SPRING
There is usually so much to be done in the spring, it’s not even funny. Fortu-
nately, we’ve had the winter to regroup a bit, and in the spring our energy is high
to get us through all the work. A busy spring is the time of year when some
things may have to be put off until later when more time opens up—be willing
to accept this and move on. Spring is the key time for cleanup, planting, trans-
planting, and dividing.MARCH
The early part of March is usually still too cold and wet for any major activity. In
milder years more can be done during the second half of the month, and this is
when spring cleanup should get under way.PlantinG
w Plant orders should be completed in the first week or two, if not already
done; quantities may already be limited, particularly on the more
unusual species.
w Ordering and purchasing tools and supplies should be done in early to
mid-March. Clean and oil your tools if you didn’t get to it in the autumn.
w March generally is too early for planting container-grown plants, as
most are not yet available and the soil is normally too wet.
w Bare root plants may be available in March and, if the beds are workable,
can be planted at this time. They also can be potted into containers in
March to allow them to get acclimated, and once they’ve had a chance to
establish a bit they can be planted into the garden later—this is what I
often do, particularly if plants arrive small.
w Take soil tests of future or existing beds. Be sure to test for organic
matter content.General Maintenance
w Remove any evergreen bough mulch, but keep handy in case of emer-
gency cold weather. It’s best to do this on a cloudy day to prevent burning
of tender, pale growth.
w Remove any other winter mulch from around the crowns of the perenni-
als, but leave the mulch on the ground surrounding the plants for a
couple weeks, or until early April (early May in colder areas). Again,
mulch removal is best saved for a cloudy day.
w Press back into the ground any perennials that frost heaved
over the winter.
w Fertilize gardens, end of March to early April.
w Topdressing of beds can be done in late March and into April.
w Touch-up mulching can be done at the end of March.
PruninG
w In mild years, spring cleanup can begin in the last couple of weeks of
March and continue into early April.
w Cut back plants that were left for winter interest. Watch for feather reed
grass (Calamagrostis ×acutiflora) and other early emerging perennials