by David Jenkins | Aug 28, 2024 | Gardens
As August begins to wane and the golden light of late summer settles in, Southern Ontario gardens are at their fullest expression. Tomatoes are ripening on the vine, pollinators are busy in the flowers, and there’s a certain richness to everything—the kind that only comes after months of tending and growing.
Here’s what we’re focusing on in the garden and landscape at this time of year:
Harvest Time & Garden Gratitude
For vegetable gardens, late August is prime harvest season. Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, squash, kale, and herbs are often in abundance. It’s a great time to preserve what you can—freeze, ferment, dry, or share with neighbours. This part of the season is about gratitude and enjoyment as much as it is about maintenance.
Deadheading & Prolonging Blooms
To keep your perennials and annuals blooming into September, take a few minutes to deadhead spent flowers. This redirects the plant’s energy into continued blooming rather than seed production. Plants like rudbeckia, coneflower, and zinnias will thank you for it.
Late-Season Planting
Believe it or not, there’s still time to plant! Consider fast-growing fall crops like radishes, spinach, lettuce, or arugula. You can also plant perennials and shrubs now—late August through September is a great window for root establishment before winter.
Lawn Recovery & Overseeding
If your lawn took a beating during the heat of summer, now’s the time to help it bounce back. Dethatching, top-dressing, and overseeding are best done from late August through early September, when the nights are cooler and moisture is more consistent.
Planning Ahead
Now is a good time to think about fall landscaping projects, such as garden bed expansion, tree planting, or natural stone work. The soil is still warm, and with a few good rains, fall installations can settle in beautifully before the frost.
Final Thoughts
There’s something almost sacred about late August in the garden. It’s a time of ripeness and reflection, when you can feel both the fullness of summer and the gentle pull of autumn. It’s a perfect moment to pause, harvest, breathe deep, and take note of all the work that’s led to this abundance.
If you’re looking to prep your garden for fall or start dreaming up a new project, we’re happy to help. At Wind Whistle Landscaping, we love the turning of the seasons—and there’s still plenty of beauty and potential left in this one.
by David Jenkins | Jun 17, 2024 | Gardens
As the sun climbs to its highest point and the days stretch toward their longest, we find ourselves at a powerful turning point in the garden. The summer solstice is just around the corner, and everything in Southern Ontario is bursting with green energy. This is the season of abundance, growth, and subtle transitions—where the beauty of long light is met with the need for steady hands and thoughtful care.
Here’s what we’re focused on in mid-June:
Tending to the Momentum
By now, your gardens are in full swing. Perennials are blooming, vegetables are establishing, and weeds—well, they’re doing their thing too. Regular weeding, mulching, and watering are key to helping your garden thrive as we head into summer’s hotter days.
Supporting Plants Through the Heat
With rising temperatures and the occasional dry spell, make sure to water deeply rather than frequently. Early morning or late evening watering is best. Mulch plays a huge role right now—not just for moisture retention, but for suppressing weeds and regulating soil temperature.
Prune for Shape & Health
Late spring and early summer are great times to lightly prune spring-flowering shrubs after their blooms fade. You can also pinch back annuals and herbs like basil to encourage bushier growth. Keeping things tidy now helps avoid bigger jobs later in the season.
Pollinators, Blooms & Biodiversity
June is a feast for the senses—and for the bees. If you’ve planted pollinator-friendly flowers like echinacea, bee balm, milkweed, or yarrow, you’ll likely see your garden humming with life. Creating a mix of native plants and layered bloom times ensures steady support for pollinators all season long.
Solstice Reflections
The summer solstice is more than just a celestial event—it’s a moment to pause and appreciate the fullness of the season. Gardens are not only spaces of productivity, but also of presence. Even five quiet minutes spent among the plants can remind us of how deeply we belong to the cycles of light, life, and growth.
Final Thoughts
Mid-June is when the garden seems to exhale—lush, alive, and filled with the promise of summer. At Wind Whistle Landscaping, we love helping people tune into this moment—whether it’s through maintenance, planting, design, or simply slowing down to enjoy the view.
Need a hand with your summer garden? Reach out—we’d be happy to help keep your landscape thriving through the bright weeks ahead.
— Wind Whistle Landscaping
by David Jenkins | May 5, 2024 | Gardens
There’s nothing quite like early May in Southern Ontario. The snow is a distant memory, the trees are budding with fresh green, and the soil—finally—is warm enough to welcome our hands and our hopes once again. At Wind Whistle Landscaping, this is when everything kicks into gear. It’s time to plant, prune, prepare, and reconnect with the land.
Here’s what we’re focusing on during this vibrant beginning to the growing season:
Garden Bed Prep & Soil Care
Before planting anything, we take time to nourish the soil. That means weeding, removing debris, loosening compacted earth, and top-dressing with compost or organic matter. Healthy soil is the heart of a healthy garden—and May is the time to feed it well.
Planting Begins in Earnest
Hardy perennials, native plants, and cool-season vegetables like lettuce, kale, peas, and onions can go into the ground now. By mid-to-late May, once the risk of frost has passed, we begin planting tender annuals, herbs, and warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Mulching for Moisture & Weed Control
May is an ideal time to apply mulch to garden beds and around shrubs and trees. It helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect young roots as temperatures rise. We love using natural mulches like shredded bark, straw, or leaf mulch—great for the soil and gentle on the environment.
Pruning Spring Bloomers (Gently)
Early flowering shrubs like forsythia or serviceberry can be lightly pruned after they finish blooming. It’s also a good time to assess winter damage, remove dead wood, and shape up any trees or shrubs that need attention.
Container Gardens & Edging Work
As the weather warms, we begin planting containers and hanging baskets, especially for porches, patios, and balconies. It’s also a good time to refresh garden edges, define walkways, and tidy up stone or wood borders for a polished look.
Final Thoughts
Early May is a time of optimism and motion. The land is thawed, the light is returning, and everything seems possible again. Whether you’re planting a veggie patch, adding curb appeal, or reimagining your whole landscape, this is the moment to begin.
Need help getting your garden started this spring? Our team at Wind Whistle Landscaping is here to lend a hand, offer ideas, and help you shape a season of beauty and abundance.
— Wind Whistle Landscaping
