, giving you a beautiful space in even the smallest areas. Contact our team today to find out more!

The post Making The Most Of Your Small Patio appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Peonies, Paeonia species, whose grandmother did not have some of these?

 These vibrant flowering plants can live up to 80 years old.
Many flowering types are available including single, double and intermediate flowers.  The flowers can be pure white, cream, red, salmon and finally pink.  Blooms appear early summer and are generally fragrant.
The foliage is constantly beautiful throughout the season.  Tomato cages can be added early spring before the foliage gets to large.   These cages provide support to these large, weighty blossoms.
Peonies are easy to cultivate in sunny areas.  Some shelter helps with longevity, especially during the winter.  Soil conditions recommended are well drained alkaline soils.
These old world flowers make a wonderful addition to any modern garden requiring little to no maintenance.

The post Peonies appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Organic Home Made Weed Killer
As many of us know today, chemical herbicides are non eco friendly, a known carcinogen and can be very expensive. After spending hours on
your knees in the blazing sun trying to dig out the invasive species, you
may be tempted to go to the easier less natural option of herbicide.
Before you use pesticides you must try this healthier inexpensive recipe.
1 gallon of white vinegar (5 % acidity)
1 cup of table salt
1 tablespoon of dish soap
In a jug mix a the vinegar, salt and soap until the salt has mostly
dissolved, then either pour onto targeted area or plant. For a more
controlled treatment pour through funnel into a spray bottle.
For prolonged sprayer life, after each use empty the sprayer and rinse the
sprayer as the vinegar will melt the seals.
Try to apply on dry days with no rain (if you are using in grass or near
other plants cover the non targeted species as this is a non selective
killer). You should start to see results within 2 – 3 days. If you get a poor
kill, reapply using slightly more solution. This is another cost effective
option in your weed killing arsenal.

The post Organic Weed Killer appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

The post Creeping Bell Flower appeared first on Infinity Gardens.

Black knot  (Dibotryon morbosum) is a fungal infection that is

common to the  Prunus genus. This genus includes Mayday Trees and Schubert Chokecherries.   Black knot disease was first described in 1821 in Pennsylvania.   During the 1880’s  black knot was the most destructive disease of tart cherries and plums in the United States. The disease was later spread to Canada. This disease is not as destructive as it was historically, but with several wet Calgary spring times and over irrigation the disease is making a return.

The post Black Knot Fungus on Mayday trees and Schubert Chokecherries appeared first on Infinity Gardens.