Spring Garden Tips

Spring is almost here and I, like many of you, am certainly ready to get out there and get after all the many projects that need to be done. It has been a long cold winter and I am so ready to get out there and begin planting. I am sharing a “ to do list” that I use each spring to remind me of things that need to be done. I think you will find this list useful and help you stay organized in your daily journey in the garden.

Do you have any tips that you would like to share with our gardening community? Please email us with those tips and I’ll pass them on to other subscribers.

Here is Spring Garden Tips to do list:

Trees and Shrubs

Take the supports away from those young trees, they are ready to stand on their own.

After early blossoming shrubs have flowered, such as forsythia, spirea, cut 1/3 of the oldest canes to the ground .

As soon as growth starts, begin applying fertilizer to all of your plants.

To prevent later scale infestation, apply dormant oil to lilacs before leaves appear.

Annuals:

Plant the seeds of slow growing annuals indoors for early summer blooms.

Take cuttings from indoor plants to plant in your outdoor beds.

Get your garden beds ready by applying organic matter, lime, and fertilizer as needed

Perennials and Bulbs

Order your spring plants and supplies

Keep a close eye on cold frames every day and ventilate as needed on warm days.

Remove the winter mulch and begin soil preparation as weather allows.

Apply high-phosphate fertilizer to all planting beds.

Divide and replant overgrown perennials not divided in the fall.

Deadhead those spring flowering bulbs to prevent seed formation but don’t remove any foliage until it has dried.

Roses

As you notice leaf buds swell and open, it's time to remove the winter protection from bushes.

Test soil pH and correct as needed.

Water the roots deeply and apply a complete slow release granular fertilizer.

Check for borers and prune back stems to below borers’ tunnels.

Bring standard tree roses out of winter storage and plant, If bare-root bushes arrive too early to plant, store in a cool, dark spot and moisten.

Vegetables and Herbs

Sow peppers, celery, and warm weather crops in flats indoors on a bright windowsill or under lights.

On balmy days, finish any garden cleanup chores left from fall and prepare soil for planting

Late in the month of March, plant cold tolerant vegetable seed such as spinach, peas, and radishes.

Be careful if you uncover tender perennial herbs. Late spring cold spells can be traumatic.

Tomatoes

Start seeds of early varieties so that you’ll be first on the block to pick ripe tomatoes. Plant a few extra seeds for insurance.

Consider installing heating coils or mats to ensure germination.

Apply fertilizers and compost to your beds if soil and weather allow.

Complete any garden cleanup overlooked or left undone last fall.

Lawns

Rake and mow before green up to remove leaves and winter debris and to let the sun warm the soil.

Correct grade in soggy areas.

Aerate to improve air, water and nutrient movement. Overseed with a variety suitable for your area. Then apply slow release 4-1-2 fertilizer.

Keep moist until seed sprouts. After 4- 6 weeks, treat as established lawn.

Don’t apply herbicides for broadleaf weed control for next 4 weeks.

Patio and Container Plants

Bring spring bulbs out of storage for spring flowering

Start potting frost tolerant plants such as pansies and stocks.

Plant small containers indoors and let plants become established before putting them outdoors.

Pinch back straggly growth and take cuttings.

Monitor over wintering plants for optimum light, water, and fertilizer.

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Have a tip to share? E-mail steve@self-sufficient-farm-living.com

This Tip of the Week was reprinted with permission from Self Sufficient Farm Living, 4007 Dabney Rd. Jerusalem, AR. 72080 Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.