Get Your Garden In Gear

With Spring in the air, the time is right to plan your garden. And if you don’t have a garden, maybe you should get one. Landscaping improves the value and appearance of your home, and gardening itself is as rewarding as a home improvement project can get.

         

So, where do you begin?

Fertilize - Spring is the right time to take care of this important chore. Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips to prolong the blooming period. Fertilizing young trees and shrubs will encourage growth. And don’t forget your lawn and houseplants also need a good dose.

Prepare flower beds - Till the soil and remove dead plant material - and that goes for winter mulch too.

Control weeds - Get your weeds under control before they control you! In Spring they’re right about to put down deep roots or go to seed. Apply “Pre-emergent” weed control according to label. Mulches can help too. Use a hoe to cut off weeds at the roots.

Control pest and disease - Keep insects from feasting on all your hard work. There are control products for almost every problem you may encounter. Thank goodness!

Take care of your lawn - Thick lawn growth looks great and also helps control weeds. If it’s thinning, reseed. And get the fertilizer out. While you’re at it, make sure your mower is in good working order. If you have an irrigation system, look for any broken heads, cracked pipes, or worn hoses.

Prune - (And I don’t mean the wrinkly fruit.) There’s lots to do in this area. Prune branches to clear out dead wood or overcrowding. Prune evergreens to reduce size or maintain shape. Prune young trees before they leaf out - but prune spring flowering shrubs after they bloom.

Plant seeds and bulbs - Now is a good time for planting perennials, including Shasta Daisies, Lupine Primrose, Columbine, Poppies, and many others. Another good option is ornamental grasses - perennials that thrive in nearly any soil and look great next to colorful annuals. Annuals like impatiens and begonias grow just about anywhere, require little maintenance and bloom all season.

Tend to your roses - Proper pruning encourages new growth, while feeding them now will help ensure good flowering. Use a rose food with a systemic insecticide to control the bug problem.

Remember Houseplants - If you haven’t got enough to do so far, remember to prune and fertilize your houseplants.

If this is your first year for gardening, don’t be overwhelmed. Start slow. As you watch it grow, your enthusiasm will grow right along with it!