Tasks to be done for Spring
Spring is finally here! If you are like us and have been anxious to go outside and get started on your lawn renovations, the time has finally arrived! Here are a few tasks you can be doing this time of year to get your yard ready for the season!
Pre-emergent:
Pre-emergent aids in control of annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass and goose grass, by forming a barrier and preventing them from germinating in your lawn and landscape beds. You will want to use a spreader and broad cast the granular pre-emergent evenly in your lawn and or landscape beds. If you are planning on seeding your lawn, you will want to hold off on applying pre-emergent to your lawn. If you are unsure on how much to apply or what type to apply we offer this service and give free estimates!
Pruning:
Homeowners often approach pruning with intimidation, but it is not as difficult as it may seem. Remember, not all shrubs need to be pruned every year, and certain shrubs should not be pruned this time of year. Shrubs are pruned to maintain or reduce size, remove dead, diseased or damaged branches, or rejuvenate growth. When it comes to pruning deciduous shrubs (those that lose their leaves each winter) you will need to know if the shrub flowers in the spring on wood produced from last year (old wood), or if it flowers later in the year on current seasons growth (new wood). Prune all evergreens, except pine, before new growth starts in the spring or in mid-summer.
Shrubs that flower in the spring should not be pruned until after flowering. However, if you prune it early it will not harm the the health of the shrub, it will just reduce the amount of flowers. Examples of these types of plants include forsythia, lilac, viburnums, ninebarks, weigela, and rhododendrons. Shrubs that bloom on current seasons growth are best pruned in late winter to early spring. Examples include Rose-of-Sharon, beauty berry, butterfly bush, hardy hibiscus, and some varieties of hydrangeas.
When pruning, follow the general branching pattern to maintain the natural shape. In most cases, selective pruning (one branch at a time) is better than shearing. Shearing creates a formal, geometric shape that looks out of place in a natural landscape and becomes more difficult to maintain as the plant increases in size. Pruning paints are not necessary since the plant quickly seals the pruning wound.
Start Veggies from Seed:
Lettuce, spinach, radishes, peas, and other cool season crops can be sown directly in the garden in March. Cover the plants if an unexpected cold snap threatens.
Tip: Sow radishes, spinach, beans, and peas in wide rows instead of single file. You’ll get more produce per square inch if you scatter seed in a 6 to 10 inch wide band.
Repot Houseplants:
March is a perfect time to give indoor plants a new lease on life by transplanting them into a larger pot with fresh soil. This is especially important if your plants are root bound. Also, if the roots are growing in a tight ball, loosen them to encourage new growth. March is also a good time to prune houseplants that might have grown leggy over the winter. Pruning will also encourage new, more compact growth.
