Spring Landscape Tips!

v      Pansies, other cold tolerant annual flowers, cole vegetable plants can be planted in early spring.

v    Start seeds for cool-season vegetables in a cold-frame for late March or early April planting.  Tender bedding plants can be installed in the garden after first frost-free days.

v    Incorporate organic matter into vegetable and flower gardens.

v    Over crowded perennials can be divided when they are one or two inches tall.  Discard  any diseased or damaged tubers and pips.   Replant good plants with bone meal and organic material and then mulch.

v    Seeding or over seeding can be done. 

v    Begin Lawn Care Program. Watch advanced weather patterns of proper timing.    Fertilome Step # 1 pre-emergence prevents crabgrass and other broadleaf weeds seeds from germinating.   (Do not over seed lawns for 3 weeks if applying weed killer as this will kill the seeds of the grass).

v    Clean up beds apply treflan (weed seed kill treatment) and new layer of mulch.

v    Prune most evergreens now, flowering plants can be pruned after blooms fade.

v    Prune “candles” (new growth) of mugho pine in mid or late May.

v    Prune and fertilize hydrangea late March or early April.

v    Fertilome Dormant oil should be applied while temperatures are cool to control scale insects, mealy bugs and red spider mites.

v    Spray nesting bags of bagworms on host plants in mid May to kill emerging insects. 

v    Check for scale on stems and foliage of shrubs and trees treat ASAP if needed.

v    Fertilize trees and shrubs. Apply iron sulfate to acid loving plants such as azalea, rhododendron, juniper, holly, spruce and pine.

v    Prune hybrid T roses and begin spray program.

v    Roses can be planted after frost.  Roses like a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 with plenty of organic matter worked into the soil.

v    Perennial bulbs should be fed in early spring as the first leaves emerge.  Liquid fertilizer or bone meal applied will ensure good plant development for next year’s bloom.  Do not cut foliage back until it turns brown.

v    Always keep mower blades sharp to insure a clean cut dull blades can cause grass to be frayed and the chance of diseases to get started.

v    Clean leaves and debris from ponds.  Check pumps and filters before start up.

v    Start feeding fish when water is in the upper 50F temperature range.

v    Fertilize water plants and divide if necessary.