If Spring Comes Early Will You Be Ready?

This winter has been rather mild so don't get fooled like the frog in the tepid water on the low heat burner. He was so comfortable that he ended up boiled as the heat increased slowly. That can happen to us in our gardens when we are lulled into complacency during the winter months. We need to take advantage of Mother Nature's clock that may give us an early spring. Here is a handy dandy check list in a reasonably good sequence to follow so you are ready:

• Seed those bare spots in your lawn now, it's the second best time of the year to do so.
• Service your lawn mower or take it the mower shop for service- sharpen the blade, change the spark plug, change oil, lube.
• Prune any fruit trees and berry plants. (See diagrams below for proper pruning.)
• Get your dormant oil spray ready to go for applications in March.
• Apply your pre-emergence herbicide to your flower beds by March 15.
• Feed your lawn by mid-March so the good grasses crowd out the weeds.
• Prune any evergreen shrubs that need a touch up now so the new growth covers up the shear marks with early new growth.
• Prune any shrubs that are not spring flowering such as burning bush and rose-of- sharon for more attractive plants.
• Clean off dead annual and perennial debris and any winter weeds from flower beds about mid-March..
• Freshen the mulch on flower beds. Caution- do not add more than an inch of good quality mulch to existing mulch.



Speaking of mulch... You will notice that the gas stations are getting in their supply of mulch for the spring season. There is a huge difference in the quality of the various types of mulch available. The Mulch and Soil Council has established certification standards but they are voluntary. If you desire mulch that will improve the harsh soil conditions we have in many locations in the Miami Valley avoid mulches that are not composted. Mulches should be relatively free of wood particles and be bark based. Some of the cheaper mulches are nothing more than ground up pallets with little or no bark. This is a very poor mulch or soil conditioner.

Send any questions or comments to info@meadowview.com and we'll get back to you promptly.

Meadow View Growers
Growing since 1984

www.meadowview.com.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

Overwintering Pond Fish
The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily bywater temperature. As the water cools, pond fish require lessprotein in their diet.
Cat Repellent or How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden
Do cat repellents work? How to stop a cat from using garden as litterbox? Tell me how to keep cats out of my garden. These are common questions of concern to all gardeners but is there a real answer?The first line of defence is to ensure that your yard boundaries are secure.
A Teak Table - Accent Your Outdoor Decor With One
It's been time consuming, and there have been a lot of hard decisions along the way, but finally you have chosen the perfect outdoor furniture that fits your personality, budget and space. And as you sit on your new favorite chaise lounge, drink balanced precariously on the edge of the flower box to your left, you suddenly realize what your space is lacking: tables.
The Meanings Behind the Colors of Roses
Roses are a sign of love and friendship and by giving someone a rose you are telling them how truly special they are. There are a number of colors of roses available and each one represents a different meaning to the receiver.
Lazy Fish Worries
If your fish hang out at the bottom of the pond, or act restlessand lazy, then it's likely that your pond is suffering from pooraeration.When oxygen levels drop below 7 PPM it not only affects theability of your fish to breathe, but it also negates your pond'sbio filtration systems.
Teak Furniture - The Proper Way to Care For & Clean It
Teak furniture is tropical hardwood that has a rich, golden honey color when new. However, as teak begins to age and is exposed to the elements, the natural, beautiful color changes to a silvery gray patina.
An Outdoor Swing is A Great Way to Relax
There is simply no better vantage point from which to view the beauty of nature, the occasional passerby and the antics of wildlife than an outdoor swing. Outdoor swings do more than provide a beautiful addition to your outdoor décor; they provide a relaxation spot, gathering place and a comfortable outdoor perch that will be greatly appreciated by everyone in the family.
Edgeworthia Chrysantha
Although it is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, the family that includes the daphnes, it would be hard to imagine a plant less like a daphne at first glance. However, if you are familiar with the deciduous Daphne genkwa, there is some hint of resemblance there.
How To Build A Waterfall
The number one, most asked question that I receive about water features is "How do I build a waterfall?"The first advice I give is to visit natural waterfalls or at least look at photos. Don't try to memorize just how they look.
Wild Flower Garden - Yours to Design and Plan
To design a wild flower garden, you do not need to be a specialist or an artist, you just need to be observant and let your creative juices flow. Look around you, what is unique about your surroundings? Do you wish to enhance or compliment these things.
The Advantages of Both a Liner Pond and a Preformed Pond, Rolled Up Into One Box!
INTRODUCTIONSo you've decided to build your very own backyard water garden. You are in the process of actively planning out your design, and you're visualizing the end-result.
Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained
Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour's lawn.But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way.
How to Grow Strawberries
In addition to the traditional strawberry patch, there are as many ways to grow strawberries as there are to eat them! Grow strawberries in a bed, hydroponically, as a ground cover, as an ornamental patio plant, or in a hanging basket.Strawberry CategoriesAn important part of knowing how to grow strawberries is understanding how different types of strawberries grow.
The Basics of Growing Roses
So you want to grow roses? They are a beautiful choice for your garden and not nearly as difficult to grow as you might think.Choose a rose that is easy to grow.
The Advantages of Silk Flowers
The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples and families for many different reasons. Many event hosts or planners struggle over whether to choose fresh flowers or artificial flowers.
How to Make Your Backyard a Wonderland Oasis
Home and garden accessories make the difference between house and home. Unfortunately, quality accessories can be notoriously expensive and in today's economy, finding beauty at a price one can afford is sometimes difficult but can be done.
Ultra Violet Pond Filter
Having an ultra violet pond filter will give you a much better chance at keeping your pond water clear. When used in conjunction with your regular pond filter, it's more than likely that you will have nice clear pond water.
Planning Permission Tips UK - Landscaping Schemes - Do They Add Value-Is It The Chicken Or The Egg?
Have you noticed how everything looks great at the moment - in the garden and parks I mean. Everything seems in bloom, full of colour and life.
Plants To Grow Old With or The Constant Battle
Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle I had with some of my plants!Way back when I was just starting to garden I excitedly gathered starts from here and there, and several times, when I asked people for a particular start, they, with raised eyebrow, would ask me if I was sure I wanted that plant as it could be invasive.Naively, and just so thrilled to get a new start (I had garden fever bad Ha!), I said that wasn't a problem.
The Rich History of Chrysanthemums
Did you know that those lush, colorful blooms called chrysanthemums are rooted in beliefs of human immortality and perfection? Today the "mum" graces gardens, cut flower arrangements and even salads (yes mums taste great), but they were taken much more seriously after T'ao Yuan Ming started it all in China around 500 A.D.