Waking Up the Garden

by Jenny Wren Garden Design

With snow almost gone it's time to think about the garden. 

I know I'm itching to get out on any clear patch of grass I can see.  There are last year's apples that didn't get picked, which now fall in messy blobs and need to be cleaned up before the dogs eat them.  There are patches of grass which can be raked and freed of excess bird feeder debris and with the blue sky visible today I'm hopeful more can be accomplished soon!

Rest assured your trees shrubs and perennials will wake up by themselves. However a little T.L.C. on your part will ensure healthier plants.  If you are worried those plants just seem too slow in getting going, get down on your knees and look closely.   It’s so exciting at this time of year to see all those plants creeping out of their slumber and getting ready for summer’s party of foliage, blooms and fruits.  If you are new to gardening in a cold climate, this spring check-list might help make getting going less intimidating.

Shrubs

-        Most shrubs do not need much help!

-        Clean up around the base and spread some bonemeal or/and a general purpose fertilizer if you wish.  Remember phosphorous and potash feed the roots and flowers. 

-         Raspberries and currant bushes need to be pruned  …  refer to a manual or Google for correct procedure.  Raspberries are relatively easy …  just prune out last year’s dead canes.  The new ones are obvious by their green buds.

-          Place large pots with (holes in the bottom) upside down over rhubarb to force early stems

-          Spray shrubs with dormant oil only if necessary BEFORE the buds open - now is the time. Dormant oil will smother such pests as scale insects.

-          Prune out any dead stems or stems that obviously get in the way of one another (cross overs).

-         Roses.  Wait until you see buds swelling or opening and then prune back to a node (bud) above the living stem.  Again, prune out stems that rub or cross too closely.

-       Some Spireas need cutting back to encourage the best flowers … these are the herbaceous (mostly the pink flowering ones)ones - not the real woody, white flowering types.  These can be pruned for shape after blooming.  As with most flowering shrubs, prune immediately after flowering.  If you prune now you are removing all the flower buds.

-        Renew mulches if desired.

Trees

-    Prune as early as you can and only if necessary.  If your tree is too tall for your liking, you have the wrong tree in that place for no matter how much you prune, it will always attempt to reach the height it was destined to be.  Raising the canopy by pruning from underneath is a far better choice than chopping off the top of the tree.  Pruning once the sap is running will encourage more growth.  If you have lots of water sprouts, (straight vertical woody stems caused by the previous years pruning), now is the time to remove them.  Prune out branches that cross to closely or rub together.  

-    Spray with dormant oil only if you feel it is necessary. Dormant oil smothers the eggs of overwintering insects - all, good and bad.

-    Most trees will get enough nutrients through their deep root systems but if you want to    encourage growth, fertilise only after a tree is well established (two years after planting) and water well.  Fruit especially will benefit from fertilizer.

-    Apply mulch to help with water conservation.

We'll deal with perennials next week.

If you plan on planting a vegetable garden this year , it is not too early to get some spinach in if you have a clear patch - really.  It likes cold weather.

First Crocus