As the calendar edges toward March and the first day of spring, gardeners in Victoria are eagerly gearing up for a growing season that comes early here on the West Coast.
Here’s a look ahead at what local gardeners have to look forward to this spring.
• First up Feb. 19 at the Victoria Conference Centre is Seedy Saturday, the opportunity to pick up seeds and plants from local sources and fellow gardeners and take in a variety of lectures from experts in the field. See www.jamesbaymarket.com.
• Every two years, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria celebrates all things green and growing at Art in Bloom. The week-long fundraiser and celebration March 28 to April 2 highlights the talents of local and international artists, writers, floral designers and garden experts, while also supporting the gallery’s exhibitions. See www.aggv.ca/events/art-bloom.
• Learn the ins and outs of gardening with native plants — not to mention more than a few great deals on plants — at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary’s Spring Native Plant Sale, April 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Workshops, presentations, demonstrations and displays are included in the admission price.
• Spring garden sale highlights include the University of Victoria’s annual plant sale is support of Finnerty Gardens, Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the McKinnon Gym, filled with a wall-to-wall selection of annuals, perennials, aquatics, bamboos, rhododendrons, native plants, trees, shrubs and more.
• For many years, Mother’s Day weekend has meant the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Mother’s Day Garden Tour. This year’s 29th annual tour, May 7 and 8, will once again offer ample inspiration from some of the region’s loveliest spaces.
