Signs of Spring Surround Us!
Spring is on the horizon, and we are all looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting out in the garden. If you haven’t already tested the soil of your vegetable garden, now is the time to do so. Contact your county’s extension office for a kit and get it sent in as soon as possible. The turn-around for results is usually 1 – 2 weeks.
Add recommended amendments and start sowing seeds of beets, cauliflower, lettuce, mustard, radish, spinach and turnips. Pay attention to the information on seed packets for optimal yield. Consider succession sowing to maximize yield. Succession sowing is simply sowing seeds every 2 weeks. Keep the soil moist, not wet. Row covers will help prevent the seeds from washing away during rain. You may start indoor seeds of eggplant, tomatoes and peppers – these are warm-season plants that need warmer soil temperatures to survive.
Fertilize Pansies and Snapdragons this month. As the soil warms, your annuals will begin to bloom and grow. You may apply a general-purpose fertilizer to shrubs once you see new growth.
Cut back ornamental grasses and clean up perennials by cutting off spent foliage. Trim Liriope with the lawn mower set to its highest setting. Prune Forsythia and Quince after they bloom. Edge your beds and add fresh mulch. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch helps suppress weeds, maintain soil temperature and moisture, and prevent soil compaction.
Crape Myrtles and Roses may be pruned. Check out your local extension offices for tutorials on best practices that will help these plants thrive for years. Dead branches of any plant may be pruned at this time. Also, pay attention to crossing branches. Over time, crossing branches may cause injury, so prune out any branches that may rub against each other.
March is a good month to prune Boxwood. Use pruners and try to prune into the shrub to open holes for light to penetrate the bushes. Hollies may be cut back hard if size is an issue. Clean up Camellias by removing leaf and flower litter. This practice helps prevent the spread of disease.
Take stock of your ornamental beds and add plants to bare areas. Always plant with mature size in mind. Consider adding some plants that have beautiful blooms or foliage. Both can be cut and added to vases throughout the year.
Our March Garden Club meeting will be on Tuesday, March 11, in our Events Pavilion. We will discuss Spring gardening chores and look at some of our new plant offerings. Please register for the Garden Club on our website. Keep a close eye on our Events Calendar so you can register for the classes you’d like to attend.
