Spend time going over your seed catalogues and plan your garden. Think about new seeds that you would like to try and foster for the plant sale. Plant trees, shrubs and vines as long as… January ‘To Do’ List

Order seeds and start seed flats. Water sparingly. Cultivate the soil and weed thoroughly. Lift and divide perennials, taking care not to damage new shoots as long as the ground isn’t frozen. Deadhead early flowering… February ‘To Do’ List

Prune winter-flowering vines and shrubs after blooming. Plant summer and fall blooming bulbs. Spray fruit trees and roses with dormant oil if you haven’t already done so. (Please note that Linda Gilkeson doesn’t spray dormant… March ‘To Do’ List

Stake perennials that need it and mulch perennials if not already done. Rose pruning should be completed by now. Mulch with manure or well-rotted compost. Shear winter-flowering heathers after flowering. Continue planting trees and shrubs.… April ‘To Do’ List

Layer your veggie waste with carbon (dried leaves, shredded newspaper), and a shovelful of soil.  To speed things up , add some fresh manure or compost accelerator such as “Rot-It”. Give all your plants, and… May ‘To Do’ List

Groom indeterminate tomatoes by pinching “suckers” regularly so that the plant will put its energy into making fruit instead of leaves. Keep tomatoes well watered (avoid wetting the leaves!) and fed. If they’re in the… June ‘To Do’ List

Prune cane fruits such as raspberries and blackberries (except everbearing raspberries). Plant winter pansies and fall annuals (calendula, dianthus, ornamental cabbage and kale). Divide peonies. Be sure to have 3-5 eyes per division. Plant with… September ‘To Do’ List

Replace spent annuals with winter pansies, winter kale and/or grasses. Prepare soil for autumn planting. Plant spring bulbs. Dig and store tender bulbs like Dahlias and Cannas. Rake and remove fallen leaves. Cut back spent… October ‘To Do’ List

There is still time to plant those trees, shrubs and perennials you picked up in October but haven’t had time to get in the ground. Just remember to mulch them well once they are planted.… November ‘To Do’ List