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Spring is Here!!!!

Apr 1 - Jun 30, 2008

^_~Spring Gardening Tips^_~

• When weather permits, start carefully raking out bed, removing winter mulch, rose collars and cones.  But step carefully!!! Tender young shoots can be permanently damaged if stepped on, or tops taken off by vigorous raking. 

• March is the last opportunity to prune back unruly growth on your trees & shrubs, before leaf growth begins.  Be careful not to prune any spring flowering shrubs such as Lilac, Rhododendrons, Forsythia, Magnolia, Weigela, etc.  Hold off on these until these until their flowering cycle is finished, usually late spring or early summer.

• Transplant any existing shrubs you want to move before they begin to leaf out.

• Remove tree guards or burlap winter protection from any young trees or shrubs.  Try not to leave tree guards in place over the summer due to decreased air movement around the base of the trunk and potential rot of the bark.

• Get a jump start on weeding!!! Weeds start growing vigorously early, so when you spot them, go to it.  Getting on top of weeding now means a lot less work later.  Weeds are easier to pull out while their roots are still shallow in early spring.  Weed preventors are also very valuable products. (Note:  Newly emerging plants are difficult to recognize, so wait until the plant matures for removal.)

• Freeze and thaw cycles over the winter may have pushed some of your fall plantings above grade.  Replant any perennials that the frost has heaved out of the ground as soon as you can. 

• Cut back any remaining dead perennial foliage from last season as well as ornamental grasses. 

• Prune roses by removing dead or diseased growth.  If the shrub is getting unmanageable remove several canes to thin out.  Be sure to sterilize pruning shears and other gardening tools after handling diseased plant material. This will prevent the spread of disease throughout your garden.

• Get your lawn mower checked and its blades sharpened if you didn't get to it over the winter.  Sharp blades cut better and leave you lawn grass healthier. 

• Top-dress mulch to about 3 in. to help replenish wind-blown or decomposed mulch.  Mulch is very important for maintaining moisture, weed control, soil nourishment, root insulation, and prevention of soil erosion.  Also, a clean layer of mulch freshens up your landscape. Seeds of Live offers two different kinds of mulch;  Regular Hardwood Mulch @ $30.00 or Brown Dyed Hardwood Mulch @ $35.00 a cubic yard.  One cubic yard will cove approx. 100 sq. ft. 3 in. thick or 300 sq. ft. 1 in. thick.  We also offer delivery services.  

• An early fertilizer application is beneficial.  Use a fertilizer high in Nitrogen to help plants "green-up" nicely.  Available at Seeds of Life, organic fertilizer, safe for family and pets and will NOT burn.  For synthetic fertilizers be cautious when applying and follow label directions carefully.  "Less is more" as far as synthetic fertilizer is concerned.  DO NOT OVER FERTILIZE, it is very harmful to the plant material and may result in death if not applied correctly.

• Enjoy your spring blooming bulbs. After the bloom fades remove the flower, but let the foliage die naturally before cutting back. The plant will use the excess vegitation to store energy for the next growing season.
  

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