I am not sure where the time goes between March and May but I suspect I spend most of it sowing seeds, potting up seedlings and then caring for them until the weather is good enough to put them outside.

This year has been no exception! The juggling seed trays from where I start the seeds (aka the little bathroom!) to in front of the window (aka the spare bedroom) to outside in to my temporary mini greenhouse and shed is a process that is weather dependant and stressful. Every year I wonder why I do it…maybe this will be the last one!

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Now we are in the first week of May and the garden is springing to life I am hoping the weather stays warm enough to keep the seedlings outside.

All this is in preparation for my own garden and my upcoming seedling sale.

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Seedling Sale

This year my seedling sale will take place on Saturday May 24th from 10am to 2pm at my home address in Ottawa. You can find me and my garden at 21 Fielding Court, Ottawa.

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Seedlings are available for pre order and my newsletter subscribers have already had access and have placed their orders. You can always just browse on the day as there are always more things available than I list on the order form.

Here are a few things to note:

• I am very conscious of my use of plastic so many seedlings are for sale in compostable newspaper pots or cardboard tubes. Any that come in plastic will be in pots that have been washed and reused. I am happy to take back any pots you get from me and reuse them.
• These are small seedlings not full grown plants and will need some extra care but should establish quickly
• I suggest bringing a box or tray to put them in for transporting and planting them as soon as possible. If you are unable to plant straight away then please pot them up into a slightly larger pot
• All the seedlings are hardened off and ready to plant – except a few of the more heat loving tender ones may need to wait until night time temperatures are consistently above 10C
• Most seedlings are $3.50 each. Perennials and other potted plants vary in price
• You do not need to pre order to come on the day and choose from what I have available then
• You also get to look around the garden (weather permitting) and I am happy to answer questions or help with recommending plants

If what you are looking for is not listed or sold out please contact me to check whether I have any available. Managing the inventory and what I have is not always easy! And there are always some plants that I only have a few of so do not list them; such as lady’s mantle, yarrow, ground cover sedums, Penstemon digitalis, Digitalis lutea, globe thistle, some native asters etc.

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Flower Anticipation

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May is always the month we long for as there is so much that bursts in to life and Ottawa is a great place to explore. Here are a few of my favourite things.

• Checking out the Magnolia blooms at the arboretum then later the apple blossom
• Canadian Tulip Festival May 9th to 19th
• The Friends of the Farm Plant Sale Sunday May 11th
• Victoria Day is May 19th and the traditional start of gardening season here in Ottawa
• Enjoying the great food while sitting under the cherry blossoms at the Tavern at The Gallery or checking out other great patios and cafes
• Getting out on the cycle paths and taking a picnic

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Happy gardening everyone!