Linda Gilkeson’s monthly newsletters
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonSeptember 10, 2026 As planting winds down and harvesting continues, here are some things to do this month: Tomato pruning: It is time to prune off new shoots and flower clusters on indeterminate (vining) varieties of tomatoes in the garden. Late flowers will set fruit too late to become mature tomatoes and …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonAugust 13, 2026 With harvesting and preserving vegetables and fruit in full swing now, don’t forget to sow more seeds to keep the harvest going all winter. And also remember that seedbeds need careful attention to watering and shading at this time of year as well as protection from birds scratching up …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonJuly 19, 2026 A higher than usual population of Purple Finches this year, at least in the Gulf Islands and Victoria area, is making the birds unpopular with gardeners. These finches have a taste for tender vegetable leaves, especially of Brassicas, and they also peck at broccoli heads, fruit tree flowers, pods …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonJune 22, 2026 We are moving into the season when we start planting in earnest for winter harvests. If you are growing your own winter broccoli and winter cauliflower from seed, sow this week if you haven’t already done so. I went into varieties and sources in detail last year so I …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonMay 21, 2026 The news of this spring continues to be the extremely dry conditions early in the season and the looming forecast of a hotter and drier than average summer due to the effects of a strong El Niño. After over a month without a drop of rain, some coastal areas …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonApril 20, 2026 Finally! Warm days without freezing nights are forecast for the next 10 days—after what has been a pretty chilly April. It seems like garden centres are bringing in vegetable starts earlier every year, so if you planted seedlings and they got frosted last week, start again, as it looks …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonMarch 16, 2026 Everyone is eager to plant, despite the occasional waft of winter-like weather (it snowed all yesterday evening at my place). So, what can you do right now? The soil is going to be too wet to work with all the rain this week, but you can try sowing a …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonFebruary 17, 2026 The weather forecast this morning continues to show a few cold nights this week—ranging from -2 to -5oC [23-28oF] in some south coast areas for Wednesday and Thursday. While in mid-winter such temperatures would not damage hardy vegetables, the warm winter we have had has brought on early, and …
Gardening Newsletterby Linda GilkesonJanuary 20, 2026 I was suddenly prodded into action last week to get going on fruit tree pruning after I noticed that buds on my peach tree were swelling. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise given the warm winter we have had so far…..So If you can, take advantage of this …
Vancouver Island Master Gardeners 