Spring pruning can rejuvenate many shrubs and encourage fresh, healthy growth. But some of our most beloved spring bloomers form their flower buds the previous year. Pruning these plants too early removes those buds, reduces flowering, and can stress the shrub. To enjoy the fullest spring display, avoid pruning the following shrubs in early spring. Azaleas & Rhododendrons These favourites … Continue reading →
Saturday, May 9, 2026 • 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Heritage House, 100 Lorne Street, Riverside Park, Kamloops, BC Our much‑loved annual Plant Sale is back, and we’d love to see you there. Whether you’re filling garden beds, hunting for new favourites, or simply supporting the club, this is one of our most joyful community events. Get your gardens growing with … Continue reading →
Planting Month, Soil Warmth, and the True Start of the Growing Season May is one of the busiest and most exciting gardening months in Kamloops. With longer days and warming soil, it’s time to plant, prepare, and enjoy the garden’s return to life. Finish Hardening Off Seedlings Continue gradually exposing indoor‑grown seedlings to outdoor conditions. Kamloops’ spring winds can be … Continue reading →
Spring is a wonderful time to reconnect with your garden, and emerging hostas are a sure sign the season is shifting. As their new shoots begin to peek through the soil, a little early‑season care helps set them up for lush, healthy growth all summer long. These simple steps will guide you through refreshing your hosta beds and giving your … Continue reading →
Thanks to the Shuswap Garden Club’s Mary Ann Van Den Berge for this valuable information on ways to protect your hands when gardening. “I don’t know about you, but this is a huge problem for me. I always intend to apply hand cream before gardening, but by the time I get out to the shed to grab a tool, I’ve … Continue reading →
Top Steps for Healthy Growth, Strong Vines & Abundant Blooms Spring is the most important season for setting your clematis up for success. In Kamloops, where spring warms quickly and summer heat arrives fast, these steps help vines establish strong roots, resist wilt, and bloom reliably. Wake‑Up Check (Early Spring – March/April) As soon as snow is gone and soil … Continue reading →
After several years of prolonged droughts, watering restrictions, extreme heat and cold, and the threat of wildfires, home gardeners in this region are looking for ways to cope with the new normal. Here are some suggestions. PLANT OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE You probably know that plant hardiness zones are a fairly reliable guide to what plants will grow in your … Continue reading →
Preparing Beds, Planting Early Crops, and Waking Up the Garden April is when the garden truly begins to stir in Kamloops. While nights can still be cool, the soil warms quickly, perennials start to push up, and there’s plenty to do to set the stage for a productive season. It’s a month of gentle momentum — small tasks now make … Continue reading →
An easy early‑season boost for Kamloops gardeners Kamloops’ growing season can feel short, especially when spring soil stays cool well into April. One simple way to give warm‑season crops and some flowers a head start is to soak certain seeds before planting. This gentle pre‑treatment helps seeds break dormancy faster, leading to earlier sprouts and stronger early growth. Why Soaking … Continue reading →
A Space‑Saving Way to Start More Seeds This Spring If you’re looking to start extra seedlings without taking over every windowsill in the house, seed snails are a clever solution worth trying. This simple method turns leftover packaging—foam sheets, cardboard, tissue paper, even bubble wrap—into compact seed‑starting spirals that hold dozens of seedlings in the space of a single tray. … Continue reading →
