In my last correspondence, I discussed some of the do's and don'ts of preparing for the upcoming gardening/growing season. This time, I'd like to offer a few pointers on what to look for as your plants, shrubs, and trees awaken for the season.
Perennials
- Emerging Growth: Watch for the first signs of shoots breaking through the soil. Perennials like peonies, hostas, and daylilies often make their appearance as soon as the soil warms up.
- Pruning and Cleanup: Trim away dead foliage from last year to make room for fresh growth. Be careful not to damage emerging shoots.
- Divide and Transplant: If your perennials like irises or astilbes are overcrowded, spring is a great time to divide them and spread the beauty around your garden
Trees and Shrubs
- Budding and Leafing Out: Look for swelling buds and the first flush of leaves. This indicates your trees and shrubs are waking up for the season.
- Inspect for Winter Damage: Check for broken branches, cracks, or damage caused by cold weather and prune as necessary.
- Fertilize: Apply a slow-release fertilizer around the base to give your trees and shrubs the nutrients they need for robust spring growth.
General Tips
- Mulch: Refresh your mulch layer to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it 3" away from plant crowns to avoid rot.
- Weeding: Early spring weeds are easiest to control when they're young, so keep an eye out for those invaders.
- Soil Preparation: Test and amend your soils as needed to provide the best environment for growth.
Spring is the best time to assess your plants, shrubs, and trees and give them a strong start to the growing season.
For the Love of Plants - Kelly
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